BadlandBandit Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I'm new to Ratsuns but not to Datsun/Nissan. This truck has been in the family since '85. Along with a few other Nissans throughout the years. Blew a head gasket 10 years ago and towed it to the "farm" and left it for dead. I was out there looking at it one day and was flooded with ideas for a Ratsun farm truck. Here is my progress so far. 2 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Sitting with water in the cylinders, did it hurt anything? That's a lot of work if the engine is toast.... and welcome to Ratsun. We'll get her runnin' 1 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Motor should be fine. It is getting rebuilt also. 1 Quote Link to comment
Gradyfest Posted June 4, 2015 Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 What was wrong with the original bed? Or did you just REALLY want a wood bed on the farm truck? It looks like a lot of time and ingenuity, good job. Who's rebuilding the engine? How extensive of an engine overhaul we talking? Welcome to Ratsun. Lots of photos :) 1 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 Thanks for the welcomes. Nothing was really wrong with it other than a few dents and dings. I have always wanted a wood flatbed truck and thought the open wheel would look good. I'm just doing the head gasket and the other gaskets in that area. Eventually it will be getting a bigger motor so as long as it runs till winter I'm happy. I am doing the all the work so cost is very low. 1 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 What I've been up to tonight. 3 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2015 So far I have re indexed the torsion bars De-arched the leaf springs Made the front bar bumper Cut the roof out and made a wood frame (will be getting a vinyl snap top) Built and stained the wooden box Future plans are as follows Oil cooler with exposed lines Datsun rims and hub cap up front Chevy ralley wheels in the back Custom tubing seats Extended shift lever Wood ammo box dog bed in replace of fold up seats in the rear Chain link mudflap brackets 2" drop spindles (or airbags) 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 What was wrong with the original bed? Or did you just REALLY want a wood bed on the farm truck? It looks like a lot of time and ingenuity, good job. Who's rebuilding the engine? How extensive of an engine overhaul we talking? Welcome to Ratsun. Lots of photos :) A wooden flat bed can carry more and larger objects, sides and back can be made removable, it's also easily repaired with hammer and nails or screws. You don't have to be 'nice' to it. In some cases the wood can be stained and looks pretty good. 2 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Progress update... Motor is almost done. Should be running today (hopefully, fingers crossed) Bed rails off and wood burnt and stained. 2 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 This is just a cruising truck to be clear. I'm not building it to be useful and carry anything heavy. At most it will have my inflatable Zodiac boat deflated on it. The wood bed is mostly for astestics. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 9, 2015 Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 Might need 'fenders' depending on the law there. Usually open wheels not allowed. 1 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2015 There was nothing about fenders in my local law book. There are a few open wheel cars running around town already. 1 Quote Link to comment
Scurrvy Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Oh my god. I haven't thought about building a wood bed until I saw this..so much awesomeness. The roof..did you add anything for support or does it matter? I want to do a rag top on my 720. Looks sick so far. Keep it up!!! Welcome to the rat pack. 2 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Thanks Scurrvy! There is a little bolt on crossmember that went across the middle that I took out. The roof frame itself is pretty solid. I don't think there will be any issues. On another note...the Z24i lives! Head gasket job went 90% right (I put the distributor shaft in 180 out whoops) 1 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 Update: added a roof rack, stack exhaust with rain flapper and am in the process of fabbing up some widened fenders as well as getting all the lights working. 3 Quote Link to comment
Brohemius Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 Looking good man! I like the wooden bed, you did a nice job. 2 Quote Link to comment
tr8er Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 Do I see hubcaps? 1 Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 Do I see hubcaps? They are beauty rings...that don't fit. Quote Link to comment
BadlandBandit Posted June 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 On the road! 4 Quote Link to comment
denmarkboy Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 I wasn't sure in the beginning , but I am diggin to out come . I like it better without the rear fenders . Dam laws http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae225/articulationsensation/2ADB354C-7687-4B24-83F0-545BE3DA9078.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Haha I saw this on facebook. Very nice. Did you just scuff the paint or sand it? Quote Link to comment
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