In Japan, the Datsun pickup was simply known as the Datsun Truck and was in production from 1955 to 1997. In the 1970s, the workhorse was known in the U.S. as the Datsun 620, including this long-bed model from 1977. The seller has done quite a bit of work on it recently, for which the tab would be covered by the asking price of $5,500. This nice little truck is near Portland, Oregon. and is available here on craigslist.
At the time the 620 was in production, there was a growth in demand for compact-size pickups in the U.S. market. The Datsun 620 would switch to Nissan branding in 1983 and eventually be replaced by the Frontier, which is still on the market though larger today than its predecessor. At the time the seller’s transport was built, the Datsun trucks would be emissions-legal in all 50 states, meaning they could pass California’s regulations without having a catalytic converter.
The seller describes this pickup as “turnkey” and “reliable” with effort performed so the buyer won’t have to. Updates include both mechanical and cosmetic components. That would entail a redone interior with treated floorboards, new seals around the doors and glass, some suspension and brake work, and the addition of a tape deck (cassette or 8-track? ha!).
There is no mention of specific rust, but we’re told a bit is present and the body has its share of little nicks and dings. The orange-Ish paint could be original and is more than adequate if all you’re looking for in this pickup is a daily driver. The truck has 98,000 miles, which works out to about 2,000 miles/per year since it was imported. Lots of life should be left.
I had one of these back in the mid-’80s. It was a neighbor’s who took very good care of it to the point it looked almost new. It was the same color as the featured truck here and had lowish miles. I absolutely hated that thing! It was the most gutless vehicle I’ve ever owned and was always a terrifying adventure trying to merge into traffic getting on the highway. Evey hill was a challenge and had you downshifting no matter how much of a run you took at it. It was tinny and cheap inside, had a fairly harsh ride and was useless in the snow or the wet. You couldn’t pay me to take the truck here, I’d rather walk.
I agree, I bought one in the mid 80’s, white with light blue interior. I bought it to drive to and from work, but quickly discovered the thing was a death trap. And it would not get out of it’s own way. I didn’t even drive it for the month it took me to sell it for break even price!
With the comments I read before me and the way people drive today I’ll pass . I test drove one of our customers 210’s back in the 80’s and is was a slug.
Put good snow tires on and little weight in back these are great in snow,I owned 2,my dad and brother also each had one, you must be talking about lazy people who do not know how to prep.
Rw
I agree that one can drive these in winter with snow tires, a little weight and a little practice. Most of us got by just fine back in the old days without four-wheel drive and before front wheel drive. It helped that we took it a little slower on snow-covered roads and saved the fun snow driving for parking lots. :)
However, I think it’d be a shame to take this in the snow because of all the salt / brine that would eat this little orange truck right up (at least here in Wisconsin). To me, this one looks nice enough to park in the winter.
I hope somebody buys it and keeps it looking good. It’s a cool truck, albeit slow by today’s standards.
I agree,not many left,I was just stating they very capable.
I had one of these in the late 80’s. Put a set of super swampers on the rear and you couldn’t stop it. Great simple little trucks!
I had one – automatic. Of the 100+ vehicles I have owned in my life, it was, BY FAR, the slowest POS of them all. I was a rolling traffic obstruction at all times. Should never have been allowed to be sold in the USA.
I had a ’78 Datsun pickup, paid $400 in ’83, ran well, but had no heat. I’d wear my Bell helmet with a throat coat to work in the winter, driving with my head out the window.
Those were the days
I learned to drive in one of these. Pretty solid little trucks. My dad put about 10 miles a day on it.
The PL620! I had multiples. Favorite was extended cab/shorted/5spd. Here in Virginia sweet spot was enough tinworm digestion weight drop so they would fly but still enough structure to hold up when they fell over. Lived through the last of the supply to go on to other stupid exploits.
In the winter of 78-79, I was in the market for a small truck to replace my gas guzzler 454 Chevy. I looked at everything on the market, Ford Courier, Chevy LUV, Toyota and Datsun. The Toyota won out on quality, power, and price. The Ford was clunky and square, the Chevy felt lightweight, the Datsun interior was mostly plastic and cheap looking. I ended up buying a leftover 78 Toyota, it felt much more solid and better built. Ending up keeping it 18 years. A friend bought a new 79 Datsun, in 5 years it was rusted out and falling apart. I’d hate to see one from the snow belt after 5 years, there wouldn’t be anything left. We’re far enough south we seldom get over a couple of inches of snow a year.
I had a 79 620 King Cab 5 speed with an aftermarket AC unit added. I loved it. It was no speed demon, but it was extremely reliable, and I was never afraid to take it out on the highways. I drove the crap out of it. In winter, I just shoveled snow into the bed for additional weight. Snow did stop it once… parked on a mountaintop ski resort when a blizzard completely packed the engine compartment with snow. All you could see was the top of the air cleaner and a little of the valve cover. I can’t tell you how many cars it towed on 2 wheel dollies all over the Washington DC area for many years without ever breaking down. It was constantly overloaded and it never cared what it was carrying or what it towed. I did replace the carb with a Weber OEM style replacement, but that was it. I finally got rid of it when the cab floors, seat mounts, and the bed sides completely rusted out.
I worked in the parts department of a Datsun dealership 1972 / 75 the 620 was our shop truck I only got to drive it around the city picking up and delivering stuff it was ok for around town I used to give that little bugger a hard way to go lol I would rather have a 240Z Lol .
My first pickup in high school was a ’75 Datsun single cab pickup. They were bulletproof. Great trucks. However, the 4 speed was so loud, having such a high RPM at highway speeds. The 5 speeds were much better. My second ’77 Datsun pickup was a “kingcab” and had a 5 speed and console. Loved those little trucks.
For coastal communities, these were great trucks to haul scuba gear, surfboards, and the rest of whatever you needed for the beach life. Cheap on gas, reliable, and sort of a chick magnet who seem to pile up in the bed to go cruising. Have no bad experiences.
“And a big thank you goes out to reader PRA4SNW for contributing this to Barn Finds.”
There, fixed.
They used to give you a shout out for the find… they also used to allow members to edit their post for 5 minutes. Makes you wonder if it’s worth being a member.
“…Makes you wonder if it’s worth being a member….”
yes, it is. Only regret? by the time I got there the
place is so ‘puterized I was disappointed.
I have a 2000 Frontier King Cab 4×2 2WD with a 2.4 liter 4 and a 5 speed manual.
It has 280,000 miles from my 92 mile daily commute for 20 years. It cost $12,500 brand new.
In the 23 years I’ve had it, it’s had a rebuilt transmission, and a new radiator. It’s never left me stranded.
I’ve been retired for 3 years, and I don’t drive it much anymore. It’s always been garaged, has the original paint, and no rust. It’s still great to drive. Hands down, it’s the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. I’ll keep it till I die.
I used to own a 2003 Nissan Frontier King Cab 4×4 SVE(Supercharger Value Edition)5-speed manual. Purchased it used for $11,000 at the time(already had 93K miles on the odometer). UNSTOPPABLE in the winter time! Definitely a good value in a compact pickup truck at the time. The only downside to it was that the 3.3 liter V6 required premium fuel,since it was supercharged. It was thirsty (averaged 17-18 mpg) but it never let me down!
I remember when you could buy one of these brand new for under $2000.
I would put a small block in it with a 9 in. rear, and have a blast ! Who cares about originality, it’s a Datsun…
Lovely truck. Although I was too young at the time to drive a car, I remember when trucks were like this. If you needed more cargo, you could drive a Ford F150, Chevy C10, or a Dodge D150. Otherwise, this would’ve been the best vehicle. This, a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, a Chevy Luv (Isuzu P’up). I would’ve gladly driven a truck like this. My favourite was my stepdad’s Toyota Hilux truck. It had a 20R engine and a 5spd manual shifting gearbox. What it lacked in creature comforts, it made up for in utility and hauling power.