Nissan 1964 Nissan Patrol soft top frame off restoration

[retrofive]

way

 

[SNLC]

Pressure washed the 66 soft top today. Been a long ass time since it got a bath. Ran some seafoam through the fuel tank and oil. It needs all new fluids and some leaks fixed. It sounds pretty good really but may have bad rings, it blows a lot of blue smoke. It obviously sat for a lot of years being so low mile and the guy we picked it up from said he pulled it out of a field in Glenwood Springs area. Any ways, I took some pictures and video, will upload the video to youtube later. Here are some pics though!

I needed one of these original rad caps for the 64 soft top.

We ended up with two sets of these, very hard to come by original seat belts.

We also have two sets of these, very hard to come by.

good looking rear floor

front diff still has factory sticker!

pretty good floor pans

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

By the way, how cool is this!? Exactly 42yrs ago today this 1966 Patrol was getting an oil change. The same day 42yrs later it arrives at my truck farm. Little confusion from a few folks but this is from the 66 hard top. The Glenwood Springs Patrols was a two truck deal.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

So I posted earlier in the thread about a WLG60 Patrol or wagon from Alaska. That Patrol is a holy grail. Just came across this one this morning, in Japan. It is more than a holy grail, it is like meeting God himself if you are into Patrols. Not only is this a wagon (extremely rare) it is a custom one off body configuration ordered from Nissan. Rumor is it was ordered and used by the government.

Stunning!!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Also did a compression test of the red 66 soft top last night. Bummer but the rings are shot. Best it had on a cylinder was 120, lowest 105. Sitting for years and low mileage is not always a good thing. Rings musty have seized/corroded over time.

Cheers

 

[Pacer]

Do a leak-down on it, sure its rings? Maybe some fresh fluids and some run-time will free them up...

 

[SNLC]

Do a leak-down on it, sure its rings? Maybe some fresh fluids and some run-time will free them up...

Ya man pretty sure it is rings. Oil is also thin and smells like fuel. It smokes blue, ect ect.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Driving to Oakland tonight to pick this up.

I got a cousin in Oakland too so will spend the night with him on Saturday. The Patrol looks to good to pass up, no rust!

Cheers

 

[Pacer]

Where you at on this restore? Finished?
I'm jonesing for an update.

 

[unklwedy]

A while back, I installed a set of Dobinson's springs on a 69 Patrol. Lifted vehicle maybe 2". Under static conditions, no further front axle droop was possible( U-joints would have bound up). With respect body, engine and tranny are tilted quite a bit. Finnaly took several leaves out to return to near stock height.

Different subject, Radiator cap is low pressure(6psi) and kinda short. No one makes a return style cap to fit. Had radiator guy fit different neck along with return style 6psi cap.

Last subject, most front locking/unlocking hubs do not control position of ancient equivalent of Birfield joint. I think Nissan called it a "Tracta" joint.
And now I forget which hub had correct internals. It wasn't Warn. I'll get back to ya.

 

[unklwedy]

Frt locking hubs by Superwinch

 

[SNLC]

Where you at on this restore? Finished?
I'm jonesing for an update.

Nah, not finished. The day job has been taking up all my time. I did finally get the 64 into my shop though and soon things are going to start happening!

Cheers

 

[brwnj60]

Looking good!

 

[B Point]

Bloody nice workspace, too..!! U-ra-ya-ma-shi..!! (envious)

 

[SNLC]

Just waiting on a BIG load of zinc plating to come back in and then it is GO time! Body is ready to go for paint just need all the stock body hardware back from the platers and it is paint time. Also coming back will be all the hardware needed to finish up the steering box, suspension, brakes (lines), engine accessories, PTO winch, seats, and much much more.

Early September the owner is delivering a set of really nice stock wheels and an original sample of soft top canvas. After that it is mount up the XZL's and get a new soft top canvas made plus do up the seats.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Load of zinc plated stuff shipped back to me today, should see it early next week. Owner of the truck is here this weekend, he is a Cruiserhead and heading to Cruiserfest so will stop by on his way. He is bringing me wheels which I have wanted for a long time. These XZl's need to be mounted up! Next week taking the red 66 Patrol to an upholstery shop to get canvas made as well as seats done up. The 66 is what they can build the canvas off of since it is exactly the same as the 64 and this way the 64 stays here in my shop.

Just about go time on this project again! Should go fairly fast too over the next few months.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Well, this showed up so it is go time on the project. Unfortunately I don't have much time until next week.

This is zinc with black chromate, I really like the finish

zinc with yellow chromate

plain zinc

50yr old hood support re-newed

50yr old seat sliders look brand new

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I spent some time separating all the plated parts. A few items I even stuck in their final resting place. Amazing to me how these 50yr old parts came back to life. To me this is what restoring is all about! I am sure I have said it before but much of this hardware gets painted body color. Nissan however plated most if not all of these parts before paint. Something I didn't fully know until these items got sand blasted. While blasting you could see the plating under the paint. Our point in doing the plating is so if/when items get chipped they don't bleed rust. Probably the same reason Nissan plated it all.

old vs re-newed, seat slider lever

not bad for a 50yr old ashtray!

Cheers

 

[skidplate]

Don't tell anybody, but this is one of my favorite threads. I wish I had your patience for attention to detail.

 

[SNLC]

Cheers