Datsun on a dolly

by "Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
Published 05/10/2017 at 15:40

Tags: datsun 280z ; datun ; 208z
STARS: 6

I got the last of my rear suspension off and put the Z on a dolly! I’ve been wanting to do this for a few months. It’ll make getting the rockers done much easier and I’ll have better welds too. More room to move around.

I plan to make a tip-over jig later on to replace the frame rails.

No to get back to cutting and welding!

Replies (17)

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
05/10/2017 at 15:53, STARS: 1

I think they built those cars with pre rusted floor pans and frame rails. Good luck on your restoration.

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/10/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 1

What ever do you mean?

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
05/10/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 1

I would look very hard at the dog legs, they generally rot from the inside and look fine on the outside.

Then I would weld some big plates on there like we did, much stronger.

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/10/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 0

Oh yeah, I’ve already got my replacement metal for both sides.

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
05/10/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 0

Oh ok, that makes perfect sense haha. I had a little in the usual spots, we replaced a fender though, hopefully get its all done very soon. We had a few little things to do recently but I hope soon.

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/10/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 0

Nice.

This is the part that is going to be the most challenging I think.

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
05/10/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 1

Nissan makes the replacement metal there, we didn’t find it too hard, but my friend is a Z expert so I can’t take credit if there was something tricky and I missed it. Apparently that piece is sort of bonded on, it wasn’t structural, at least on the 240s. One restoration note I read said you could use epoxy to bond it in place.

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/10/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 0

Yeah, I have the top tray formed piece, but under that tray are those rusty holes! Mine was spot welded in place.

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
05/10/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 0

I do know my friend welded a bunch under it. I had used some Hirsch Miracle Paint and fiberglass to plug up a few holes and stop the rust until it could be replaced. He welded all that up. I had an issue above the windshield and we wanted to check the seams that usually bubble near the top of the hatch. But I think we can finish painting soon hopefully.

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/10/2017 at 16:55, STARS: 0

I’ve got a few of the same issues on my hatch. I’ve not begun to think about those.

Did you have any rust under the front cowl piece?

I really wish mine was orange like yours!

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
05/10/2017 at 16:58, STARS: 0

We didn’t think the cowl piece itself was bad but I guess after blasting it he said to use another. They have parts cars so we got a fender and cowl off that. I had some under the battery tray but not too bad. I’m not painting the engine bay, maybe someday.

"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
05/10/2017 at 17:02, STARS: 1

Silver is nice, I saw a nice one

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228)
05/11/2017 at 06:37, STARS: 0

Nice!

I can confirm that rotisseries are absolutely fantastic, and I expect roll-over jigs are similar.

If you can, I’d definitely have a go at making a rotisserie. Simply because it’s so damn useful to be able to flip the thing the other way up. With a tip-over jig you can tip it up one way, but that still means you’re welding upwards sometimes which is a royal PITA. With a rotisserie, you can easily flip it either way so you’re always welding at a nice angle.

Here’s the one I made, which is fine for the dinky little Spitfires I have but might benefit from beefing up a little for a Datsun. It even folds!

I must admit, the handle was a waste of time. It’s not geared enough to be useful to turn the car. Its only real purpose is to lock it in place which can be done in easier ways. I’ve also added little feet to help with stability :)

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/11/2017 at 09:48, STARS: 0

This is what I’m shooting for. Minus the fender mirrors.

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/11/2017 at 09:51, STARS: 0

Damn, an RB26 stuffed in there!

Datsun Spirit is rebuilding mine.

"Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger" (drbajones)
05/11/2017 at 10:02, STARS: 0

BiTurbo, that is SWEET!

Funny you mention this. I have a neighbor 5 minutes walk down the street, he’s into British cars like you (TR-3B, GT6, TVR Vixen).

He wants to build a rotisserie for his TR tub but mounting points are complicated. I’d like to do one, but I’m concerned with garage space. Also, secretly, I made the cradles with scrap lumber. Is that 1" square tubing you used?

However, you’re right, welding upside down sucks big time! Now my gears are turning.

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228)
05/11/2017 at 19:36, STARS: 1

Thanks man :) yeah garage space is why I took the extra time to make it foldable. I’ve only got an 11x23ft garage to work in, which while really rather good does fill up rather fast with all the junk I collect!

The main load-bearing structure is 2" box with maybe a 2mm wall (can’t quite remember). The actual frame that bolts to the car is 1" box. The only other metal needed is some 3mm plate to create a bracket to attach the two at the top, two sets of tubing that slot into each other andsome beefy bolts. I’ll draw up a little plan of it tomorrow if that’s helpful :)

I must say I’m jealous of your neighbour! TR3, GT6 and a Vixen is a hell of a garage :) I do understand the difficulty mounting the TR3 tub on a rotisserie. It’s barely structural at all so there’s no really good places to bolt the frame to. I went through a couple of different locations on the Spit body before I found somewhere that didn’t look like it was going to bend as soon as I put weight on it. Easier with monocoques...