What I really would like to do is put this engine in a mid-sized truck (Dakota), but this car is too good to ruin for the sake of that project.
Technically I’m the third owner of this vehicle although the second owned it for such a short period of time he really doesn’t count. Original owner, whom I spoke with on the phone, owned this car from new up to at least 145k miles. He maintained the vehicle very well and made notes in the owners manual, which comes with the car, of all the service work he did or had done including the date and miles. There are a few discrepancies but overall it’s fairly accurate. The first owner garaged the car all the time and he purchased the car in New Port Richey Florida at Fairway Datsun (placard still on car).
All the electric windows work, electric rear wiper works, electric mirrors work, power antenna works as does the radio, cassette, and cruise control. It is an extremely reliable car that starts well. Just recently I installed a manual glow switch that allows one to override the OE controller for additional glow plug operation in extremely low temperatures.
I would trust it to drive anywhere without fear of a breakdown. It could use some helper springs in the rear as this rear leaf spring setup was a poor design from the beginning and probably the reason Datsun changed to coils on the 1983 wagon. The engine is equipped with a block heater and it works.
Body condition is quite good for a car of this year in the mid-west. There is rust above the rear wheels where the panel seams are welded and some small amount of rust in the rocker area on driver side. The paint however is quite good and as you can see it still shines nicely. The car was just waxed again prior to taking these photographs. There are some nicks and door dings as one would expect on a 25 year old car. Overall the car is very presentable and I think the photographs give that impression.
It has a large Sears Diehard Gold battery, 1000ca, which cranks the engine over very well. Charging system puts out 14.4v measured both at alternator and battery.
Tires are respectable with good tread although I noticed some minor weather checking on the right rear tire today when I waxed the car. Front tires are Dean Alpha and rears are Mohawk, all M&S type, 185/70r14. The car also comes with the original steel wheels and wire type hubcaps in case one would prefer to have those. Thanks again to Al who took the time to send the alloy wheels to me two years ago!
I’ve been able to nurse 33mpg with some conservative driving although it was more common to get 31mpg, especially at 65mph. If you travel a lot of two lane 55mph highways I think you will be more likely to obtain closer to the 33 mpg figure.
Oil and filter has just been changed as well as a new fuel filter.
The interior is very clean with no visual damage although the headliner is slightly darker because the exhaust system had decayed to a point where it could penetrate into the cabin. I haven’t tried to clean it at all. To my knowledge this car has always been adult driven.
Since I’ve owned the car I’ve done the following maintenance work:
Rebuild front struts and replace strut housings 154k
Replaced ball joints (both sides) 154k
Replace rear shocks 157k
Replace IP timing belt 154k
Replace valve cover gasket 161k
Replace thermostat, gasket and coolant 154k
Replace bad vacuum lines 161k
Replace rear brake shoes 154k
Added sedan aluminum wheels 154k
Replaced v-belts 154k
Replaced exhaust system 157k
Custom copper glow plug bus bar 160k
Replace rear differential fluid with synthetic 154k
Fuel filter replacement 161k
Known non-working items:
A/C has charge but compressor clutch inopperative
Tailgate struts are weak and could be replaced but they still hold it up.
RR stereo speaker squawks a bit
I can transport this vehicle some distance for a fee, but the driveshaft will have to be detached from the rear differential since it’s an automatic transmission and I use a tow dolly.
Oh, here's a recent picture of the car
I have other pictures too that I can send or post and I'll be taking some of the interior as well.
If no one expresses any interest in this by this coming Sunday or Monday I'll probably try CL and following that probably Ebay.
Please contact me off-list if you are interested in the vehicle. I'm looking for offers above $2200 at this time.
Although I have tried to describe the vehicle as well as I can the car is sold as-is without expressed or implied warranty.
Car is located in Des Moines Iowa.
thanks for looking!
Steve A
