Hello

Here is my modification to my 1983 Nissan N12 Pulsar.

It was mum's (bought new), and now both she and dad have gone, the things mine.

It's a great little car - low mileage, good condition (all the mechanics rave about it) and such.

It was off the road for a few years, so I've just spend $3,100 on it (new shocks, tyres, service, etc.) and now shes going so well. Just been on a fishing trip to Lake Jindabine (I live in the Blue Mtns) and it ran like a dream. But gutless, but what does one expect from a 1983 1,500cc auto?

Anyway, I love my fly fishing and camping, so here is a great mod - a bed.
I took out the front seat, and removed the back one (top only), then a friend cut a plyboard section to fit.

The part near the dash has two fold-down legs (held together by another section of ply that slides onto the legs so they do not spread), there is another support about half-way, and the end is bolted down to what is, I think, a hild restraint bolt hole.

A thin sleeping bad was taped to the top, then a blanket over that, then my bedding (inflatable down-filled mattress and sleeping bag).

Anyway, it means I can go travel and sleep in the car. I'm nearly 190cm, and fit into it fine.

Cheers.

Awesome good work mate

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1971 Datsun P510 SR20DET 276 rwkW
2005 Mercedes AMG E55 350 kW
1969 Datsun P510 L20B EFI 95 rwkW
1975 Ford XB Fairmont GS Wagon 179rwhp
1980 Escort Van SR20DET unfinished
2002 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa 185hp

That's sweeet.

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1972 Datsun 1600, S14 SR20DET Engineered (204rwkW @ 17psi.)
viewtopic.php?t=6579
#SR20Datsun @SR20Datsun

Thanks.

It's not finished. I will round off all the edges, and put some sort of lacquer on it to lock in the poisons used in the glue, and to give it a great finish.

Also, the part near the dash will have an extra plate added. It will fit into the top of the legs (they are extended a little for this) via a couple of slots, then rest against the dash (with a padded back) so I can put a pillow against it.

A small level will be added to the base near the drivers seat, so when I'm parking, I can see it's horizontal.

As for the car itself, the only other addition are a set of decent driving lights, as I do a reasonable amount of night driving on country roads.

Mechanically, it's pretty sound. The compression test was 130psi(?) on each cylinder, so a little down from new (180?), and it does use a little oil, so I guess the oil rings are worn, but apart from that, it's great to drive.

It's a great car. Average fuel consumption is 7lt/100km, it trundles along quite nicely at legal speeds (but slows the moment the gradient increases!), and I really like the simplicity; a basic 4 cyl engine, carbs, etc.

Going uphill is slow as buggery; I just take the opportunity to enjoy the view (my apologies if you are behind), but what i really like is the overall vision - lots of glass and no blind spots at all, which makes it fantastic for sight-seeing and touring.

I was even thinking of removing the roof at one stage, but it's a hatchback, and could be a pain. If it were a sedan, then I would think seriously about it. So, the only other mod I'm thinking of is a sunroof, but most I see are quite small. Maybe I could remove just the roof, and replace it with a roll-back cover? I do like the open feeling of coupes.

Any other mods? Hmm. Having a bit more clearance in the suspension would be nice - there are some great fishing spots that a mate's two-wheel drive van can get to (due to the better ground clearance), but that can wait.

Oh, the paint on the roof, bonnet and rear hatch is also cactus, unfortunately, but the sides are good and the interior is mostly excellent; the dash is like new.

Oh, the driving lights are not fitted yet. Any suggestions?

I think you need some curtains. The sun rises pretty early in the summer.

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Datsun 1600 13bt

KANARIS ENGINES 03 94623387
http://www.kanarisengines.com/

Your comment caused me a double-take; my friend said exactly that to me this morning, making fun of me. I'm still not sure if you're taking the piss...

if not, curtains...er, nope. That's far too caravanny, even though I love the things (caravans, that is).

Then again, I am going to cut up a mozzy net so i can hang it off the inside. I did it last weekend at a mate's place in the country, but I had to take the corners up. I'll get another one and cut it into shape, and add some cord to hang it from. It's a bit claustrophobic with all the windows up. I like a breeze when I'm sleeping.

Maybe I could do the same with some sheets to block out the light?

Anyway, I like rising early.

thats crazy lol
any plans?
wheels engine ect?

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Shean Connery ish Shexty shex and shtill shexy

1964 hillman minx under resto at the moment
BUT DATSUN COMING AFTER THAT
FORMERLY JDM120Y

Thats awesome. I love the bed idea.... being camper that isn't fond of setting up and packing up tents, thats brilliant.

You can get full roof sunroofs. We put some on a limo we did a while back.
You probably can't cut the roof off as it will comprimise the structual intergraty significantly.

Good work. Good car. treat her with love and she 'll reward you hansomely'.

chuck in a ET pulsar engine from the turbo pulsar or exa!!! you will pull up the hills no probs then!

I camp in my R30 Hatchback quite a bit, i thikn i may have a bit more room than you though haha...

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R30 skyline hatch TURBO project

Yes, I figured the roof mod would probably cause problems with structural rigidity. It was just an idle thought, though a sun roof is something I'll think about.

As for any changes, well, other than a bit more light up front, not really. Obviously, a turbo engine would be awesome, and I would sometimes like more ground clearance, but I do like the simplicity of the thing, and it does what i want it to do.

That it's been in the family since new is also a good feeling, as it's been pretty well looked after. I'm trying to keep it as original as possible, as it's all there already, and in pretty good condition, and in a few more years it will be quite a classic old thing.

The bed's great. I've spent many, many years camping (mostly bushwalking), and to be able to rock up anywhere and sleep without putting up a tent, is such a luxury. Not to mention being able to pack knowing it's not all on my back. I mean, having a pillow instead of rolled up clothing, oh, the decadence!

Oh, a new paint job, maybe. The sides are in good condition, but the bonnet, roof and hatch door are damaged (like the paint is 'rusting', so to speak, as on many older cars, especially on the bonnet).

It's a bit noisy inside, so i guess the seals need to be replaced. Other than that, it's a great car.

I forgot - any wreckers around Sydney that have a decent collection of this model?

Also, is the Holden Astra a copy of this model, and can I use parts from that, if need be?

there is a fella here in canberra, 'tyrie' selling a white N12 for super cheap, like $100 or something, not runnong but if youre really really keen make a list of parts and i can arrange them to get to you in sydney, will have a trailer going to sydney sometime within the next month or so

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R30 skyline hatch TURBO project

MAG86
Thanks, that's fantastic.
I plan to be heading through Canberra soon (within the month?), so maybe I could go there myself?
Any contact details?
I could even go there sooner as I'm trying to get the car re-registered in another state, and they inspect the thing*.

*yes, it's total, unmitigated b******t.

http://ozdat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=18816

http://ozdat.com/forum/memberlist.php?m ... ile&u=1258 click on the pm button (private message)

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R30 skyline hatch TURBO project