my new(to me) 1971 521 build up.... Literally!

1978 ke30 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 29, 2011 9:16 am

What transfer case setup are you running? Have you calculated the final crawl ratio? What kind of off roading will you be doing? Mudding? Crawling? Trails?

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:12 pm

1978 ke30 wrote:

What transfer case setup are you running? Have you calculated the final crawl ratio? What kind of off roading will you be doing? Mudding? Crawling? Trails?

Stock datsun 720 transfer case with a 2.02 low range(IIRC). Final crawl range will be around 40:1 for this stock setup but I am looking at future transfer case options. A divorced doubler would be awesome.

The truck will be used for crawling and a lot of highway use. Planning on using the stock 720 sway bar up front and another on the back with quick disconnects for the trail. Looks like frame heights will be around 22", and trying to keep it as low as possible to keep the CG low. The 521 has a frame height of 10.5" so thats 11.5" of total lift so far? LOL geez this thing is gonna be big.

Going for an expedition/ long distance travelling theme for this truck. Plans are a flat bed with some kind of on board sleeping arrangement; or a lifted teardrop trailer on the 521 rear frame modified into a trailer.

1978 ke30 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 5:38 pm

Master-O-Turbonics wrote:

1978 ke30 wrote:

What transfer case setup are you running? Have you calculated the final crawl ratio? What kind of off roading will you be doing? Mudding? Crawling? Trails?

Stock datsun 720 transfer case with a 2.02 low range(IIRC). Final crawl range will be around 40:1 for this stock setup but I am looking at future transfer case options. A divorced doubler would be awesome.

The truck will be used for crawling and a lot of highway use. Planning on using the stock 720 sway bar up front and another on the back with quick disconnects for the trail. Looks like frame heights will be around 22", and trying to keep it as low as possible to keep the CG low. The 521 has a frame height of 10.5" so thats 11.5" of total lift so far? LOL geez this thing is gonna be big.

Going for an expedition/ long distance travelling theme for this truck. Plans are a flat bed with some kind of on board sleeping arrangement; or a lifted teardrop trailer on the 521 rear frame modified into a trailer.

Thats awesome. What coil overs are you running or are you going to go leafs?

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:25 pm

1978 ke30 wrote:

Thats awesome. What coil overs are you running or are you going to go leafs?

Looking at FOA coilover shocks, but don't really have a plan yet. MAYBE quarter elliptical leaf springs? IDK yet...

Just ordered a panhard bar kit and some other stuff from Ruff Stuff Specialties to finish off the front 3 link... just need a springing medium.

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:31 pm

Picked up some light weight tubing for the front links ;-)

Just Kidding!! 37 pounds worth!

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:48 pm

New~ish clutch. it was run for about 250 miles and was on the Z24 that was previously in the 81 4x4 truck, pressure plate still has the machining marks in it, so it should be good to go. Had to bend a finger straight since the previous owner bent it trying to get the transmission in.

Painted the motor, then started bolting it all back together. (Oil pan will get painted silver when the engine doesn't have to sit on it any more)

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:07 pm

TA DA!

No rust-through on the floors! SO Rare in any Datsun this old!

Cleaned out the engine bay a good bit

And the best part.....
Built this today.

1981 720 brake booster spacer(had to re-drill the holes for slightly different bolt pattern on the booster) and extender rod, series 1 240Z brake booster, S30 7/8" Z car brake master cylinder, 1981 210 master cylinder reservoir caps with low fluid level indicators. I think I am going to graft part of the 720 firewall onto the 521 firewall in order to make mounting this LONG pig easier.

Johnny45 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:52 am

What are you planning for the leftover bits from the 521? Not the scrapyard I hope... :shock:

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:01 pm

its yours for $400. the only other thing i am keeping is the 3rd member, but can install a 3.54 that i have if you need to tow it.

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 4:26 pm

Test fitting the body on the frame... Its close but not a bolt-on deal...

Going to trim the wheel well straight forward from the top.

vs. my 04 frontier..

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:24 pm

Did some firewall work this morning... mounted the 720 steering shaft... solidly... and got the brake setup at least mocked up.

Need a new clutch master cylinder for a 521... I have a feeling this is going to be hard to find?? Maybe a regular Datsun one will work cause they are like $15 at Napa.

Did what I call a karate chop to the fenders. I think it looks pretty fricking cool, and at the same time it keeps the stock lines of the truck.
I made the cut, rolled the cut outward just like the stock little flare with the English Wheel, then bent a lip back under just like stock, but now it goes straight forward. Not perfect, but a skim coat of finishing bondo will help smooth out the small divots.
Going to cut away the lower turn signals and core support up to the bottom of the head light buckets for tire clearance...

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:50 pm

Made a little progress...
Got started on the panhard bar stuff, just waiting on the link tubing to come in.
Also got the motor positioned so that I can build motor mounts.

Eric · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:13 am

alright, you lost me on this.
why use a nice datsun for this, you can buy that weird american pickuptrucks on every streetcorner..

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:21 pm

Eric wrote:

alright, you lost me on this.
why use a nice datsun for this, you can buy that weird american pickuptrucks on every streetcorner..

I took a rusted out 720, and a 521 parts truck that was about 2 days from going to the crusher and am building something that still is very much a 521, but better for what I need to use it for.

Right now I'm spending almost as much in resto parts as I am in 4x4 parts... its not going to be like 95% of the Datsun pickup trucks out there that look like driving death.

Yes I cut the front fenders and cut out the turn signals, but it's still a 521 and not a cut up buggy.

I love my Datsun. My Datsun loves me for saving her from the Crusher, so that she can live on many more years. :-)

Eric · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:08 am

fair enough, i am back on this, keep the updates coming!

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:00 am

and it rolled off the lift yesterday.....

UtahSleeper · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:56 pm

Nice work so far. Can't wait till it gets closer to finished.

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:21 pm

Got the Panhard bar in so...
First flex pics(sorry its blurry, I'm in an unlighted shop):

Tire is hitting the turn signal on the driver's side... time for more trimming. :-D

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:54 pm

Here are some pics from today:

I cut up the 521 bed on the donor truck(all rusty on the bed bottom)

Mocking up the passenger side:

Driver's side:

Looks like I'm going to have to lengthen the stock wheel well openings... Still want to look somewhat original but I'm putting together a plan on how to go about opening them up and keep the look.

Master-O-Turbonics · **Posted:** Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:39 am

but also

and
(ignore the springs... they are just to hold up the front end for now... lol)

my new(to me) 1971 521 build up.... Literally!

Who is online