ok im starting this thread because i have limited mechanical experience (i am a spraypainter) and will be asking other members for advise as i go about modifying my ute... plans so far are replacing the 120y struts and disks with some R31 skyline struts and disks i bought from Datsport.com a few months ago, then i will be pulling the motor a gearbox out (virgin engine removal) and preparing for an SR20DE conversion

so far i have learnt that sometimes you really do need to smack things hard with a hammer such as removing the front struts i needed to smack the ball jointof the Tie Rod End.

big thanks so far to DatsAndy, Unfamilia, Datto1200, cheers guys i will be asking for more advice in the near future and i will hopefully be able to get some pictures oneday.

ok stumbled across another problem concerning the bracket that the ball joint bolt into then bolts to the bottom of the strut. i am using stanza ball joints, there is no washer supplied for the nut that bolts the ball joint to the bracket but the nut has a nylon lip.... do i need a washer in there? does the nylon lip of the nut go on first? how tight do i do the nut up? cheers guys.

you should always use washers but you dont have to ... the nut goes on steel end first and the nylon ring acts as a locking device to stop it coming off. so the nylon is on the outside

ok one strut is just hanging in there until i get some more advice or washers lol but the exhaust is off (big f@#ker it is) and engine is free from any attachment so next weekend i should be able to drop the engine mounts and gearbox crossmember mounts n pull it all out... i think im doing ok and i have to give my mrs alot of credit for helping me and putting up with my swearing. i love my datsun, i have so much more aprecieacion for it now i have sweated and bled (skinned knuckles) for the old girl... the more i take off her the more i love her... i want a 2nd project i can do up for the mrs.... the paint is easy ive just never really messed with removing stuff myself.... thanks to all the suport and advice i have recieved so far guys i am really getting addicted to this... i would love to start on the next project with no paint and interior work done previously so i could do that stuff myself.... i find paint work so much more easier to work with then mechanical stuff. i am intoxicatred anain and thank anyone who has tuned in to this drunkards ramble about working on his ute

ok maddat crossmember is in as well as adjustable lower control arms and adjustable caster rods all i need is a mates spring compressors and i should have the new struts in this weekend. free plug for maddat here i have to admit that so far the bits i have used so far are well made and much beefier especially the castor rods... sway bar looks cool too ill hopefully have that in as well....after the struts go in ill be looking at tearing out the interior to chop the trans tunnel out and the first trial fit of the motor wont be too far off

starting to get into it :)

keen to see some pic's

yeah used to be able to send pics from my fone direct to my email but that fone stuffed up... im now using my backup fone which i cant send pics to my email.... soon as i get a new fone ill be able to post away... as soon as i learn to post pics on here lol

thanks for posting the pics perthute now people can see that i am actually having a go and slowly getting places.

you cant really see the size difference in the castor rods in this pic because of the glare but id say there is nearly twice the steel in the maddat ones compared to standard. the struts and disks look sweet as. my next step while im looking for new rims will be to fit my lowering blocks... its funny the 1200 ute lowering block kit i got off ebay actually need modifying so ill get to that soon

my lowering blocks from pedders fitted sweet but with the r31 diff she sits higher could be the lack of fuel tank n fuel or the thicker diff makes it higher
so is this thing gonna be running soon ?