22 Posts - Page: 1 | 2 | Next

Sort of new member

So about 8 years ago I got my first Datsun. A huge project which I eventually lost my bottle over and about 4 years ago advertised for sale here. Haven't owned a car since.
 
I'm about to get back in the Datsun Club.
 
I have made payment for a 1000 ute which is interstate and arranged transport to send it to a resoration panel beater this Friday. Just hoping I don't get screwed over.
 
Plan is to get the body tidied up & motor running so I can register it. From there will probably do disc brake conversion and maybe an engine swap.
 
Wish me luck.
 
James
Not a great start. The tow truck did a wheel bearing and can't pick up my ute. Feeling pretty anxious now 
So after nearly two weeks of being stuffed around by the tow truck driver, my B20 has been picked up! It's now waiting to be blasted back to bare metal. Here's hoping what's underneath isn't too bad...
Dont give up and dont get disheartened by your hurdles thus far.
 
My project is well into the double digits - Ask dundee how long his project has been running for.
 
keep us updated - everyone loves to see a good project. have a read of my build thread. its been going for a while now..
Thanks Reuby, it wasn't the great start I was hoping for but oh well here we go.
 
I have read your build thread and dix1000's with much interest.
 
It's going to be tricky for me because the ute is in Brisbane and I'm in Melbourne and it's hard for me to get up there. Until it's a runner I can't really get it down here due to space. I've asked the panel beater for pics as he goes so hopefully I can share them.
trusting panel beaters is a tough ask and I would say just get it soda blasted and painted in rust proof etch primer or rust proof primer or undercoat of some kind (plenty of good stuff these days) and most important is to get it running and later work on the body yourself as time allows in sections. There is not much body to play with and its more gratifying doing it yourself over time. You can paint using a roller and sanding in stages if you follow some of the American forums doing it with their cheap rust proof paint with incredible results. Heaps of threads and vids on using this paint if you do a search.
Go for a light factory pastel color to keep you cooler in summer and easier to apply.
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act, Big Brother is watching you - George Orwell 'Most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer -- so I wasn't lying -- and we are his chosen people. Lucifer is very much alive.'"  Harold Rosenthal http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24688
Thanks d. Unfortunately working on it myself isn't really an option for me now. I did really enjoy working on my previous datto. 
 
A pastel colour is definitely on the table - I was originally thinking a blue but maybe even seafoam or pink.
 
Basically the plan now is to blast the body back to metal, assess the damage and repair. While that's happening I'll get the motor looked at.
Update: the ute has been blasted and primed. According to the panel beater, the panels "look like someone has shot them with a peashooter". Not quite what I was hoping for but at least it's not catastrophic. He's also quoted me $10-20K to finish the job and said he can't get it in for a couple of months.
So I've now booked a mechanic to get the motor running next week. In the meantime I am weighing my options for bringing it down to Victoria.
 
Anyone know good options for Brisbane to Melbourne vehicle transport?
10-20k!!!!! might as well post it to Thailand or Indonesia and get it all done there.
There was a Thai member had serious all round resto done in Thai for 1200-1500aud
all up in the end. If you look up some past threads you will see it.
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act, Big Brother is watching you - George Orwell 'Most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer -- so I wasn't lying -- and we are his chosen people. Lucifer is very much alive.'"  Harold Rosenthal http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24688
D,
 
Knowing what i know now about the cost of panel beating and how many sharks there are in the panel beatin world, I would seriously consider shipping my car overseas if i was doing it next time.
 
If your smart about it, you plan a holiday with it, so you can keep an eye on it during the works, and still keep it all under budget then getting it done here.
 
My car, (admitidly after 3 sharks have been through me) has cost me over 20k (Im embarresed as to the total cost) to get painted, and its not a competition car by any means. 
 
Indefense to panel beaters, given that a non-shark with reasonable skills will cost you $80-100/hr, and consider the number of hours required, the total cost is not unreasonable - its still expensive and out of the price range of most.
 
Its the reason that most panel beaters do 90% insurance work to make ends meet and 10% resto work. There arnt enough costomers with enough money for a resto shop to exist - certainly not in Perth.
http://datsun1000.com/TopicView.asp?TopicID=483
 
http://datsun1000.com/UserGallery.asp?Username=doinupthedato
 
doinupthedato and Paul is his name, its been a while since he posted
but I have his email if you need it as its the most old skool panel beating
that Ive seen online with the guys still welding and removing paint the old way.
 

 

 

 

 
Ive got a Prince Skyline s57 idea I want to cut and shut into a coupe using the s54 front
and also make a coupe President from a sedan then get these guys to paint and redo
the interior while Im there for a holiday after it is shipped there then ship back to Japan.
eg.
 
from something like this
to this


 

 
 
Its the only way to afford such a project these days as craftmans in panel work are a dying breed in economies
like Oz while in Thailand are still very affordable
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgshBa3anCo
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act, Big Brother is watching you - George Orwell 'Most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer -- so I wasn't lying -- and we are his chosen people. Lucifer is very much alive.'"  Harold Rosenthal http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24688
I don't think the panel beater was trying to give me the run around. His hourly rate is $100 so a day on the ute would be close to a thousand bucks anyway. So I will be doing most of the work myself as you suggested d.
 
As it happened, he he said he was too busy to do any futher work on it so I've moved it to a mechanic who does older cars. The last update I got from him was:
 
- turns over ok
- no compression which appears to be rings not valves
- he has put new plugs and points in
 
so I have asked him to pull the head and inspect the bores. If we can get away with a quick hone and new rings then I'll do that. If it's going to be more then I'll have to evaluate my options.
 
I have managed to organise a place to store and work on it down in Melbourne which is a relief. I now just have to find someone to bring it down for me. After my experience getting it from Hervey Bay to Brisbane I am wary. If anyone knows a  reliable transport option I would love to hear it.
I feel for you as you seem to have put up with alot of
stuffing around back and forth.
I know an honest workshop that could get you going
eg, engine going and brakes
but he is 30mins from Hervey Bay in Maryborough
Now is too hot but I would drive it down, they are
reliable and I drove a wagon that hadnt been started
in 20 years back to Melbourne from Cowra and funnily
enought there is a good wagon up for sale now there
and would be cheaper to do up and bring down to
Melbourne than that money pit you suffered on.
Good luck with what you do but I suggest you evaluate
your costs as Hervey Bay is very far and few pick up
trucks go that way and its expensive to get there even
solo as a backpacker as Noosa is the last stop so to
speak after that iits a monopoly on transport.
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act, Big Brother is watching you - George Orwell 'Most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer -- so I wasn't lying -- and we are his chosen people. Lucifer is very much alive.'"  Harold Rosenthal http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24688
Thanks for the kind words d but don't feel too sorry for me yet! The ute is in Brisbane already so that makes it easier. 
 
The good news for me this time is I have a bit more cash than last time I did this. I can roll with the punches if things don't quite work out - my plan has already changed a couple of times as the situation has demanded.
 
I'll be excited to get it to Melbourne so I can start working on it and get some photos posted to share with the forum.
You might be shocked once you get her to Melbourne!
 
They are such simple cars you should be able to do different things
to factory to avoid future rust and any weaknesess.
 
eg. the sills look buggered and you havent seen under the front guards yet.
However sills are easily replaced and front of guars there isnt much there
anyway that cant be welded up with the right size plating etc.
 
I suggest once you finish her you get the engine breather to go into the
rails that way the oil will keep those rails rust free for life
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act, Big Brother is watching you - George Orwell 'Most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer -- so I wasn't lying -- and we are his chosen people. Lucifer is very much alive.'"  Harold Rosenthal http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24688
bahahahaha!
 
There's also more available in terms of repro panels now too so if I can buy stuff off the shelf instead of building from scratch. Anyway can't be worse than my last one
Dam you had worse!?
 
you are a sucker for punishment hey
no really at least if was the lightest 1k ute around!
Yet still would use such a body by cutting the bottom out
then sitting it ontop of a disc brake chassis like a vanette
Always wanted a separate body and chassis setup myself
so now searching for a tvr with a bad engine.
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act, Big Brother is watching you - George Orwell 'Most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer -- so I wasn't lying -- and we are his chosen people. Lucifer is very much alive.'"  Harold Rosenthal http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24688
Funny you say that... Putting the shell onto something ride was actually my plan Z (if everything else didn't work out). But I was thinking something like a Sierra... I love the idea of a 4WD dat, and the wheel base is pretty much spot on. I had a look at the c20, seems the wheelbase isn't quite right?
wheelbase is longer which perfect for a longer tray and improved handling 
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act, Big Brother is watching you - George Orwell 'Most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer -- so I wasn't lying -- and we are his chosen people. Lucifer is very much alive.'"  Harold Rosenthal http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24688
22 Posts - Page: 1 | 2 | Next