3217 My 74 620 project!!

Well after about a month of waiting & with the help of my friend we picked up a 74 620 from Steroid yesterday. Mike gave me a price i couldnt pass up

! We drove roughly 700 miles there & back and was only able to spend about an hour visiting Mike after loading it on the dolly. Theres a story behind this truck that Mike can explain better than me but I have plans for this truck from the get go, this is my 1st 620 ive owned. It has the L 18 & 4 speed tranny. The motor is complete but hasnt been started in 2 years and the wiring also looks intact. It also has traction bars & a sway bar attached & Mike gave me an extra roof, & a core support, the truck has a little front end damage. Anyways heres a few before pics..
Mike himself directing traffic...

al loaded up...

="0">
the colorado river behind us, Nevada on the other side, at the end of Mikes street...

Yay! looks good man.

An hour with Mike is not nearly enough time to hear one of his stories!

body drop this one?

Body drop probably not but i will be doing an air bag suspension sometime down the line. Later today ill get a few more pics.

Just a reminder, the 2 trucks that are in the background of the top photo are still available...... I know, Iknow "Just leave a message, maybe I'll call" (Joe Walsh)

PS Yes, that's the (red roof) fourdoor's cab above Mark's new truck in the background. Getting closer hopefully.

Well today i tore into the 620 & got a few things started. I removed the seats & cleaned the cab floor & dash, it was really dusty!

heres the roof i may use later on if i do a convertable or chop top...

replacement core support. check out the pass. side body mount, its broke off from the frame..

the 'sunroof' that will be gone eventually..

the sway bar & ladder bars..

I also checked the fluids, oil is clean & full, radiator is dry, brake master is full, clutch master is empty. I gotta give Mike a big thanx for all his generousity & help with this project. And hey, somebody buy those other 2 620's soon!!
& a few extra parts Mike gave me, what is the black roundish part called?

Hi Mark,
That part is up inside the fuel filler area on the passenger's side wheelwell. It is the "chamber" that would catch fuel sloshing through the vent tubes from the gas tank. There should be a stock one on that truck, up above the fuel filler hose. This one came off of one of My trailers made from a 620 bed. I just threw it in there the other day, but it might come in handy someday. See guys, how rustfree these Arizona truck cab floors are?!? The blue roof that I threw in belonged to a cab that I was forced to cut up and it's floor was almost as rustfree as this one!!! I got 2 more rustfree trucks available!!! Don't delay-call today, operators are standing by!!! Good luck Mark, and thank You. By the way, if it is being thrown out, please save the sunroof for Me. I'll put it in the vintage "museum"!!!

I like the canopy...is that straps holding it down?

Thanx, the shell will be gotten rid of as soon as i clear more room in the yard for the stuff thats inside the bed now. We had to strap it down so it wouldnt blow away, we encountered 60 mph wind gusts crossing the Mojave desert!! Mike, the sunroof is yours.

Man that floor is pristine...

Wish mine was like that

Update, ive been trying to get it to fire up but ive discovered that the starter will need to be replaced. I dont have the key so i hooked up a tempoary ignition switch with no luck, i can hear the solenoid "click" & thats it. I have found starters at Kragen for about $46 for the stock one. Bleach also told me about getting a gear reduction starter off a Z car, it has more tourque.

Ryan just got a brand new one of those before his motor pooed...worked very nice

Ill price the Z starter but most likely Ill get the stock one this weekend due to $ issues. I did get a little done yesterday, i took the traction bars off which will be returned back to Steroid & i also took 3 leafs off of each side just to lower it a bit. Check out the differential, at one time it was a chrome moon hub cap! I guess back in the day it was common for the 620 guys to run these as a dress up for the axle, its held on with long springs.

="0">

& a shot of the L 18 after the 1st cleaning,,,,

Ahhh, takes me back to when I first rolled my '75 home. My frame has been at the powdercoater's for too damn long! Of course they're fast when they are doing parts for my work, but when it's something for me, they take forever! No biggie, seeing as how I have nothing ready to bolt up to it, gonna try to paint some things today. Looks good Mark, let me know if you need any help puttin' that thing in the weeds!

P.S., you Cali boys are lucky, sunshine in the winter time, it is impossible to get anything done on these trucks when you have to contend with an Oregon winter!

Thanx B, i wish i had the time & $ to do a frame off job but this will be my new daily & need it running quick. I bought a new starter today {$36}& its turning over nicely now but i wasnt getting any fuel to the carb. so i guess its time for a new fuel pump. Im also going to use my test light & check the coil, condensor,etc... Eventually Im going to build a 2 link w/ a bar going inbetween for the rear & for the front im hoping i can install the bags without notching the frame. I will probably turning to you for help/advice when the time comes. And yes our "winters" consist of 65 degree's in the day!

when you get a new fuel pump, try to find the flat top style and not the kind with the two towers like you have now. those gear reduction starters are the way to go. they're around $80 at Napa Auto but well worth it for the performance and durability gain. i wouldn't want to go back to a regular one anyway. that baby moon hub cap is a pretty good/ funny idea. i kind of wanna build some ladder bars or traction bars like those ones some time. i get a lot of wheel hop when i'm wheeling in the sand.

You might want to consult with Bleach as to what happens when you take off that many leafs since you intend on making that a daily driver... Especially since by the looks of it you've left only the main leaf which unfortunately on that setup isn't the strong type, and the overload which won't help avoid what Bleach had happen to his since it isn't clamped. Kinda weird, how that's a '74 but doesn't have the stong leaf setup. Really should keep at least 2 clamped leaves unless you put the traction bars back on. SOMETHING to keep the axle centered.

Im trying to figure out that fuel pump situation on this truck
I see the clip where the filter should go and where the line should come from.
Look like from the other side underneath.???

My springs were bent when I got the truck. Removing all the other leaves showed it even more. My truck was lower on one side even when the suspension was stock. When I started to notice the bend getting worse, I replaced the leaf springs.

As of now, I run one main leaf from a 3-spring set and the longest support spring from a 5-pack of leaves. It rides even now.

I think the fuel filter and line is just flopped up over the valve cover. The pump outlet is going to the fuel rail, the inlet is coming from the filter but the filter inlet looks like it's hooked up to the carb from that angle. I'm ASSUMING the line is just disconnected, and the carb is actually hooked up to the rail. The fuel return line is plugged off- that's an L20B fuel rail, BTW. '74 620s won't have that return line.

Bleach- that's what I meant. The main spring, when no additional leaves are used, twists far too easily. You need the second leaf to reduce the amount of twist to add rigidity since there is no other method of centering/unswaying the axle. I'm not saying that removing SOME leaves will cause the spring to twist, just adding the second leaf alone nearly doubles the ability to resist twisting. But the overload does not do anything for twist since it isn't clamped to the main.

Yeah sorry for the confusion, when i took the old starter out i just flipped the filter over the valve cover for more room. As for th efuel pump, did datsun make several different kinds that all swap or is the one Earwig mentioned a special one? Ill follow the advice you guys give on that area. I dont like replacing parts every year. And it looks like ill be using a replacement ignition because it'll cost me $55 to have a key made!! No way im going to pay that much, it cost less to rent the tow dolly

And on the leaf springs the pack had 5 per side & "jacked" the truck up higher in the rear, I just wanted to have it sit lower for now,plus I had to remove the traction bars anyways. In the future the leafs will be gone & Ill build a 2 link w/ a solid bar connecting the links. Thanx for the advice & helping me along with this project. & oh yeah! Mike when i get her running good I'll make it out your way so we can cruise Bullhead in style

Author	Message
pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Topic: My 74 620 project!! Posted: 16 November 2005 at 9:04am
	Well after about a month of waiting & with the help of my friend we picked up a 74 620 from Steroid yesterday. Mike gave me a price i couldnt pass up ! We drove roughly 700 miles there & back and was only able to spend about an hour visiting Mike after loading it on the dolly. Theres a story behind this truck that Mike can explain better than me but I have plans for this truck from the get go, this is my 1st 620 ive owned. It has the L 18 & 4 speed tranny. The motor is complete but hasnt been started in 2 years and the wiring also looks intact. It also has traction bars & a sway bar attached & Mike gave me an extra roof, & a core support, the truck has a little front end damage. Anyways heres a few before pics.. Mike himself directing traffic... al loaded up... ="0"> the colorado river behind us, Nevada on the other side, at the end of Mikes street...
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
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Bleach Guru Joined: 04 December 2002 Location: United States Posts: 4806	Posted: 16 November 2005 at 10:14am
	Yay! looks good man. An hour with Mike is not nearly enough time to hear one of his stories! body drop this one?
	Ratsun.net
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pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 16 November 2005 at 12:09pm
	Body drop probably not but i will be doing an air bag suspension sometime down the line. Later today ill get a few more pics.
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
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steroid Enthusiast Joined: 10 January 2003 Location: United States Posts: 749	Posted: 16 November 2005 at 3:33pm
	Just a reminder, the 2 trucks that are in the background of the top photo are still available...... I know, Iknow "Just leave a message, maybe I'll call" (Joe Walsh) PS Yes, that's the (red roof) fourdoor's cab above Mark's new truck in the background. Getting closer hopefully.
	Mike
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pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 16 November 2005 at 7:18pm
	Well today i tore into the 620 & got a few things started. I removed the seats & cleaned the cab floor & dash, it was really dusty! heres the roof i may use later on if i do a convertable or chop top... replacement core support. check out the pass. side body mount, its broke off from the frame.. the 'sunroof' that will be gone eventually.. the sway bar & ladder bars.. I also checked the fluids, oil is clean & full, radiator is dry, brake master is full, clutch master is empty. I gotta give Mike a big thanx for all his generousity & help with this project. And hey, somebody buy those other 2 620's soon!! & a few extra parts Mike gave me, what is the black roundish part called?
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
	IP Logged

steroid Enthusiast Joined: 10 January 2003 Location: United States Posts: 749	Posted: 16 November 2005 at 8:25pm
	Hi Mark, That part is up inside the fuel filler area on the passenger's side wheelwell. It is the "chamber" that would catch fuel sloshing through the vent tubes from the gas tank. There should be a stock one on that truck, up above the fuel filler hose. This one came off of one of My trailers made from a 620 bed. I just threw it in there the other day, but it might come in handy someday. See guys, how rustfree these Arizona truck cab floors are?!? The blue roof that I threw in belonged to a cab that I was forced to cut up and it's floor was almost as rustfree as this one!!! I got 2 more rustfree trucks available!!! Don't delay-call today, operators are standing by!!! Good luck Mark, and thank You. By the way, if it is being thrown out, please save the sunroof for Me. I'll put it in the vintage "museum"!!!
	Mike
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71-521 Expert Joined: 24 July 2005 Posts: 1522	Posted: 16 November 2005 at 10:10pm
	I like the canopy...is that straps holding it down?
	71 Datsun 510 71 Datsun 521 DAT B-day BBQ
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pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 16 November 2005 at 10:24pm
	Thanx, the shell will be gotten rid of as soon as i clear more room in the yard for the stuff thats inside the bed now. We had to strap it down so it wouldnt blow away, we encountered 60 mph wind gusts crossing the Mojave desert!! Mike, the sunroof is yours.
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
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]2eDeYe Expert Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1116	Posted: 17 November 2005 at 12:11am
	Man that floor is pristine... Wish mine was like that
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pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 23 November 2005 at 1:58pm
	Update, ive been trying to get it to fire up but ive discovered that the starter will need to be replaced. I dont have the key so i hooked up a tempoary ignition switch with no luck, i can hear the solenoid "click" & thats it. I have found starters at Kragen for about $46 for the stock one. Bleach also told me about getting a gear reduction starter off a Z car, it has more tourque.
	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: 23 November 2005 at 7:27pm
	Ryan just got a brand new one of those before his motor pooed...worked very nice
	IP Logged

pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 25 November 2005 at 12:31am
	Ill price the Z starter but most likely Ill get the stock one this weekend due to $ issues. I did get a little done yesterday, i took the traction bars off which will be returned back to Steroid & i also took 3 leafs off of each side just to lower it a bit. Check out the differential, at one time it was a chrome moon hub cap! I guess back in the day it was common for the 620 guys to run these as a dress up for the axle, its held on with long springs. ="0"> & a shot of the L 18 after the 1st cleaning,,,,
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
	IP Logged

BEEBANI Enthusiast Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: United States Posts: 792	Posted: 26 November 2005 at 9:58am
	Ahhh, takes me back to when I first rolled my '75 home. My frame has been at the powdercoater's for too damn long! Of course they're fast when they are doing parts for my work, but when it's something for me, they take forever! No biggie, seeing as how I have nothing ready to bolt up to it, gonna try to paint some things today. Looks good Mark, let me know if you need any help puttin' that thing in the weeds! P.S., you Cali boys are lucky, sunshine in the winter time, it is impossible to get anything done on these trucks when you have to contend with an Oregon winter!
	'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: 26 November 2005 at 11:54pm
	Thanx B, i wish i had the time & $ to do a frame off job but this will be my new daily & need it running quick. I bought a new starter today {$36}& its turning over nicely now but i wasnt getting any fuel to the carb. so i guess its time for a new fuel pump. Im also going to use my test light & check the coil, condensor,etc... Eventually Im going to build a 2 link w/ a bar going inbetween for the rear & for the front im hoping i can install the bags without notching the frame. I will probably turning to you for help/advice when the time comes. And yes our "winters" consist of 65 degree's in the day!
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
	IP Logged

earwig Enthusiast Joined: 09 December 2002 Location: United States Posts: 857	Posted: 30 November 2005 at 4:11pm
	when you get a new fuel pump, try to find the flat top style and not the kind with the two towers like you have now. those gear reduction starters are the way to go. they're around $80 at Napa Auto but well worth it for the performance and durability gain. i wouldn't want to go back to a regular one anyway. that baby moon hub cap is a pretty good/ funny idea. i kind of wanna build some ladder bars or traction bars like those ones some time. i get a lot of wheel hop when i'm wheeling in the sand.
	red'76,620regularcab,longbed L20B,Supertrap,3"shackle4"body 31X10.5X15 chrome pathfinder rims,2tube front,1tube rear bumper,720 5speed&transfercase,Blaster coil,Pertronics ingitor dizzy,WeberDGV,K&N
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datsunaholic Moderator Group Joined: 05 December 2002 Posts: 4079	Posted: 30 November 2005 at 4:34pm
	You might want to consult with Bleach as to what happens when you take off that many leafs since you intend on making that a daily driver... Especially since by the looks of it you've left only the main leaf which unfortunately on that setup isn't the strong type, and the overload which won't help avoid what Bleach had happen to his since it isn't clamped. Kinda weird, how that's a '74 but doesn't have the stong leaf setup. Really should keep at least 2 clamped leaves unless you put the traction bars back on. SOMETHING to keep the axle centered.
	'64 320 '68 520 '72 521 V6 '74,75,79 620s '76,78 4X4 '76 KC '72 510 Wgn '78 B210 '78,81 510 Wgn 2X '78 510 Coupes '83 720 KC
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Hainz Guru Joined: 03 December 2002 Posts: 3122	Posted: 30 November 2005 at 5:19pm
	Im trying to figure out that fuel pump situation on this truck I see the clip where the filter should go and where the line should come from. Look like from the other side underneath.???
	IP Logged

Bleach Guru Joined: 04 December 2002 Location: United States Posts: 4806	Posted: 30 November 2005 at 5:31pm
	My springs were bent when I got the truck. Removing all the other leaves showed it even more. My truck was lower on one side even when the suspension was stock. When I started to notice the bend getting worse, I replaced the leaf springs. As of now, I run one main leaf from a 3-spring set and the longest support spring from a 5-pack of leaves. It rides even now.
	Ratsun.net
	IP Logged

datsunaholic Moderator Group Joined: 05 December 2002 Posts: 4079	Posted: 30 November 2005 at 6:10pm
	I think the fuel filter and line is just flopped up over the valve cover. The pump outlet is going to the fuel rail, the inlet is coming from the filter but the filter inlet looks like it's hooked up to the carb from that angle. I'm ASSUMING the line is just disconnected, and the carb is actually hooked up to the rail. The fuel return line is plugged off- that's an L20B fuel rail, BTW. '74 620s won't have that return line. Bleach- that's what I meant. The main spring, when no additional leaves are used, twists far too easily. You need the second leaf to reduce the amount of twist to add rigidity since there is no other method of centering/unswaying the axle. I'm not saying that removing SOME leaves will cause the spring to twist, just adding the second leaf alone nearly doubles the ability to resist twisting. But the overload does not do anything for twist since it isn't clamped to the main.
	'64 320 '68 520 '72 521 V6 '74,75,79 620s '76,78 4X4 '76 KC '72 510 Wgn '78 B210 '78,81 510 Wgn 2X '78 510 Coupes '83 720 KC
	IP Logged

pac. coast 521 Expert Joined: 17 November 2003 Location: United States Posts: 1427	Posted: 30 November 2005 at 8:21pm
	Yeah sorry for the confusion, when i took the old starter out i just flipped the filter over the valve cover for more room. As for th efuel pump, did datsun make several different kinds that all swap or is the one Earwig mentioned a special one? Ill follow the advice you guys give on that area. I dont like replacing parts every year. And it looks like ill be using a replacement ignition because it'll cost me $55 to have a key made!! No way im going to pay that much, it cost less to rent the tow dolly And on the leaf springs the pack had 5 per side & "jacked" the truck up higher in the rear, I just wanted to have it sit lower for now,plus I had to remove the traction bars anyways. In the future the leafs will be gone & Ill build a 2 link w/ a solid bar connecting the links. Thanx for the advice & helping me along with this project. & oh yeah! Mike when i get her running good I'll make it out your way so we can cruise Bullhead in style
	My 1965 L 320 {all original} 69 L 521 w/KA swap 94 Hardbody [custom] 74 620 project
	IP Logged


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