A Datsun Truck That Handles Like a Miata, Because it IS a Miata (kind of)

Datsun trucks served a direct purpose when they were new: a small, affordable, reliable workhorse with solid gas mileage and low maintenance. Because of that, they ain't easy to convert into handling monsters... unless you have the full recipe for a great handling car. You know, like a Mazda Miata. Our buddy Bob Boileau put two and two together - literally - and made one insanely fun looking truck to drive.
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[@LarryChenPhoto]

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[@asido057]

Im out here in socal doing same swap in a 69 Toyota corona but using my 2000 miata nb1 build will start in a few weeks follow it on Bobbys backyard autoworks channnel here

[@hendersonwilliamk]

Owner of track drives a Miata Datsun , this is the best.

[@pawpawtina]

well, among many many other cars... he also has a datsun station wagon that is also a Miata underneath...

[@bradgotch]

You had me at “This is 7 inches lower than stock”

[@danbasta3677]

I hate lowered cars and trucks. They look punched out, and not to wild over these ugly wagon wheels and thin tires they put on them today.

[@seanhenderson9018]

Bob is a Miata god. He’s got a 510 wagon that’s also like this. I used to autocross our at ppir with them and he was always setting the fastest lap times in the wagon. Was funny and cool all at the same time to see a 510 wagon beat up on vettes and Porsches.

[@lardoretardo906]

Does he have a 510 too? Ive seen his wicked ass mx5 swapped 411.

[@Wreckerboy]

Very cool build. Best of all, it’s got that rarest of all Miata accessories, a true unicorn. It’s got AN INTACT DIPSTICK!!!

[@LarryChenPhoto]

It’s the little things that make all Bob’s cars one of a kind. The Miata dipstick is just icing on the cake 😂

[@EchoSigma6]

This is one of those builds that everyone could appreciate, start from a humble place and create something special. A repurposed work truck with recycled parts, love it.

[@RichardRaueiser]

Sweet, the front grill lock's like a Lada.

[@wolftmfg]

Fiat 124 / Lada 1200

[@kevinblankenburg4816]

More like a Lancia.

[@wolftmfg]

Kevin Blankenburg Alfa Giulia

[@itsdag6720]

My first thought was also that. Though I think the western imperialists do not know, that magnificent piece of Soviet engineering. :D

[@DukeICT]

Amazing build!!! Respect to Bob for building such an amazing truck.

[@kaylahallaire7337]

Love this thing super clean been Datsun fan my whole life with a couple datsun projects myself but nothing to this level hats off for this guy

[@nickc2459]

Bob is such a genuinely nice guy! Always offers some sort of a track day for us and always smiling while doing it.

[@fugisgonefishin]

This is probably my dream minim truck build. Great job bob!

[@tommydolo8044]

Larry you find the coolest builds!

[@Gerald5000]

Tastefully done. Well built, and good craftsmanship never goes out of style.

[@lucasblanchard47]

I absolutely LOVE trucks like this! It’s just SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@jwilliams703]

Ive always wanted to build a datsan. Dont matter what model, just as long as its a datsan. This just makes me want to do it more. But mine will probably get a 13b because I want to build one of them as well. Nice truck my man, nice truck indeed.

[@777_US]

Words cannot describe how much I want this truck

[@car-man]

I'm enjoying watching your good video. I support you in Korea.

[@samuels.4622]

North or south?

[@roochiecooch]

I have a 73 Toyota Pickup/Hilux that I am doing something similar with. I am doing the Miata front and rear subframes like him. What's different is I am using a Beams 3SGE/6 Speed combo from a Toyota Altezza RS200. I can only hope mine turns out half as nice as his. Beautiful example. Amazing execution. Looks like a blast to drive as well.

[@FLIPxBEAR24]

I've always like the little Datsun trucks. But this really has to be one of the coolest ones! I will "borrow" this idea in the future lol

[@alexzee4564]

So sick! I've always have wanted one of these little trucks

[@LarryChenPhoto]

They keep getting harder to find, and when you do find one they are going for a pretty high price.

[@vincentmeredith2561]

Love it only thing id change is id add air ride and do a body drop but ive had a mini truck addiction since the 90s odd habits hard to brake

[@danpurcell9764]

Perfect combination!

[@garyhayes4756]

Perfect color 👌

[@NicB-Creations]

My wife has a Miata (well 2001 MX5 actually) and while it's by no means fast I totally get why people love the handling so much. The shifter is so short and precise it's a mechanical marvel and as a momentum car cornering is an abolute blast. It really does drive like a go cart, it all feels so connected. The only downside is I want to get the engine tuned up but my wife won't let me 😅

[@danielantobenedetto476]

I love how Larry seems just as excited in a Datsun or gallant as he does in a supercar

[@trophyburro]

Larry chen is my favorite hoonigan show.

[@BAPerf]

such a crazy & beautiful truck. really inspirational. cant wait till you see my truck Larry.

[@LarryChenPhoto]

What type of Truck project do you have?!

[@BAPerf]

@@LarryChenPhoto it is a 95 Tacoma Drift Missile w/ a built 355 sbc, 2" Headers, roughly 400hp, HM290 5-speed, shortened Ford 9" with 5-link and QA1s, and a custom dual caliper setup. Everything fabricated in my garage with my best friend, except the motor which was sent out. It drives like a monster. planning on doing a rx8 steering rack in the future.

[@NissanNut74]

Love this well made truck!

[@tomoday4450]

Fantastic build 👍🏻 Great truck 👍🏻

[@Pedro5antos_]

Great build! Engine sound is pretty good

[@joethecollector]

Perfection!

[@fredygump5578]

This is my style of truck build!

[@nfs321983]

I'm in love with that truck

[@josuehc1234]

Nice Datsun, great program, greetings from Peru

[@Beezy_Builds]

My man Bob!!! PPIR for the win

[@fookjoebiden]

Cool little truck

[@SStanton803]

Damn that is a really clean build.

[@solidsnake3861]

love it i own a skoda pick upp and wish to make it like this but i need it for my job and it was a rust bucket

[@krisjaynav]

I'm in tune with his building philosophy

[@andypacmanperez]

This guy can shreddddddd! And damn i Love this thing !

[@anthonyciccariello8089]

That's a really cool color

[@yonathanprihantara6603]

Awesome !

[@dexburwell]

I freakin loveeeeee this stuff !!!!!

[@LoudGuitar14]

This truck is amazing! I wish that Madza/Datsun/Nissan would sell this exact mashup so we all could enjoy it. Great job, great build. It is perfect. Any chance that there is a build thread somewhere we could check out as well?

[@LoudGuitar14]

I think I found the build thread for those that are curious ratsun.net/topic/7446-project-mx520-top-secret/

[@projectjwoo]

That guy is awesome!!!

[@LarryChenPhoto]

Bob has a wide collection of Datsuns, Honda's and BMW's, hopefully we can get back out to PPIR to document the rest of his collection.

[@JsGarage]

Very sick truck

[@atomicorang]

Extremely nice sleeper.

[@igordarrell]

daaaamn this is perfect

[@masked3207]

I need that truck in my life

[@josesanabria9986]

Nice truck 👊 Datsun ❤️

[@Unc_Talks]

This is GOOD.

[@allana5930]

beautiful

[@LarryChenPhoto]

Bob knocked his Datsun Truck build out of the park.

[@Mr_Legionzz]

Now I finally know what to do to my Sunny Truck!

[@LarryChenPhoto]

Find a thrashed Miata, and start collection some parts. You won't regret it.

[@Mr_Legionzz]

@@LarryChenPhoto Definitely! Thanks for the reply...

[@driftgarage23]

Good idea. I went s14 on mine

[@lewisr7099]

Absolute dream build, would love one to haul my bike about and do autoX in

[@bangurhead4027]

SICK BUILD TO THE MAXX!!!....👍👀👀💯

[@stevenbarker7449]

This truck is a legend, just like bob

[@criznitty]

I would love to put a Subaru drivetrain in a Toyota Pickup, in a MR setup

[@Threet3n]

You need to have this guy on Daily Transmission!!

[@rustedratchetgarage6788]

Super cool

[@NateRist]

My neighbor has 3 Datsun trucks and I’d love to buy one of them and swap either a 12A or old school 13B into it, but this wouldn’t be a bad alternative just to make it a fun little beater. The subframe swap is what I’m most intrigued about, there’s a REPU in Illinois that’s had front and rear RX-8 subframes with a series 2 Renesis 13B, s2 trans and diff and even the dash swapped into it. I’m not sure how far along it is now, but I’m sure that thing will be fun as shit to drive with roughly 190whp.

[@KillaKam238]

Nate Rist tell your neighbor I’d like one please

[@joshuanicolai4776]

He really loves the word grafted lol

[@mattsee45]

Reminds me of Gingium's Datsun in pickup form

[@wrxzboost]

how many people went to ebay to look for datsun trucks watching this?

[@LarryChenPhoto]

We have been living on Craigslist the past few days looking at trucks.

[@iRidetas]

Drift Works has a 72 datsun miata truck just as neat, you guys need to race!

[@AlphaMachina]

Man, I want that truck.

[@JohnSmith-bx1mp]

Had a '70 in H.S. tough little truck.

[@Dattson510]

Love the Ratsun sticker under the hood

[@enriquealvarez4702]

I would of used a bp motor not b6 just for the extra torque because thats what i have other then that I love it

[@grumpydevildog1462]

Rad Truck!!

[@Chingon1]

Id love to have my 90 ranger back add a c5 suspension and put a 351w in the back 👌

[@lardoretardo906]

Aww man, I didnt know Larry was at ppir for grid life. Super bummed I didnt get to meet him.

[@LarryChenPhoto]

We’ll be back next year! You had one of the raddest events in your backyard and you didn’t even go!

[@lardoretardo906]

@@LarryChenPhoto 😔 I know. I'm so ashamed. I'll be looking forward to next years though.

[@saqibsami7967]

video quality is best.

[@teamdivinity4900]

Coolest truck of all time.

[@realweston]

@2:18 in true tire slaying action I starts doing donuts lol

[@tha_JrØd]

Thats bad-ass

[@2pack4norbi]

It second miata powered datsun that I saw on yt. First was Gingium's and his dad's new project car. Thanks for this video!!!

[@LarryChenPhoto]

The swaps are getting easier and extremely affordable. We're going to be seeing a lot more of these body swaps in the future.

[@rockymountaingto2334]

Yep, that's my boss!

[@AdamNZ]

Basically going to do the same with my 80's Toyota Pickup hoping that it'll handle like an S13 Silvia

[@JC-zg4xe]

Now i want a 70s courier bodied miata

[@paintballpartutd]

Alil boost for the sounds and just alil more power would be awesome

[@thegenerousdegenerate9395]

What? You couldn't end the video like 2 minutes later?! I was looking forward to seeing that thing do a lap!

[@RamosDominicano]

Yeah Larry, WTF?!???

[@thegenerousdegenerate9395]

@@RamosDominicano Yeah, you tell him! Wtf Larry?! Lol. (I literally lol'd at that)

[@LarryChenPhoto]

What would be your dream Chassis & Body swap?

[@kotababy8008]

basically this datsun. baller shit hauler with corner killing capabilities

[@LarryChenPhoto]

@@kotababy8008 We like your style.

[@TJG1444]

Datsun 240z with a turbo l ls baby

[@gambit6186]

Magnum body on a demon chassis and engine, ultimate power wagon

[@Cekmore]

I wanna see Danger Dan do 199 in the Rolls swap!🔥

[@stephanprotzen6030]

Very cool build. If it was a Mazda truck it’d be even better.

[@garageworm17]

Now I really miss my 78 620 kingcab 😫😫😫

[@scel62]

this makes me what to cry. I used to own a 510 2 door. now I could not own a pos today.

[@tangwebonaventure8679]

I like that car

[@fmx623]

that guy has fun

[@LarryChenPhoto]

Wait until you see the rest of his collection, Bob knows how to party!

[@javajack9197]

Sic Dat!

[@LarryChenPhoto]

One of the best Autocross car's we've been in.

[@edwingonzalez1182]

I'd love to know what year and model mazda you used to put this all together. I'm a retired combat vet with a little time on my hands to do a project like yours.

[@RCStreetDrift_Bullies]

Dream Truck 😍🙏 #NotiPapiHere It Deserves A Rotary Swap LoL

[@LarryChenPhoto]

The suspension set up that Bob had installed on the truck gave the Datsun so much more grip.

[@cesarmayorga8257]

Moooo powaahh

[@ducati848evors]

I wanna race ur truck with my 73 mazda b1600 1.6 miata swap one day would be fun lol cool truck u got there

[@genemounce8302]

Reduce the spring weight and stop all that hopping. Completely bad ASS otherwise.

[@jay_wright]

Owner of the track: I can do whatever the fuck I want, everyone get out of my way.

[@NorvilleRising]

Hey Larry, I'll subscribe if you cover Bob's 411 wagon.... you have my word.

[@DRIFTINGFORLIFE18]

Build bio on this ! We must see underneath

[@orion2250]

Goals

[@sakfpv8444]

Hey I have a 1990 isuzu pickup, and a scrap miata! Is there any links to this build? Or any other mini race truck sites. I am a decent fabricator, but it's my daily driver, so minimal downtown would be ideal.

[@icebreakertech]

Check out the Driftworks take on the same kind of truck :)

[@Jamesashleycoyle]

Is this a different Truck? Looks exactly the same

[@benwilkinson1594]

James Coyle the dw car is a hilux

[@thecheese302]

miata datsun truck. build plans commence