It has taken roughly 7-8 years for me to find everything I needed to start this project. Living in Ms it's hard to find these little trucks. I have been doing engine swaps for quite a while and have always wanted a compact truck platform to swap. I tried very hard to convince myself of a LUV or Courier. The Datsun was hard to escape. So here are the plans for my 78' regular cab.

2x4 box frame rails
Heidts Mustang II front suspension
4 Link w/ Panhard
QA1 Proma Stars
8.8 w/ 31 spline axles, OEM posi, 3.73
LS1 (99 Fbody) or a LM7 (2001 truck)
T56 with many upgrades

There are a lot of other specifications to mention but that's the "meat and potato's" of the whole thing. I'm not building a dedicated strip machine or a mini truck, just a fun daily. I'll post some pictures below that look close to the finish product I'm going for:











So far I have got my frame squared up and the front suspension tacked in.
I liked everything about the Heidts front end except the coilover mount. So I just ordered the standard universal kit with a power rack and planned on fabricating the mopunt myself. Here is what I have done so far:














Next is to shorten my 8.8 and start on the 4 link then I can fit the cab and bed. I have a complete 1990 Z28 to use as a donor car and plan to use as much as absolutely possible out of it. Any input or questions would be great as I have many questions myself.

 

Approved!!!!!

 

That is going to be a kool little truck !!

 

It's going to take a while but that's the fun part.

 

Welcome aboard neighbor. I got 3 v8 mini trucks, 2 LUV's and a Nissan. I covet thy tailgate, as I want the skin off one to put on my Nissan stepside bed...

I had a couple of 620's back in the day, pretty cool looking trucks...

 

I concur.

Great little ute's.

 

subscribed

 

With 3 mini's I would say you are doing well. I have a 84' Toyota 4x4 with a CSB. And now I'm doing this Datsun. We may be able to work something out with a tailgate when I get done.

 

I saw the Datsun 620 LS swap and got excited! Then I remembered the 620 was the truck and not like my 610...Lol. I am 80% done with an LS swap into a 610

 

I can't see the pictures on your thread for some reason. Photobucket has a message that says to please enable third party hosting to view. SUCKS

 

Fantastic build! Who the hell wouldn't subscribe to this thread?!

 

Try https://fixphotobucket.com. I've used it with mixed results on a couple of different threads over on cadillacforums.com.

 

Thanks man, to each their own!

 

Appreciate the heads up. I'll give it a shot.

 

Im in...this is going to be good

 

 

Very cool project!!

 

had a 620 myself,

Lowered flat white with the yelloy-orange wheels, original 4 cyl, was fun to cruise,

 

How does the upper control arm come off if you weld the shock mount over it?

Andrew

 

Last photo shows shock mount is bolted.