c.davidson

Im using 650# spring in the rear, and the suspension is still pretty soft. Im hoping that its NOT too soft, once the fuel cell is mounted and the full of gas - we will just have to see. And im using the 240sx steering column as well. I just needed to shorten the last section of the spline shaft to get it to work. Ive only got it "mocked" up right now, but will get some pics once ive got it mounted permanently. Along with pics of where i cut the shaft. The biggest issue is that i had to move the motor forward on the cross members, so im going to have to notch the bottom of the trans bellhousing to allow for the hardlines to clear. Shouldnt be too much of an issue tho. Ill be sure to get detailed pics of these things as i get to them. Glad to hear this has inspired you. Would love to see your build!

Hahaha, love the topic. I do happen to have the pleasure of working in the Hot Rod - Classic Restoration genre, and they definitely still refer to it as "channeled". I just recall the use of "Body Dropped" to be widely used with the 80's mini truck scene, and still a fairly common term today.

Wasnt aware that the hardbody trans was shorter. That 7" would help me with the clearance on the bench seat. So ill definintely be looking into this! Thanks. Yeah, im just too damn tall for the body drop that was done to that cab. And when i came up on the other two, i was able to nab a very clean and rust free cab for the build. But thanks for readin through and commenting. I am still here! havent and wont give up on the build. Just been very busy with a new job, then a kitchen remodel, then picked up an Audi S4 that i had to mod all crazy . . . . now im back to the 521 Build. Not much progress from before. Ive managed to install the radiator and fan, shortened the S13 steering column so now it sits properly, and but up an aftermarket intake to get it to route properly in the small engine bay. I freshened up a set of Infinity BBS wheels and mounted new tires to get an idea of how she will sit. And I also mocked up the grille, headlights, mirrors, etc . . .cause i was tired of looking at a shell for months on end!

Finished up the motor and trans. Valve cover is all thats left, and it will get painted when i paint the truck. Gloss Black, Satin Black and Gold Accents. Love it! And the transmission looks 1000x better in flat black Gonna finish up the steering rack, figure out a trans mount, and then on to the cab!

Finished the frame. Now all Satin Black. Installed brand new 5-lug hubs, new cross-drilled slotted rotors are on, and just waiting for reman calipers to arrive. Decided to also change my color schema for the motor. Stripped it down and refinished the block & timing cover in Gloss Black. And the intake manifold, PS pump and accessories are now all Satin Black. Alt & PS Bracket i painted in Gold (accent color) and will most likely paint the valve color Black w/Gold Metallic Flake. Tranmission will need to be refinished in satin black, and the steering rack is gonna be refinished in Gold Metallic. Then im gonna mount it back in, and start to figure out a Trans Mount, and then measurements for a driveshaft. Then ill wrap up this portion to continue work on the cab. Cutting, shaving and prepping it for paint/body.

Some progress from last weekend: Stripped down subframe and sanded and prepped everything for paint. Frame will be finished in a Satin Black Subrame was degreased, prepped and painted in a Gloss Black Infinity J30 VLSD installed after a fresh coat of Satin Black and the diff cover finished in a Metallic Gold (the accent color for the build) New 5-lug hubs and cross-drilled / slotted brakes just arrived yesterday. And i finished degreasing and painting the axles. Soon on order will be a full set of Stance USA rear Tracking, Toe and Camber arms Next to tackle is wiring! Ive got to figure out how to route and tuck all of this 240sx wiring. I intent to have this all plug-n-play using the whole harness, ecu and cluster from the donor car. More to come!

Electrical! Ugh. So, to stay true to the S13 Hybrid, im using it all!!! And that includes the 6miles of electrical that i pulled from the fastback! My plan is to keep the S13 Cluster & Steering Column Controls all in tact. And to do so, ive taken the 4 harnesses from the S13 and stripped them all down. After pulling the harnesses apart, ive gone through and weeded out all of the unnecessary wiring, relays and fuses. Tracing each wire back to the fuse box. Eliminating the heater/ac controls, automatic transmission, cruise control, stereo, defrosters, etc . . . Then after i pulled out everyhing that was no longer required, i layed out the harnesses to determine what needed to be routed where. My plan is to keep the engine bay free of any visible wiring. And so all of the fuse boxes and ECU will be stored up under the dash. This required that i pulled out all of the wiring related wires (headlights, turnsignals, corner markers) that needed to be routed up front. And the same for the rear. (brakelights, turn signals, reverse lights, fuel pump, etc . . ) The engine management harness is already fed from the cab, so that is not an issue. But the Fuel Injection, starter, transmission related stuff used to connect directly to the fuse box in the engine bay. Now that its in the cab, these wires will need to be extended. BUT, they will also be tightly wrapped and punched through the firewall behind the motor for limited visibility. Progress. Though slow and painfull, im making progress!

Wow. That link has more than i could ever ask for. Thanks!

Anyone help me with a how-to on removing the Vent/Wing Window from a 521? Ive unbolted it and disconnected the window regulator from the door glass and cant seem to figure out how to get either the door glass or vent window removed? Im stumped and have not been able to find any threads on how to do it. Thanks ~Chris

Well, i have a 15gallon fuel cell that i plan to install just behind the rear differential. Low, centered and as far back as it will fit. And the rear subframe helps add some weight of course. And the battery, fuse box, harnesses, fuel pump, etc . . . will all be mounted back behind the cab as well. I may still warrant ballast weights in the rear as well. In my old toyota pickup (slammed), i had installed a 4"x4"x48" solid cold rolled steal bar between the frame rails (basically where a tow hitch mounts. That helped smooth out the ride quality and im sure helped plant the rear. Might be a good idea to do something similar on the Datsun.

Yeah, i like the whole look of the low back bench anyway. And when i gutted the donor S13, i realized just how cool and comfortable the back seats are (when the front seats are out of it - LOL) If i was going to install bucket seats it would have been a set from an S14. Way more comfortable. And the S-chassis seats sit very low, so they would prob work well. But im set on a race bench.

I had just removed the clutch master cylinder before these pics. It clears. I was even able to remove it with the cab/strut towers in place. And i will most likely notch the bench seat. Ill cut a section from the front part of the frame and insert a 4" U shape to go around the shifter. The bench will be completely stripped down anyway, so that i can then have the upholstery shop mold the S13 rear seat foam into it.

The pictures do the front strut towers no real justice. They are "beefy" and very solid. I have alot of confidence in them, and will put it out on the track to give it a true test. And i went with this design to stay true to the whole "S13" hybrid. Complete suspension, drivetrain, interior, etc . . . all from the S13 platform. It also takes the guess work out of what fits when deciding on suspension upgrades, adjustable arms, etc . . .

Couple more pics of front clip. Inside fenderwells will get all new sheetmetal for a nice clean finish. As you can see, its gonna take a little massaging to get the rad to clear the motor Starting to look like a truck again!

Updates you want? Here ya go: With the frame and body home, I got the KA24DE and 5spd assembled and ready for placement Pulled the bed & motor back off the frame, and (with some inginuity) set the cab onto the frame. (the things we have to do when working alone) There was no way to drop the front end over the shock towers, so i cut the front nose off of the cab to that i could measure and trim back the fender wells as needed I then put the motor & trans back in Quickly realized that i was not going to be able to use the motor mounts on the crossmember. 1) the firewall would have to be cut back to fit the motor and trans bellhousing. 2) the shifter was end up under the bench seat. So with a little more measuring i dropped steering rack and pitched the motor forward 4" I will need to create new motor mounts off the frame, but the KA now clears the firewall and the shifter sits perfectly in front of the bench seat. NO modifications required!!! For the time being, i made a few brackets that allow me to mount up the motor. They space the motor forward exactly the 4" needed I have since trimmed up the front clip, and now working on fitting the radiator/fan assembly. The fan sits too close to the motor and will require a little modification to fit in place. More to come!