My Datsun 720 4WD.

[WhangareiKE70]

So bought another vehicle. I think I have an addiction.

Discuss: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30255

It's a 4WD Datsun 720, as in the title.

110,000 kms, Z22 engine with a 5 speed gearbox. Nothing too whiz bang but it does the trick.

Overall very tidy just has some surface rust nothing too big. Will be tidying it up and repainting it in the factory colour as I can't be bothered touching areas like under the bonnet. Yup.

Anyway, it doesn't exist without pics right?

Here's some pics I took when I first got it.

And proof of low kms winning.

But plans are to just tidy it up, and get rid of the canopy. Haha

[WhangareiKE70]

Small update, hopefully have a proper update (maybe even with pictures!) tomorrow.

-Removed the bull bar, looks a lot better.

-Have Recaro seats from OS-Triumph on their way.

-Have installed 6x9s, sub and amp, and wired it all in.

-Will be removing the canopy as soon as the tonneau (however that is spelt) cover I bought turns up.

Is now my daily anyway, after I sold my KE70, but hopefully have a U11 Bluebird on the way for daily duties.

If that is the case then this will becoming the immediate project. Just want to tidy it up, an engine conversion will be on the cards, but only once I can find money. Probs a VG30DE, VG30DET or VG30DETT. AWWWWW YEEEEAH!

So if anyone knows of a cheap one, lemme know.

That's all for now anyway.

Chur.

[WhangareiKE70]

Update time!

Some pics:

Removed the canopy, joy of joys, found a lot of rust along the top of the tray where the canopy had been sitting! You can sort of see it in those pics if you look hard.

So I ground it out, then sprayed it with primer, didn't have time today to pretty it up. Have done some other rust too, as shown by the primer patches.

Also, bad news. Last time it rained hard, I found a nice puddle in my passenger footwell. The ute has previously rusted out at the top of the A pillars and been repaired by the previous owner, but the repairs are shoddy at best and are leaking. SO I will have to wait until I have another vehicle to use (hopefully soon) so I can take the windscreen out and repair it properly. Good news is though, that as you can see in the photos, I now am able to park it under the shelter.

Still considering engine options. Definitely a V6 or V8 from the Nissan family.

Anyone know of what has been done before?

Really wish I had money to get this project moving, but still no luck on the job front.

However I will do what I can while poor.

Until next time.

EDIT: All the mirrors have been held on by square drive screws, anyone know where to buy the square drive bits from? Haven't really looked yet to be honest. But if someone could tell me that would be super. =]

[WhangareiKE70]

So update time.

Gave it a wash the other day, which I think is the second wash I have ever given it. I should relly wash it more often.

Have decided that I am not the best panelbeater in the world (duh) and also don't have access to a lot of necessary tools, so am going to save up some money and send it somewhere to get the rust cut out and sorted. There isn't a huge amount and no structural stuff so all good. Also found the lower sills have been dented somehow, so need to get them pulled out and fixed.

Rust to be fixed is:

-Bottom of RH front guard.

-Spot on RHS of tray.

-A strip about10-15cm long on LHS of tray.

-Top of L+R A pillars. (Will be getting the windscreen taken out so this can be done properly)

-And the worst, tailgate, the whole thing is riddled with rust, would replace it (especially if I could find one that said 'DATSUN' instead of Nissan) but not sure whjere to source that sort of thing from.

Also:

-Jack out lower sills L+R, not hugely munted or anything, just awkward.

-And minor dents here, there and everywhere.

Got some pics of the rust but not of the dents, hard to ge tpics of them.

The rust in the tray:

The tail gate. See all along the bottom it has rusted out:

RH Guard:

And the rust in the 'A' Pillars. Well, less rust, more dodgey patches that need to be fixed up:

Anyone know of a panelbeater in Whangarei that does home jobs or cashies after hours that they can recommend, and has the tools? Not looking urgently as need to save some cash first.

Have someone to do spraying so only need it taken to primer.

On a positive note, did the rear brakes yesterday. New shoes and cylinders in there.

Just need to get some driving done to get them to bed in properly, the old man and I bled up the brakes too. Due for an oil change this weekend as well so need to buy a new filter.

New (to me, so second hand) tyres on their way too, $100 for 4 off a friend of Dads, good tread.

Any feedback, chuck it here: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30255

Chur.

[WhangareiKE70]

Went and took it for a quote for all rust taken out by a mates dad who's a panelbeater, and panelbeated ready to paint, and that was $2500. So, I will be saving up for that but it's going to take a while so in the mean time I will be doing bits for myself to hopefully save on the overall cost as well.

In other news, have done one of the best modifications (in my opinion) to my vehicle.

ERMERGERD CERP HERLDERS!

Also, mounted a trebuchet (yes it works). Sorry for the crap pics but my phone is my only camera and it was raining.

In terms of any actual progress, no, not really this time. Haha

But I do have another car which once fixed up will become the daily, and this will become a full time project at least until the rust is fixed.

Chur.

Discuss: http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewto ... 18&t=30255

[WhangareiKE70]

So,

Since the last update...

I have investigated the rust in the tailgate and found it to be really bad, and the previous owner has just bogged over it, so it's shit to say the least. Have a spot weld drill bit on the way so will unspot it (or at least the lower section) and get a new one bent up, if anyone knows of a good sheet metal folder/engineer in Whangarei let me know.

Plans are to get my U11 Bluebird running and strip this down, fix the rust, and respray. Will also be debadging this at the same time, getting rid of everything I can that identifies this as a Nissan and not a Datsun. So that is guard badges, front grill badge, and potentially the rear stamp on the tailgate if I can get a new skin folded. I will also be getting the strip removed from the windscreen.

Have found someone to do work for a very cheap rate (family friend). Will either be going Satin Black or factory green at this stage.

Comment on the discussion thread if you have any other colour suggestions.

Am also looking for some mirrors, either chrome truck style ones, or fender type. Not sure there yet either.

Coming up soon is finally getting the (period appropriate) Recaro seats I bought ages ago into the ute, just have to measure up and drill some new mounting holes in the rails, and they should bolt up. Also potentially getting my Nardi woodgrain wheel refurbed.

The ultimate goal for this is a pretty tidy tow vehicle, as well as good general truck, not a hardcore 4WD so I want it pretty tidy.

Pictureless update is gay.

Essay finished.

[WhangareiKE70]

So today, the ute was running hot on the way to my parents.

Found out that the waterpump is leaking.

Also, mine is the model with the stupid viscous fan, so the water pump is going to be expensive. Cry.

Will be finding out exactly how much tomorrow.

On a positive note, this turned up yesterday,

YAY! Now I can get stuck into some rust work.

Will see if the weather plays ball tomorrow.

That is all.

[WhangareiKE70]

So I found more rust, seems to be a theme of this ute/OS cars in general/my life.

This time was in the tray. Yesterday I pulled the rubber mats, that the previous owner had glued to the tray, off. I did this because after thinking about it I realised they were probably trapping water under them.

I was right.

Here is what it looked like once I pulled the rubber mats off. Innocent enough...

Until I started to poke around.

This is just behind the LH rear wheel arch. Goes through the floor, as well as the side of the bed, and the seam is there too, so three pieces of metal total.

This is in front of the RH rear wheel arch, the previous owner had pop riveted a piece of metal over it to hide it from the warrant man, and then stuck down the mats. The second pic shows (as best as I could) that it goes down and is quite bad.

On a positive note, I have basically started to strip it down as much as possible while still keeping it legal. Lots of little holes to fill in from where badges came off and such. Been removing all trace of the word Nissan.

Removed from the guards,

And from the front grill,

Not sure whether to remove the 4x4 badge as well or leave it be.

Will also be removing the stamp from the rear tailgate as I will be folding up/getting folded up a bit of steel to replace the rusted out one on there at the moment.

Took the mirrors off too. Will probably go with guard mirrors in the end.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

[WhangareiKE70]

Good news! (for once)

After extensive searching in NZ, trying to find a good front bumper, I had gotten nowhere. However recently I saw an add on Trademe for some mint 720 doors. I don't need these as mine are good, but I decided to ask a question on the auction to try and see if they had any other bits, especially seeing as the guy was local, and every other 720 wreck was down South. Long story short...

THEY DID.

When I asked the question on Trademe I specifically asked if he had a good front bumper. He replied saying yes, he did, so I gave him a ring and organised to go and see him on Friday. He was only about 10 minutes drive away. BONUS!

Turns out the guy had basically two 720s he is wrecking, one that was mostly stripped and one that was sitting rusting in the paddock.

The bumper is mint apart from some moss growing on it, and comes with the irons.

He also had some nice sun visors, that I desperately need as I only have a passenger side one, which is mounted backwards on the drivers side, as it is needed for a WOF.

However the best part of it all is that the 720 sitting in the paddock is off to the scrap heap soon, and because of that he said I can bring my own tools and take whatever I want off it for the measly sum of TWENTY DOLLARS.

So I am going to go and grab all the stuff off that I can. This also means I can take cuts out of the tray to use as patches for mine as the sides are rooted but the deck is all good.

TL:DR, FRIDAY WAS A GOOD DAY.

Stupid me didn't take cash cause I was only going for a geez, so I am going back some time this week for a bunch of bits, and then going to go out some time in the school holidays when I am not working to strip down the wreck.

Will get pics then of everything.

Anyway, all this got me motivated to start on the tray rust in prep for patches.

Started on the worst bit, between the arch and cab on the drivers side. Luckily most of this is a single piece of folded steel, so I drilled the spots out,

CHUR TO VG FOR THE HOOK UP ON THE SPOT WELD DRILL. Works mint.

Then basically just popped off, most of the spots along the other sides had rusted out.

Remaining hole:

So this rust will be getting fixed aswell,

but maybe not quite yet, as it's quite hard to get at, will probably wait until I take the tray off, so will need to get the Bluebird going first.

Also took the rust out of a little bit at the rear, cleaned, converted, sanded, bogged, sanded, primed. Looks like this now:

Pretty good, not too shabby.

Also, will have this on my way too me in the next week:

Thanks to DJZ for coordinating that effort, it's in CHCH at the moment. VG30DE in need of a rebuild, will be going in at some point in the future, probably after the painting is done.

Comes with loom and computer, not sure if I will try for factory comp or aftermarket yet, but will be handy.

So that's the progress I made this weekend, pretty proud of myself.

Discussion/comments here: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30255

Chur.

[WhangareiKE70]

Went to Auckland today and picked this up:

VG30DE. As in last post, in need of a rebuild, has an apparent run big end. Not sure if it has oil in it, didn't really get to spend any time with it today other than picking it up and getting it home and off the back of the ute.

Either way will probably drain the oil tomorrow, take the filter off, cut it in half and have a look.

Will also get the old man to have a look when he is in the country next.

Pretty tops.

Am also 99% sure it is a factory manual, and came with some good bits like uncut loom and the ECU.

Also came with engine mounts and rubbers (one of these is rooted but oh well), which I didn't realise, was stoked as that will help heaps with mocking stuff up.

EDIT: Need to know where I can get the sump modified so that it is even and centralised, I heard that the un-evenness of these in a 720 puts it to one side and interfers with the brake booster.

Also looking at potential brake upgrades, want to stay 6 stud, so thinking adapting a rear LSD diff and front brakes from a D22 Nav, that way I get stronger brakes and disks all around. Do I need any extras besides the brake booster? Any other ideas?

Comments/ideas:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30255

Unsure on how useable it will all be, time will tell when I found out what is wrong with it.

That's all for today folks.

[WhangareiKE70]

Small update.

Haven't done any work on the engine as of yet, am focusing my time and money on the rust work and Bluebird at the moment.

I did buy my self a few goodies though the other day.

Fuller sheet metal snips, set of 3 (straight, LH curve and RH curve).

And some sheet metal. Not much, just enough to make small patches.

A lot of the big patches will be coming directly from the tray of another rusted 720, which still has a solid tray.

Also went and got a whole lot of parts today, almost everything I need, as well as some other bits for spares.

Will post pics of them tomorrow.

[WhangareiKE70]

Dredge from page 7... =/

As you can see I didn't post pics of spares.

But you all know what spares look like.

Lost my license today for 6 months. So silver lining is lots of time to work on the ute while I am stuck with no social life due to not being able to go anywhere. Haha

Pulled down most of the front end the other day. Left bonnet on too protect engine in leaky carport. Found rust. Haven't got close ups but it's a lot better than it looks in the below picture (it looks really bad in that picture).

Left the valance on so I can lever out a dent with it in place. It's the one slightly to the right of the centre at the bottom of the valance in the picture.

Anyone know someone who can rip out a windscreen in Whangarei for cheap?

Also the other day I took the ute into my church as part of the display for the end of year dinner. Partially because it's old and 'retro' (it was op shop themed) and partially because it ws the skinniest vehicle there, and fitted through the doors (with about 3mm to spare on each side).

Was LOL.

That's me looking retarded in the drivers seat.

Have purchased a large can of Hammerite and will be stripping down the rust, welding in patches with new mig welder (early Christmas present), and sparaying hammerite everywhere that won't be seen.

Hopefully updates should be more regular now.

[WhangareiKE70]

Discuss: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30255

Going to work on this thing seriously tomorrow, hopefully get some patches welded in and some more stripping done.

How it is looking at the moment:

Close ups of the worst of the rust:

So not too bad at all really. Have a guy coming to do some hours on it in a couple of weeks, so want too have everything ready for him when he gets here.

So my list to do (for tomorrow anyway) is:

• Strip and then remove doors.
  
• Take out rear windows.
  
• Look at removing windscreen front and rear.
  
• Take out seats and carpet, as well as empty other assorted crap out of cab.
  
• Disconnect tray (wiring, fuel filler, lights, bolts) so it's ready to lift off.
  
• Try to tackle rust in front of ute.
  

Have my MIG set up now as well as having some steel to make plates from. Should be good.

May also have a look at the VG30DE I got for it as I am back at my parents at the moment so I can use Dad's engine crane to lift it up. Need to buy an engine stand so if anyone has one for sale let me know.

We will see what tomorrow holds.

Ciao.

[WhangareiKE70]

Got some stuff done.

Looks a bit like this now.

No doors, all stripped right down and ready for panelbeating.

Also, you may notice no windscreen. I messed up.

Oh well at least it's out now, and I have a spare.

Found these once the windscreen was out.

Confirmed my suspicions that the dodgy patches at the top of the A pillars were contributing to the rust problems in the bottom of the A pillars.

Going to cut them out and replace them, as well as a significant chunk of the drivers side guttering which has rusted right out.

Almost got the tray off but need a hand for lifting it off.

That's what I accomplished today. Haha

[WhangareiKE70]

Took the tray off.

Used the digger, and chained it up half assed, 'cause it's not going back on (going flat deck) and I don't mind if it gets damaged.

Dad the digger driver.

Naked rear end, but SFW.

And for once there was no rust to be found. And there was much rejoicing.

Gave it a quick spray with the hose and then sprayed some CT18 Superwash on with the water blaster, will wash it off in the morning.

Tucked it up in to bed for the night.

All for now. Will hopefully get my cutty cutty on tomorrow, will see.

[Guest WhangareiKE70]

Haven't updated in ages. Have made good progress. Got a panelbeater in to help me (family friend). Extremely good rates.

Have patched up some rust.

Radiator support panel:

RHS inner fender:

Stripped out LH inner wheel well, also did the other side but no pic. Were full of underseal (which is messy as crap to remove with a wire wheel):

LHS inner fender:

Also got the LHS top of the A pillar done, but forgot to get a pic.

Removed rear windscreen successfully in one piece!

Empty hole:

Have also stripped the whole cab down to bare metal, bar the roof and engine bay (front panel not quite done in these pics either).

The dark grey stuff on the bare steel is a rust convertor/primer that was sprayed on until the panel work is done and we can spray proper primer.

Almost no bog was found in all of the body! Pretty stoked. Just a bit about 1mm deep on the panel behind the drivers door, about the size of my palm.

Plans for this weekend are to paint strip the roof, and hopefully get the last patches done for the top and bottom of the drivers side A pillar.

Will hopefully be all done in the next few months (body wise anyway).

Am starting to think of paint colours pretty seriously as I will look into buying the paint soon. Major considerations are:

-Original Green. Easily the easiest as the interior and engine bay will already match.

-Satin Black. Not too much of a big deal to strip the engine bay, a lot of it is already unbolted to remove protruding screw and bolt ends from the front wheel wells while I was stripping them out. However I don't know much about the availability of Satin clears? Will look into it this week anyway.

Any other suggestions for colours (serious ones) would be appreciated. Even better if they came with photoshops showing what the ute would look like.

Will update again end of this week/early next week.

Chur. =]

[Guest WhangareiKE70]

Have been strapped for cash a little these past few weeks, so have taken to a couple of side projects that I had in mind, ones that are easiest to to with the interior out.

One of these is a custom sound enclosure for the rear, which encases my 12 inch sub with mono channel amp, and 4x 6x9s with a 4 channel amp to run them, as well as trying to maximize storage area.

Have only just started this properly, hope to make some more progress tomorrow (time dependent). This is what it looks like at the moment:

Sorry for crap spec phone pic.

That is just the part for the amps and sub, pretty self explanatory where they go, 6x9 part yet to be constructed. Will be covered in some sort of material when finished, and will be properly bolted down using the bolt holes where the bases of the rear seats used to go.

Should be chur.

[WhangareiKE70]

Lol, page 15. I am so slack at updating this.

Have done things though.

 

Note: these are all in no particular order, just things I have done since the last update, which was, ummm, a while ago. Haha. Also sorry for the crappy cell pics, I don't own a real camera.
 

Painted up the front with Hammerite. Did a few coats. It's not perfect but it doesn't need to be.

 

 

 

 

And sprayed some other front bits as well.

 

Dyed a spare mint condition dash I had as well with VHT Vinyl spray, came out great. Just went over it with IPA, then a scotchbrite so it had something to key into.

Also mounted my Nardi wheel in, but the horn button won't go in because the inner diameter of the boss kit was too small. Have to find a new horn button.

 

 

 

[WhangareiKE70]

Also made a way to mount my Recaro seats. Just folded up some simple adaptors/spacers, which is how they were from factory just different spacing for the different rails.

They look like this:

 

 

And mount on like this:

 

I haven't got a photo of them sitting in but I have had them in and they work great.

Also finished off that sub box I mentioned a while back, it now only contains 2 6x9's instead of 4 as I decided to go for front speakers in the kick panels to get more of a surround sound thing going on.
It's all done in carpet with aluminium trims, and looks pretty sweet if I do say so myself.

 

 

 

This last view shows where the 6x9's go, when I have the money to buy them.

 

Still a little tidying up, a few wires to run, and mounting the amps, but that's not hugely important for the moment.

[WhangareiKE70]

Discuss/ tell me I'm slow here:

 

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30255