isomswim Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 I have always wanted an older vehicle as a project car and just could find the right niche. Once I found Datsuns I knew i had found the perfect project. I started my search for a 510 Goon but quickly realized that Datsuns are few and far between here in TX. I then also realized it would be better for me to get a truck that I can still use as a daly driver and utility vehicle. What I found: 1979 620 King Cab L20B w/automatic Trans 150k miles The Good Starts right up with a full battery no large body damage already has 15" wheels Front discs Almost totally unmolested, 90% stock Light surface rust The Bad its still an old truck tires are too big The Ugly Ran into a ditch by a PO, bent the left suspension, causing it to pull to the left pretty bad Old hack job A/C was put in, A/C not even connected to the engine Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Day 1: Tear Down Dash is in amazing shape, only one bad small chunk taken out on passenger side Engine is in pretty good shape for a 35yr old truck. Carb is def one of the 1st to go. Interior removed in 1st afternoon, Wife helped, she is the best. The rust seen will rub right out. Seats are in amazing shape. Want to get longer seat rails to give me a little better leg room. 6'3" 220lbs Automatic will eventually go 1 Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Im going to start in on the interior rebuild tomorrow but not sure what others are using for insulation, carpet and sound proofing. I have some RoadKill sound mat that is going on the floor after I get it cleaned up, then probably some type of insulating barrier next, lastly only part of the old carpet is salvagable 1 Quote Link to comment
mikeanike99 Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Welcome Looks like a good start auto-tragic needs to go and put a 5 speed in it Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Welcome Looks like a good start auto-tragic needs to go and put a 5 speed in it Yes and it is, but I want to get it registered and on the road first Quote Link to comment
GRpufnstuf Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 I'd say protect the dash cap any and every way you can. Carpet mat, sun screen in the window etc. Great looking truck and good start 1 Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 I'd say protect the dash cap any and every way you can. Carpet mat, sun screen in the window etc. Great looking truck and good start you got it. I was surprised the quality of the dash for the age of the vehicle. but unfortunatly I did break the gauge bezel trying to get it off today. the search is on for a 'new' one or aftermarket gauges that might work Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Painting the grill today, goign with a black and blue theme Random parts are piling up. AC removed today, no pics yet The rear panel stayed in one piece and I was able to peel off the old vinyl Going to be using a grey and blue theme inside and found this 'carpet' at lowes that might work for the paneling Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Got home a little early so got some paint off. Waiting for the rest of my stuff to get here in the mail/ups. 2 Quote Link to comment
willz Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 clean floors mang keep em that way ;) 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 The only problem with the wheels is the off set. They are way way too far out and will throw water and dirt all over the body. Naturally you won't be able to lower the ride height as is. Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Glad you got it! :thumbup: Tires of seeing it on craigslist... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 The only problem with the wheels is the off set. They are way way too far out and will throw water and dirt all over the body. Naturally you won't be able to lower the ride height as is. yeah I'm not a big fan of these wheels at all but they should sell on CL pretty quickly, and the tires are way to big and wide. They are 235 60 15, about 1" bigger than stock, i'm going down to 205 65 15, right at stock size Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I couldnt have asked for better weather to finish my floor pan today. Supposed to be pretty cold tomorrow, but not as bad as up north. Used a nice rattle can black on the floor. Got two cans on today and going to use a large industrial can when it warms up again. Got some nice parts via UPS today. 24"x48" Abs plastic sheet. Got the doors undone and have a nice template for cutting new cards. After the floor is finished a few Roadkill products are going down And last but not least 90% done with the rear card 2 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 We keep this pace up we may need to organize a DFW Ratsun meet soon. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 We keep this pace up we may need to organize a DFW Ratsun meet soon. :thumbup: Yeah. mine will run once I get it back together but gotta get the suspension fixed and then registered. Quote Link to comment
Eagle_Adam Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 clean truck! seems like all the blue KC's are coming out of the wood work all of a sudden Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 So I got off at noon today and got home in time to get some decent work done on the truck. Went crazy with some paint and clips. Added another layer of paint to the floor and finished my back card with carpet. Looks awesome. I used 3M High Strength Adhesive 90 The color is almost an exact match for the 720 carpet cut I found on eBay Painted the Rear cards a nice blue. Experimenting with this color, I might just cover them also. And of course a teaser pic of things to come 3 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Well done. :thumbup: 1 Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Update again. Interior is coming right along. Got all my sound dampening in and it helped that the temperature was not against me Also got some sound dampening carpet padding installed Rear card installed 720 carpet that is going in. Got it on eBay Still working on the door panels. Using a mildew resistant padding on top of the plastic and under a marine grade vinyl. Oh and another good note the PO had ordered the door seal for the passenger door. Quote Link to comment
Llittle_Llama Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Where were you guys when I was out in Tyler?!? I was the only one in East Tx. for YEARS!!! Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Where were you guys when I was out in Tyler?!? I was the only one in East Tx. for YEARS!!! You still would be. :rofl: I know 20+ Datsun guys in the greater DFW area. I know one in the Tyler/Longview area. ^_^ Quote Link to comment
isomswim Posted January 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 I know this post is worthless but it was too damn cold to get any good work done today. But I also have a few questions to pose for everyone. I have never used aftermarket gauges on any of my vehicles, only cuz they have all been newer than 2003 except for one. Im flying blind trying to find a tachometer, I'm not sure what to look for. Any ideas? I like the Autogage from Autometer but not sure if it works for my truck. Like this http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2465&sid=1 Quote Link to comment
GRpufnstuf Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Most aftermarket tachs have 4-6-8cyl capabilities. If you don't want to spend on a factory tach the Sunpro SuperTach II fits the hole in your dash pretty well. There are Ac oriole of write ups on here somewhere. If you can find a factory tach it will probably come with the plug the mates directly to your dash harness and you'll be ready to go right away. 1 Quote Link to comment
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