Snapp_Hunter's Lil' Headache

[snapp_hunter]

hey all, nice to finally become a part of this community! I've been searching for a 620 for a very long time as they are almost impossible to find in the midwest. The one I own is literally the only one I've ever seen in person. I've never been a nissan guy, more of an old chevy and subaru guy, but these trucks have always had my attention, and it was a long time coming finally getting one. its going to be a huge long term project, so strap in! ive never fabricated or torn down an engine, so this truck is going to lead me out of my comfort zone and into new a new set of skills. So some history of the truck: I am the third owner. The truck was originally from West Virginia and was owned by a man who was apparenty a reporter judging from the stickers on the windshield. He moved to Indiana, and passed away some time around 1989-1990. The second owner was his landlord. The daughter of the original owner gave him the truck to restore. he did a complete frame off resto in the early 90's. was in a fender bender in 2003, where it was subsequently parked and forgotten about. so here I am with a truck that hasn't been driven in 13 years, has extreme rust issues, but has a solid frame thanks to being recoated earlier in its life. was also given a new grill, new fender, new hood, new drivers door, new rocker panels, new tailgate insert, new upper and lower valences, and 2 new front bumpers. All I plan to do with the truck is to get it running, repair the rust, and paint it. I'm not looking to make a show car, just a fun weekend driver and maybe take it to some shows since they are so rare here. i know you guys will be alot of help! don't expect tons of updates, I work a full time job and have a 9 month old, so my free time is limited to about 1 day a week, but I hope to have the car in a drivable condition by the end of the summer! now lets see if  I can get these pics to post....

 

 

the truck after its full restoration, circa 1992ish. i was less than a year old at this point...

 

 

24 years later, the first time I saw the truck

 

 

and as soon as I got it home, got teh fenders and grille mocked up, looks better already!

 

 

IN DESPERATE NEED OF A NEW BED!

 

 

 

 

drivers floorboard

 

passenger floorboard

 

anybody know a good way to fix this hinge? or someone who makes a replacement plate?

[Doctor510]

Nice and welcome to RATSUN, be patient with your project, nice write up.

[flatcat19]

Great first post.

 

 

Baby steps.

 

Make a long list of tiny things to do or parts needed. Keep it posted somewhere easy to see.

 

It's easy to keep the motivation going as you tick lots of those small things off.

 

 

You got this, man.

[Charlie69]

Almost perfect first post Welcome!

 

First help from Ratsun!  LOL

 

[snapp_hunter]

Nice and welcome to RATSUN, be patient with your project, nice write up.

thanks Doctor510, been lurking on here for a while, lots of good inspiration!

 

Great first post.

 

 

Baby steps.

 

Make a long list of tiny things to do or parts needed. Keep it posted somewhere easy to see.

 

It's easy to keep the motivation going as you tick lots of those small things off.

 

 

You got this, man.

thats probably the single best piece of advice ive been given lately. with my limited free time, coming up with a bunch of 1 hr, or 2 hr projects will definitely help keep it moving. thanks Flatcat!

 

Almost perfect first post Welcome!

 

First help from Ratsun!  LOL

 

 

thanks Charlie! How the heck did you do that? :confused:

[distributorguy]

Welcome, and we're expecting to see a LOT more pics as your build progresses!!!    :thumbup:

 

I'd start with a thorough frame inspection - look for rust in the usual places, in front of the front leaf spring hangers, inside the frame.  Start there.  If you can fix that, the rest just bolts into place.  Kind of.  

[banzai510(hainz)]

Look under Seattle craigslist.  most are not rusted out and still already running and in the end CHEAPER

 

Just to far gone. IN my opinion

 

 

Indianna??

Oh lots of Salt on Jap vehicle = rusted out!!!!!!!!!

[Charlie69]

thanks Charlie! How the heck did you do that? :confused:

I save it to my computer, used MS paint to vertically flip it, saved back to my computer replacing original upside down photo, uploaded flipped image to my photo bucket and posted here. 

 

My photobucket is set to share so you can click on the photo and save it to your compute then upload to your PhotoBucket account, or what ever image hosting program you use.

[420n620]

Look under Seattle craigslist.  most are not rusted out and still already running and in the end CHEAPER

 

Just to far gone. IN my opinion

 

 

Indianna??

Oh lots of Salt on Jap vehicle = rusted out!!!!!!!!!

first, welcome to Ratsun, theirs lots of good info here. 

 

second, Hainz is so correct. Should of been looking in the north west for a 620.

No matter how much money you throw at that 620, it will never be a done project, ever, to much rust, it's to far gone. 

hope you didn't spend money on it. If you did, you just got educated and that's how some peeps learn, the hard way. 

 

word of advise, don't waste your time and money, start looking for a much better project, not a money pit. The form has a east and west craig's list thread, that's where you should be looking. GL in your search. 

[snapp_hunter]

You guys gonna tow it out here for me? Because I sure as hell don't have the means. Only spent $100 on it, and then $400 for the brand new body panels, so regardless of what you guys think, I'm going to build it in spite of it all

[420n620]

You guys gonna tow it out here for me? Because I sure as hell don't have the means. Only spent $100 on it, and then $400 for the brand new body panels, so regardless of what you guys think, I'm going to build it in spite of it all

 

 

You guys gonna tow it out here for me? Because I sure as hell don't have the means. Only spent $100 on it, and then $400 for the brand new body panels, so regardless of what you guys think, I'm going to build it in spite of it all

we heard you the first time, no reason to post it twice.  :lol:

 

 

sure I'll tow to your place, you got money for me to bring it or will this be put on the Bernie's FREE credit card account.  ;)  just kidding if you didn't know. 

 

 

for a $100.00 plus $400.00 for the panels ( which panels did you get ?? ) your on your way. Just so you'll know. I'll be posting in the classifieds for sale 620 body sections. Looks like you might need some body sections. Time will tell. 

 

anyways, looking forward to seeing this 620 get put back together.  :thumbup:

[Draker]

If you are serious about this restoration, you'd pull the bed and junk it, pull the cab.. assess the frame. If the frame is good... dip the cab and see if it comes back in one piece. Then get to work. 

 

I mean, with enough determination, you can bring it back. Sure there are easier ways to do it... but if you are set on THIS truck... then make it happen.

[snapp_hunter]

we heard you the first time, no reason to post it twice. :lol:

 

 

sure I'll tow to your place, you got money for me to bring it or will this be put on the Bernie's FREE credit card account. ;) just kidding if you didn't know.

 

 

for a $100.00 plus $400.00 for the panels ( which panels did you get ?? ) your on your way. Just so you'll know. I'll be posting in the classifieds for sale 620 body sections. Looks like you might need some body sections. Time will tell.

 

anyways, looking forward to seeing this 620 get put back together. :thumbup:

It came with a brand new hood, new drivers door, and new passenger side fender. It also came with used replacements for the upper and lower valences, tailgate insert, rocker panels,and grille. Oh, and 2 brand new front bumpers. I can make floors, that's easy, the bed sucks lmao

[snapp_hunter]

If you are serious about this restoration, you'd pull the bed and junk it, pull the cab.. assess the frame. If the frame is good... dip the cab and see if it comes back in one piece. Then get to work.

 

I mean, with enough determination, you can bring it back. Sure there are easier ways to do it... but if you are set on THIS truck... then make it happen.

I've been under the truck, the frame was painted when it was restored, from what I can see it is very solid, that's why I still bought it. The bed is for sure toast. But the only fab work to do is floor patches and a cab corner. It's going to be tough, but not impossible. For the $100 investment, it will at least be good practice

[420n620]

It came with a brand new hood, new drivers door, and new passenger side fender. It also came with used replacements for the upper and lower valences, tailgate insert, rocker panels,and grille. Oh, and 2 brand new front bumpers. I can make floors, that's easy, the bed sucks lmao

dammmmm, niiiiccccceeeee, how about some pic's of the parts.

 

What about the upper section to the firewall where the hood hinges mount. that looked a little swiss cheesy.

 

I wished you was closer cause I've got a 620 bed in good condition. Sucks that it will most likely be scrapped. 

[mcordero8]

FUBR

[snapp_hunter]

wow sounds like alot of you guys are spoiled. Maybe it was a bad decision to join this community. From what I had read, everyone seemed nice, and helpful. in the midwest there aren't pages upon pages of craigslist postings for these trucks. furthermore, most people don't have the time or resources to fly across the country for a vehicle. y'all don't like it? move on. I'm gonna build it and enjoy it. just as soon as I get this damn Impala out of my garage. 

[snapp_hunter]

dammmmm, niiiiccccceeeee, how about some pic's of the parts.

 

What about the upper section to the firewall where the hood hinges mount. that looked a little swiss cheesy.

 

I wished you was closer cause I've got a 620 bed in good condition. Sucks that it will most likely be scrapped.

Where are you located? I have a local guy who has a Chevy luv bed that I figured might fit in the mean time

 

And yeah that hinge is a big concern to me, does anyone make a sheet metal replacement for that? If not I'm sure I could make one, but it'seems more of a safety concern to me

[distributorguy]

There's really no safety concern at the back of the hood.  It won't lift off.  Figure out how to make small pieces and weld them together until you have it repaired.  One side at a time.  

As for the cab, its pretty bad, but it can be done. I've resurrected worse.  I've regretted it, but I've done it.  Do yourself a HUGE favor - pull the cab off the frame and tip it on its back to work on the floors.  It's SO much easier.  Then you can tackle the rockers.  Someone posted a company here that makes those rocker panels, and I can attest they are nice AND cheap.  Buy them.  Everything else you'll have to fab yourself.  If nothing else, make a cool flatbed with stake sides.  Then use the tailgate to make a bench so you can sit and admire your work.  

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[HOGIE]

Dude slow down with the 'maybe I shouldn't have joined...' There are over 22,000 members on the forum and your getting upset by the posts of only a few.

 

 

Build your truck the way you want to and have fun. Its rough so fix it then drive it

[snapp_hunter]

I planned on pulling the cab to fix the floors, and I already have both rocker panels and they are indeed solid.as far as the rotten hinge mount, thankfully it's only the passengers side, drivers side is fine. I figured a flatbed was the way to go in the meantime, but I just love the lines on these trucks so much, so I will want a new bed as soon as I can afford one

[420n620]

Where are you located? I have a local guy who has a Chevy luv bed that I figured might fit in the mean time

 

And yeah that hinge is a big concern to me, does anyone make a sheet metal replacement for that? If not I'm sure I could make one, but it'seems more of a safety concern to me

located here > https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Clarkston,+Washington/Indiana/@43.0536229,-110.5791162,5z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x54a1c89353827f71:0x2854eda5caf1fe30!2m2!1d-117.0451581!2d46.4162723!1m5!1m1!1s0x886b50bcd9f81b1d:0x7e102fcecb32ec72!2m2!1d-86.1349019!2d40.2671941

I was looking at 1 of the 620's that I'm parting out and it's got a nice hood hinge section. We can talk about that when I get ready to zaw zaw the body up, which will be happening very soon. I'll send you a PM so I can ask a few questions. 

 

Dude slow down with the 'maybe I shouldn't have joined...' There are over 22,000 members on the forum and your getting upset by the posts of only a few.

 

 

Build your truck the way you want to and have fun. Its rough so fix it then drive it

^^ here's good advise, don't get thin skinned on us now. You've already decided to fix the 620 up and as long as your mind is made up, so is mine, not sure about the others. Lets move forward and just ignore the "just my 2 cents worth" comments. 

[snapp_hunter]

I was looking at 1 of the 620's that I'm parting out and it's got a nice hood hinge section. We can talk about that when I get ready to zaw zaw the body up, which will be happening very soon. I'll send you a PM so I can ask a few questions. 

 

 

don't get thin skinned on us now. You've already decided to fix the 620 up and as long as your mind is made up, so is mine, not sure about the others. Lets move forward and just ignore the "just my 2 cents worth" comments.

 

awesome, looking forward to it. also missing a few other random emblems and such, any chance on those? passenger fender, and grile emblem. signal lenses?

 

 

 

Thin skinned?  Nah man, criticism without contribution just grinds my gears. 

[HOGIE]

About your hinges, just cut it out and make a patch plate for the area. It mount with two spot welds. Easy. I will give you this advise though, mark a big X or arrow for the point (left/right and backward/forward) where the hinge bolts line up. This will make the gaps line up. And be careful to have the hinge at the vertical height. If you just put a plate over the old metal the hood will be to tall and float above the fenders and cowl

[snapp_hunter]

About your hinges, just cut it out and make a patch plate for the area. It mount with two spot welds. Easy. I will give you this advise though, mark a big X or arrow for the point (left/right and backward/forward) where the hinge bolts line up. This will make the gaps line up. And be careful to have the hinge at the vertical height. If you just put a plate over the old metal the hood will be to tall and float above the fenders and cowl

good advice, this is what i'm looking for. i was worried about the hood not setting down correctly if i mess with that brackets position. just gonna have to be patient with it. measure, measure, measure.