Datsun 620 Pickup

[afx]

Won this yesterday in a raffle at NNL Mid-Atlantic.  The plan is a JDM Legend shop truck inspired build.

The head end of the truck bed is cast integral with the truck cab.  I cut it loose and attached to bed as the 1:1 would be.

Edited May 14, 2018 by afx

[Snake45]

The sit/stance of the real one you posted is very similar to what I hope to achieve with mine. Giving serious thought to putting a SBC in it. I was just gonna graft in a whole Camaro subframe but discovered that the truck is SO much narrower than a Camaro that THAT wasn't at all practicable. 

[cobraman]

Bought one new in 77. Nice little truck. Seemed at the time everybody had  a mini truck with a ATC in the bed.

[espo]

Great build idea for this kit. I have seen this little truck on the weekly program and really like the look. If this has been built like their customer's car it should be a fun little hauler. I would double check what all they had done to the engine since I think it has been changed from stock. Try and replicate that engine and the wheels are a big part of its appearance also.

[Snake45]

19 minutes ago, espo said:

Try and replicate that engine and the wheels are a big part of its appearance also.

He said he was gonna build it "inspired by" the shop truck, so I'm not sure he's concerned about 100% replication accuracy of every detail. 

[afx]

The plan, right now anyway is to use the go fast parts from the kit on the engine.  A nice set of wheels/tires will be the big challenge to get the right look.

Edited May 14, 2018 by afx

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Cool project. I like that yippy shared your inspiration. 

[afx]

This is the only steel wheel I found.  Anyone have a picture of the actual wheel?  Can't tell if the tires have the stretched side walls which I don't want.

[espo]

Except for the Lug Nut count those look about as close as you could get for wheels.

[Impalow]

Yeah the 6 lug thing is kinda a bummer (even on the 1:1)....    although in this other photo I found, the wheels look like 6 lug smoothies painted white.   You can probably source centers and make a lip?    

 

 

That is if you want to make more of a replica...  either way consider me subscribed to this one, I love these trucks!   

[afx]

This is the engine and most of these parts are in the kit. 

 

[Daddyfink]

You can just re-barrel one of the kits wheels and I used the Air Horns from a Tamiya kit on a Revell Datsun 510 L-16 that look just like those. 

[Can-Con]

How about the wheels from the AMT '72 Blazer. It has 2 deep six lug wheels. [the other 2 are 5 lug??] 

[Ich_Will]

This is cool. I have a soft spot for Datsun products. 

[afx]

3 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

You can just re-barrel one of the kits wheels and I used the Air Horns from a Tamiya kit on a Revell Datsun 510 L-16 that look just like those. 

"Air Horns" is that what the fender mounted mirrors are called Jesse?

Edited May 14, 2018 by afx

[afx]

The interior tub attachment to the frame determines the cab position.  I replaced the feeble kit locating pins at the front and added (2) more at the rear.  Also added a cleat to the back of the interior and a corresponding one on the cab.  This firmly defines the vertical position of the cab.

Now even dry fit (no glue) the interior is locked securely into place.

Sanded off the molded on wiring detail at the inner fender/firewall and filled some ugly ejector pin marks.

Lowered the front suspension several scale inches.  This is a little risky without having the final wheel/tire combination determined but I'll make it work.

 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice start.

[afx]

Jesse was right the kit does have the same wheel center as the JDM truck but unfortunately the kit only gives you (1).   I managed to graft the center into another deep offset rim. Now I just have to find (3) more or hope I can convince someone to cast a set for me.

 

[Daddyfink]

20 hours ago, afx said:

"Air Horns" is that what the fender mounted mirrors are called Jesse?

LOL! No, I meant for the carbs! Mirrors I would grab from a Fairlady kit 

[TarheelRick]

Check with PPP resin products for a set of early NASCAR rims.  They have a six bolt somewhat wide rim.

[afx]

1 hour ago, Daddyfink said:

LOL! No, I meant for the carbs! Mirrors I would grab from a Fairlady kit 

Air Horns - had never heard that term before.   Think I'm skipping the mirrors. I know they are ubiquitous for the JDM look but I'm not crazy about them.

[afx]

1 hour ago, TarheelRick said:

Check with PPP resin products for a set of early NASCAR rims.  They have a six bolt somewhat wide rim.

This kit has some deep steelies but don't really want to rob them.  I'll look at PPP - thanks.

[espo]

As for the "Six Lug" issue. There has to be a ton of Black Widow 6 lug wheels sitting in parts boxes all over the Forum. With the deep set outers it should be fairly easy to create the wheels if they are a must have. I like how you setup the cab mounts.    

[Janne Herajärvi]

I was not interested to buy this kit until i did see your project.. 

[afx]

I'll look at the Black Widow wheels David-thanks.

Janne, the kit is an old tool and requires a lot of cleanup and fitting but I have seen some very nice builds of this kit. 

Edited May 18, 2018 by afx