New Zealand Datsun Club

Hi everyone. (Posted in the wrong place before)
I've been looking for a 1200 ute for a while now. (No luck so far)
So I am in the process of buying a 620 1979 king cab.
I am going to buy it this weekend if everything goes as planned.
I have driven this 620 (drives pretty good) the body seem to be quite good for its age and its running a l20 engine 4 speed manual.
If i end up buying it (90% chance that i will) i have some questions to ask before i go ahead and close the deal i hope you guys can help. I am wanting to know how difficult or should i say how easy/expensive would it be to make the following changes.
1- Power steering conversion (possible/cost)
2- Cheap easy options to make current engine a bit faster.
3- Improve brakes.
4- Low suspension.

Would be much appreciated if someone can help/share some info.

Cheers.

DatsunPY wrote:Hi everyone. (Posted in the wrong place before)
I've been looking for a 1200 ute for a while now. (No luck so far)
So I am in the process of buying a 620 1979 king cab.
I am going to buy it this weekend if everything goes as planned.
I have driven this 620 (drives pretty good) the body seem to be quite good for its age and its running a l20 engine 4 speed manual.
If i end up buying it (90% chance that i will) i have some questions to ask before i go ahead and close the deal i hope you guys can help. I am wanting to know how difficult or should i say how easy/expensive would it be to make the following changes.
1- Power steering conversion (possible/cost)
2- Cheap easy options to make current engine a bit faster.
3- Improve brakes.
4- Low suspension.

Would be much appreciated if someone can help/share some info.

Cheers.

A little more info could help, just the KingCab was not an NZ new option so is it 4x4?
If 2wd then lowering is very easy, and quite inexpensive compared to many. Wind down front and spacers in the rear, may need a little work to get wheel alignment sorted on front but should be doable.
Drum or disc front brakes? Disc much easier to upgrade. (Also is it King pin or ball joint?) Picking as it is '79 it should be disc with ball joints, but can never be sure. (assuming 2wd)
Is L20 factory, or retro fitted, does it need certed?
If factory then Hp should be quite doable and it would be cool too, (in my opinion), Twin sidies, (great sound track) extractors and a cam would yield good gains. If cert needed then the world is your oyster, lots of cool options. SR, QR, VG, VQ, VH/K name it.
As per power steering I have no experience, but maybe a 330 steering box may swap in or a Barina electric set-up could work? I'm sure it will be possible, just depend on how much time / cash you are willing to put into it.
It would be a cool and unique ride, go for it!

Hi mate! Thanks for that! Sorry my bad.
Its a 2wd LHD USA imported.
I cant remember if it has drums or disc. I would say drums??
Will confirm this tomorrow.
Engine still original no cert required for anything that i am aware of.
It seems to be quite doable everything i would like to change.
Will get more info and post again.

Cheers.

If it runs ball joints instead of kingpins, you can fit 2wd navara front hubs and stubs, rotors and calipers pretty easy.
Then you have the option of running drop spindles for a navara, which gives slam, but still retains full front suspention travel.
If you buy it, start a rides/project thread for it!
I have a couple of 620's too. And I've started fiending them.

Bartman wrote: If you buy it, start a rides/project thread for it!
I have a couple of 620's too. And I've started fiending them.

This is starting to sound very doable, looking forward to seeing progress
Do you have a link for the thread for yours Bart?

I sure will.. thanks for all the info..
One more question. Being a LHD (REGO on hold) how can i make sure its all legal for nz road. Wof run out a few months ago..
So i am assuming if it did have a wof before its all good to go as long as it passes a wof insp.?
Should i be worried about anything else? Sorry never owned a LHD in nz before.

Cheers guys.

I think since it's already been rego'd here, and it's more than 20 years old the LHD thing is inconsequential.

Vaughan, it's somewhere on the first page of the rides/projects forum.

Cheers for that bartman..