 | Projects North West Datsun Enthusiasts Forum : Member Rides : Projects Topic: Front Suspension Decision |
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LonnDog
Novice 
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Joined: 01 October 2005 Location: United States Posts: 13 |
 Topic: Front Suspension DecisionPosted: 10 December 2005 at 11:04pm |
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My project is a '80 720 King Cab. I want to start with the front end first. I would like to stick with Datsun/Nissan parts but would use another Japanese maker If I had to. I would like to be able to use drop spindles/Lower A arms, rack n pinion, 5 Lug. Some of the front ends I was thinking were a Z but I would rather not use a strut or Hard Body. I could convert to a coilover instead of strut but here's the questions:
What year, make, model etc. Any info would be great Thanks |
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LonnDog
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icehouse
Expert 
Joined: 05 April 2005 Location: United States Posts: 2115 |
Posted: 16 December 2005 at 11:29am |
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Well the conversion your talking about would be working backward's dual a arm's are much better than strut's you should read up on suspension some more. They do make drop spidal's for the 720. I think you should rebuild the front end, and put some bag's on it. That's just me though, good luck dude.
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LonnDog
Novice
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Joined: 01 October 2005 Location: United States Posts: 13 |
Posted: 20 December 2005 at 12:51am |
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Icehouse,
Thanks for the feed back and I agree with 100% of what you said. I was under the impression that the early 720's were still king pin design. I wanted to get away from that design. If I understand you correctly, all of the 720's have the same front end? If not I would like to convert to a front end I can use drop spindles and or drop lower A arm. Might just have to brave the freezing weather and get under the truck for myself. Thanks again for the info. |
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LonnDog
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84TAVeRT
Enthusiast 
Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Posts: 165 |
Posted: 20 December 2005 at 8:50am |
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early 620s are kingpin... 78 up are ball joint...
i believe there were still some disk brake/kingpin 78 models... but i believe all 720s have ball joints |
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1973 620 - Needs carrier bearing, u-joints, clutch master cyl, and starter
1984 TransAm Convertible, needs ring job and top... |
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BEEBANI
Enthusiast
Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: United States Posts: 792 |
Posted: 20 December 2005 at 10:23am |
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Yes, don't quote me, but the 720's and HB's have really similar suspensions. You can get drop spindles for 720's all day long at about 5 different companies; JC Whitney being one of them. Depending on how low you want to go, you should not need to modify the A-arms at all. Air bags are fairly easy to put on these trucks, but with all Datsun/Nissan trucks you may have to notch the frame in the front to clear the bags (I had to do this on my 521, 620, and my friend had to do this on his '95 HB). Coilovers would be difficult as there is not a lot of space or height between the upper and lower control arms. You should also be able to get a upgraded sway bar for the front of the 720, and you can also buy energy suspension urethane bushings for most of the front end parts. And here's my 2 cents; TORSION BARS SUCK!
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'76 620
'97 D21 4X4 on 33's '05 Xterra 
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Bleach
Guru 
Joined: 04 December 2002 Location: United States Posts: 4806 |
Posted: 20 December 2005 at 12:04pm |
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Buy the Hardbody drop spindles. ( I don't think they made ones specific to the 720) Then buy used hubs and brakes from a Hardbody. You basically bolt up a Hardbody 'drop' spindle with Hardbody brakes onto the 720 ball joints. EZ |
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BEEBANI
Enthusiast
Joined: 22 July 2005 Location: United States Posts: 792 |
Posted: 20 December 2005 at 1:45pm |
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They list drop spindles for the 720 era trucks, but they may just be the HB ones. Anyway, what he said!
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'76 620
'97 D21 4X4 on 33's '05 Xterra
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mklotz70
Expert
Joined: 28 November 2004 Posts: 1811 |
Posted: 20 December 2005 at 11:26pm |
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The manufactures don't typically list dropped spindles for the 720 because they are not an exact match. The geometry is the same between the two, but the calipers mounting is different.....so, they won't be a direct bolt in....at least not from the manuf's point of view. If you want to upgrade the rotors/calipers to the HB stuff at the time you put them in...the dropped spindles will go right into a 620(ball joint) and the 720, as well.
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Don't have to be too bright to be me!
Gresham, OR |
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LonnDog
Novice
';"/>
Joined: 01 October 2005 Location: United States Posts: 13 |
Posted: 20 December 2005 at 11:46pm |
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Thanks Guys for the replies. Now I know what my wife can get me for Christmas...a gift cert to the local pick a part and some primo spindles. Now I can start. Pics soon to follow
Thanks again for the info!!! |
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LonnDog
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icehouse
Expert
Joined: 05 April 2005 Location: United States Posts: 2115 |
Posted: 26 December 2005 at 9:08pm |
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Yeah we won't to see some pics of your truck.
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