720zx Posted October 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Sprayed all parts of the front end and I think the inside of the flip front has turned out pretty good. 2 Quote Link to comment
_chiefjt Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 .............................that's tight. Quote Link to comment
720inOlyWa Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Way cool. Way, way, cool. 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 As I said before, you do good work!!! I have a question about the flip front, why did you leave a little jog in the line when transitioning from the hood to the fender, to keep it centered? 1 Quote Link to comment
jmspep Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Is that rustolem sail blue.....? Miss my truck 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 TIG? nice! Checked for ride height in my '86 FSM but can't find anything. It's there but different for 2wd/4x4. It's measures from a suspension bolt center line (LCA) down to the ground. I'll try to remember to look it up tonight. Quote Link to comment
c10jim Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Yes it will be a flat bed as the original one died of cancer years ago. I have already made a box section frame for the back but I'm not sure if I like it. My first thoughts were to have the bed low and the wheel arches through it but now I'm thinking of raising the bed above the wheels. Does anyone have opinions on this? Wheel and tyre size is also a concern and will have an effect on the bed / arch height. I am no expert on this but due to the different diff ratios from the 280zx and the 720 (3.54:1 and 4.1:1 approx) to keep the speedo accuracy I reckon I would need a tyre diameter of approx 29" (correct me if I'm wrong) giving the truck a raked look. What do you guys think of that or is it old hat. I love all of your fabrication work. I wish I had your skills. I have a 1980 datsun 720 rat truck that has a 1970 dat 240z engine about 90 percent installed in it. I need to figure out how i am going to get the exhaust pipe hooked up to the motor. it seems that there is a torsion bar in the way. problem #2 is some sort of air cleaner assembly. And here in Arizona we have to pass emmision test. And and has anyone told you that you talk funny? I'm sorry but I could not resist that last comment. I am also Happy to see someone else do the straight six change over in a 720 truck. I will have to get some pictures of my project here.....Jim. Quote Link to comment
Justin Berni Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 It's there but different for 2wd/4x4. It's measures from a suspension bolt center line (LCA) down to the ground. I'll try to remember to look it up tonight. Mike do you think you could check ride height for both 2wd and 4wd? Got me curious exactly how much different mine is from the factory.. Also that flip front is cool, looks like a lotta work, nice job. Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Thanks, everyone's words of encouragement are much appreciated. As I said before, you do good work!!! I have a question about the flip front, why did you leave a little jog in the line when transitioning from the hood to the fender, to keep it centered? The line of the hood to the fender is offset by 35mm. This was a result of coincidence rather than good planning. The body was removed while I fitted the engine and worked on the chassis. Due to the severity of rust I cut out the whole floor, sills and firewall and a new floor pan was fabricated while the body was sat on its back. Then the firewall and transmission tunnel were fabricated after the body was re-fitted so clearance around the engine could be achieved. It was much later when I started the flip front that the position of the hood and fenders became apparent. So to say it is to keep it centred would be wrong but it does to a degree. I will post some old pictures of the chassis and floor pan build when I scan them in. Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Is that rustolem sail blue.....? I'm not sure of the name of the colour. The original paint was a light blue. So as I was doing body work, to keep the rust at bay I painted it with some cellulose blue that I had. I colour matched that colour and have used 2k paint. I call it Smurf blue. 1 Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 I love all of your fabrication work. I wish I had your skills. I have a 1980 datsun 720 rat truck that has a 1970 dat 240z engine about 90 percent installed in it. I need to figure out how i am going to get the exhaust pipe hooked up to the motor. it seems that there is a torsion bar in the way. problem #2 is some sort of air cleaner assembly. And here in Arizona we have to pass emmision test. And and has anyone told you that you talk funny? I'm sorry but I could not resist that last comment. I am also Happy to see someone else do the straight six change over in a 720 truck. I will have to get some pictures of my project here.....Jim. Thanks Jim. I would really like to see pictures of your project. Although my exhaust is not complete I have fabricated a 51mm stainless steel pipe from where the original down pipes go from 2 to 1. A slight offset passed the torsion bar, under a cross member and out the back. I need to source a stainless silencer before I can finish it. We have to pass emission tests here in England but due to the trucks age I think they will be a bit more lenient. On the subject of "talking funny" I do speak the Queens English although I have used American terms such as hood instead of (bonnet) fender (wing) firewall (bulkhead) and mm instead of inches. I do hope you can understand me though. LOL Quote Link to comment
Spiff Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Loving the flip front! The engine is also cool although I prefer a three pedal setup:-) keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 TIG? nice! Checked for ride height in my '86 FSM but can't find anything. Mike do you think you could check ride height for both 2wd and 4wd? Got me curious exactly how much different mine is from the factory.. Also that flip front is cool, looks like a lotta work, nice job. 2 and 4x4 ride heights are measured differently. Neither is measured to the ground, but between other suspension points. 2wd Ride Height... ...is measured below the lower control arm. (LCA) On a horizontal line over from the tension rod mounting bolt head on the LCA, measure vertically up to the front center line of the LCA hinge point. This is the front side of the LCA where the torsion bar attaches to it. King Cab...... 4.45" to 4.61" Reg. Cab..... 4.65" to 4.80" 4wd Ride Height... ...is measured below the lower control arm. (LCA) On a horizontal line over from the steering stopper bracket on the LCA, measure vertically up to the front center line of the LCA hinge point. This is the front side of the LCA where the torsion bar attaches to it. King Cab....... 1.54" to 1.69" Reg, Cab....... 1.73" to 1.89" Adjust the anchor bolts on the rear of the torsion bars to adjust height up or down. Bounce suspension to equalize before measuring without driver in cab.. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 It's never easy is it, seems like a simple question, but there is always a reason for it to be complicated. Mike do you think you could check ride height for both 2wd and 4wd? Got me curious exactly how much different mine is from the factory..Also that flip front is cool, looks like a lotta work, nice job. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Yeah, would be nice to say 4" and 6". Measuring to the ground would not take into account tire sizes used. Quote Link to comment
jmspep Posted November 2, 2014 Report Share Posted November 2, 2014 I'm not sure of the name of the colour. The original paint was a light blue. So as I was doing body work, to keep the rust at bay I painted it with some cellulose blue that I had. I colour matched that colour and have used 2k paint. I call it Smurf blue. Awe smurf blue. We always called it papa smurf when I had it.. 1 Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Since I painted the front I have been getting the rest of the truck ready for a re-spray. I have filled in the door lock holes as I am going to fit remote locking. Pictures will be here soon when its finished. Here are some old photos of the truck when I first got it. Sorry for the poor quality of these pics. 2 Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Getting the engine fitted. Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 New floor pan welded in. 2 Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 The chassis had a lot of rust which was all cut out and patched up. 2 Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Inside the cab 2 Quote Link to comment
720zx Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 The chassis painted 1 Quote Link to comment
petercscherer Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Did you have to modify the oil pan or front suspension to fit the 280zx motor? ~Peter Quote Link to comment
JoeCool Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 That was a one year hood, there were no functional vents from 81-86, and them 2 plastic vents on the 81/82 were cosmetic, yes one of them was a small vent, but the other was solid, I used to have a set, should have taken a photo of them, from 83 on there were no holes of any kind in the hood even with a larger engine(Z24). You do good work. :thumbup: Exactly why I HATE when people weld them up or fill them in! Besides the fact they look so cool and unique, especially when you have a clean and shiny engine. That flip up front end does look good though. I really like the welded in mesh and filled in corner lights! Quote Link to comment
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