Comments: 1-15, 16
Rust starting in front of wheel-wells and both sides of the bed (between where the top and bottom panels of the bed meet), and surface rust spots on the front of the hood and tailgate. Surface rust mostly from previous dings/scratches in the paint.
When I bought it, both ignition coils were bad, and battery was charged backwards, but that was easily fixed.
Leaks oil from the rear main seal - something I'll be fixing in the next year or so.
Blows blue smoke on rare occasions.
In cold weather the doors wouldn't close properly - fixed with WD-40 on the mechanism.
Also in cold weather, the parking brake cable sticks, won't release properly. I just reach under the truck and pull on it :-).
It idles wierd, racing sometimes then slowing down.
The low and medium fan settings stopped working - fixed by pulling out the old resistor by the fan, and re-soldering the "fuse" connection. Also replaced the fan when it started making terrible squealing noises.
Timing was off when I bought the truck. Mostly fixed by changing spark plugs and replacing the cap and rotor, then adjusting the distributor cap again.
Doesn't get as good of gas mileage as it should: somewhere around 19-20 in the city, 24-26 on the freeway. I think there's a vacuum or gas/air mixture issue.
Rubber floors are starting to wear through to the metal. Thinking about buying/making carpeted flooring.
During one of the coldest days of the year the handle for the tailgate busted off. I'm still trying to fix it so I don't have to find a new one.
Toppers to fit this truck without drilling holes in the bed are HARD/impossible to find.
Struts, tie rods and various joints on front end are weak. Wind or turning sharply will rock the truck from side to side easily.
Occasional starting issues in extremely hot weather. Also, running out of gas is bad. Requires pouring gas directly down the carburetor to get gas back into the lines again.
The heat is great in the winter time, and the original A/C actually WORKS, and it's COLD!
With regular maintenance, this truck never stops running. It'll make it to 300,000 miles easy.
Pretty comfortable ride, though it's a little noisy on the highway. Very little sound-proofing in these old trucks.
Installing a new radio was a bit of a pain - standard DIN radios are a tad too deep, even with an adapter, so I had to custom install mine in the glove-box. It works great, and makes for good thief-deterrent. Speakers on the walls below the dash were an odd size, and I had to custom-build a sub box for behind the seat, but the sound is good. Makes up for the extra road noise.
Despite the many quirks of this truck, It's been one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. More than a year now, including several loooong trips (1000 miles or more), and I've had to do very little to it.
The rust is going to be an issue in Minnesota, more than in Washington where I got it from.
It's a little truck that wants to be big. It's light (I use 4 or 5 sandbags for driving in snow), but it'll carry/pull a lot for its size. I've towed several large cars/vans, as well as pulled a boat.
Thank you for your information. It was very useful.
This is way too funny. I just bought the same truck and everything that you said, mine did. I was like this is too weird.
The problem I am having right now though is that my alternator won't stop breaking, but all in all I agree it's a wicked truck.
I have had the same year truck in a 2WD, and I love it. I had to replace the 5 speed at 270,000 miles, the front bearing seized. Every now and then when the engine is cold it emits a cloud of blue smoke. The truck is very reliable, but the best in town mileage I've ever has is 18 mpg, and 22 on the highway. It's a great little truck, and I wish the truck makers had not gone to the extra big trucks they have now. I do plan to restore mine, and would like it pristine again.
Man that is a great review I just bought me one and all I have to say is this is a wicked little hate tank it is as you said a little truck that wants to be big.
These little trucks are pretty insane, going places you'd think you wouldn't be able to =) Finding a rear window for this truck was a long, hard to find process, but I finally got one! For a excellent price too.
It does have a idle problem which it will rev up one moment and then be close to dying the next.
I enjoy driving this truck, its like a little race truck =)
Alright on gas mileage, could be better though =(
Its been in my family for a loooong time and its still running and doing what a car does, which is get you from a to b.
I have a 1982 4wd and love it. I replaced the original engine with a Jasper rebuilt at 314,000 miles. The tailgate handle broke a few weeks ago and I'm having a hard time finding one. But everything else is running great.
I bought an 82 720 2WD new in 82 and my mom now drives it. Its had all the same issues as reported here except the ignition coil problem. The only reason I got rid of it was that I didn't get air conditioning with it.
When the tailgate handle broke last year I looked everywhere for one with no luck. I took it to several machine shops for repair and none of them would touch it. They said it couldn't be welded because it was pot metal and there was no other fix. It had broken about 1/4 inch from the handle portion so I finally drilled it and bolted (very small bolts) a steel plate across the break then encased the break in JB weld. So far its been holding up well.
I'd really like to know if anyone ever comes up with a solution to the idling issue.
I just got a 720 and 5th gear is out at 238k. It's a diesel and was wanting to know if a standard 5speed would work or would I need one out of another diesel.
paulgonzo23@yahoo.com
I have a 1983 Datsun pick up with 272,000 miles, and she cranks right up and takes off. I have only had it for about a month, and today my right front lower ball joint popped out when I was pulling into Arbys for lunch, the right front hit the ground and I plowed a ditch through the parking lot about 30 feet. Is this a hard fix, does anyone have any advice on what or how to go about this problem?
My starter hangs up sometimes, but I can't complain, I love my old truck and would love to fix it up. Any info on any and all parts or ideas would be great - email me @ mndfkr@roadrunner.com, put 1983 Datsun in the subject box. Thanks.
I have a 1982 also. Bought it 5 or 6 years ago for 500 dollars. The best money I have ever spent. 60,000 miles later at 185,000 it's still running good.
I have also had all the issues with idling fast one day and dieing the next.
Replaced the ball joints (easy).
Alternator is only a 50 amp so not much good.
Gas mileage 18 city and 22 highway.
Found an old rusty 86 Nissan and replaced everything inside the ext. cab including dash, seats, carpet, replaced steering with tilt wheel with some mods to the blinker switch assembly. The 86 blinkers and headlight switch wouldn't connect and work correctly. Had to machine out the assembly so it would fit steering section.
Great truck! Will never sell. Trying for million miles!
I have heard that most of the idle problems are fixed with new vacuum hoses. I have not tried this with my 1980 yet, but I have only had her about two months, and the master brake cylinder was first on the list.
I would agree that I am very pleased with this vehicle even after owning everything from classic Mustangs to Volkswagens and Hondas. She has been easy to work on so far, and reliable. I did have trouble keeping her running the other day, but it was a vacuum hose... those are supposedly pretty important.
Anyone have spare chrome front bumper? Lock for the gas cap door? Some little things like that I am having trouble finding. Other than that, we are developing a love affair. Highly recommended, even at almost 200,000 miles.
I would probably have the best 81 720 pick up (ute as we call them over here), managed to find one shed-ed for 20 years, it has done 40 thousand kilometers. Looks and still smells brand new, it's a diesel... Rick of South Australia.
Hi.
I have just got a 1983 720 diesel for free, it has a custom box on, because of this "Dolly" weighs a bit more than normal. She's not on the road yet and I was wondering how she will run and what engines will fit right in her? Any info would be great.
Thanks.
Ollie7891@hotmail.com.
28 July, 2009. 1982 Datsun Pickup. I bought this truck this month with only 101,000 original miles as confirmed by carfax and registrations. Has the same idle issue. The last owner had turned the idle up to 3000 RPM to keep it running. Had replaced all vacuum lines and brought down to 2000RPM and then tuneup with plugs, wires, cap, rotor and PVC brought it to 1200-1500 RPM and sometimes drops to 600-800 RPM suddenly, which is the specified idle, but it sputters that low. Found that available parts are cheap but scarce.
I would really appreciate any suggestions on idle issue and parts be emailed to Fa1thful1@aol.com.
This truck is awesome and was once rated at 40 plus mpg on highway. My best thus, far is 24 mpg. It has great power, handling and looks really cool. Someone suggested carb change or rebuild? Would that help? Anyone know of where to get door panels and center hubcaps? Would love to restore, might sell afterwards, but will probably keep this truck..
Wish there were new small pickups available with good MPG and power. please note: #1 used in screenname of Fa1thful1@aol.com. Thanks.
I'm looking into buying an 83 720 Datsun pickup. Body has just been redone, 80,000 miles. The speedometer doesn't work though and that makes me nervous about buying it, but I imagine these trucks last forever anyway.
He's asking $3000.00 for it - I'm wondering if this is a reasonable deal? Too high or too low for this vehicle?
New tires/rims
New carpet
AM/FM CD player
Can anyone give me a good website resource to research it?
Thanks.