My first datsun, 521

[jnfritz]

So i just bought my first datsun. It's a 1971 Datsun 521.

 

I've been going over it the last few days and I've seen some areas I have to tackle so I can DD this little truck.

 

Problems so far:

 

Sloppy steering: I see that a lot of people replace the Idler arm and the tie rods to get rid of the sloppy steering. Does that sound about right? I found these parts on rock auto, so i'm going to order them soon.  Are the king pins going bad that common? or do you think I'll be good with the idler arm and rods?

 

Door handle:  The exterior passenger door handle is broken.  Where can I buy one of these? i cant find one anywhere.

 

Parking brake: The parking brake does not work. I've traced the problem to the cable that connects to a "U" shapped bracked at the rear of the truck which connects to both brake drums. Does anyone know where i can order one of those cables? or can i make shift something?

 

Steering Wheel: I hate the look of this wheel, will other datsun stock steering wheels be a direct bolt on?

 

 

 

thanks for the help!

 

 

[datzenmike]

There are 6 ball joints in the steering plus the idler arm bushing and the steering box itself. Worn out king pins will not help either. If you have a combined 1/4 " of slop in these components the 19 to 1 ratio steering box makes that almost 5" of steering wheel play. It doesn't take much.

 

Raise the front wheels and have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth through this sloppy area while you watch the steering components. If any steering cross rod or tie rod moves... all should move together. Movement should transmit movement from one component to the other. Wiggle the individual parts, can you feel any play? Pull down and up on the idler arm... it should turn but not move up and down. The steering box will wear mostly in the middle or straight ahead area of the worm gear inside it. To a point the gear lash can be tightened up but if tightened in the middle it will be very tight to the far left and right where there is less wear. You don't want that. Too tight a box does not return to the middle properly and just accelerates more wear.

 

King pins can be checked visually for any movement other than turning. Push up on the tires.. does the wheel move up and down? Grip the top and bottom of the wheel and pull out and in on them... is there movement? There should ne no movement other than turning.

 

 

That is a nice PL521. How did you ever find one out on the wrong coast that is in such good shape? Nice interior. Do you know Quick510 from Maryland? ....and welcome to Ratsun.

 

 

The door handle can be gotten from a wrecking yard or better yet start a want ad in out CLASSIFIEDS section here... http://community.ratsun.net/classifieds/category/9-body-and-interior/?sort_key=date_added&sort_order=desc There is a link at the top of every page.

 

Parking brake cables can rust inside from disuse. Disconnect and flex it to break it loose inside. Perhaps some WD-40 dripped down inside? Pull the handle and release use vice-grips to pull the cable back out... repeat. IF... you get it loose and adjusted keep using it to keep it loose, always set your parking brake and it will never give you problems. Again an ad in the CLASSIFIEDS??

 

 

That steering wheel looks like it's from a 620 truck. The 510 has a chrome horn ring and for no better reason looks right. Again the CLASSIFIEDS is your friend.

 

 

This is the 521 section, a forum for discussing the 521. All 'what to buy' or 'want to sell' is done in our CLASSIFIED section.

[mrbigtanker]

All what the king Rat said is true.

 

Fuckin bad ass truck bro period. That truck is so clean..

 

Steering wheels for that truck that's nice is kind of hard to find.

 

I also notice you don't have window cranks or at least the passenger side..

 

Welcome aboard and ask away, there is a lot of good guys to help you out and you my friend bought the nicest truck Datsun/Nissan ever built, hands down. 620's suck balls.lol

[hobospyder]

That is a clean truck. Wish mine was that nice

 

I have to disagree with tank though, 620s are awesomsauce and the two are matched for best looking datsun/Nissan truck imo

[mrbigtanker]

That is a clean truck. Wish mine was that nice

 

I have to disagree with tank though, 620s are awesomsauce and the two are matched for best looking datsun/Nissan truck imo

NO NO NO.lol

[jnfritz]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

Yes, I know Quick510 from Maryland, Dave. I actually bought this truck from him. Real nice guy.

 

 

 

Ill get the truck up on some jackstands and check out the steering and see what needs to be replaced. Hopefully nothing too complicated.

 

 

Plans for the truck so far:

Fix the steering

Fix the parking brake

Fix all the rusted out lights (all on order now)

Buy new door handle(still searching)

Lower it/ on 4in blocks and adjusting the T-bar

Rims/tires, Possibly titan rims

Front Chin spoiler/lip

[qwik510]

Welcome to Ratsun. Glad to see the truck is in good hands.

 

I am sure you can find the parts you need in the classifieds. You just need to be patient. These old Datsuns are not like the newer cars, parts are harder to find and take time.

 

I have seen the window cranks on eBay. If you find a seller on eBay with 521 parts listed, you should send them a note asking about the other parts you need. They may just have it. You can also check out Craigslist in other places. Lots more 521s out west.

 

I already miss that truck. I don't know why I sold it. I may just have to find another one.

 

[mrbigtanker]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

Yes, I know Quick510 from Maryland, Dave. I actually bought this truck from him. Real nice guy.

 

 

 

Ill get the truck up on some jackstands and check out the steering and see what needs to be replaced. Hopefully nothing too complicated.

 

 

Plans for the truck so far:

Fix the steering

Fix the parking brake

Fix all the rusted out lights (all on order now)

Buy new door handle(still searching)

Lower it/ on 4in blocks and adjusting the T-bar

Rims/tires, Possibly titan rims

Front Chin spoiler/lip

So its your truck but Titans are overdone [and yea people are going to say dont listen to tanker but so what].

If your front apron is in great shape and straight, then I would not put a chin on it, but again it is your truck.

What door handles do you need the window cranks or the door openers let me know I might have a set i will just give you.You pay shipping of course.

And last but not least get the wheels first and then find out the drop you want,The reason why i say this is that if you go taller wheel and wider,as you drop it with blocks of course it will drive the leaf spring/shock mount plate in to the tires or rim. So that will determine if you need 720 leaf springs with blocks or go all out 4 link or just keep it mild.

[housew]

congrats. Very nice truck indeed.

 

I put some bids on it when i saw it up on ebay, ive wanted a 521 for a while and though it was a good start, and a good excuse to drive to maryland.

 

looks like its in good hands and going in the right direction

[hobospyder]

So its your truck but Titans are overdone [and yea people are going to say dont listen to tanker but so what].

If your front apron is in great shape and straight, then I would not put a chin on it, but again it is your truck.

What door handles do you need the window cranks or the door openers let me know I might have a set i will just give you.You pay shipping of course.

And last but not least get the wheels first and then find out the drop you want,The reason why i say this is that if you go taller wheel and wider,as you drop it with blocks of course it will drive the leaf spring/shock mount plate in to the tires or rim. So that will determine if you need 720 leaf springs with blocks or go all out 4 link or just keep it mild.

i'm gonna agree with tank on the titans, soon as i saw that you were thinking about them i thought "oh god not another one" second thought was "tank is gonna flip"

[jnfritz]

So its your truck but Titans are overdone [and yea people are going to say dont listen to tanker but so what].

If your front apron is in great shape and straight, then I would not put a chin on it, but again it is your truck.

What door handles do you need the window cranks or the door openers let me know I might have a set i will just give you.You pay shipping of course.

And last but not least get the wheels first and then find out the drop you want,The reason why i say this is that if you go taller wheel and wider,as you drop it with blocks of course it will drive the leaf spring/shock mount plate in to the tires or rim. So that will determine if you need 720 leaf springs with blocks or go all out 4 link or just keep it mild.

 

 

 

With the little bit of lurking that i have done, It seems that there is a lot of disgust over the titans. The titans are not set in stone, I want to go to the local junk yard and see what clean rims i can find, but its an option. 

 

The door handle I need would be the passenger exterior door handle for a datsun 521 as well as the passenger window crank lever. I’m willing to pay you something for them as well as shipping.

 

I completely agree about the drop. I haven’t ordered any blocks yet, nor have I adjust the T-bar. It makes sense to get the rims/tires first then determine the drop I need.

Slow and steady. It’ll get there in a month or two.  

[Steve521]

Wow, very nice truck ... love that dark blue!