43 replies to this topic

[thisismatt]

On the bright side it looks like your bed corners escaped unscathed

[DanielC]

With more pictures, more info.

Removing the tail gate looks to be more necessary to get the vertical crease out of the tail gate.  The right side of the tail gate is pushed out because of the impact between the hinges. 

 

It might be time to start looking for another tail gate, if you cannot fix that one satisfactorily.

[Draker]

Let me know if you need anything else. I can see if can find some of those parts.

[wayno]

Sometimes the hinge pins come out easy, other times they come out hard, they gave each end a wack to hold them in there, I have bent the hinges trying to get them out myself in the past, first thing I would do is soak the hinges with WD40/PB Blaster or the like over and over over a few days and then try to knock them out.

The issue here is that you are not in Datsun central, there was a 521 in the wrecking yard here a couple weeks ago, but it did not last long as it is already gone while some vehicles sit in there a month or more.

It is also expensive to ship tailgates as they are big and heavy.

[wayno]

You can likely fix the bumper mount bracket, just pull it off the frame, unbolt the bumperette from it and make it look like the other side, same with the bumperette, pound it out from the back side, do not just hit it with a hammer, you need to use 2X4s and shaped pieces of metal, if you have a large vice it will make both these jobs easier.

Absolutely do not cut them hinges off unless you have several other people say they are not fixable, and I mean several other people, as to replace them you will likely have to make them, you have to save them at all costs, very few can actually make you a stock looking set.

I actually have a set of rusty box side hinges on a scrapped out box I have in several pieces in my back yard, they are very rusty but with some care someone could grind off the excess metal and weld these/one on, I might even be able to remove the whole cross section the hinges are mounted on from one corner/side to the other corner/side, but I would rather you save what you have if you can, as removing that area on yours without damaging other pieces will be very hard to do.

[Charlie69]

Angela I sent you a PM.  There is a great chrome shop in San Diego that can straighten and rechrome your bumperette.  If you go that toute I would suggest doing bothe bumperettes so they look equally as good.  MR Tanker had some for sale a while back.

[mrbigtanker]

Angela look at the bright side it hit no other car or worse yet someone else. Yes it will have a cost but it will be fixed. Taillights are good to me thats the main thing. All else is fixable. Let me know if I can help. 

[Angela]

So, I just want to say a proper Thank You to all that made suggestions, offered parts & condolences (lol) & shared similar stories of woe (Mike)...it made me feel better & less depressed. Today is a new day & I can finally laugh a little (although it still stings a bit).

 

Good news though...I took Wayno's advice & did some serious bangin' with a sledge hammer & block of wood, some tweaking with a crowbar, & a winch. I was able to get the tailgate unwedged & at least latched on one side. The driver's side bumperette is a little better off now, too.

 

I can live with it for the time-being & will add this Datsun vs. tree story to my 521's history. I hope to work on it some more but for now, it's fine.

 

Charlie, thank you for the offer of a tailgate, Gene, thank you for possibly transporting it to Eagle Rock for me, Randy, thank you for the offer of hinges, Ray, thank you for your offer of assistance, too.

 

All you Ratsun folk's are the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flatcat19]

Hey. There are many of us still pining for a set of bumperettes...so...yeah.



You'll get there.

[Charlie69]

You can straighten the bumperette bracket with a BFH (Big Fucking Hammer) and a couple pipe wrenches.  Just take your time.  The way I straighten the bracket is I bolt up the bumperrete to the bracket look at it from every angle then I look real good at the placement of the good one. then I compare the 2 bumperrete placements and make a mental note.  If you need take a tape measure and get some basic dimesions off the good one to match the bad one to.  Take the bumperrette off the bracket for straightening the bracket.  Straightening the bracket is done on the truck.  Remeber to take it slow.  do some adjusting (bending) to the bracket and the bolt up the bumperette back on and look both bumperrettes over.  Continue this process until you get the bracket where you want it with the bumperette mounted to it.  Remember baby steps because you do not want to bend it to much.

[BigBopper805]

I know where there's a 521 if I get out early tomorrow I'll ask the owner if he wants to sell any parts

[Angela]

Hey BigBopper!
So nice to hear from you. That would be fantastic. I am actually going to be in the Santa Maria area Saturday (if plans work out). I'd love to see the truck if possible. Either way, if there might be spare parts...I'm interested.

Thx!

[BigBopper805]

I couldn't get a hold of the owner I'll try again tomorrow.

[Angela]

I couldn't get a hold of the owner I'll try again tomorrow.

 

Thank you Bopper!

[gene knight]

dang that sux on the 521

[Charlie69]

Tag your it.

[BigBopper805]

Sorry Angela the owner of the truck doesn't want to sell it or part it , his dad was the original owner and has a lot of sentimental value .

[Angela]

Sorry Angela the owner of the truck doesn't want to sell it or part it , his dad was the original owner and has a lot of sentimental value .

 

 

It's all good Bopper. Thank you for trying. I just picked up a tailgate at Eagle Rock this past weekend. Painted it today. It'll all work out.

 

Did you go to the meet?

[mrbigtanker]

 

It's all good Bopper. Thank you for trying. I just picked up a tailgate at Eagle Rock this past weekend. Painted it today. It'll all work out.

 

Did you go to the meet?

How did you paint it? Not with can I hope.

[Angela]

How did you paint it? Not with can I hope.

uh...yeah

 

I'm poor.