Seeking opinions on 1971 521 purchase...

[Angela]

Hello fellow Ratsuners,

I am about to pull the trigger on the purchase of my 2nd Datsun....a 1971 521 truck. It's a dry Texas truck now residing in CA. Seller says it needs a battery, carb, coil, & front disc brake conversion finished (all parts included in the deal). Asking $3,500 obo.



Many new parts have been installed (see pics).



Seeking opinions/wisdom/information on anything about these beautiful 521's that would better inform my decision. I've learned a ton of stuff about my 510 wagon through this forum, Talking to folks at meets/shows & addiction to searching for info on the web. I don't have the luxury of time to learn everything I'd like to know at the moment but I'm smitten by this particular truck so I thought I might gather a few opinions at least before the real work begins.


Thanks in advance to all who chime in their 2 cents

 

-Angela

 

[flatcat19]

Do it.

[mrbigtanker]

Angela, what are you doing. Do you have more pics other then a radiator and a rancho shock. Truck looks dry but what's the rest look like and 3500.00 OBO but it ain't running and at this point needs a tow. Get more pics to help out in your decision making.

[banzai510(hainz)]

going by the size of the wheel this must be a Pre Runner or something Baja type set up.

 

I think 3500 for unfinnshed in washington is too much but these go for more money in california.

 

Be honest I would pass it up. Too many I dont knows on this since its not finnished.

 

 

I have a 521 and I hate working on them compared to a 510.   SAE bolt bolt sizes and Metrc on the motor side.  2 pc drive shaft.  Kingpins wear out.

 

 

Is that wires running along the hood channel on the left side???? Hoky!

truck has a MSD coil in there already how can that be bad unless he took it out.Looks like still point dist in there and running a MSD coil is the wrong value and will fry points over time.so a exra ballast resisitor is needed wit the stock one

He can supply a battery at 3500

 

Loks like he has done soem undercoating so look like work has been done to it,

[Draker]

I'd have to see the rest of the truck to decide. 

[DanielC]

At least, get a good battery, put it in the truck, and do a compression test. 

Pull the cam cover off, have a look under it.  Try to get an idea of the engine condition.

 

Reach under the front fenders, forward on top of the headlight buckets, find dirt and rust?

Pull the floor mats, look for rust.

 

We need more pictures of the whole truck.

[Angela]

Thanks guys for the food for thought so far. It's the fact it's a Datsun with a tiny house that's got me smitten to be honest. I am really mulling this over so I very much appreciate the feedback...keep it coming...

 

[Angela]

Angela, what are you doing. Do you have more pics other then a radiator and a rancho shock. Truck looks dry but what's the rest look like and 3500.00 OBO but it ain't running and at this point needs a tow. Get more pics to help out in your decision making.

 Remember this thing from Eagle Rock last year?

[d.p]

Not even sure WTF I am looking at there.  Whatever it is it sure as hell looks like it would blow over in a 5mph cross wind. 

[Angela]

Forgot to mention that it'll be towed to my door for free...if that's any consolation.

[hobospyder]

ummm.... i think i want it, that little house is awesome. probably not functional for someone like me but i know people who would love that thing. most of the things you said it needs to me are within my little knowledge. but personally i would want to see it running before purchasing for 3500 even with the little house on there

[Datsunthug]

That looks like something a trimigrant would drive to nor cal around harvest time. Kinda like it. Price is too much I think.

[Angela]

Hahaha...love it. I've already named it The Hillbilly Hut.

 

Jury is still out though. You guys are a big help. Thanks again.

[banzai510(hainz)]

you sure the title will transfer?

 

I bet that thing drives horrible. Scary to drive.  Who knows it it even needs a clutch.

 

I dont know. I think the neihboor will set it on fire for ruining the housing market in your area.Its kinda cool if living in hawaii with the hippies.

 

 

I would Low ball him to 2000 and leave your number.

 

or best dont do it. Thay have tent kits for you Tacoma prerunner if you want that camping feel

[Draker]

Battery, Carb, Coil, under $500.

 

Do you feel comfortable tackling the front disk swap?

[Angela]

Draker, I have a good Datsun buddy who'a mechanic by trade that would help me take this on. Typically, I'm not an impulsive gal but I do have a twinge of an impulse to own this wierd eyesore. Mid-life, temporary insanity? Maybe. That's why I put my thick skin out to you guys to beat the idea down, impart some sense, or egg me on to take a risk...& possibly join in some snickers & laughs after the remorse sets in.

 

Keep the opinions coming...

[Draker]

My opinion would be, get it for as cheap as you can. If you like the custom camper/house why not really. Just know there are some unknowns here certainly.. but the parts are relatively easy to come by if you are willing to pay shipping. They are many times cheaper than 510 parts, but not in all cases. 

 

It appears to be rust free and pretty straight. The truck if running is worth around $2500 or more. If you can get any more information on the motor, that would make the decision easier. Can you get compression numbers? If not, pull the plugs and take a look at those. That will tell you some good information about the engine.

[Angela]

Ok, good advice/opinions so far.

 

Question though: What if they recently replaced the spark plugs but haven't run it yet due to other needs? Planning to see it again,in person when I make the 4 hr trek to the Eagle Rock meet. So far, I'm definitely decided on not paying their asking price at least. The rest is to be determined.

[DanielC]

I do not know if this is a concern, but in Oregon, a camper that goes over the cab falls into another registration class than a car, that costs more. 

I would consider the "tiny house" or camper a liability, not an asset.

 

That leaves the truck.  A not running 521, without working brakes is not worth the asking price  I see some hood damage too.  You might also need a bumper, parking lights. and at least one lug nut for the rear wheel.

 

On the other hand, if it gets to Canby, you have a place to stay.

[datzenmike]

 

The 'house' is cute and all but not at all practical. You're lugging around 30 pounds of shovel, pick and splitting maul you'll never ever need or use. Looks like it was made for camping not traveling, although you could the mileage would be terrible.

 

The truck is great! I had a '71 I raised and put mud 'n snow tires on. If the coil was bad there wouldn't be any spark and the owner would long ago replaced it. If not running here are some things you cannot check out but need to for that price...

 

Engine, does it smoke, lack power, restart when warm, make noises. Idle?

 

Electrical. Does it charge the battery, do all the lights work? side marker, tail, dash..., heater fan, wipers

 

Drive train. Clutch? does it grip and not slip? Transmission noise? differential? Vibrations? noises?

 

Brakes. Take a good look at that 'conversion' take a really GOOD look. There may be a good reason it can't be finished. DOES the E brake work!!!

 

Suspension / Steering. Does it drive properly, no pulling or wandering. Does it hold the road?

 

 

 

Right now you are looking at a non runner. Forget the camper, don't get attatched.

 

So it is worth whatever the body and mechanical parts could be sold for. It could very well just be the carb and a simple fix (so why isn't it fixed?) but it could be toast. So it all comes down to managing your exposure here. You do have some Datsun experience and your wagon is basically a 521 car... same running gear.

 

I can't believe the seller want's so much knowing it isn't driveable. They must be in a tight spot. Offer $2K and leave your number. 

[Angela]

Thanks for all the excellent points you've all brought to this discussion.

 

My day is over, I've thought long & hard today...& slept on it last night. I am pretty much decided that this is a project for someone other than me. My guess is that even IF they'd accept a more reasonable price of say, $2,000...they certainly would likely withdraw their offer to flatbed it to my door. It would be cost-Prohibitive to have it towed from 4 hrs South of me.

 

I came home from work & immediately traded my truck keys for my wagon keys & took her out for a drive. I realized that whatever monies I'd be parting with for this unfamiliar project, I should/could put into my wagon.

 

There will definitely be a 521 in my future...but not this one.

 

Thanks so much you guys. You're awesome.

 

 

Angela

[paradime]

I will admit, practical or not, I love the tin shack camper. Total Burning Man special. No doubt it has character, and you can sleep in it, but other than that what value does it add to the Truck? Truth is, not much if you consider the downsides such as actual usability. Having that massive flat surface on the leading end creates a lot of resistance that will really tax the motor at speed. You'd be pushing to maintain 55mph, but with a good head wind, you may not be able to break 45. Not to say you couldn't make an aerodynamic nose piece, or a triangular dormer made from the same materials, but that cost time and money too. It seams like the price is relying heavily on the perceived value of the camper, but in reality it harms the usability of the truck. Although it may have taken a lot of time and money to build it, they can't expect to recover that out of your pocket. If you were to buy the camper for a 521 you had, what would pay $1,500-$2,000 for it? At the most I'd go $450 if my 521 had a KA in it.

 

With respect to all the unknowns in the mechanicals, if I can't test it, I start reducing my offering price. You have to assume the seller's word has ZERO vale. The truck needs work, and the last thing you want to do is pay him so you can do the work for him.

 

I think you made the right decision 

[Angela]

For anyone else who might want to take this project on...See the link in Post Craigslist Ads Here section.

[mrbigtanker]

 Remember this thing from Eagle Rock last year?

Yeah i would say pass. If its the tiny house get a better one and build one.I looked at the truck pretty close, not junk but theres better for same or little more money.

[banzai510(hainz)]

all your really buying is a Camping trailer desguised as a 521