Hey everyone! I just joined the ranks of Toyota truck owners. A little background: I have owned a green 72 Datsun 510 wagon (greengoon on ratsun.net) for the last 7 years and have been tinkering with it little by little, putting in a ragtop, cutting it up so I could get it low, etc. I've always wanted an old school mini and have always liked the early body styles. Ive seen this truck sitting around for awhile and finally placed a note, bought it for $500 and drove it home. It runs great and is pretty straight with minimal rust. By the looks of some stickers it started life as a California truck and that's probably how it outlived its other Utah counterparts. My plans are to lay frame with its original patina and new wheels. Then after that I'll start dialing in the body. I'll continue to scour the forum (like swapmeet's fantastic build) but any help or links would be greatly appreciated for instance: are there any kits for disc brake conversions for these, what year parts are interchangeable, spindles, bags, 4 link recommendations etc? I weld and can fabricate a little and am not afraid to tackle something new. I've owned a few static dropped late model minis in the past but this will be my first attempt at frame work and bags so any advice will be helpful. Here are some crappy pics. I will start a build thread soon as I have the bed off and the truck in my garage ready for the knife. ...and my Datsun
i just picked my 71 and im in the same boat as you. Only think i know of that could be helpful as far as bagging ur truck would be to talk to swapmeet as uve already noticed. Also there bagging and bodydropping one of these in the minitrucking mag. Actually its already done so im sure u could find info online but soon theyll save the fram build in the mag. rockauto.com for parts. Mine also from cali with very little rust
The spindles until 78 can swap right on. They had discs in the later years, but solid rotors. I've looked and measured a lot and 84-95 drop spindles and brakes will fit if you swap then left to right and flip the direction the lower balljoint aims. (up not down). The rear is pretty simple 4 link design. Normal stuff like raising exhaust and tranny crossmembers to frame level. The front will need a Z to lay flat. As for getting glass and body parts, it'll be tough looks like a solid starting point though. For the info, frames were virtually the same til 78. Suspension wise.
Welcome to toyota minis. I love the natural patina of your yota. Post up some more pics of that Datsun wagon. I am diggin it.
welcome im over at ratsun too, got a sticker on my hilux truck looks like a pretty good start. love the wagon, i have to know what the wheels are from. ive got a suspicion but i wanna here it from you.
Thanks for the warm welcome guys! Here are a few links for the wagon: http://s490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/99datsun510/ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2138739
ShoNuff, I've seen you over there, too. Love the Corolla wagon! I've got a buddy here with an 88 Cressida dropped on 15x8 xxr 002s so even in Utah there's starting to be a scene... Infinity M30 with center caps removed. Here's an early shot with the caps on but I like the look with them removed better. Depends on the mood I guess. (did you guess right?)
Welcome to toyotaminis and our great family! Looks like youve got a great lil project lined up, and itll be fun to watch you move thru it. One thing, you guys are sure making wagons look bada**, nice stuff rollN there . . .
looks like a good start for the truck... Love the 510 i want a coupe bad... ur wagon is pretty sick though
no i thought they were the 15in tempo wheel. was like "wow that looks pretty good for a tempo wheel" butthose fit the wagon, like em better without the caps too. maybe paint the lugs green
OK, finally some updates. I've got the front set up on Slam Specialties RE5 bags and am starting to work on the back now. It was good to get it off the jack stands and drive it around the neighborhood. I hate to have a project down for too long. I'm fabricating a simple notch for the rear as I want to retain the use of the bed. At the moment I just have a few leafs removed and blocks with a plan for helper bags. It will be low but the stance I'm looking for will not require me to lay frame. Shocks and more dialing in to come.
dude...i love your notch. and it looks as if it only sits a little lower than my 78 does. is the front laid out all the way and not the back, or front too?
thats exactly the kind of notch i need for mine though. something thats a hair away from the bedfloor and lets a deeper C kick into the frame.