3009 The 521 emerge.

Hi all. After almost 8 months down and in R&D, my 521 can finally sit on the ground without jackstands. Can't run yet though. Got lots of finish welding to do then all the fabricated suspension parts are off to the powder coater. Hardbody brakes should be worlds better then the factory drums. Also got a built L18 in the works and plans for an IRS. Here's some pics. Oh and this is NOT its set ride height. I just didn't mount up the torsion rods yet. Its sitting on the stops here just to get it from the back of the shop to the front. SOrry to the guys that like it dumped.

Here's some pics of my Offy with an adapter plate I made to fit a 42mm Weber DCNF carb. Nice synchronist barrels. :)

Brian,

I am very interested in seeing any more pics of your disc brake set-up, including any "In Progress" pics. As I have an extra front suspension for my 320 that I would like to do the hard work of getting disc and ball joints, as the knuckle arm parts are getting harder to get. Thanks in advance, Garry K

Garry,

Don't have many "in progress" pics. I'll PM you whatever I have. Basically I took a lot of different sized box tubing and started designing. It began with me frankensteining 521/620 upper and lower control arms. Ditched that design when I just got messy. I started taking angle and length measurments and put together pretty much whats in there now. Where are you located? The truck is at my shop in Tualatin, OR. Anyone can swing by and see it. Address is below. :) Send me a heads up first. Thanks!

Thanks Brian,

I am up in Port Orchard, WA. Mike K may come see it, when he reads this post.

Did you use 620 or hardbody ball joints and spindle assy?

I know all about "frankensteining" as I put the 4x4 chassis under my NL320 body this week,

and realized that my original plans were heading out the window, and i would be doing some

major re-designing to make it work the correct way...

Keep up the good work! Any corporate knowledge shared helps us all!

Thanks again, Garry K in Port Orchard, wa

that is awesome... i would buy a set of those a-arms :D

that would allow me to run drop spindles and hardbody brakes on my 73 :D

You know it!! :)

I had emailed Brian about me coming by the shop, but I didn't get a response. I've been too busy anyway, so I wasn't too worried about it yet. Maybe sometime next week??

I'd love to have copies of any pics you have Brian. You've got my email so feel free to send them whenever you get a chance!!

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Yeah, this was never supposed to be such an indepth project. My REAL project is still sitting in the side of the shop w/ nothing on the drawing boards yet.

Yes, hardbody hubs and rotors. Looking for some drop spindles so that I can correct a camber problem. I need to change the suspension geometry with the next design (more refining needed to the design.) Not sure if I'm going to market this. Maybe I'll make some for a select few, but there is so much time involved. Who knows. I'll keep everyone up dated.

Mike - Sorry dood. I must have missed that email. Dammit, of course you can visit! No wait - No shirt, no shoes, no service! ;) Actually we are thinking of doing a 'End of Summer' barbeque here. I really want to get some Datsun guys over.....especially truck guys. Sorry, no Auto-x track....yet.

Thanks all.

No sweat Brian! My hours change after the 17th, so I'll have a lot more time in the morning for visits and such. So...maybe not this coming week, but the week after!

I LOVE the idea of a bbq down here!! I can't make Bleach's tomorrow :( and I'm pretty torqued about it. My kid took the van to Mich and I don't want to risk one of the only two drivers i have right now...plus, I have to ......ummm....no one wants to hear this...sorry....

BBQ!!!!!

mmmmm BBQ

How about oposting the rest of the pics in this thread? I'm likin' the hardbody stuff.

Ok. Here are pretty much all the pics I have of the build. I could've sworn there were more. I'll document the tension rod design as it happens. THat's pretty much the last piece of the puzzle.

Engine photos will be coming soon. :)

Very nice work 808! I also have a complete HB front suspension in my yard that can be made to fit the 521's, 320's etc... Are you also using the HB ball joints & tie rod ends? Also, have you figured out how the calipers will mount to the rotor? Post more pics when u can.

Looks like stock hardbody stuff from the balljoints to the spindle nut, although the lower balljoint looks like it has the bracket too...

Nice use of rod ends for camber adjustment, what size are they?

Originally posted by

2eDeYe]

Good eye! Actually both top and bottom ball joints are off of a 620. The upper control arms have 16mm heim joint links at the top. You can buy the heims on eBay and the nuts are from Ace's. My tension rods will be a heimed design also.

Just a Brian groupie!

brian,

any chances of getting directions to your shop, i'm coming from newberg. not far away. would love come check out the truck and bs. the BBQ idea sounds great. keep us posted.

Originally posted by yello620

brian,

any chances of getting directions to your shop, i'm coming from newberg. not far away. would love come check out the truck and bs. the BBQ idea sounds great. keep us posted.

Directions from Newberg are easy. Head east on HWY 99. We are past the U-Pull-It in Sherwood. If heading east, the shop is on your left (you have to cross back over 99) after Cipole intersection. Hmmm. Maybe not that easy afterall. Mapquest it. :) We're open Thursday - Saturday 8AM to 8PM and Sunday 8-5. I'm not there Sunday, but Datsuns always are. ;)

Originally posted by 808DA6

Originally posted by yello620

brian,

any chances of getting directions to your shop, i'm coming from newberg. not far away. would love come check out the truck and bs. the BBQ idea sounds great. keep us posted.

Just look for the DatsunS sitting out front.

Brian give me a call when you read this because I think I found us a "diamond."

ah heim joints a man after my own heart(wait? that didn't sound right)anyway i have done a lot of work on racing suspensions,however I am not sure how practical it is for the street

I'm on Pacific hwy as well; Monmouth, but still on 99W! I'm definitely down for a BBQ in Oregon! I was just telling Klotz on saturday that we should have one here. I got room at my house!!! And a BBQ!

Ok, with the HB suspension stuff i have i was thinking about how dificult it would be to graft the HB control arms onto the 521 / 320 arms. I love the arms that 808 has built & also Beebani has done some custom suspension mods as well. Can you guys advise me on if this would be a safe setup or should i just make new ones from scratch. Id like to have disc brakes up front & then id be able to run drop spindles to get it lower, plus a bag install would be easier & id have no bag rubbing issues.

Author	Message
808DA6 Enthusiast Joined: 12 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 243	Topic: The 521 emerge. Posted: 08 September 2005 at 11:41pm
	Hi all. After almost 8 months down and in R&D, my 521 can finally sit on the ground without jackstands. Can't run yet though. Got lots of finish welding to do then all the fabricated suspension parts are off to the powder coater. Hardbody brakes should be worlds better then the factory drums. Also got a built L18 in the works and plans for an IRS. Here's some pics. Oh and this is NOT its set ride height. I just didn't mount up the torsion rods yet. Its sitting on the stops here just to get it from the back of the shop to the front. SOrry to the guys that like it dumped. Here's some pics of my Offy with an adapter plate I made to fit a 42mm Weber DCNF carb. Nice synchronist barrels. :)
	Brian 1970 PL521 1972 B110 Sunny (under construction)
	IP Logged

garryk6 Enthusiast Joined: 04 December 2004 Posts: 338	Posted: 09 September 2005 at 12:41am
	Brian, I am very interested in seeing any more pics of your disc brake set-up, including any "In Progress" pics. As I have an extra front suspension for my 320 that I would like to do the hard work of getting disc and ball joints, as the knuckle arm parts are getting harder to get. Thanks in advance, Garry K
	1966 L520 J-13ss Daily Driver 1964 NL320 Project Monster Datsun 35" mudders 1963 NL320 Restoration Proj 1948 Chevy PU Restored 1932 Ford model B PU project 1948 Allis Chalmers G tractor
	IP Logged

808DA6 Enthusiast Joined: 12 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 243	Posted: 09 September 2005 at 12:50am
	Garry, Don't have many "in progress" pics. I'll PM you whatever I have. Basically I took a lot of different sized box tubing and started designing. It began with me frankensteining 521/620 upper and lower control arms. Ditched that design when I just got messy. I started taking angle and length measurments and put together pretty much whats in there now. Where are you located? The truck is at my shop in Tualatin, OR. Anyone can swing by and see it. Address is below. :) Send me a heads up first. Thanks!
	Brian 1970 PL521 1972 B110 Sunny (under construction)
	IP Logged

garryk6 Enthusiast Joined: 04 December 2004 Posts: 338	Posted: 09 September 2005 at 8:22am
	Thanks Brian, I am up in Port Orchard, WA. Mike K may come see it, when he reads this post. Did you use 620 or hardbody ball joints and spindle assy? I know all about "frankensteining" as I put the 4x4 chassis under my NL320 body this week, and realized that my original plans were heading out the window, and i would be doing some major re-designing to make it work the correct way... Keep up the good work! Any corporate knowledge shared helps us all! Thanks again, Garry K in Port Orchard, wa
	1966 L520 J-13ss Daily Driver 1964 NL320 Project Monster Datsun 35" mudders 1963 NL320 Restoration Proj 1948 Chevy PU Restored 1932 Ford model B PU project 1948 Allis Chalmers G tractor
	IP Logged

84TAVeRT Enthusiast Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Posts: 165	Posted: 09 September 2005 at 10:03am
	that is awesome... i would buy a set of those a-arms :D that would allow me to run drop spindles and hardbody brakes on my 73 :D
	1973 620 - Needs carrier bearing, u-joints, clutch master cyl, and starter 1984 TransAm Convertible, needs ring job and top...
	IP Logged

mklotz70 Expert Joined: 28 November 2004 Posts: 1811	Posted: 09 September 2005 at 10:38am
	You know it!! :) I had emailed Brian about me coming by the shop, but I didn't get a response. I've been too busy anyway, so I wasn't too worried about it yet. Maybe sometime next week?? I'd love to have copies of any pics you have Brian. You've got my email so feel free to send them whenever you get a chance!!
	Don't have to be too bright to be me! Gresham, OR
	IP Logged

808DA6 Enthusiast Joined: 12 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 243	Posted: 09 September 2005 at 5:42pm
	Thanks for all the kind words guys. Yeah, this was never supposed to be such an indepth project. My REAL project is still sitting in the side of the shop w/ nothing on the drawing boards yet. Yes, hardbody hubs and rotors. Looking for some drop spindles so that I can correct a camber problem. I need to change the suspension geometry with the next design (more refining needed to the design.) Not sure if I'm going to market this. Maybe I'll make some for a select few, but there is so much time involved. Who knows. I'll keep everyone up dated. Mike - Sorry dood. I must have missed that email. Dammit, of course you can visit! No wait - No shirt, no shoes, no service! ;) Actually we are thinking of doing a 'End of Summer' barbeque here. I really want to get some Datsun guys over.....especially truck guys. Sorry, no Auto-x track....yet. Thanks all.
	Brian 1970 PL521 1972 B110 Sunny (under construction)
	IP Logged

mklotz70 Expert Joined: 28 November 2004 Posts: 1811	Posted: 10 September 2005 at 1:45am
	No sweat Brian! My hours change after the 17th, so I'll have a lot more time in the morning for visits and such. So...maybe not this coming week, but the week after! I LOVE the idea of a bbq down here!! I can't make Bleach's tomorrow :( and I'm pretty torqued about it. My kid took the van to Mich and I don't want to risk one of the only two drivers i have right now...plus, I have to ......ummm....no one wants to hear this...sorry.... BBQ!!!!!
	Don't have to be too bright to be me! Gresham, OR
	IP Logged

]2eDeYe Expert Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1116	Posted: 10 September 2005 at 12:20pm
	mmmmm BBQ How about oposting the rest of the pics in this thread? I'm likin' the hardbody stuff.
	IP Logged

808DA6 Enthusiast Joined: 12 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 243	Posted: 10 September 2005 at 7:13pm
	Ok. Here are pretty much all the pics I have of the build. I could've sworn there were more. I'll document the tension rod design as it happens. THat's pretty much the last piece of the puzzle. Engine photos will be coming soon. :)
	Brian 1970 PL521 1972 B110 Sunny (under construction)
	IP Logged

pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 10 September 2005 at 8:44pm
	Very nice work 808! I also have a complete HB front suspension in my yard that can be made to fit the 521's, 320's etc... Are you also using the HB ball joints & tie rod ends? Also, have you figured out how the calipers will mount to the rotor? Post more pics when u can.
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
	IP Logged

]2eDeYe Expert Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1116	Posted: 11 September 2005 at 1:29pm
	Looks like stock hardbody stuff from the balljoints to the spindle nut, although the lower balljoint looks like it has the bracket too... Nice use of rod ends for camber adjustment, what size are they?
	IP Logged

808DA6 Enthusiast Joined: 12 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 243	Posted: 11 September 2005 at 5:05pm
	*Originally posted by* 2eDeYe] Looks like stock hardbody stuff from the balljoints to the spindle nut, although the lower balljoint looks like it has the bracket too... Nice use of rod ends for camber adjustment, what size are they? Good eye! Actually both top and bottom ball joints are off of a 620. The upper control arms have 16mm heim joint links at the top. You can buy the heims on eBay and the nuts are from Ace's. My tension rods will be a heimed design also.
	Brian 1970 PL521 1972 B110 Sunny (under construction)
	IP Logged

souk Groupie Joined: 16 May 2004 Location: United States Posts: 55	Posted: 12 September 2005 at 10:38am
	Just a Brian groupie!
	IP Logged

yello620 Enthusiast Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: United States Posts: 312	Posted: 13 September 2005 at 12:48am
	brian, any chances of getting directions to your shop, i'm coming from newberg. not far away. would love come check out the truck and bs. the BBQ idea sounds great. keep us posted.
	1976 620 L20b 4spd 04 xterra wheels 2056015's lowered 3.5", Front disk brakes.
	IP Logged

808DA6 Enthusiast Joined: 12 August 2004 Location: United States Posts: 243	Posted: 13 September 2005 at 6:06am
	*Originally posted by yello620* brian, any chances of getting directions to your shop, i'm coming from newberg. not far away. would love come check out the truck and bs. the BBQ idea sounds great. keep us posted. Directions from Newberg are easy. Head east on HWY 99. We are past the U-Pull-It in Sherwood. If heading east, the shop is on your left (you have to cross back over 99) after Cipole intersection. Hmmm. Maybe not that easy afterall. Mapquest it. :) We're open Thursday - Saturday 8AM to 8PM and Sunday 8-5. I'm not there Sunday, but Datsuns always are. ;)
	Brian 1970 PL521 1972 B110 Sunny (under construction)
	IP Logged

souk Groupie Joined: 16 May 2004 Location: United States Posts: 55	Posted: 13 September 2005 at 11:00am
	*Originally posted by 808DA6* *Originally posted by yello620* brian, any chances of getting directions to your shop, i'm coming from newberg. not far away. would love come check out the truck and bs. the BBQ idea sounds great. keep us posted. Directions from Newberg are easy. Head east on HWY 99. We are past the U-Pull-It in Sherwood. If heading east, the shop is on your left (you have to cross back over 99) after Cipole intersection. Hmmm. Maybe not that easy afterall. Mapquest it. :) We're open Thursday - Saturday 8AM to 8PM and Sunday 8-5. I'm not there Sunday, but Datsuns always are. ;) Just look for the DatsunS sitting out front. Brian give me a call when you read this because I think I found us a "diamond."
	IP Logged

sjeff64 Enthusiast Joined: 01 June 2005 Posts: 361	Posted: 13 September 2005 at 8:46pm
	ah heim joints a man after my own heart(wait? that didn't sound right)anyway i have done a lot of work on racing suspensions,however I am not sure how practical it is for the street
	64 custom NL320 72 521 86 200sx
	IP Logged

BEEBANI Enthusiast Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: United States Posts: 792	Posted: 14 September 2005 at 10:08am
	I'm on Pacific hwy as well; Monmouth, but still on 99W! I'm definitely down for a BBQ in Oregon! I was just telling Klotz on saturday that we should have one here. I got room at my house!!! And a BBQ!
	'76 620 '97 D21 4X4 on 33's '05 Xterra
	IP Logged

pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 14 September 2005 at 10:45am
	Ok, with the HB suspension stuff i have i was thinking about how dificult it would be to graft the HB control arms onto the 521 / 320 arms. I love the arms that 808 has built & also Beebani has done some custom suspension mods as well. Can you guys advise me on if this would be a safe setup or should i just make new ones from scratch. Id like to have disc brakes up front & then id be able to run drop spindles to get it lower, plus a bag install would be easier & id have no bag rubbing issues.
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
	IP Logged


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