Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Any thoughts on a 1981 Datsun diesel pickup?

Have a kid looking at one and I have no friggen idea about the diesel engine. Google turns up enthusiasts and motorheads, but the kid just needs something to drive, not work on. He recently got an insurance settlement and wants to get a different rig.

So the deal is 1981 Datsun longbed truck, 97K original, garaged most of it's life, canopy protected the bed, air, manual (probably 4 speed), owner says no heat??? Broken heater? Two new tires, others good, body good, paint good. Supposed to get 40 mpg. Asking $3200

Other than a premium for the diesel, low miles, and condition, any thoughts on the diesel Datsun truck? 60 HP!

Kids $3200 would probably be better spent on a Toyota P/U with a 22R engine in it.

Just a afterthought.
Fact is I need to sell a 1985 or 6 two wheel drive with 150K for half that.

I'd pass, simply because it's 36 years old....

They were under powered in 81, and it's a 36 year Datsun. Enough said.

Everybody's favorites are the 84 Toyota's 4x4's with the solid axles. Most of them got 200,000 miles in their first life, then went around a few more times and are still going with their 7th motor.

I agree with the others. Nice rig for a collector, but not for a kid's daily driver.

Diesel with no heat not a good idea in misty western Oregon either...

Have a bit of experience with those old Datsuns, but NOT the diesels. It's age does not bother - I'm driving a bunch of trucks over 40 year of age and enjoying them. Datsuns didn't seem as tough as Toyotas of the same vintage, but were good.

Mostly a matter of condition. 97k is not bad, garaged is very good, and overall long-term maintenance is critical. A bum heating setup of that period should not be difficult to trace and fix. If it's a Yanmar diesel and has been properly used/maintained, it should be good for many more miles. If not Yanmar, I can't guess.

But, would not give $3,200. $2,500 max in my case. Hope this helps.

This is the way. Kind offer and not too much of a drive to get it.

how much trouble would it be to find parts at a
reasonable price ? for instance brakes, a water
pump, oil air fuel filters, any special heater
hoses or radiator hoses, a clutch setup ?

just a guess, but i'd think it'd be a big pita.
jmho i'd look for a toyota as posted ^ ^ ^
or an older S10 or the like for about half that
$3200.00 and use the rest for all new brakes
and tires, etc.
good luck

I think I'd pass on this one.

Refurbished, it would be a parade vehicle only.

I bought one new in '80 and drove it up the ALCAN in January. Had issues in Watson Lake finding liquid diesel. It was way under-powered. The weight of the engine compromised the front end and it ate tires. That is likely the reason for buying two at a time.

Mine also ate fuel shut-off solenoids.

Tried to hit a fox on the drive up and the fox stayed in the road and easily out ran the truck.

Pretty sure they are asking more than half what I paid new.

Now that I think about it a bit more, the alternator bracket broke late in life and all I could find were broken ones and ended up shop-making a replacement.

There are followers for every piece of machinery made. It was not truly engineered to be a diesel, so if one is after a working unit, I'd for sure look elsewhere.

Who wouldn't want one???

The kid is liking the idea of high mpg and having a small truck. I just couldn't guide him on the viability of the Datsun diesel. I appreciate the useful insights on it's reliability history. I can imagine parts would be a pita as was mentioned. It's a very clean little truck.

You all are talking to an old truck nut. I drove this one for years and gave it to one kid when it had about 70K on it. 78 Toyota with the 20R. Age doesn't worry me too much, but it definitely is detrimental in certain ways.

Explain to him how much he is going to hate the smell of diesel over time...

Toyota pickup w/ 22R & 5 spd. It should get 250k on the first engine. Though the clutch was a little week in the early '80's.

Look for an EFI model for better mpg and engine life. He should get about 25 mpg. Unless, like me, he spends 65% of his time at 80 mph. That will knock the mpg toward 22.

F·cking hilarious!