strunky Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 This is Blue, a farm truck from Northern Thailand that I brought to the southern beaches to be my commuter. I don't drive on the beach but I took this picture to prove to my buddies that I made the 450 mile journey from the mountains. She's a 78', 4 speed,1500 and going in for a rebuild 4th of July weekend. I have had her for just over a year but haven't had a chance to do much except clean her up. The engine runs well but diesels after long rides. The suspension is shot and feels like I am driving a tank after a few minutes. I have never experienced front drum brakes before Blue and they are really sensitive and lock up if you brake too hard. There is some rust in the front right wheel which could be tricky to repair. I will post pictures over the next few weeks and I will take any advice I can get as this is my first rebuild. Thanks. 8 Quote Link to comment
shadow1752 Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 :thumbup: :rofl: So clean! Quote Link to comment
74datsun620 Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 Welcome to Ratsun! Beautiful looking Datsun pickup, the drum brakes need adjusting ever oil change to work perfectly. 1 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted June 26, 2015 Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 Beautiful truck! Welcome!! Quote Link to comment
teagueauto21 Posted June 26, 2015 Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 Welcome to ratsun! Beautiful truck, I thought 78s were disk brake front ends? Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Well, I drove Blue another 480 miles down to where my brother in law runs a body shop. My aim is to get her running safely and looking better. I am waiting on some parts so I decided to start with the body as I have tools and help thanks to my in law. Asian 620's seem to be a little different then those sold in the U.S. Most have vent windows, no seat belts and drum brakes in the front end. My Blue has a slightly different bed than the earlier models with vertical tailights. I started by stripping the paint, took out the seat, windshields and dismantled the front. I am having trouble posting pics so coming soon. I have lots. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Vertical tail lights, I'd like to see them. 1 Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Vertical tail lights, I'd like to see them. Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 I will snap off a few tomorrow for you Mike. Cheers 1 Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Welcome aboard, beautiful 620 and beach. :) The bed looks different to me and I can't quite tell why. Quote Link to comment
74datsun620 Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 I too would love to see the vertical tail lights and are those the factory rims? Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 The paint looked decent from a distance but was bubbling up in places so we decided to completely strip it down. 2 Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Took the front end apart I too would love to see the vertical tail lights and are those the factory rims? Will post more pictures of the bed soon and I'm not sure about the rims. Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Took the front end apart and found some good and bad news. I was happy I didn't find too much rust under the windshield. 2 Quote Link to comment
74datsun620 Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Looking awesome! The locking gas door is also something we didn't get here in the USA. 1 Quote Link to comment
trout104 Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 NISSAN tailgate? whats up with that Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Different running lights. Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 NISSAN tailgate? whats up with that Hi guys, looks like I've got a hybrid 620/720. I am new to Datsun pickups so I wasn't sure about the bed. It looks like it is a replacement from a first generation 720 SC work truck similar to what they sold in Australia. The Nissan tailgate I can't explain because I can't find any similar beds out there. Anyway I like her the way she is so I'll clean her see what happens. It has been a struggle to find some parts but I'm off to a massive junk yard on the Malaysian border tomorrow for a look. I am also picking up the bench seat so I hope it turned out alright. The bed looks something like this. Quote Link to comment
125 CSL Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Hope you got a real good deal when you paid for the truck. That is a lot of bondo to have to scrape off and repair. Good luck on the rebuild. Quote Link to comment
74datsun620 Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Hi guys, looks like I've got a hybrid 620/720. I am new to Datsun pickups so I wasn't sure about the bed. It looks like it is a replacement from a first generation 720 SC work truck similar to what they sold in Australia. The Nissan tailgate I can't explain because I can't find any similar beds out there. Anyway I like her the way she is so I'll clean her see what happens. It has been a struggle to find some parts but I'm off to a massive junk yard on the Malaysian border tomorrow for a look. I am also picking up the bench seat so I hope it turned out alright. Please take pictures at the wrecking yard, it would be awesome to see! 1 Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hope you got a real good deal when you paid for the truck. That is a lot of bondo to have to scrape off and repair. Good luck on the rebuild. Looking back on it I probably could have bargained him down. I think I learned my lesson this time round. Just the joy of driving her everyday is probably worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 I first took the bench seat to a motorcycle seat repair shop to see if they could patch the hole on the driver's side and change some of the foam. They convinced me to replace it. Custom made and I think it turned out great, 120 bucks well spent! 4 Quote Link to comment
Eccles Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 very nice and cheap too 2 Quote Link to comment
mcordero8 Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 That came out sick. I like it. 2 Quote Link to comment
strunky Posted July 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 I haven't been able to make it down to the wrecking yard on the border because of some unrest in the neighboring provinces. I tried to take a back route but was met by an army road block. When I took my phone out to take a picture I had an AR-15 pointed at me. I turned around and went home. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840419-deep-south-bombing-spree-continues-killing-one-ranger/ So I decided to try and sort out all the corrosion below where my battery tray used to be. This is my first attempt at welding and pointers are welcome. 2 Quote Link to comment
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