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Restoring My Pops Datsun


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Hey guys I am new to this forum just wanted to say hello and share my story.  My father bought a blue 79 datsun 620 pickup truck in 1979 and took great care of it.  He was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1992 and fixed it up as much as possible, including a paint job, to leave to me.  I started driving it in 2001 as my first car.  My rear driver side tire tread blew off on the freeway tearing up my rear quarter panel, and being 17 I procrastinated in fixing it.... We moved to a different house and the truck stayed there behind for 12 years out doors in the back yard..... Last year I decided to bring it back to life.  Towed it to my house, four used tires, a new battery, spark plugs/wires, ignition coil, air filter, oil filter, and some fresh gas and it started right up!  The original (71 or so piece) carb was giving us issues though, and after taking it apart cleaning every piece, and putting it back together we still had problems with the float. I decided to get a new carb and just bought a weber, which I keep hidden under the original air filter.  After some minor adjustments on the idle and timing its running great. Just bought new tires and need to fix that rear driver side panel and a dented passenger front fender.  Thats my story, and there are a lot of little things to fix piece by piece I would like to share with you, and maybe find a little help with.  Keeping it as original as possible.  Means a lot to me.

 

Cheers

Rooster

 
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Youre going to use the webcam on your laptop to take pictures? I guess its better than no pictures...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the site. 

my other option is to use my phone.  I have a MacPro laptop the pictures are actually really good quality. just don't know how to get them from my laptop to a post

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Things look backwards because I used my laptop to take the pic.... and whats a RHD? is it rare or something?  I am just starting to get into the Datsun world

Oh never mind the steering wheel looks like its on the right side, also the way I took the picture with my laptop...

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^^

 

Good looking truck. And shame on you for letting it sit so long! :P

I know I know..... I was all talk lol, but now Im all in!!!  Got to fix the cosmetic issues on the outside, not sure what I am going/need to do there.  Maybe a tire rod and alignment.  Its been driving great but probably taking a beating on all the old suspension system that has been out there.  Any advice? Also concerned I need to change the water pump asap just to be safe

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Photoon6-24-14at605PM_zpsc3884280.jpg

 

Awesome story, and nice work getting her back on the road.  So are you wanting someone to read your palm here? Gang signs? Oh Oh Oh! I get it!  You heard about Pac Pao.

 

Welcome to Ratsun.

 

Where we're working on fingerprint reading software to steal your shit via the internet.  Better blur those out.

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I know I know..... I was all talk lol, but now Im all in!!!  Got to fix the cosmetic issues on the outside, not sure what I am going/need to do there.  Maybe a tire rod and alignment.  Its been driving great but probably taking a beating on all the old suspension system that has been out there.  Any advice? Also concerned I need to change the water pump asap just to be safe

 

The 1979 has a ball joint suspension, You can replace all the wear parts in the front pretty inexpensively. Ball joints, tie rods, center link, idler arm and bushings are all easily replaced. The lower bushing is a bit of a pain though. Typically the idler arm wears out and adds a bunch of slop to the steering.

 

Water pump is a cheap and easy R & R as well.

 

Spend a bit more for quality components, Moog is good for the suspension stuff, maybe splurge on a Nissan water pump from the stealership.

 

Adjust the valves, this is the biggest maintenance item other than changing the oil.

 

Nice looking truck, you should be able to find a fender and that panel for the bed locally. A bit of cleanup and you will have a solid truck for a long time to come.

 

 

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Awesome story, and nice work getting her back on the road.  So are you wanting someone to read your palm here? Gang signs? Oh Oh Oh! I get it!  You heard about Pac Pao.

 

Welcome to Ratsun.

 

Where we're working on fingerprint reading software to steal your shit via the internet.  Better blur those out.

 

I have actually been working on my forearms for the move to no power steering and wanted to show them off lol. I knew I would catch some heat for that if I didn't matter showing the plate...wasn't sure if I should I was supposed to or not, but thanks for clearing that up for me :)

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The 1979 has a ball joint suspension, You can replace all the wear parts in the front pretty inexpensively. Ball joints, tie rods, center link, idler arm and bushings are all easily replaced. The lower bushing is a bit of a pain though. Typically the idler arm wears out and adds a bunch of slop to the steering.

 

Water pump is a cheap and easy R & R as well.

 

Spend a bit more for quality components, Moog is good for the suspension stuff, maybe splurge on a Nissan water pump from the stealership.

 

Adjust the valves, this is the biggest maintenance item other than changing the oil.

 

Nice looking truck, you should be able to find a fender and that panel for the bed locally. A bit of cleanup and you will have a solid truck for a long time to come.

 

 

 

Thanks!! This is exactly the kind of information and advice I was hoping to get here to plan my next steps on the restoring. How would I go about adjusting the valves?

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