I live in north queensland and I'm lookin at getting a 1979 datsun 1200 ute and putting in a CA18DET engine with a five speed and LSD. Just wanting to know if this is on the hard end of the spectrum as it will be my first project car and avalability of parts in queensland. PLEASE HELP as i know absolutly nothing about the datsun just love the look

At the risk of being flamed by others this is my two cents on these types of questions:

Buy one someone else has built up - if your not totally into it, it will get too hard and too expensive and we will see yet another unfinished project car for sale.
Don't mean to be a pr1ck but that is the reality of it. I haven't been a member of this site that long and yet I have seen alot of these types of questions pop up on theads.

for example: I love the look of some Ferrari models, but I'm not going to try and build one - I will just buy one........ if I ever win the Lotto.

Buy one that has been done and then spend your money on easy customisations to make your unique Datto.

Good luck with it if you decide to get a project.

Thanks copyDAT yeah am looking at buying a ute that most to all the body work has been done just looking to do all the engine, trans, diff, suspension, brakes and interior then look at doing a few things to make it original. Not a big fan of rust removal or banging out dents. Anyone in queensland know of any good parts suppliers

a good ca18det convershion brakes diff motor ect ect will set ya back around 10 - 15 grand just in all the bit no labour , if you good at fab work n cheap out on things like diff good brakes ect your looking at a few grand in parts , i have spent over 20 grand on my ute n its just a shell with all the bits ready to go on n still needs paint plus trim so theres another 10 grand and 3 years of work when i could buy one for around 15 grand my 2 cent

mate...
Go and get in contact with Kev Rowley, pm me and i can give you his home number if you want. He is god and will tell you everything you need to know and plan for. There is alot more than just motor diff and brakes. There is fuel, engineering testing, you have to do a brake test, stop hard from 100 metres etc, also you have to organise tailshaft, suspension upgrades etc, but please call Kev because there is no one else who could tell you more.

By the way i haven't done my conversion yet, but i went and spent about 4 hours with kev talking about this and he umm...enlightened me lol.

oh oh.. whoop whoop first one to say this before


how big is your string?

how big is your credit card?

know much bout mechanic stuff?

have you ever tryed your own oil service before on ya car? if not dnt attempt this :)

Its good fun and frustrating at the same time
If you can do alot of the work then go for it and ya will get it done quit cheap....but.....
if not then money money money.
I did the bad thing of givein myself a budget and a date of when I wanted it finished.......the date was 3 months ago and the engione isnt in yet
And if ya do give ya self a budget and time dont tell ya partner....... oohhh the pain.
Hope ya do it and look forward to seeing the build.

String???

sitting on about $20000 at the moment but not looking to start until the end of the year or beginning of next so might be a little more.

Do have basic mechanical skills but mainly diesel engines and yes do all my own services on both my then GQ patrol and now GU patrols. Have done suspension, cooling system flush's and services.

Do have a mechanic mate who is keen to lend a hand if required

Have very little to no fabrication skills.

Looking to get all electrics done professionaly as i want it to look as "clean" as possible in the engine bay. I know this will be expensive but i feel its worth it.

Go for it..........
If your not going to start for a while I would keep an eye of for cheap parts, engines/ gearboxes etc etc
Just to make things a touch cheaper.

where u based mate
If your in Mackay you can come around and pick my brain all u want
Im almost finished my conversion and might be able to help