thisismatt Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 In doing this axle mod, I wonder if the D21 brakes can be used on the 521 axles. Are they better? If so, it may be worth looking into. D21 would be self adjusting I suppose, and bigger. 1 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 I didn't mean that part. The actually axle shafts and pinion. Remive all the mounts from either and they're both similar, aren't they. That's what I was thinking too. Use the 521 shafts on the narrowed D21 housing. Add the modern brakes. Brackets and such are not a big concern. Cut 'em off and add your own. 2 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 I didn't mean that part. The actually axle shafts and pinion. Remive all the mounts from either and they're both similar, aren't they. Yes. Minus brackets, they are the same. 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 That's what I was thinking too. Use the 521 shafts on the narrowed D21 housing. Add the modern brakes. Brackets and such are not a big concern. Cut 'em off and add your own. That is what this guy I talked to claimed to have done. He said it all went back together perfectly. I don't mean to pass along hearsay, but I don't see why he would lie about it. 2 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 8, 2016 Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 He has a leaf spring frame, so if the axle is to wide, put the 521 axle on that frame, but that doesn't fix the front end, it will still be to wide and it will look strange. I just don't see why one would go thru all the work of modifying an axle when one is right there that will work fine. I say make what is there work, I have an 86 720 axle on my 520 ute and it works just fine, but I am using 620 disc brake rims. On an 86 Nissan 720 frame the front two body mounts under the radiator on a 521 are perfect, they align the front wheels in the fender wells perfect, and the engine fits in the engine bay just fine, but that is using L or Z block. 2 Quote Link to comment
dat nasty Posted August 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Back to steering columns, is there a way to take the Datsun column out without removing any other steering i.e. Box, arms. I got myself in a pickle with the housing almost to the back window and won't fit through the firewall. The shaft turned out of the box with very coarse thread's a few inches and then locked up 2 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 I cut the shaft, but that's when I'm not using the box. You should be able to use pieces from the 521 and D21 columns to make a hybrid column that fits the truck. Cut the 521 column about 2 inches outside the firewall. Machine a bearing retainer and use the bearing from the D21 column. Machine 2 flats on the 521 shaft and use a u-joint from Borgeson. I have pics of this process in my 320 balljoint conversion thread. 1 Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 some pathfinders even had rear disk brakes. 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 OK, this is something I found out a few years ago, the 521 column and the 720 non-tilt column have the same size column tube. So since I was using a 720 wiring harness in my 520 project, and at that time had the cab on a stretched 520 frame(not documented) and was using the 520 steering column, I used the non-tilt 720 steering column hardware(lights/turn signals/wipers/4-way/cover) on the 520 column, and it worked just fine. So if you need a column that fits the 520/521 dash mount that already has the rag joint hardware on the engine compartment end, you cannot beat the power steering column, it has the rag joint, then the collapsible part, then the knuckle that connects to the steering gear. Now if you need the rag joint down on the steering gear, then you just find the non-tilt steering column with no the power steering option, that has the knuckle near the firewall. Now if your keeping your 520/521 wiring harness, the 521 turn signal assembly/brights activator will bolt right on to the 720 non-tilt column. These columns are out there right now in wrecking yards, and if you can find the right truck, you can buy a bolt in steering column without having to make or machine anything, that will except your 521 hardware that is adjustable towards or away from the dash, the steering wheel is adjustable to the drivers body size as the column is collapsible in the engine compartment. I have my 520 and 521 projects on 720 frames, and I use the 720 columns, but since I am using the 720 wiring harnesses, I use the tilt columns which are more difficult to find the correct switch hardware for, but they are way more comfortable for me, the tilt column does not bolt into the 521/520 steering column mount hardware, it has to be cut and drilled to use the column mount blots, and it's not easy to mount. 1 Quote Link to comment
dat nasty Posted August 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Very good info, I was debating cutting the column just inside the firewall and using a collapsible I have with 2 u joints. My insterior is not bad so I wanted to leave it stock. if not I'm going to go get a tilt column and put in my digital dash 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Very good info, I was debating cutting the column just inside the firewall and using a collapsible I have with 2 u joints. My insterior is not bad so I wanted to leave it stock. if not I'm going to go get a tilt column and put in my digital dash I don't like messing with the steering, I find stuff that will work the way it is, that is why I posted the info in my last post, it was a bolt in for me on both my 520/521 projects, and the steering column hardware(electrics, cover, steering wheel) were also bolt in whether 520/521 or 720. But this was with a 720 frame/steering gear, you are using a D21 frame/steering gear which I suspect is the same as the 720, or damned close. 2 Quote Link to comment
dat nasty Posted August 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Good Riddance to that nightmare harness, I counted at least 30 connects that I've replaced, most on the side of the road 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Keep all the plugs/wiring till you are done with the wiring, you will need them for the wiper motor, heater motor, instrument cluster, headlights, among other things. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Wayno is correct. Keep all the wiring because you will still have the 521 lights, heater, wiper motor. I morphed the 720 harness into my 520 cluster. Took some time but worth it. 5 Quote Link to comment
uberkevin Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Wow! that took some time! 1 Quote Link to comment
dat nasty Posted August 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 how do I delete a comment? Did not mean to post, I guess I will just edit over it 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Hey Charlie, if you ever do another 720 wiring harness in a 521, the dash light power likely can be taken from the 720 side marker light circuit, that way they come on with the light switch without having to do all the mods that you did to you instrument cluster, Jacob suggested that to me, I never thought about using that wire in the steering column harness, I just went the easy way and found clean keyed power source. Wayno is correct. Keep all the wiring because you will still have the 521 lights, heater, wiper motor. I morphed the 720 harness into my 520 cluster. Took some time but worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Uhh. I work. And have a family. And have turrets syndrome. Fuck off 2 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Re the steering column, there are many ways to utilize a lot of the factory components like the one shaft from one truck, the tube from another truck, rag joints, u-joints, etc. I documented it pretty well in my 320 build thread. 2 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Uhh. I work. And have a family. Fuck off Exactly who are you bitching at? And why? What could possibly have been offensive in those posts? 2 Quote Link to comment
dat nasty Posted August 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Oh snap, I was just looking at wayne's pictures getting ready to make a comment and then I started bitching about work to a friend and talk to text got that. Give me a minute to figure out how to delete it LOL 3 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Just edit over it. You have to watch spell check also. Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 I saw that post in you build thread Wayno. I think that is the yellow red wire. Not sure. I am interested in this thread for the wiring and if it fits a easily as on the 720 chassis. My brother and I have done 11 different columns through out the build on my 520. it is like riding a bicycle once you do you always remember how. Hey Charlie, if you ever do another 720 wiring harness in a 521, the dash light power likely can be taken from the 720 side marker light circuit, that way they come on with the light switch without having to do all the mods that you did to you instrument cluster, Jacob suggested that to me, I never thought about using that wire in the steering column harness, I just went the easy way and found clean keyed power source. Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Like Charlie said. Just edit it and write something "EDIT: nevermind" 1 Quote Link to comment
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