Datsun 620 Pickup

[afx]

If you have any questions about what I have done so far Jeff, just ask.

[Goose1957]

Thanks for the help. This one might be on the back burner for awhile. Too many other projects on the bench and I told myself that I can't start anything until I finish some up first. I'll  enjoy yours for now.

Jeff 

[stitchdup]

Would the front tyres from the aoshima kennmary skylines fit?

[afx]

6 hours ago, stitchdup said:

Would the front tyres from the aoshima kennmary skylines fit?

I can't tell you Leslie as I don't have that kit.  The rims that were cast for me are 16" wheels (outside diameter 17.2 mm).  The rim I made is a 15" (outside diameter 16.2 mm)

[stitchdup]

9 minutes ago, afx said:

I can't tell you Leslie as I don't have that kit.  The rims that were cast for me are 16" wheels (outside diameter 17.2 mm).  The rim I made is a 15" (outside diameter 16.2 mm)

I just measured the set i have and they are smaller. Clearly scale have some to fit their vw rims that should fit, they do from 14-16 in 1/24

[afx]

Here is what I have come up with so far.  The tire is from the Fujimi Porsche 356  I know R&M has these in his catalog.  The lug nuts look a little big I might try another set.  You need a fairly narrow tire to fit in the rear wheel wells.

[afx]

With R&M's 1" acorn nuts - much better.

 

[afx]

It would look something like this.

[afx]

Got the resin cast wheels & tires back from R&MCoMD.  The tires have very sharp raised letters on the side walls but I am choosing to remove them for my survivor style build.

[espo]

Nice to see you're back after this build. Look forward to your progress. 

[afx]

Thanks David.  Lowered the truck a bunch, still not as low as I wanted but think I'll stop here.

Edited February 18, 2019 by afx

[Belugawrx]

looking good JC .... following

[afx]

Thanks Bruce.

To lower the truck:

At the front I cut down the cross member mounts to raise the lower swing arms.  Then removed material from the top of the spindle to bring the hub farther up into the wheel well. As the engine sits on top of the cross member I will have to make some adjustments to keep the engine low enough to allow the hood to close.

At the rear I removed the shackles completely from the rear of the springs and deeply notched the frame rail to raise the front spring mounts. To get it any lower I would need to separate the molded together axle and springs and add lowering blocks.  I'm choosing not to take that step as the axle is flimsy and I don't want to risk weakening it.

 

 

Edited February 19, 2019 by afx

[Impalow]

Very nice work!   

Heading back to a previous post....about air horns/ velocity stacks...

I found a nice assortment pack of wire ferules on amazon that work perfect for these, and you get a ton of usable sized ones for $7.29!  Just a heads up!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I93KA90/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

Edited February 19, 2019 by Impalow

[afx]

Thanks for the heads up Eric!  Those look closer to scale thickness than the turned aluminum pieces I've seen.

Edited February 19, 2019 by afx

[Sam I Am]

WoW JC ! 

First Falcons and now Datsuns.  I have owned three of these 620s and would love to find another one. My '78  2.0 5spd with a Weber was the most fun to drive. I built a number of the old MPC variations as a kid. Now you will have me looking for another one. 

[afx]

Thanks Sam.  The kit was recently re-issued so it shouldn't be hard to find one. I'm planing to add a bit more juice to the engine so stay tuned.

[afx]

Turns out Erick I had some of those wire ferules in the stash.  Had to make a low profile oil pan because of the raised front cross member and still had to notch it for the tie rod. Carefully drilled the distributor to accept wiring.

 

 

Edited February 21, 2019 by afx

[afx]

Wanted to use one of these engines but it would require major surgery to get them to fit.

Edited February 21, 2019 by afx

[Tom Geiger]

Nice little project.  Those mini pickups from that era are actually not bad kits!   I have one, still seeking an idea.

Finish yours up for NNL East.  Our Diversified colleagues will have the big diorama up full of Datsuns this time!

Edited February 21, 2019 by Tom Geiger

[afx]

Thanks Tom.  Its a fiddly kit, parts require lots of cleanup and I've added many locating pins get a strong/secure fit.  Had to section the back half of the passenger side frame rail (+/- 1 mm) to center the wheel in the opening.  I'm building up the frame and suspension completely and will paint it as an assembly. I like the truck so its worth the effort to me.

I've heard NNL East is a great show but I have never attended.  I will probably display the truck at our club's show NNL Mid-Atlantic.

 

Edited February 22, 2019 by afx

[cobraman]

Following this one. I bought a new 77 when I first moved to California from Illinois. The mini trucks were hot back then. I bought a red one and my BIL bought a blue one in Tustin California. Have some pics around here somewhere.

[afx]

Please post your pictures Ray if get a chance, would like to see them.

Never had a Datsun but I'm on my 3rd Ford Ranger! ('85, '93, '10)

Edited February 21, 2019 by afx

[cobraman]

I will dig out the pics. I had 2 new Rangers also. A black 87 Ranger GT and a 92 white Supercab.

[afx]

My '85 was similar to this but black with Cragar wheels.

The '93 looked like this except silver on top, blue on the bottom:

The 2010 looks like this but I have factory fog/driving lights. Its a 4x4.