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[Datsun 1200 encyclopedia]

B120

Revision as of 20:19, 9 February 2009; view current revision
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Category: General Information

Nissan made a pickup truck version of the B110 Datsun Sunny 1200--the B120 "Datsun Sunny Truck" as it is named in Japan. In Australia this was called the Datsun 1200 Ute. In South Africa it was known as the Bakkie. It was sold in South America, but sadly not in North America. The B120 is a Coupe utility type of pickup truck. A Coupe Utility is based on a car design and has an integral cargo bed (not a separate bed and cab as with traditional trucks).


Nissan_Pickup_Truck_in_Palaiokastritsa.JPG LB120 in Greece


The Nissan part number prefix for B120 is G20.


Contents

Model Years Produced

The "Datsun 1200" line has been produced from Model years 1971 to 2007. 1971-1973 was the regular run for the Coupe, Sedan and Wagon production. Production of the B140 pickup ended November 2007 in South Africa.

NOTE: Model Years (MY) generally runs from October to September. So the 1972 MY was from Oct 1971 to Sep 1972

</table>


5654.jpg

  • Utes: Toyota vs Mazda vs Datsun. Which do you think has the most style?


Tail lights

  • Black-trim tail lights
    5648.jpg
  • Silver-trim tail lights
    7899.jpg


Long Wheelbase Models

GB- models are long wheelbase, which is 295 mm longer overall, but with a 230 mm longer wheelbase. The bed overhang past the rear axle centerline is 60 mm longer.

1355.jpg 1846.jpg

Long wheelbase was available in Japan and New Zealand, but not in Australia.


Australia

B120 production ended with 1985 models. However the 1200 utes are still a wildly popular vehicle and common on the used car market. Only regular wheelbase 1200 utes were sold, however over the years some used GB-120/121/122 (long-wheelbase models) have been imported for the used car market.


5648.jpg Stock hub caps (1973)


5650.jpg Stock bumperettes and Aussie reflectors

Japan Domestic Market

The Datsun 1200 truck was made from 1971-1994. Many of these used truck have been exported to many parts of the, especially Africa, South America, and New Zealand world and with the notable exception of USA).

For the 1989 Model year a major switch was made to the B122 model which features square headlights.

Sunny Truck (B122 & GB122) production in Japan ended in late 1994.


Facelifts

Facelifts do not correspond to B120/B121/B122 split, which was more about emission controls.

Also see: Sunny Truck Model Changes


Original Style

Originally, Sunny Trucks used sedan Grille, Dashboard, and Badges.

18746.jpg 18745.jpg 18747.jpg

1977 Facelift

In late 1977, Sunny Truck changed to a Coupe-style Grille, unique grille Badges, and brown interior.


1989 Facelift

In late 1989, Sunny Truck changed to a square-headlight Grille, NISSAN Badges, and gray interior.

United States

No sunny trucks were ever sold new in the United States. At present there are known to have been a handful of B120s privately imported into the United States. See United_States#B120s_in_USA.


Nissan New Zealand

The Datsun 1200 ute was also sold in New Zealand:

  • 1971-1980 B120 models

Later, Long wheelbase (GB-) models were sold with Roadstar and Sportstar market names from 1981-1985. It was marketed as a "1/2 tonne pickup":

  • 1981-1983 models had A12 power and a 4-speed gearbox
  • 1983-1985 models had A15 power with a 5-speed transmission

303.jpg SportStar

Marketing information use the spelling Road^Star and Sport^Star. And Road*Star and Sport*Star.

385.jpg


6783.jpg


6324.jpg


Older utes are now relatively rare in New Zealand, perhaps because of rust issue in this island nation. However, newer utes are still common, as are used Japan-market utes that have been imported for the used-car market.

Road^Star

RoadStar standard features included:

...and more


Sport^Star

SportStar includes all RoadStart features plus:

Options

385.jpg

Options included:

  • Rally Pak
  • Pak 2
    • Stripes
    • Mudflaps
    • Weather shield - Left and Right hand
    • Plate frames
    • Stereo cassette/radio
    • Floor mats
    • Left hand door mirror

L.H. mirror standard on SportStar, optional on RoadStar. Also a part of the Dress Pak 2 for Roadstar.

Nissan-Datsun South Africa

Nissan-Datsun South Africa originally imported B120s into South Africa.


120Y Bakkie

In 1976 production started in the Roslyn factory and these were marketed as "120Y" bakkies after the current 120Y (B210) sedans.

datsuns-za.jpg

11951.jpg 14890.jpg

140Y Bakkie

In 1987 the South Africa-specific B140 model with A14-power and raised roof was developed.

See the main B140 Bakkie article.

The B140 is marketed as the Nissan 1400 LDV but commonly called the "Nissan bakkie".

Production of B140 ended November 2007. Obviously B140 Bakkies are very accessible, but older B120 bakkies are hard to find for sale. It seems the owners don't want to part with them.

B140s were also sold new in other African countries such as Zimbabwe.

Also see: Nissan B140 in-depth article.

South America

LHD Datsun 1200 trucks are fairly common in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala. They are commonly called Camionetas (little trucks).


Nissan Ecuador

Nissan of Ecuador produced LHD 1200 trucks in in-country factories from 1989-1999. This was necessary to meet government-mandated goals for domestic production.

Late Ecuador-built 1200s had square headlights.


Sales Dates

  • B20 February 1967 a.k.a. Datsun 1000 ute
  • B120 February 1971 a.k.a. Datsun 1200 ute
  • B122 November 1986-1994 (Japan)
  • B140 1986-2007 (South Africa) a.k.a. Bakkie
Datsun 1200 typeModel Years
Sedans, Coupes and Wagons (B110)1971, 1972, 1973
Datsun 1200 Ute/Truck (B120)1971-1986
Datsun Sunny Truck/ute (B122)1987-1994
Datsun Bakkie ute (Nissan B140)1987-2007
Sunny Trucks
B120T 1975 10 - 1979 08
B121T 1979 08 - 1981 10
B122T 1981 10 - 1994
B140 1987 - 2007 Nissan South Africa


Specifications

18734.jpg

  • Wheelbase
    • 2300 mm regular bed
    • 2530 mm long bed
  • Cab Height: 1395 mm
  • Height at back
    • 1010 mm regular bed
    • 995 mm long bed
  • overall length
    • 3845 mm regular bed
    • 4140 mm long bed
  • Width: 1495


Tray dimensions

Length Standard Bed

  • at bottom of tray: 1670 mm
  • level with tray top: 1565 mm length

Length Long Bed

  • at bottom of tray: 1960 mm
  • level with tray top: 1860 mm

Depth:

  • 415 mm regular bed
  • 420 mm Long bed

Inside Width

  • 1285 mm
  • Between wheelwells: 980 cm

Bed height from ground

  • 795 mm regular bed
  • 575 mm long bed

Also See

Sunny Truck Model Changes