79 Datsun 620 project

[djmccall74]

Looking Good!

Just a suggestion - when you touch up the bed, coat the areas covered when the tailgate is up. Since they're not green (they look primer gray), covering them in black would be a nice touch ... unless you are going to paint them green to match the rest of the truck. At least the door jams are green.

you know, i just wasn't sure about that area so i left it alone. i thought if i paint the herculiner in that area it would make the gate hard to close and didn't want to take the risk. It's already gone to the paint shop, and frankly don't know if i feel like taking it back and spending x dollars to have just that done. shrugs. not sure what to do ...

[djmccall74]

question for you all. when i go to rip out the engine (next summer), i plan on swapping to a 5-speed. after some reading it appears the 280z 5spd may be the best approach for longer shifts and better gas mileage. any thoughts / opinions / experiences?

thanks!

[K_trip]

you know, i just wasn't sure about that area so i left it alone. i thought if i paint the herculiner in that area it would make the gate hard to close and didn't want to take the risk. It's already gone to the paint shop, and frankly don't know if i feel like taking it back and spending x dollars to have just that done. shrugs. not sure what to do ...

I hear ya ... you could just rattle can those areas satin black. Just do a super nice job masking everything else!

[Laecaon]

280z/zx will be long tails. A late 620 5 speed would probably fit your truck without modifying drive shaft length.

I thought the ZX was the one with the .745 overdrive...

[djmccall74]

280z/zx will be long tails. A late 620 5 speed would probably fit your truck without modifying drive shaft length.

I thought the ZX was the one with the .745 overdrive...

i'll throw it up on the lift this weekend and measure then do some research. i'll post my findings.

thanks!

[flatcat19]

Starting 75, all 620s were long. 4 or 5 speed.

The 81-83 zx trans was the .745 OD. Closer gear ratios in the first 4.
Any 5 speed is an improvement.

Also...79 620, manual trans only, had the 4.11 rear diff gear vs the 4.375. 720s went to a 3.9.

[Taterhead]

Retaining shit. ^^

[djmccall74]

Starting 75, all 620s were long. 4 or 5 speed.

The 81-83 zx trans was the .745 OD. Closer gear ratios in the first 4.
Any 5 speed is an improvement.

Also...79 620, manual trans only, had the 4.11 rear diff gear vs the 4.375. 720s went to a 3.9.

great info. thank you FC19! i'll be on the lookout for an 81-83 zx trans. might try a rebuild myself to learn something i know nothing about.

i think 4.11 gearing is a good middle ground so i'll stick with stock.

new plugs and wires and breather went in. not much of an update but a pic. (didn't do the tint on the truck today. decided my other car needed some love after being neglected over the summer)




new shades ...

[Laecaon]

Dude... So jelly

[flatcat19]

Bomb, dropped.

[djmccall74]

some updates. i'll try and get some more pictures when the weather is a bit better, but for now...

vinyl lettering came in:



the paint on the datsun emblem had worn completely off. i had some touch up paint for my bike laying around so thought i'd see what it would look like:





installed new head unit and 4" speakers. sounds decent (better than nothing!):




decided to just get a dashboard cover, so found one cheap and ordered it. will dye the seats black soon, and take it up to my buddies shop for tint in the next week or so.

she's got a small oil leak, but will need to wait until i rip the engine out and swap out to a 5 spd. for now i'll just keep an eye on the oil level. over the winter i plan on upgrading godzilla w/ 1000cc injectors, racing fuel pumps, 90mm exhaust from the downpipes back, 3" intake, intercooler and Tiag BOV's. It's all sitting in the garage waiting to be added. i'll post pics if anyone is interested after all that is done.

one thing i've noticed while taking pictures of the 620 throughout it's transformation. the whole body of the truck seems to be slightly higher on the right side than the left. does anyone know what would cause that and how to fix?

[Laecaon]

I would suggest loosening all leaf spring bolts, and control arm bolts, and re-tighten on the ground. My wagon went up 2 inches when I installed new leaf bushings, I had to load the rear end with quite a bit of weight and bounce to get it to settle. The same thing happened with my front lcas, but those where easier to settle.

[djmccall74]

I would suggest loosening all leaf spring bolts, and control arm bolts, and re-tighten on the ground. My wagon went up 2 inches when I installed new leaf bushings, I had to load the rear end with quite a bit of weight and bounce to get it to settle. The same thing happened with my front lcas, but those where easier to settle.

thanks laecon. i'll give that a shot.

[djmccall74]

does anyone know what covers up the front lip of the hood? i could tape things off and paint it (reluctant to take that route), but it looks like there was some sort of plastic piece to finish off the top part of the grille. i've searched but can't seem to find anything. if not, i'll try and find something at Home Depot and fabricate something of my own.

[Laecaon]

[djmccall74]

thanks laecaon. is that a specific part, or something you made?

[Laecaon]

I don't have a 620. Just a result of google searching. Pretty sure it's OEM.

[Ni10]

I don't have a 620. Just a result of google searching. Pretty sure it's OEM.

Laecaon is correct, it's OEM. Not sure if you have this link but since you own a Datsun, you should. >> http://www.carpartsmanual.com/

I'll see if I have one to sell.



tinted windows are going to look great, can't wait to see the pic's, but I will.

[djmccall74]

sweet, thanks! found the part, but will wait to see if you have one for sale.

[Ni10]

sweet, thanks! found the part, but will wait to see if you have one for sale.

just checked, How many did you need ?


got 2 descend ones and 1 that needs a little work on the passengers end, got a little bent but it's still attached.

There is normal surface rust, just not sure about the clips/nuts, they tend to get rusty and when removing, break off. But repairable.