I bought a 1971 Datsun 521 Pickup in NICE original shape!

We got the chance to buy a 1971 Datsun 521 Pickup for a good price. This thing is super-nice and very original. Check this thing out!!
#datsun #vintagecars
PTG Merch project-time-g...
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Project Time Garage
1113 Murfreesboro Rd
Suite 106
Mailbox #109
Franklin TN 37064

[@jimlegalley6656]

I have 2 of these 521 trucks owning both for 44 yrs and 25 yrs respectively. Extremely reliable, durable and modifiable alon g with so easy to wrench. Been cross country several times living in them even up to Alaska where I lived. Any problems I could assess and fix myself. I became a collector with absolutely no intention of doing so. Great rigs. After 44yrs , I still love em

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Wow, that's truly a testament to these things. Thanks for sharing!!

[@danbasta3677]

I love these 521 series trucks. Wish Nissan would build them again. Gas prices are way out of sight these days.

[@FIGGY65]

That is a sweet little truck Sir! I’m 56 and was raised in SoCal when very young…some neighbors had these when I was about 6 or 7. One was the turquoise/powdery blue. They left a string impression on this young gear head!

[@RandyInouye]

I’ve had several Datsun trucks over the years. I put Weber carburetors on most. Big improvement.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

That's on my list of things to do....my VERY long list.

[@steveg5983]

I had a 1972 1/2 1 ton Datsun. It was an amazing truck. The gearing was very low and suspension was so stiff it was like driving a big go cart. I had a heck of a time finding parts as it was half year model change. Most parts were 72 1/2 parts ,but I would also find that some parts were 72 parts. It was amazingly reliable and fun to drive.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks for sharing

[@smileysun9212]

Motorized Wheelbarrow. Brings back old memories & Dad bought a 71 new for $3000. It was baby blue & had bigger mirrors. It even had the full bumper on the back & a tool box across the back of the cab. He did over haul the engine before I started driving. It was the best little truck & had so much fun with it. Dad went to get tires for it & the mechanic called it a Motorized Wheelbarrow. Others would call it that too & it stuck. It was perfect to get around the yard with. I still might have the owners manual for it. I did take the spare tire crank out before selling it because we thought we would use it on another truck or I could put it on my utility trailer. I did cut the old radio out to put in a AM FM with tape deck. Then put in bucket seats Dad found at the dump, bench seat was worn out. I thought I had a gas leak in tank once & took it out to get tested. I think I just overfilled it but it was fun to work on & I was learning.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I love that term. Suits it very well. No frills, no options, all utility. I need to find an owners manual for mine.

[@smileysun9212]

I did a Google search & found owners manuals for it. If I knew where mine was I would make ya a good deal if it’s still in good shape but I haven’t seen it in 20yrs & it could of had pages torn out from when someone broke in the Motorized Wheelbarrow throwing all my stuff out on the lawn. They even liked jamming the horn with a stick & I had to get up in middle of night to stop the horn. Now I wished I never sold it in the mid 90’s & I would of put a Motorized Wheelbarrow decal on the back. I would of turned the bed into a trailer when engine died. Thanks for the memories & have fun with your Motorized Wheelbarrow. 👍

[@danbasta3677]

@@smileysun9212 I would have tried to find another engine to drop into it. Love those little trucks and their four cylinder engines they had in them.

[@smileysun9212]

I shouldn’t have sold it & they ran out of oil junking it. The stupid things we do when we’re young. 😢

[@user-im6fy4qp6m]

i was staring at that crusty wasp nest on the right side for the first half of the video waiting for something to fly out and get you. glad you commented on the window washer fluid holder, i was going to ask what that plastic kangaroo bladder was for. looks like a fun project you got!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I ran from a few wasps during this episode.

[@danielsickler2244]

I had 1972 datum pick up back in 1981 it was my first vehicle It's was when I first got my drivers license i put baby moon rims on it I lowered the front about 4 in. Put a 1982 shell on it I had a boot made for the back window Diamond tuck the door panels took the 1600 engine out of it and put 1800 engine in and put Weber carburetor in it I put a heavy duty clutch in it i had a lot of fun with it

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Really like the baby moon hubcap look.

[@eddiesmotherman885]

I know a little about your truck. It was originally owned by Floyd Smotherman who bought the truck new and lived in Woodbury TN. He passed away several years ago and at that time the truck barely ran. His daughter who still lives in Woodbury inherited the truck and never did anything with it. It sat behind her house for many years in what turned into a old lawnmower parts scrap pile. That’s where my son and I found it with only the tailgate visible. We ask her if there was a truck under the junk and she said there was. We ask her if she would sell it and she gladly did thinking it might be saved. We trailered it back to Murfreesboro and got it running. Floyd as we called the truck had good bones but we truly didn’t have time to give it the love it needed so my son posted it on Facebook Marketplace and someone bought it we thought from Franklin. It’s great to see you giving Floyd the love it needed and he’s found a good home. You might see some pictures of it from a few years back on my sons KZbin channel Memory Lane Garage. I look forward to seeing your continued work on the project and love your channel.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thank you so much for reaching out! I've wondered about the truck's origin and I appreciate the backstory. I bought it from the guy in Franklin who most likely bought it from you. I believe he did quite a bit of work to it mechanically in order to get it semi-roadworthy. It had been sitting outside, uncovered for probably more than a year when I came along. It was non-running, but all there. It looks like he just lost interest. I'll check out your son's channel and I would welcome any pictures, or information you would be willing to send my way. My e-mail address is [e-mail]

[@eddiesmotherman885]

I would love to talk with you about the truck. I have sent you a email with pictures and my phone number. It’s an amazing story about how we found the truck but too long to put in a comment.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

@@eddiesmotherman885 Excellent! I'll give you a call this afternoon if you'll be available.

[@rusydisyamsudin4127]

Warm geetings from Indonesia.This is one of my dreams....but it's hard for me to have one....'cause to have an original one is not easy...

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yes, they are tough to find.

[@madlukasik]

Nice find for the fleet!!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I think so too!

[@rory1473]

Man I've been looking for one for 4years now

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Definately don't see them very often.

[@tombulli1236]

A very nice car just needs to be done :)! At that time I had an Opel Commodore B Coupé and was always busy. I restored it for 2 years and drove it for 2 years. I then sold it again because of my health. Thanks 10 years ago my grandmother had financial support, otherwise I would never have allowed something like this to happen. :) . I can only say that you need good nerves when restoring. I wish you the best of luck with your beautiful classic! :) . Greetings from (West) Germany - TOM :)

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks Tom. Love hearing stories like this!

[@ncautoman57]

Nice find. I used to work on these back in the day. These are tough little trucks for what they are.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Definitely a lot easier to work on than most of the junk I drag home.

[@coultermains1770]

Brother, I need to see this one. Love it

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Come on, we'll rattle down the road in it.

[@betoponce6425]

That’s an amazing lil truck that was my very first car 1972 Datsun pick up 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Make sure and watch the whole series on it. It sure has come a long way.

[@danbasta3677]

I always LOVED these little trucks. Wish they would manufacture them again. We need them, gas prices are going through the roof and towards five dollars a gallon.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I wish they would too. Sadly, everything now is overly complex and costs a fortune to buy and repair.

[@danbasta3677]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Very true. It's all about MONEY. Bottom line. One day, hopefully, soon, then they will learn that not everybody can afford a four door station wagon truck that guzzles gas by the gallon. We need these small cars and trucks today, we truly do need them.

[@bhpigg9126]

Positively agricultural. Know you're not going to mess with it much in the way of originality, but I still say it screams for an L20B with a pair of side-draft Webers. It would be "period correct." :)

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I hear ya! I'm torn. There are some COOL little B21s out there. It may "evolve", who knows.

[@danbasta3677]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Just, PLEASE don't go putting those ugly wagon wheels and thin tires on it, you'll ruin the looks of this beautiful little truck if you do.

[@danbasta3677]

@@ProjectTimeGarage I love this little truck just the way that it is. Wish Nissan would build them like this again, love the 520 series trucks and their design from 1968 to 1971. Believe they went into the half of year 1972 as the Japanese are famous for changing their model designs in the half of year.

[@danbasta3677]

I do hope there will be more information coming out about this little girl, I fell deeply in love with this 520 series Datsun truck.

[@Chewygsxr]

That was my very first car o ever owned. 1600 cc Single overhead cam eight valve with 96 hp and only weight 1900 pounds, I could beat 914 Porsches all day with it, I put 50,000 miles on it in one year then traded it in for a 510 wagon, put 171,000 on it before it sucked a valve, bulletproof engines.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yeah, they're built to last.

[@lifelongbachelor3651]

they were good little trucks. they're rare because they've been left to rot or over customised or butchered by backyard mechanics and customisers.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yeah, I find a lot of them in both conditions.

[@mexibrasi07]

The Grill looks like the Datsun 510's

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yeah, sure does.

[@franciscoorozconavarro2515]

La mejor de todas .....de las más hermosas..

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yeah I agree.

[@kevsautoadventures6003]

Awesome find! Definitely a survivor. Nice video

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks Kev!!

[@walterpchrysler9446]

Awesome video, love that little truck. Can’t wait for more updates

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks, plenty more coming!

[@danbasta3677]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Tell ya what, can't wait to see them, but, please keep this little girl stock. They look much better without lowering them and puttin wagon wheels and thin tires on them.

[@lonewolf744]

I learned how to drive on a old 70's model Datson when I a kid. I think a 4 speed if I remember correct. My grandad would first let me sit on his lap and steer until I got big enough to reach the pedals. I remember the old turn and pull stick parking brake.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yep, 4 speed and the turn-pull parking brake. Very basic little truck, but cool as can be, no doubt.

[@TheforealDanDan]

I think most L series are 4 speed, might have some L20Bs that might be 5 speed.

[@skilled1140]

Parcel tray under the glovebox looks intact, as does the knob for the heater - both of which are usually gone with age/use. Mirrors are cool but are aftermarket. The 'towing' mirrors that I've seen usually have the 3 Vs on the outside.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks for the info. I figured the mirrors were aftermarket. They have a sheet metal screw jammed into the window track. I think I'll try and find a set of fender mounted mirrors like the Japanese market had.

[@todell7008]

Freakin cool little old Pee Cup! Love it!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I know it! It's cuter than a speckled pup in a red wagon!

[@jorgeposadas1192]

Back in 87 I owned a 1969 Datsun pick up, was my daily driver for 2 yes before it got totaled, memories.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Bummer to hear it was totaled!

[@RiverGroveGarage]

Nice Car👍👍

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@melissavillard8244]

Getting ready to start on my 72’ 521 series. I’m the second owner and have owned it for 22 years now. I used it pretty heavily for a time and I want to make it like new again. I’ll be watching your project with interest. Also the one comment is right. The original mirrors have yellow “V”s on them and the original bumpers are big boxy things. Good luck!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks for the info and good luck on your project!! FYI, I just bought a parts truck that has the original Datsun mirrors in tact. Video coming on that truck soon.

[@danbasta3677]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Can't wait to see it. Love these older Datsun trucks. Wish they could all be made just like this one again.

[@GreenPowerFarm]

Sweet find on that truck man !

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@ZoltarSoulFunk]

Mint video. Informative and entertaining in the correct ratio. Subbed.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks and welcome aboard!!

[@glocke380]

Replaced a lot of head gaskets on those back in the 70's.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Hopefully mine won't be one of them, lol!

[@tWs-ELEMENOHPEEE]

Great video! I live in Hawaii. Jealous how you folks can find these so easily. I need a better truck bed for my 521 😢

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Beds are hard to find, good ones at least.

[@danbasta3677]

I have a sad story to tell the both of yinz. I was looking on Google about the 521 series trucks, and saw one sitting in Colorado, I think, in a junkyard. The truck was for its age, in pretty good condition. Sad thing, nobody wanted it! The bed was in excellent condition, the whole truck was in great shape in spite of it being in a junkyard. They crushed it. I cried. I cried so bad, it hurt me so bad, I cried hard. I would have loved to have gotten that truck. It was missing a tailgate, however overall, great shape and with a little work, this truck could have been saved. I'm still crying.

[@TX_Nano.]

I suspect that's original paint (faded) given the interior and door jambs. I would fix the rust and clear coat the patina. What a cool survivor.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

That's exactly what I'm planning to do. We're going to paint/clear the wheels in white, with white wall tires, paint the roof in base/clear white, then patina sauce the rest of the body. Also, I'm going to 1000 grit sand the whole truck lightly. When the previous owner painted it, he sprayed it all over everything, decals, trim, rubber, everything. I'm going to try and get back down to the factory "orange-ish" color if possible.

[@danbasta3677]

I personally would start sanding and priming the truck down after getting it mechanically sound, by that, I mean, change the antifreeze, change the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, gas filter check the brakes, and everything else on it in order for things to be properly in good condition. Then the sanding of the whole body and priming would begin. Always hood to paint the whole underside of these little girls with black rust olem paint to protect the frame and chassis to

[@Ultra_Neito]

PLEASE DO A KA24DE SWAP TUTORIAL, WOULD HELP SM! AND THE BUILD FOR THE COMMUNITY

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I'm trying to figure out exactly where I'm going with the project. Thanks for the input!!

[@Ultra_Neito]

@@ProjectTimeGarage good looks👌🏼

[@danbasta3677]

The licence plate is from Tennessee. I use to live in Murfreesboro Tennessee to.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Wow, that's where this truck is from too.

[@danbasta3677]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Boy, wish I could have been able to buy this truck when I was down there, would have loved it to death! Fell in love with the 521 series Datsun trucks. As you know, there is a Nissan plant in Smyrna Tennessee about 10 miles up the road from Murfreesboro going towards Nashville.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

@@danbasta3677 Yes, very familiar with the plant. I live in the Murfreesboro area myself.

[@danbasta3677]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Cotten Pickin! I wish that I could only have gotten a little truck like this when I was down there. Tell ya an experience. Think you know whare stones river is at. There were a ton of cars and trucks parked down there, saw a couple 620 series Datsun trucks there and a 521 series like this one sitting there. When I moved back to Pennsylvania in 1989, I swear to you, I saw these same exact trucks up here in Pennsylvania as they must have been shipped up to Pennsylvania. OK, here's the kicker. The one 521 series truck I saw both on Murfreesboro and up in Mercer County in Pennsylvania, ended up in Calcutta, Ohio. It sat there for a good many years until one day, I went to speak to the guy about it, however, to late by one week, as he sold that truck and I seen it down in the east end of East Liverpool Ohio, the town I was born in. I swear to you, that same truck CAME from Murfreesboro, Tennessee!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

@@danbasta3677 Wow, that's crazy

[@bryanmaxwell7332]

Complete frame up restoration, this truck would 15 to 20 k with ease….from experience

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I'm torn when it comes to restoring it. It's just nice enough in its original form to make me pause.

[@craiglunn7565]

That truck is so original you want to sell it?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

No, I'm having a blast cruising down back roads in it. It strikes up a conversation everywhere I go. Gets more attention than my '72 Challenger.

[@tinyguitars]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Glad to see I'm not the only one to try to buy it, lol. I found one near Greenville last week, a '75 620. Check her out on my other channel. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKGzqGR3mr2pbpo

[@craiglunn7565]

Id say thats a under 100k truck ive owned about 20 of these trucks its a 1600 cc 96 hp see the plate on fire wall

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yeah, I think it's under 100K as well. The wear suggests the same.

[@alfredoperezmedina2592]

Excelente!!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks!

[@bryanmaxwell7332]

Almost identical to a same year Ford Courier

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Very close for sure. I think the Courier pickups were re-badged Mazdas weren't they?

[@zundfolge1432]

whoever did the exhaust did a crappy job........that pipe up front hangs down too low

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

No telling who did it. Probably the original farmer who owned it.

[@Hugeroost]

So did he restore it

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Previous guy? No he just got it running.

[@bonnememoires]

are parts easy to find????

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

It's hit and miss. Engine and drivetrain parts are mostly all available via RockAuto or your local parts house chain. Body/chassis parts are another story. Most of the things that make it a Datsun Truck (Cluster, bumper, tail lights, heater box, trim, grille, etc.) are hard to find and expensive when you find them. eBay can give you a good idea of those costs.

[@teddyblair3922]

Your coil is not hooked up..

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Fixed it!

[@craiglunn7565]

Those are not original see the holes on the doors those trucks had like square mirrors

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yep, you're right. I have another video showing the parts truck I bought. It had the correct, Datsun branded mirrors. I have a whole series on this truck. Check it out!!

[@apere003]

Is it for sale?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

No, i'm enjoying it too much.

[@sadgtfdsag428]

สวย

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yeah

[@classicfrenzy]

What is wrong with Fram oil filters?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I watched a few videos on KZbin where guys cut open all the major brands of filters. The difference was crazy. WIX/NAPA had twice the filter material, fram had way less, plus the Fram had rust inside the housing on a large majority of them. I had no idea before that.

[@classicfrenzy]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Well... Will be changing that as needed in the near future

[@zundfolge1432]

side mirrors I dont think are original

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

They weren't. I've since corrected that.

[@RiverGroveGarage]

I have 720

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I'm looking for one myself.

[@RiverGroveGarage]

@@ProjectTimeGarage this is my second 720.i have had a 620 as well

[@NateTheBlueAlicorn]

Transmission number?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

No idea. Sorry

[@ajajsjsjsjjsjsmafwwwrwrwr3626]

Dh😱

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yes