The rusty panda

[Converted_to_datsun]

I did get one drum off the front. Figured front stuff wouldn't be worth pulling since nobody keeps front drums. But I still have that drum

[Converted_to_datsun]

Basically I pulled out a rib last Sunday and have been fighting back spasms all week so I spent as long as I could stand trying to get the drums off. The one that was stuck was the one that the honda hit, dunno if that's why

[izzo]

do the 620s have the little holes in the drums so you can screw in some bolts?

[Converted_to_datsun]

Not sure, I never really mess with drums. I'm gonna do the them on my truck soon so I guess I'll learn more about them. I hope my drums aren't stuck on there tho

[Converted_to_datsun]

Well with the storm I've been staying inside and paint is on hold till it calms down. So I decided to look into making new kick panels, but when I went to use them as a template I decided to try to recondition them. They actually turned out perfect so they'll get used as is. I used spray adhesive to reattach them to the backing and hit the edges with some black and they turned out pretty good. I did buy marine grade vynle tho... I have new plans for that tho. Then I noticed even after an alignment and new tires I still have uneven tire wear... So I ordered new bushings and ball joints. They should get here in a few days so next weekend after my new exhaust I'll swap all the new components on and evaluate it from there to see if my tierods need done too. The tie rods all look new except one so they are probably ok. One thing at a time and it'll be perfect eventually. Oh and a side note... I need a new oil pan if anyone has one. Mine has seen better less holy days

Not too bad

[Converted_to_datsun]

Well today was a pretty big day for progress on my truck. I dropped it off at the exhaust shop in the morning and got full 2" exhaust with a magniflow muffler. It's not as loud as I was expecting but it does sound good, and now that I don't have exhaust leaks it runs and accelerates like butter. Then when I got home my box of front suspension stuff arrived in the mail. I replaced upper and lower ball joints and upper control arm bushings. I decided not to do the lower control arm bushings tho... I have good reason tho. All the other bushings I replaced didn't seem worn and none of the ball joints were very bad. Plus the lowers are a nightmare. Got it all bolted back together and ready to go, looks like I could use some tie rods ends tho :/

New exhaust



Box of goodies


Progress


Yea upper bushings suck too


Made a big mess but I finished!!

[izzo]

one thing at a time man. its coming along nicely. ive never replaced bushings, they don't seem like fun

[Converted_to_datsun]

The upper bushing aren't horrible... I rented a ball joint press which helped a bit but only works on one side. I'll probably attempt the lowers next weekend after my tierods come it.

[Converted_to_datsun]

Well for my birthday my family got me new speakers for my truck. I got new alpine 6x9's in the ceiling. And alpine 6.5" in the kick panels. I didn't measure the kick panel speakers so I got the wrong size... I made 1/2" spacers tho and now they fit then I added old school woofer grilles. Sounds pretty good, forgot to take pics of the 6x9's tho lol.

Making the spacers



Installed!

[izzo]

Wow man, that looks pretty good actually. Do like!

[wayno]

Looks good, mine always end up in the doors.
How did you mount speakers in the ceiling?

[Converted_to_datsun]

Thanks guys! I like the oldschool grilles. And wayno my truck came with a custom speaker box mounted in the ceiling. I'll post a pic of it with the new speakers tomorrow

[Converted_to_datsun]

So this weekend I finished the paint on the fenders and front lip. They came out beautifully, took a bit to get everything lined up again on the repop fender but turned out beautiful. Then I put my awesome 240z fender badges on, my fender mirrors and flush mounted the marker lights. Soo purdy I keep lookin at it when I'm walkin away haha. I also replaced all the hardware with stainless. Next up is painting the new hood and whiper cowel. Looks like someone undercoated the under side of the hood.... Gonna figure out hod to get all that off first.

Epic paint booth


Soo purdy!



Fender badge... Washed out night pic


Marker lights


Oh and headliner speaker pic as promised

[DRIVEN]

I like the marker lights.

[Eagle_Adam]

see....... i hate to be a debby downer but thats one of the very few things i don't like about the truck...... maybe its just me

[izzo]

I'm on the fence. I like it cuz its flush, yet the stock ones are cool.

The modern 510 on the realm website has flush marker lights and it looks tits.

[Ni10]

I also like the flush side markers except for the mounting holes that can be seen.

should have welded a few studs on the back side before painting the fender.

[Eagle_Adam]

but......

its not really "flush" which is the issue i have..

[Laecaon]

I would sooner shave the marker lights...

[Converted_to_datsun]

I wanted to shave them but this metal sucks to weld on. I shaved a rear one and decided the front could just be flush mounted. In person it looks way better and I like it haha. The problem I have with shaving them is it's almost impossible to get it perfect with the welder I have. And rather than screw it up, I decided to go flush, by screw it up I mean leaving holed filled with bondo for rust to eventually get in there