Waynos 1966 datsun 520 ute

[draker]

I used this truck to go get the new tires for the U320 today, I forgot what truck I was driving and hit the curb firmly, the lower core support somehow got bent back a half inch or so, and the plastic fan started hitting on the nipple sticking out on the lower radiator reservoir, and it tore up the tip of the fan a little, every time I hit the brakes it hit worse, so after I got home, I looked it over, then stuck a big pry bar on the front side of the frame, and I bent back the lower radiator core support to where it used to be, all is good again.
It did not bent the frame, it hit the TC rod front mount, I need to cut them off, but damage would have been worse it they had been cut off, I need to remember that this truck is low, and park accordingly.

I feel your pain. When I drive the Z it's like a science experiment trying to figure out how close the lower part of the bumper cover is to the curb.

[wayno]

You should park all cars the same way, as in never overhang the curb. Problem fixed, and pedestrians don't have to avoid the car.

, it's not something I have ever had to think about before, this is the first truck I have ever lowered.
I will figure it out eventually, or I will put the radiator into the fan and remember it forever.

[wayno]

I changed out the windshield today, I found one in a 521 at the PNP that was definitely better than the one I had.

The new to me windshield with one of my 521 gaskets.

It did not go in as easy as I thought it would, but it's in there now.

[DRIVEN]

I always thought 520 and 521 windshields were different. Guess not.

[wayno]

I always thought 520 and 521 windshields were different. Guess not.

They are the same, a couple years ago I cut the windshield gasket away from the edges of the windshield in 4 places and measured it, then measured a 521 windshield, they came out the same.
There was a time I thought that the 520 single headlight truck windshields were a different size, I don't know where that rumor came from.

[wayno]

I got tired of looking at it the way it was, more than one color, so I finished rattle canning it white.
Before

Now








I also cut the front tension rod hardware off the front of the truck, all it did anymore was hit shit.
The tension rods are on the back now, so I don't need the hardware anymore.


It also is sitting higher in the front now, got tired of it dragging every time I entered my driveway, now it's about an inch higher in the front.

[wayno]

The new stance for now.

[510freak]

Looks good Wayne

[wayno]

Here are better photos of where I cut of the tension rod mounts, better light today.


I will clean it up if I ever remove the cab from the frame, it's just not on my top 40 right now.
This is what it normally looks like under there.

[DRIVEN]

Looks good in all white.

[wayno]

It looks better one color, but now I need to do the body work, but I would rather do the bodywork on the U320 first.
This truck runs and drives, so I need to connect up the heater box/defrosters, and then maybe I will put an interior in it, and just drive it for a while.

[wayno]

I decided that I could not drive the truck this morning because I did not have defrosters, or even a heater, and winter is coming, so I plumbed the heater core and connected everything up so it would work properly.
The engine is so close to the firewall that I had to plumb the hoses to the side on the inside of the cab and then out the firewall,

and then out to the engine, I was afraid to turn the fitting in the head backwards, or even up, so I made a hose in the shape of a "U", it's the low one in the photo below.

I then installed the defroster parts and then connected the defroster hoses, I got all the levers working properly, but I did not connect the outside air to heater rubber piece yet, I will just recirculate for now, the defrosters did blow hot air.

I failed to mention that not one of them hoses has leaked yet, and there are a lot of hose clamps connecting little bits of hose to make this work.

[wayno]

I did a little to the 520 today, I bought some carpet and installed it, this is just to make it look better, not permanent.


And I went with the same material I used on the 521KC diesel for the door cards, it was just easy.

I was hoping it would quiet the truck down some more, not sure if it changed anything except making it look better.
All I need is some tunes and I will start driving it more.

[wayno]

I think I know where these plates came from now, an early 510 wagon.

[Laecaon]

I think that is what mine look like.

[wayno]

Charlie did a photo shop on my rig, it looks great to me, but there's no way I would take it apart again for a major mod.

[Laecaon]

I also would most definitely separate the bed at that moment. Too much frame flex, and the body cant cope, something would give over time.

[wayno]

I also would most definitely separate the bed at that moment. Too much frame flex, and the body cant cope, something would give over time.

It's staying the way it is for the most part, small stuff now, but I thought he did a really good job on that photo, so I had to share.

[DRIVEN]

It looks really cool but it's pretty long and low for practicality.

[wayno]

Yea, I actually raised the frontend about an inch a few months ago, it don't hit much anymore, only if I go over a high speed bump, and it doesn't hit going up the speed bump, it hits when the truck dives off the back side, it only happens if I go over it to fast(over 20mph), but extending it that much would likely necessitate raising it a little more.

It looks really cool but it's pretty long and low for practicality.