Need Advice (1 Viewer)

[Abnrml1]

First of all I want to apologize for bringing this here. I do not have a Toyota. I have an '82 Datsun 720 that I have to put a new engine in and need to know if the little z22 would be enough to pull a small off road trailer. I have taken this to a couple of Nissan boards but it appears that the brains are on MUD.

The truck will have no bigger than a 30" tire and will be used on just moderate trails. I do have a Buick v6 that I can rebuild for about the same price as the z22 but that will take a lot of work to make it work in this truck unless I do a SAS which I do not have the $$ to do right now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ntsqd]

I've pulled my TrailBlazer camp trailer with a carb'd 22R. It's not a speed demon, but I'm not a danger to others either. Except on the really steep hills, which find me using all of the pull-outs to let people by.

More importantly, how good are your brakes?

 

[Abnrml1]

Thanks for the response. The truck has been sitting for 15 years so I will be going through all of the brake system. If the truck didn't come from southern California and have only one rust hole on it I would probably just scrap it and build something else but the body and frame are in great shape. That and it's a king cab so I can mount a small fridge behind the seat (Need a way to keep insulin cool).

I also have a '78 GMC k15 but I want something that gets more than 9mpg.

 

[e9999]

I don't know anything about Datsuns but I would think that a 2.2 would be able to handle a small offroad trailer if you're not in a hurry on hills. Offroad should be no issue if you have low range. Do you know the original towing specs on the truck?
(can't you buy a lot of gas for the GMC with the cost of a rebuilt little guy?)

 

[Corprin]

Z22E, dual spark?

 

[Abnrml1]

I'm not sure of the original towing specs. It is the dual spark. Kind of weird having 8 plugs in a 4cyl.

The GMC has so much rust that I would nee to replace the rockers, floor, door bottoms, and bed. This is another reason to do the Datsun.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

What's your definition of a "small offroad trailer"? Like a military jeep trailer?

 

[Abnrml1]

Pretty much like a military trailer. Maybe a 4'x6' box with a cook station and sink with room for supplies. Something big enough to be able to live out of for a couple of weeks.

I will more than likely be putting a shell on the bed and using that for my sleeping are in bad weather otherwise I will either be on the ground or in a hammock.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I had one for 10 years, it was an '86 Nissan 720. 22z motor is a fantastic motor, make sure you change the radiator right away and maybe look at timing belt change as well. It is a zero tolerance engine, if the timing belt fails it will be a bad thing when the valves hit the pistons. The 4 cyl head gaskets will go when they run hot. Ask me how I know. I wouldn't recommend ging bigger than 29" for a tire, the engine just doesn't have alot of torque.
It will tow a trailer, but not quickly. Have fun, I miss that truck, best truck we ever owned!

 

[Brentbba]

Another good place to ask would be Expedition Portal in the trailer section there. Lots of activity and not Landcruiser/Toyota specific like here. Both places have great info on all things trailer.