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1984 Nissan 720 King Cab (survivor ) Restoration


1984nissan720

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Hi everyone. I'm excited about my new truck and finding this forum. Hope you all can help me out a bit.

 

I recently purchased my very first Nissan - a 1984 720 Pickup King Cab. I believe it's what is considered a survivor because it's mostly all original and has just 74,000 miles on it. I have the CarFax report which supports the seller's story behind the truck. Apparently the original owner had it for 25 years and kept it in a garage. Another family member had it for a few years and then the guy I bought it from had it for about two years. It came with the original dealer invoice, window sticker, owner's manual and warranty booklet. The truck is in excellent shape with no body damage, no rust, no rips or tears in the interior and everything works including the cruise control (although a little flaky). The original owner added a Duraliner two months after he bought the truck and I have that bill of sale as well.

 

Given it's great condition, I want to bring it back to 100% original, if possible. I'm OK with the bed liner since I do use the truck for light moving and a little handyman work once in a while but I'd like to undo the few things that have been done to it. Here's where I need some help:

 

First and foremost, the original radio was replaced with a high-tech remote controlled unit that also has all of today's options and stuff on it, like bluetooth, aux-in, etc. I'm looking to yank that out and give it to anyone that can find me an OEM/factory radio. I believe the truck came with an AM/FM Cassette unit with the old school "push button" presets. I'm not much of a music guy so the lesser quality of 1984 sound is OK when it will bring the truck closer to original.

 

Along with that, I want to replace the short rubber antennae that was installed. Does anyone know what kind of antennae came with the truck? I presume it was a metal whip style, and not electric. Was it one piece or manual telescopic? and what length? I don't mind buying aftermarket for this as long as it looks original.

 

I've already found sources for some interior trim pieces like plastic around the door handles but does anyone know where to get original floor mats? or does anyone have pictures of them so I can something that looks close to original?

 

The third owner also installed a three-outlet 12-volt block on the passenger side of the center console housing, presumable for charging his phone, etc. Although it is handy, I don't like the look of it and want to remove it. What's the best way to fill and cover screw holes left behind? And does anyone have an idea about mounting a single outlet somewhere so it looks original or at least unobtrusive? The truck does have a working cigarette lighter (yes, a lighter and it does work!) but I can tell from the heating element that it's never been used to light a cigarette. I want to preserve this as is and not use it for my phone charger.

 

That's about it for interior and cosmetics. It really is sweet looking with all the original chrome, wheelcovers, cloth seats, etc.

 

Now mechanically, I need to do a complete tuneup. I used to work on American muscle cars way back in the day before marriage and kids so I'm familiar with things under the hood. However I've never owned Japanese before and I've never seen an engine with two spark plugs per cylinder. Can anyone provide me with some tips-n-tricks for doing the tuneup? Most importantly, I need to adjust timing and idle speed ASAP. It's running a bit rough (noticeable shaking) and RPMs range between 1200-1600 in park and 800-900 in drive.

 

I'm going to be doing as much as I can myself and would appreciate any and all help I can get. This should be a fun project and I love the daily comments, smiles, waves and thumbs up I get from others on the road and in parking lots. I've had the truck now for a couple of months and have had at least a dozen people ask me if it's for sale. Hope you all enjoy my Nissan as well.

 

PS: If anyone can tell me how to post pictures on this forum, I'd be happy to share them with you all.

 

 

 

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^ What he said for pics. Ngk for the plugs. Rock auto is a great place to get parts.

 

Post a wanted to buy ad in the classifieds for the radio. I'm sure one will turn up.

 

A great way to search the site is to open up a browser and go to google. Type ratsun (insert what you want to know in here) and lots of wonderful information can be had

 

Welcome to the greatest site. And hurry up with them pics!!!!!

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Only perfect repair is to replace the console.

 

If you want to keep a 12 volt outlet use the cigar lighter.

 

Adjust the valve lash, you know how.

 

There are two plugs per cylinder, no big deal, just twice as many... and wires... and the rotor has two contacts from two coils. They work the same as any other car. Both plugs fire together at the same time by a module inside the distributor just lke the HEI on a GM engine.

 

Set the timing.

 

The idle mix cannot be adjusted as it is set and sealed at the factory. Yes, you can drill a small hole in the aluminum plug and use a screw to pull it out.

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Thank you Charlie for getting those pics up for me. And thank you everyone for the comments and support. Yes, it is very clean, no rips or tears, cloth seats are like new with no stains, and I absolutely love the removable sunroof. I even have the zippered pouch for storing the glass. My hope is to do what I can to return it to 100% original or as close as I can get to it and then preserve. In fact, I just bought a Harley the other day so I don't need to use the truck as often and can put fewer miles on it. Thanks again all.

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