1964 Nissan Patrol soft top restoration
- Thread starter RMP&O
- Start date
. I just understood OEM :victory:
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
I used Bill Hirsch "cast iron gray" high temp exhaust manifold paint on the exhaust manifold, primed it first with their high temp primer. Obviously engine color on the intake manifold.
test fitting, all new studs on order.
progress
Believe it or not it is supposed to be offset.
wire is temporary
Cheers
test fitting, all new studs on order.
progress
Believe it or not it is supposed to be offset.
wire is temporary
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
So I had some fairly major dramas recently.
The trans shop had put in an old style speedo pinion and drive gear for the speedo. Nissan changed the speedo pinion/gear a number of times in the 20yr run of the 60-series Patrol. The very early trucks pulled the speedo from the very front of the t-case, no free wheeling hubs so it was fine. We are using f/w hubs on the 64 so that wouldn't work. Now I believe in the 1960's when f/w hubs were fitted the rear output flange on the t-case was changed and the speedo pulled form there. I had taken the trans shop several t-case to work with when the rebuild was performed, including one from my 77 Patrol. They used the early stuff which is good to keep it original for the year. However, they made a big mistake. They did not put in the right spacer after the speedo gear. So when I put on the rear flange it broke off the tip on the pinion. This resulted in me tearing down the flange to figure out what was wrong. The pinion they used was badly worn, wasted is more like it. On top of this the only good parts I had for speedo pinion was from the 77 Patrol. However, it pulls the speedo pinion from an entirely different location than on the 64. This was a change made by Nissan in the late 60's and is a much improved upgrade. The early style pinion gears are simply a crush sleeve. Which in my opinion is no good. The later style is a splined gear that rides on the main drive shaft right behind the 4wd sleeve. Nose cone is tapped for speedo in this location rather than at the outside of the t-case.
So any ways, I had to tear the entire t-case down and set it up with the parts from the 77. Not only is the speedo different the nose cone on the t-case is different. Luckily all the parts I have from the 77 are in great condition. On top of this the 77 speedo is meant for 7.50 tires which we are running, due to teeth count on the pinion and gear. The earlier parts were suited for 6.00 or 6.50 tires.
Early style speedo on the right, broken and badly worn. Later style on left.
Three different speedo pinion gears, the one on the far left is from the 77 and the upgraded part.
Here you can see the rear flange along with the speedo pinion which is wasted. I believe this was added at the dealership when free wheeling hubs were fitted. Or around 1964/65 Nissan started putting this on USA spec Patrols so that the dealership could easily fit f/w hubs. F/W hubs were pretty common on USA Patrols after 1965. This flange is alloy and is the only alloy part I have from 1964-1977 for the t-case which leads me to believe it is aftermarket or afterthought. This has now been removed as I am using the 77 t-case parts.
different main drive shafts, not only is this different so is the nose cone and related parts.
I got it all back together and it is just about ready got go back into the chassis. Just waiting on a few seals to show up for the output flanges. Another thing to note is the top cover on the t-case. I had previously installed the early style cover. Well, early stuff the t-case was not vented. It is not uncommon for old Patrols to blow their front and or rear main seals on the t-case. If the rear goes it destroys the e-brake. Nissan added a vent to the top cover to help with this issue by the late 1960s. So I decided to use the cover from the 77 t-case that is vented. You can see it installed in this picture.
I am taking a break from the project as I am heading to KoH tomorrow. Updates will continue when I return.
Cheers
The trans shop had put in an old style speedo pinion and drive gear for the speedo. Nissan changed the speedo pinion/gear a number of times in the 20yr run of the 60-series Patrol. The very early trucks pulled the speedo from the very front of the t-case, no free wheeling hubs so it was fine. We are using f/w hubs on the 64 so that wouldn't work. Now I believe in the 1960's when f/w hubs were fitted the rear output flange on the t-case was changed and the speedo pulled form there. I had taken the trans shop several t-case to work with when the rebuild was performed, including one from my 77 Patrol. They used the early stuff which is good to keep it original for the year. However, they made a big mistake. They did not put in the right spacer after the speedo gear. So when I put on the rear flange it broke off the tip on the pinion. This resulted in me tearing down the flange to figure out what was wrong. The pinion they used was badly worn, wasted is more like it. On top of this the only good parts I had for speedo pinion was from the 77 Patrol. However, it pulls the speedo pinion from an entirely different location than on the 64. This was a change made by Nissan in the late 60's and is a much improved upgrade. The early style pinion gears are simply a crush sleeve. Which in my opinion is no good. The later style is a splined gear that rides on the main drive shaft right behind the 4wd sleeve. Nose cone is tapped for speedo in this location rather than at the outside of the t-case.
So any ways, I had to tear the entire t-case down and set it up with the parts from the 77. Not only is the speedo different the nose cone on the t-case is different. Luckily all the parts I have from the 77 are in great condition. On top of this the 77 speedo is meant for 7.50 tires which we are running, due to teeth count on the pinion and gear. The earlier parts were suited for 6.00 or 6.50 tires.
Early style speedo on the right, broken and badly worn. Later style on left.
Three different speedo pinion gears, the one on the far left is from the 77 and the upgraded part.
Here you can see the rear flange along with the speedo pinion which is wasted. I believe this was added at the dealership when free wheeling hubs were fitted. Or around 1964/65 Nissan started putting this on USA spec Patrols so that the dealership could easily fit f/w hubs. F/W hubs were pretty common on USA Patrols after 1965. This flange is alloy and is the only alloy part I have from 1964-1977 for the t-case which leads me to believe it is aftermarket or afterthought. This has now been removed as I am using the 77 t-case parts.
different main drive shafts, not only is this different so is the nose cone and related parts.
I got it all back together and it is just about ready got go back into the chassis. Just waiting on a few seals to show up for the output flanges. Another thing to note is the top cover on the t-case. I had previously installed the early style cover. Well, early stuff the t-case was not vented. It is not uncommon for old Patrols to blow their front and or rear main seals on the t-case. If the rear goes it destroys the e-brake. Nissan added a vent to the top cover to help with this issue by the late 1960s. So I decided to use the cover from the 77 t-case that is vented. You can see it installed in this picture.
I am taking a break from the project as I am heading to KoH tomorrow. Updates will continue when I return.
Cheers
Weekender41
Ready to Learn
This has been very interesting to read. I will be eager to see the rest.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Thanks bud!
More progress....
I was waiting on these OEM seals to come in from Nissan, had my fingers crossed and they came in! T-case out-put seals, aftermarket I removed from the t-case are on the floor. You can clearly see the OEM is much better with double sealing lip.
The smallest seal on a 60-series Patrol, pinion drive seal, NOS on my finger and old on the floor
Early oil filler cap gasket, I believe this also fits and early Datsun Roadster
Since the OEM t-case seal came in I finished up the t-case.
And I installed the trans + t-case back into the chassis
The new speedo pinion location, while not stock for a 1964 I believe it to be much better as it is an improved/upgraded design by Nissan and still correct for a 60-series Patrol.
The E-brake is installed and just about all done, hard to believe these are 50yr old parts that have been restored!
The fully rebuilt rear driveline is also installed. There is a seal at the slip joint in the driveline, it is no longer available so I made a new one out of some felt.
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Ran a tap through all holes to make sure they are clean and ready to go
Prep mating surface, I wire brushed on the die grinder then block sanded to 320grit.
Installed new grade 8 studs, anti-seize too.
manifold prep'ed same as head
NOS gaskets and new hardware for all of it
Starter tear down, bushes show some wear
Two complete starters torn down
Picked best parts and bead blasted, a few items will be sent out for plating, some hardware may get replaced.
Very carefully bead blast!
Cheers
Prep mating surface, I wire brushed on the die grinder then block sanded to 320grit.
Installed new grade 8 studs, anti-seize too.
manifold prep'ed same as head
NOS gaskets and new hardware for all of it
Starter tear down, bushes show some wear
Two complete starters torn down
Picked best parts and bead blasted, a few items will be sent out for plating, some hardware may get replaced.
Very carefully bead blast!
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Starter brushes, wires and brush holders. New brushes top middle. Holders I am sending off to be plated.
Starter armatures, I selected the best of the two and cleaned it up, obviously that is the top one.
I have had these NOS brass bushing for ever. I knew they were for the engine but never could figure out exactly for what. Well, I figured it out, they are for the starter!
An original generator that has been torn down getting ready to rebuild it.
Very good condition, this is after cleaning. This is a 50yr old part! :Wow1:
NOS bearing for the generator in the foreground
Generator housing parts and water pump pulley blasted and ready for paint.
Original coil in very good condition.
Original rubber blocks and hardware for mounting the radiator. Very good condition on the rubber, bead blasting makes them look better. The hardware I am getting plated.
Just about done with the full resto on the fuel tank, NOS sending unit, NOS cork gasket for it and new felt on the straps. Not bad for a 50yr old fuel tank!
Cheers
Starter armatures, I selected the best of the two and cleaned it up, obviously that is the top one.
I have had these NOS brass bushing for ever. I knew they were for the engine but never could figure out exactly for what. Well, I figured it out, they are for the starter!
An original generator that has been torn down getting ready to rebuild it.
Very good condition, this is after cleaning. This is a 50yr old part! :Wow1:
NOS bearing for the generator in the foreground
Generator housing parts and water pump pulley blasted and ready for paint.
Original coil in very good condition.
Original rubber blocks and hardware for mounting the radiator. Very good condition on the rubber, bead blasting makes them look better. The hardware I am getting plated.
Just about done with the full resto on the fuel tank, NOS sending unit, NOS cork gasket for it and new felt on the straps. Not bad for a 50yr old fuel tank!
Cheers
Last edited:
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Thank you and I agree, it would be nice for it to be done this year, seeing as it is 50yrs old now. We will just have to see what happens. I had planned to be farther along by now but hit some bumps in the road these last few months. When it comes time to do a final assembly on something I like to make sure it is perfect so it truly is the last time something is assembled. That means any issues found have to be dealt with and there have been some issues. I have got a couple months and then my time for the project is going to drop off. I see no reason the rolling chassis won't be just about 100% done in the next few months. Sooner is actually my plan and in a few months I would like to have the firewall, floor pans and tub mounted to the chassis for good. I don't see any issues with the body guy having his parts done not long after that. But then we are left with a custom made soft top (to match stock), seats, wiring harness, glass and little things like the dash details. We will see what happens but I certainly am aiming for it to be done this year and don't see any reason why it won't be done this year.
By the way, I am really looking forward to the first test drive of this truck. That is going to be monumental and I plan to video all of it!
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
We have been aiming for a 2" lift all along and that is what Alcan is supposed to have made the leaf springs at. Yet, with no weight on the rear we have more than 2" of lift!
I made new rear sway bar links, 2" extended. The rubber bushes and washers are NOS.
Just going to have to wait and see how this turns out with more weight on it. Rear bump stops are also in now. They are originals that I restored using wintergreen oil, sand blasting and fresh paint on the steel parts.
Original rear sway bar link on top, NOS bolt in the middle and the 2" extended bolt on the bottom.
There is three adjustments for the e-brake! After dialing in the e-brake adjustment this one is locked down with wire.
details, e-brake lever. I am getting some use out of my wire tie kit though!
Even with some droop the front driveline is good to go.
Since the PTO box is alloy we didn't want to paint it. After some discussion it was decided I wire brush it, on the die grinder and then clear coat. It is all done and installed on the trans for the last time.
I test fit the PTO shifter for clearances. here it is back, e-brake en-gauged in these pics.
Neutral where it will spend most of it's time.
and forward, there is a lot going on at the trans hump on these trucks when they have a PTO!
oil pan with skid plate is installed on the engine.
Cheers
I made new rear sway bar links, 2" extended. The rubber bushes and washers are NOS.
Just going to have to wait and see how this turns out with more weight on it. Rear bump stops are also in now. They are originals that I restored using wintergreen oil, sand blasting and fresh paint on the steel parts.
Original rear sway bar link on top, NOS bolt in the middle and the 2" extended bolt on the bottom.
There is three adjustments for the e-brake! After dialing in the e-brake adjustment this one is locked down with wire.
details, e-brake lever. I am getting some use out of my wire tie kit though!
Even with some droop the front driveline is good to go.
Since the PTO box is alloy we didn't want to paint it. After some discussion it was decided I wire brush it, on the die grinder and then clear coat. It is all done and installed on the trans for the last time.
I test fit the PTO shifter for clearances. here it is back, e-brake en-gauged in these pics.
Neutral where it will spend most of it's time.
and forward, there is a lot going on at the trans hump on these trucks when they have a PTO!
oil pan with skid plate is installed on the engine.
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
So I ran into some dramas with the steering box. For going on a year now I have been trying to find the seal. It is NLA at Nissan, they don't even show it in their system. Nothing at my local auto parts store, no cross reference numbers, nothing. Last summer I went to a bearing supply house, we put calipers on the seal and I bought the closest match I could find. Well I am just about to rebuild the steering box so I tried test fitting the seal. Won't work, it is just a touch to large. On top of this the seal I found is single lip while stock it is a double lip seal.
So as a last ditch resort before I have to get some machining to the steering box done in order to fit a seal we have here in the USA I contact my good friend in Colombia, South America. Sure enough OEM seal available down there and it only costs $6!!
All I can say is man having resources like this when doing a restoration are invaluable!
Cheers
So as a last ditch resort before I have to get some machining to the steering box done in order to fit a seal we have here in the USA I contact my good friend in Colombia, South America. Sure enough OEM seal available down there and it only costs $6!!
All I can say is man having resources like this when doing a restoration are invaluable!
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
I am sure I mentioned it earlier in the thread but the 64 Patrol was torn down over 10yrs ago. All the original hardware was bagged and tagged. However, a fair amount of it is busted, to rusty or lost. I have parted out at least 5 or 6 Patrols in the last 10yrs. The hardware from those trucks got tossed in small containers or in my big huge nut & bolt stash, ya know that big bucket full of mixed up hardware. I really had no idea how much I had. I dug through most if not all of my stash of hardware. Most of this is for the body on the truck. The original hardware has "dp" stamped on the head of it. So it is kind of important to try and use it on the body.
Here is the stash I found.
The big piles on the right are what I really need. That is the majority of body hardware. Actually more than one trucks worth is my guess. The rest of it is items I need to bag and tag for the owner of this truck and any future needs he may have. I am not sure if this hardware will get plated or painted. However, it was needed. On the far right bottom you can see what is a unique locking washer. They have tabs on the outside of them. I really needed about 4 of these for the new Warn hubs. They are the original locking washers for the hubs and I was short 4 of them.
Cheers
Here is the stash I found.
The big piles on the right are what I really need. That is the majority of body hardware. Actually more than one trucks worth is my guess. The rest of it is items I need to bag and tag for the owner of this truck and any future needs he may have. I am not sure if this hardware will get plated or painted. However, it was needed. On the far right bottom you can see what is a unique locking washer. They have tabs on the outside of them. I really needed about 4 of these for the new Warn hubs. They are the original locking washers for the hubs and I was short 4 of them.
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
So I have been ready to mount up the manifolds for a while now, see previous pics when I painted them up. However, there is a pesky little alignment sleeve on two of the intake manifolds. All I had was one sample that was trashed from the machine shop. So I made new ones out of stainless steel.
Crappy cell phone pics but here we go!
They came out real nice. The item in the top of the picture is real hard to come by. It is a steering column to steering shaft seal, only one I have.
And fit perfectly into the manifolds.
Manifolds are on for good now! Lot's more going on, more pictures to come!
Cheers
Crappy cell phone pics but here we go!
They came out real nice. The item in the top of the picture is real hard to come by. It is a steering column to steering shaft seal, only one I have.
And fit perfectly into the manifolds.
Manifolds are on for good now! Lot's more going on, more pictures to come!
Cheers