541Minitruck Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Hi everyone, I joined the datsun community this morning. I got myself a 1980 king cab, which has the horizontal tail lights. However it was rear ended prior to me getting it, and rolled the tail light panel under the bed( and mangled the sheet metal in the process). I was wondering if i could put a newer model bed on it from an 85 king cab, since there is one on my local craigslist in decent shape for 150$. Any and all input is appreciated. TIA. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 They should match for length. Also the rear tail lights are wired differently and mounted vertically in the corners. There were Three different boxes used on the 720.... '80-'82, '83-'84 and '85-'86.5. The '85 and on were without the horizontal seam that rusts out on the earlier beds and there is an inside liner to reduce cargo dents on the outside. Just remember it is not an exact match. FWIW the new box will say NISSAN rather than DATSUN 1 Quote Link to comment
DrvnDrvr Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 As both are kingcab beds you're good on the fitment. The trick is the tail lights. It depends on what tail lights the 86 bed has. If you use 83-84 taillights it should be plug and play. For 85-86.5 taillights you may need to get a one of these to get it to work. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hopkins-46255-Power-Taillight-Converter-/112712479499?hash=item1a3e2ff30b 83-84 taillight The reverse light is in the bumper. 85-86.5 tail light You'll need the adapter to get this one to work. 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Use a trailer taillight converter and get the taillight harness with the box. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Tail lights and wire harness should come with the box. I will see if I can find the wiring pin-outs for the 2 different harnesses. The harnesses will un plug from the main harnesses under the passenger seat. The 85 harness will include wiring for an electric fuel pump. Do not get rid of your 80 harness until the other bed is on and the lights are working properly. Pictures of the damage might helps us to determine if changing beds is really necessary. Quote Link to comment
541Minitruck Posted March 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 I am at work right now i will get some pictures when i get home. I really like the look of the original bed but finding one has proven to be difficult. I also dont have a tailgate for this bed, which i have found but in the 2-300$ range for one in decent shape. If I could find just the light pannel id rather go that route. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 I have a tail gate that is in great shape other than the paint. I am in Phoenix AZ if you are interested in it PM me. Quote Link to comment
541Minitruck Posted March 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 heres the light pannels 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Is it just the lights that are bent under? Or is the bed dammaged also? Quote Link to comment
541Minitruck Posted March 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 As far as i can tell the bed looks square amd level. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 All you need is tail lights then. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 That cross member that the tailgate bolts to is bent up a little on that side, the bottom edge is supposed to be level with the fender bottom edge. It might be able to be straightened with a little effort as it likely wants to be straight, but one has to know how to deal with it without denting it up trying to straighten it. 1 Quote Link to comment
541Minitruck Posted March 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Other than the lights everything appears to be level. This is a better straight on/level photo. 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 It might be alright, not enough damage to warrant a new box, I would try to find the taillight mount bezel and taillight bucket assemblies first. The missing tailgate is an issue though, I see them for sale every once in a while on craigslist, I believe they are all the same until the change in 85/86, some people like that box better and all kingcab boxes are the same length, so any year kingcab box will fit a kingcab, it's about the wiring of the taillights starting in 1985. 2 Quote Link to comment
541Minitruck Posted March 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Im actually talking to charlie right now about both tailights and tailgate 1 Quote Link to comment
541Minitruck Posted March 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 No matter how bad this might sound.. if i couldnt find the tailight assembly at a decent price i was going to make a roll pan and mount cadi lights horizontally. 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Im actually talking to charlie right now about both tailights and tailgate I looked and do not have what you need taillight wise, I have the left side surround with a notch cut out and the bulb assembly, that is it, I don't have a lot of stuff like that for 720s anymore except lenses. 2 Quote Link to comment
AZ720 Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 Does the converter need to have direct power source? I'm assuming the trailer side goes to tail light and vehicle input is the cab harness. Quote Link to comment
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