DATSUN Truck Build: Your Input/Opinions Wanted!

[Jake616]

I purchased 2 1968/1969 Datsun 520 pickup trucks about a year and a half ago and have been gathering parts since towards a full custom build, but am at kind of a snag in how to approach the next step, what parts needed next, or what route to follow...

* I have gathered everything for a 5 lug conversion, a 396 big block w/ LT1 t56, a 383 stroker w/ built 700r4, random sbc and bbc performance parts, air ride suspension items,interior parts,etc

* As for a rear end....I would love to run IRS.... but I have heard pros/cons on this so Id like to be able to hold up to 5-650(more if can?) horsepower or so. Any input here?





* I want to avoid an engine sticking out of the hood, because if it does...I am going to want a power adder! Sheetmetal intake/carb bonnets to keep low profile? Options wanted please?

* Other concerns are... finding a lighter weight 18x10+ wheel(12's ideally?), having a nice firm frame for weekend driving and track fun), finding a "universal" big brake kit, and anythign else I may need? Advice?



THANKS IN ADVANCE!
-JAKE

	Air Ride Now known as Ride Tech. Air Ride Suspension & Much More

[BritishGreen68]

Thats badass sir. I would just do a narrowed 9" ford to keep it simple and it will handle all the power you want. I have found the order of build is to set ride height, get the wheels and tires your going to run, build the rearend and figure out what front suspension your going to use and start building the frame around the suspension and wheels and engine. It s way harder and costs more to build the frame first and then have to change it up because of wheels and things that you change your mind on. I am building a 4 link for my camaro right now and i had it all setup then found wheels i wanted and had to renarrow the rearend and redesign the whole suspension because i had to minitub it and it cost me about an extra $500 just in parts and material i bought and didnt need/use.. also for the LT1 tranny you need to do some research on that. The best way to do it is an LS1 T56 or you can put the LS1 input shaft in yours, but you will need some adapters and stuff to make it work. If you use the LT1 trans you have to buy a custom flywheel and all kinds of stuff and its more expensive..

[BritishGreen68]

Also lol.. i have heard alot of people adapt toyota pickup front suspension to the front of the datsun, i guess its alot better and narrower. I would probably go small block and T56 route if it were me, it will never get enough traction anyway and big block is just overkill for that thing if not just in added weight it doesnt need in the front.. light weight wheels that are 18x12 are going to be $$$ so better get an extra credit card or 2

[Jake616]

I picked up the LT1 t56 because I was told that was the one to use with a old style chevy small block, as well as if I wanted to adapt to a big block to avoid hassle/higher costs...

As for the Toyota suspension.... I have the whole front clip (pre 95 tacoma) from firewall forward to be used in the build instead of the factory Datsun stuff. Now I need to locate a big brake kit for that front setup though....

I have a narrowed 9" Ford rearend I was goign to use until I decided I would like to use an IRS.... So I am trying to see my options there, while still beign fairly budget friendly.

[BritishGreen68]

well the main issue with the IRS is going to be finding a narrow enough one. you can get a jag one for a decent price but they are going to be too wide. The T56 deal i have just been looking into recently and there are several ways to go about it but from what i have read the LS1 tranny will save you money on the swap. Here is a good link, which has some good build links to other threads in it as well..
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146801

[joemac]

Ford has several factory options for irs that are pretty cost effective. The 99 up cobras use irs, 89-97 tbirds and the new explorers also use them. The mustang irs is your best bet for the power level you are looking for. There are irs cobras running sub 10sec ets. The tbirds have several parts that swap over from the cobra unit, but control arms are not available for it. The tbird irs could be built to handle the power you want and are very common in the junkyards. The explorer irs is probably closer to the width you are looking for but have little to no aftermarket support. I think the irs would be really cool in that little pickup.

[Jake616]

Thats cool, we need to build custom control arms for the rear anyways when we do this frame, and thats what I have kind of been looking for is a Tbird IRS if I can find large brakes and such for it. Any recomendations on wahts needed to build its strength up?

Thanks for the input/links!

[ADaughen]

Originally Posted by Jake616

As for the Toyota suspension.... I have the whole front clip (pre 95 tacoma) from firewall forward to be used in the build instead of the factory Datsun stuff. Now I need to locate a big brake kit for that front setup though....

According to a yotatech forum:

4Runners and T-100's (4x4) use the same front brakes. They are larger than any of the 4x4 pickup brakes, even V6. SR-5 or DX, it doesn't matter. Basically, anyone with a 4x4 truck w/ifs (86 to 94) can do a stage 1 factory upgrade to their front brakes by using front brake rotors/calipers/pads from a 90-95 4Runner or 94(?)-98 T-100 truck, which might even be found in junkyards.

Make sure your rotors match the calipers (4x4 are different/wider than 2wd).

However, the Toyota brakes you have with the clip should work fine, with good pads.


Have you thought of checking out Nissan's 240SX front suspension/brake parts? There are many BBK options and I know a few tuners/drifters that would have spare clips for reasonable prices.

[tymbom]

I used to have a 75 Chevy LUV with a 400 sbc in it. I would stick to the small block and T56. A good 3 or 4 link with a 9in will work really good in the back. I think because the truck is so small 18in wheels might look a little goofy. You could run some 17's and it wouldn't look too bad.

[novanutcase]

Might want to talk to this kid!

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/my-r...ight=minitruck

John

[hotrod fozzie]

That rocks my grandpa used to have one like that he hauled firewood in i think it was a 69-70 !!! KICK ASS PROJECT PLEASE UPDATE REGULARLY

[PonchoJohn]

I had a 77 PL-720 ext. cab. It had the rear seat removed, custom buckets mounted 3/4 of the way rearward (you could actually stretch out in it), P/W,P/B,a 3.8 Buick V6, TH350 and a Datsun 510 IRS. I blew the IRS all to h3ll. Hopefully you'll have better luck w/ a beefier unit.
Looks pretty cool!

[PonchoJohn]

What size are those big-boy steam roller rims in the bed of the first pic? They would look pretty good on my 37 P/U.

[Bruning Auto Design]

Cool build, would love to have another bullet side some day...

[bobbaganoosh]

Originally Posted by PonchoJohn

What size are those big-boy steam roller rims in the bed of the first pic? They would look pretty good on my 37 P/U.

Looks like a Dodge pickup 20" steel spare.

[PonchoJohn]

Originally Posted by bobbaganoosh

Looks like a Dodge pickup 20" steel spare.

Awesome! Thanks for the info- I didn't realize they had spares (steelies) in that size.

Cool build, would love to have another bullet side some day...

Yeah, I had a 72 PL-620 Bulletside that I lowered, shaved, custom painted, etc. I have found memories of that truck... ;)

[Jake616]

Originally Posted by PonchoJohn

What size are those big-boy steam roller rims in the bed of the first pic? They would look pretty good on my 37 P/U.

Dodge Ram 20" Spare Wheels (round hole patter, not egg shaped) 5x5.5.... Had them with adapters on my 65 Cadillac...


Thanks for the comments guys! Its a project I am excited to focus on finally instead of 50 others. I will create a build page when the time comes but just would like to hear options/input here on ideas....

[joemac]

Originally Posted by Jake616

Thats cool, we need to build custom control arms for the rear anyways when we do this frame, and thats what I have kind of been looking for is a Tbird IRS if I can find large brakes and such for it. Any recomendations on wahts needed to build its strength up?

Thanks for the input/links!

You should use mustang cobra hubs so you can use mustang wheels there are a lot more to choose from the tbirds had a goofy 5x4.25 bolt pattern. Just about any cobra rear brake kit will work, including stock. It will need custom brackets, but I know of a guy making them if you choose to go this route. Depending on how much you want to put in it, you can make cobra halfshafts work with a couple of mods. I would get an aluminum centersection from a lincoln mark viii or from a cobra. There are a couple of good pumpkin covers around now that will strengthen a notorious weak spot. The lower control arms are steel, the lincoln mark viii ones are aluminum though. You might be better off just getting the whole assembly from the mark viii now that i think about it. They are the same except for the differences that I mentioned. There are several braces that you can add check out www.supercoupeperformance.com I think the upper control arms are pretty flimsy and they are not a triangulated design. They only have one mounting point on the body. It wouldn't take much to make a trangulated arm with custom mounting points. I would get some coilovers or airbags are a popular swap item while you are in there. There are also bigger sway bars all the way up to 1.25"

[brrymnvette]

Those are awesome little trucks. I want one now.

[1badchevelle]

wow this looks to be a great project, HMMMM I think I need a new project truck.......