Evo Ray's Rb25 521 "Build" Thread

[EvoRay]

Ok guys, upon popular request, I figured I'd get this build thread started. I put the "build" in parenthesis because the truth is, I picked up the truck with the framework/suspension/engine already in place. I'm going to do this write up in story / picture form, since the truck is basically done.

 

Here's the story:

 

October 2013. I had recently gone through a horrible breakup with my (at the time) fiance.

 

I also recently blew the engine on my shitty Genesis Coupe that, at the time, was one of (if not THE) fastest in Southern California.

 

 

I also parted ways with my beloved Evo 9 because I wanted nothing in my life that I had when I was with the ex. (In retrospec, it was pretty immature of me, but when you're feeling that down and out, you do stupid things)

 

 

I needed something to get my mind off things. I needed somthing to work on. I always wanted to build a datsun 510 with an sr20. But at a show one day, I saw this truck.

 

 

I also always wanted to build a bagged mini truck. Maybe it's the Mexican in me. So I got an idea. Why not build a 521 and bag it? Satisfies both needs. But then I realized, everyone and their moms did an sr20  swap (I'm not hating,  I still want to put one in my wagon) So I decided to do something different. RB26?

 

I started to do some research, but I couldn't find anyone who had done the build before. So I got a dirt cheap 521 junker, and decided I was going to build it from scratch.

 

A day after I bought this junker, I get a message from my buddy, who is on here as Shagy,  Who had happened to find someone selling a 521 in GEORGIA. This specific 521 had an rb25, bags, and drove. I gave them a call and flew out the next week. I figured if nothing more, I could take a vacation and get out of town.

 

For the price they were asking, I thought it was perfect to save time and money and begin with this build here, as long as the work was done properly.

 

This is how she was when I picked her up, perhaps you've seen it? (Frame work, suspension, and engine work done by LAODIES CUSTOMS)

 

 

 

Although the car drove decent and it was probably more ratsun then than it is now, I needed to add my own touches to it. The wiring was kinda messed up. It had start up issues and many things didn't work. The interior needed to be redone as well. So I started to do my stuff.

 

 

Upon taking the interior apart, I found rust... Lots of Rust. Although the frame had been completely re-done, the body itself was pretty bad. So, I decided to take her completely apart, and get her sand blasted.

 

 

 

 

Since this is when the engine was most accessible, I decided to do some work on it. Timing belt, water pump, thermostat, redo the valve cover.

 

 

 

I finally got the cab back, primered and fixed. Along with the rest of the body panels bodyworked.

 

 

 

At this point, its time to redo the wiring. I bought a painless wiring kit, and rewired the whole truck with the Help from McKinney Motorsports. They also built my dash, and helped me with some brake work.

 

 

 

Time to make sure she can drive before paint.

 

 

cops don't seem to be too fond of her.

 

 

 

Now that the truck is wired, runs, and stops, we can finally paint it. The paint and body work was done by my Good friend Alan Farias over at akairbrushing and autobody (akairbrushing.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cops still don't seem to be too fond of her.

 

http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag17/raymondmoonjr/Facebook/Instagram%20Photos/10635769_618524478278921_4162887307914879670_n_zpsjlpcodtt.jpg

 

 

She is still not finished, I'm currently in the process of putting new wheels on her and fixing some small body work.

 

I'll add more pictures when she is complete, and I'll add more pictures of in depth work if possible. (Such as brakes, seats, fuel, etc)

 

 

Basic info

 

80's toyota pickup front end.

S10 rear end with 4 link suspension, wilwood calipers and brakes.

Via Air 444 compressors with 5 gallon tanks on each end.

Wilwood brake pedals and stainless steel lines ran throughout.

10 gallon fuel cell

Aeromotive 255 fuel pump

Custom Intercooler piping

Griffin radiator

Greddy Bov

Kerly race seats (small little buckets to be able to fit in the cab)

The whole cab was fabbed to tunnel the 5 speed transmission, and also cut back to fit the rb25

Defi gauges all across (boost, water temp, oil temp, exhaust temp, oil pressure)

painless wiring kit.

Frame, suspension, engine work done by Laodies customs

Paint and body work done by Ak Airbrushing

Wiring and dash by Mckinney motorsports

 

I know I'm missing a ton of stuff, I'll update it as I remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TENDRIL]

what kind of MPG you getting?

[TENDRIL]

and a most beautiful and tasteful truck

[datson4life]

Nice!!

[Jester]

I love the way your rear wheel openings are slightly bulged out. Looks killer. 

[Lockleaf]

I'm not usually a big fan of builds this extreme, but this one hits all the right buttons. You've put some nice work on top of what seems to be a solid foundation. But of all the pics you posted, this one just seems the most bad ass

 

[mrbigtanker]

I see you did it very good. So let's get together later or bring it down to the inland show. I'm up in Eastvale so where not far from each other. Even the wagons need to meet up. Got a bunch of us down here in the I.E. Looks good my man. We will keep in touch.

[Jester]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What brake controls system did you go with? Are they a bitch to maintain?

I really like the clean engine bay. 

[521ls]

Love it! Been looking for info on what I thought was two rb 521's an orange and black one and a green laodies customs truck and whaddouknow same truck on ratsun. Got a similar plan with my 521 here in aus

[finney]

badass

[Elkie]

Awesome build, beautiful truck.

[521ls]

 

Was the bonnet bulge a necessary item to fit the rb or was that to sit the engine higher so she doesn't bottom out on the sump? I realise this was done prior but just trying to figure if i should fix my rooted bonnet or whether i'll just have to modify it anyway to fit the 6 in cylinder. Do you have rough measurements of the firewall notch? much appreciated

[finney]

I am guessing the bump is for the engine, looks as if it would not be needed if it was not body dropped. 

[EvoRay]

I am guessing the bump is for the engine, looks as if it would not be needed if it was not body dropped. 

This^^^

 

You can sit the engine lower if you're going to be stock height.

[521ls]

This^^^

 

You can sit the engine lower if you're going to be stock height.

i do like it tho

[Greiggy]

love it ! 

[Chrisdevasher]

Happen to have any pictures of the front end build? Is it an entire front clip from a toyota or what was used? 

[mrbigtanker]

Are you back from Laughlin yet. Did you win? Can I have a free taco..lol

[521ls]

Congrats on the speedhunters write up. The first 521featured. ( the players Ute was a 520) for me speedhunters is at the heart of genuine auto nostalgia cut with on point tech, big achievement as far as I'm concerned. http://www.speedhunters.com/2016/06/datsun-truck-skyline-tricks/

[DAT{521}SUN]

This is one of the best custom 521's out there. First saw this on Craigslist and was surprised is was for sale. Great build!

[greenthumb]

for sale again?

[DAT{521}SUN]

It sure is.

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/6199407570.html

[racerx]

Is that a good price? Seems like tons of work was done on it.

[mrbigtanker]

It needs work. Nice paint if that's what you like but it's probably got a wire nightmare and it already needs engine work so 10,000.00 well how. Ugh more you need to put in.