Abnrml1

I have an '81 4x4 and I need to know if there is any way to adjust the steering column. I need to move it forward a little because the wheel is right up against my fat stomach when I sit in the truck. I'm working on the weight problem but in the mean time I'd like to move the column. Clearance to the dash is not a problem because I just pulled the dash out because it was falling apart. I'm going to build a custom dash later but I either need to move the stock column or replace it with a shorter one. I appreciate your help with this.

I have an '81 720 KC 4x4 with stock wheels. I'm not sure if they are 5.5 or 6 inches wide. They have 215/75r/15 tires on them that need replaced. I would like to go with a 235/75 but I'm not sure if they will work with the stock rims. Some places say that a 235 could be mounted on a 6" rim and others say the rims should be 7". Anyone have a clue on this? I appreciate the help.

I'm looking for different ideas on replacement carburetors for my z22. Since I can't afford to go with a Weber I was thinking about using a 2100 series Autolite and making an adapter. I like that the Autolite is simple, cheap and easy to rebuild. With 1.08 venturies, the Autolite runs about 300 cfm. Would this be a sufficient output for the z22? Do you see any problems with running this carb? I'll be running KA24 pistons and that's about it as far as engine mods. I'll be using stock exhaust until I can afford a header. Thanks again for your help.

I appreciate the advice. I would much rather stay with the z22 and keep it as much Datsun as I can. Most of the trips that I will take will be myself and my Catahoula so I won't need anything but the truck. If I can get my wife out I would take along a trailer to make things a little more comfortable for her. As far as tire size with the stock engine I was planning on running a 235/75 and those ugly stock rims. I would love to go with the 31"BFGs that I have but I think the 235s will work better. Guess I'll head to the engine building forum and learn about the z22. Thanks again.

I'm back again and I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my 720. My main concern right now is which engine to use. I want to build the truck to take moderate trails and back country roads across the country. I would like to be able to pull a small expedition type trailer (less than 1,000# loaded). I was told that the z22 would never have the power to pull the trailer so I've been thinking about building the 231 v6 that I have but then I'm hearing that the 231 is a bad engine and wouldn't last 50,000 miles. I know that I could do a KA swap but I live in a little turd hole town and we have one wrecking yard and the next closest one is at least 40 miles. The yard here has a KA but I was told that the truck it came out of had almost 200,000 miles and he wants $600 for the long block with no guarantee. I'm on a very tight budget and I need to do this right the first time. I have the 231 and I have .030 over pistons for it as well as a Performer intake. I know that I'll have to modify the pan so I'm ready for that but I guess what I'm asking is, is it worth it? I have had this truck for a very long time and would like to keep it but if it won't do what I need it to what's the point. Thanks again for all your help.

SAS would be great if I had the money to do it and could find the parts. We have 1 salvage yard here and I don't think there is another for at least 40 miles. I found a Waggy d44 but he want $300 for it and I had to dig it out of the dirt and take it out of the Wagoneer. Even if I could find the axles I would still have to get new gears and everything else involved. With just putting the v6 in with the IRS I am saving a whole lot of money. With the body lift I may not have to modify the pan. The work I don't mind but spending money that I don't have is something else. If I was trying to build something for extreme trails I would go SAS but I just need a nice DD that will get me to some good camping spots. Thanks for the replies. I do appreciate the help.

I know that I am being a PITA but I think I have decided what to do with my 720. I was going to rebuild the z22 and then I thought about doing a body swap onto my '78 GMC K15. I am missing a lot of the pieces for the z22 and there is no place close to find Nissan parts. I have a 231 v6 out of an old Oldsmobile. I already have 0.30 over pistons and an Edelbrock intake for the 231. Rebuild price should be close to what the 22 would be. My only concern is the oil pan clearing the front diff. I have a 3 inch body lift that I am going to put on the truck so that the 31x10.5s will fit. Is it possible to raise the engine enough to clear the diff without modifying the pan? I think I am going to get everything set up before the rebuild and then sell the K15 to offset the costs of the rebuild and get a transmission. The 31s go on this weekend so I'll get some picks up. Thanks again for all of the help.

This is a copy of a post that I started on Pirate in the Chevy forum. I guess I should have just said 'mini truck" instead of being brand specific because I was told to ask people that knew about the 720. I really need some help here. I have a '78 GMC K15 that is extremely rusted out but runs pretty good and has almost new 31x10.5 BFG all-terrains on it. I also have a '81 Datsun 720 KC. The body on the 720 is rust free but it needs an engine. Due to lack of $$ it has sat for about 16 years. I have some questions on a possible body swap. 1. Will I need to move the firewall back to clear the V8? 2. Can I get some 15" rims that will tuck the tires back into the body a little? I measured the rear track of the K15 and it is about 7" wider than the bed of the 720. I will be putting a flatbed on the truck so I'm not worried about the rear but the front might get me into a little trouble with the state cops. 3. How stupid will it look with the 31s on it? 4. Is it even worth the effort to do the swap? I'm not looking to build a crawler, just a nice rust free truck that I can take camping. I have posted different things in the nissan forum but I'm lost on what to do. I hate the idea of getting rid of the trucks but I can't just let them sit any longer' I really want the 720 on the road but I am missing a lot of parts and don't have the money to rebuild everything. The GMC is just about ready to fall off of the body mounts so I thought that a swap might work. I appreciate any and all help on this. Thanks.

I have a '82 720 KC that has been sitting for 16 years. I got the truck from a nephew back in '97 after he blew a chunk out of the head. I replaced the head and dropped the timing chain so I never got it running. I brought to Illinois when we moved in '97 and just let it sit. I decided to either get it running or get rid of it so I drug it out and started tearing into it. I have the engine down to the short block and plan on pulling it out soon. I have a few questions about the z22. Should I do a complete rebuild or can I get away with just replacing the timing set, oil pump and carb? When I pulled the head I found a small amount of corrosion at the very top of one of the cylinders. The pistons look good and it will turn over. I have posted at another board and it was suggested to do a KA swap instead of messing with the z22. This would be nice if I had the money and the tools to modify the oil pan to fit the 4x4. That and I'm not sure I want to mess with a computer and fuel injection. It was also suggested that I stay with a 29 or 30 inch tire. I have a nice set of 31" BFGs that are on my '78 GMC that I could use but not if it will hinder the performance of the truck. What is everyone else running on their trucks? I would appreciate any and all help with this. I really want to keep the truck and plan to do a lot of camping with it. Hopefully it will get better mpg than my GMC. 9 mpg is a bit much. I'll post some pics later in the week. Thanks.