If you’ve been in the market for a basic pickup from a time period before trucks got so complicated and expensive, this 1976 Datsun 620 just might check a lot of the right boxes. It’s also a long bed, so hauling space shouldn’t be an issue, plus the cargo area is broken in already so you won’t have to worry about adding scratches! This one’s located in Phoenix, Arizona, and can be found here on eBay, where bidding is currently resting at $ $5,300. There’s also no reserve, so whoever places the most optimistic number will own what appears to be a decent work truck.
The odometer shows 98k miles, but nearly all of those were accumulated before the last couple of decades, as the seller mentions that the truck has only been driven about a thousand miles since 2002. The story goes that the present owner purchased the truck from its original buyer about nine years ago, and in all that time he’s only gone around 500 miles, but prior to his acquisition it also just traveled five hundred miles between 2002 and 2014, so this one’s had lots of idle time.
In the early days, the Datsun is said to have been a Southern California vehicle, and the body certainly looks solid although we don’t get to view any areas from the underside. But it’s spent time in two friendly climates, so hopefully, the components down under are just as structurally sound as on top. Back in 1988, the outside got a respray in its original orange color, with the seller pointing out a few thin areas on the finish such as the roof, but overall the exterior seems fine for a worker.
The engine compartment looks to be tidy and in good order, with the 4-cylinder recently receiving new plugs and wires, a new fuel pump, a fresh battery, plus a new Weber carb. It’s said to be running well, but the smog equipment has been removed although it’s included, so the next owner can put it back on if they choose.
A no-frills but well-preserved interior welcomes the driver, with a cover over the dash that’s hiding a few cracks that can be seen if you look closely. But the seat and door panels appear to be in nice shape with even the carpet still looking decent, plus there’s a sliding glass window in the back. This one seems like a fun pickup, and I’d probably just leave things like they are and just enjoy driving it for a while. What would you do here?
Would probably be pretty hard to track down a replacement dash.
I found one in about 2 minutes. Replacement parts are out there.
Anything can be fixed I watch someone repair one on you tube that was in bad shape.
This is a nice truck for the money. Datsun was a decent little pick up in its time.
Girlfriend bought one new a bit newer than this. We were both far from obese. It was crowded with us and her purse in the cab.
I was going to say that single cab trucks are not well suited for typical American guys. I have a 2002 single cab Dodge Dakota and it’s fine for a run to pick up materials or groceries. But anything over 30 minutes and I’m feeling claustrophobic. 6’2″ 210. And back when I was 180 playing sports, tried the first Nissan single cab. I was really disappointed the seat has no place to tilt back. That said: Smaller people like 5’9″ or under do great with single cab pickups and they become their favorite ride. I ended up with an extended cab 5 speed Nissan. It was gutless and every direction of wind caught it. It was pretty reliable, but didn’t get great gas mileage. I don’t miss it. Get a good aluminum trailer and the right shocks and springs to pull a trailer. Some people use their truck as a truck daily. Not as many as it looks.
one of the best things about these little trucks is the engine, the engine has all the same components of as the 240Z engines of the time, they were and are great for racing / Datsun 510 used the same engine. If you look at it, you can see that all it really is, is a 240Z engine, minus the two back cylinders, so replacement and speed parts are still out there for these.
So not a 20R?
20R is from Toyota.
These were great little Datsun trucks back in the mid 70s. A friend of mines grandfather bought one new and everyone loved it. Great that this one has the long bed too. After this version, came the little 22R Toyota 2 wheel drive trucks in the 80s, that everyone now wants. Funny, find.
I drive the semi modern version of this.
1997 Ranger regular cab long bed with a 4 banger. Bought it because it reminds of a Datsun truck I used to have.
“…What would you do here?…”
same, may be a skinnier taller tire, auto/OD?
I like the single sheet beds (ie older minis) for
a daily. This looks the long bed, good 4 rd truck,
hope the weber’s a DGV like the pinto’s.
Yeah…anyone bigger than 5’10” 190lbs…needs an extra cab at least. Buddy of mine bout 20 years back went to look at a regular cab 97 Ranger in the wholesale lot at the dealership we worked at. He was a 350 pounder he got in….well he tried to get in it. Looked like a circus bear in that thing..lol The steering wheel was in his chest and belly. He said imagine if I crashed in this…they’d have to cut me out..lol!
But me being fit and trim would be just fine in this. 😉
I worked for several years as a technician in a Datsun dealership. The brakes on these 620s were not self adjusting and I have driven many of these that the pedal would go to the floor (you’d have to pump the pedal a few time to get any pedal at all), and the customer wouldn’t even say anything about them.
I had one and it was just normal to hit the pedal a couple times when coming to a stop. Never gave it a second thought. I smiled when I read your comment. One of the best trucks i ever owned. She died of cancer about 20 years ago. I still miss her.
I had a 1979 620 King Cab. I’m 6′-1″ and it “fit” me just fine. One of the best vehicles I ever owned, and I have had well over 125 that I can remember. That truck hauled everything, towed cars all over using a tow dolly, had aftermarket AC and a 5 speed, never, ever broke. It finally went to its grave after a long battle with rust.
Simplicity is a beautiful thing
I just recently bought an early 80s Carolla. My wife thought I had finally gone over to the darkside. I told her all this old stuff if it is not rusted and cared for properly is bullet proof. If you tire of the square Caprice, hop in this. Cars and trucks like this are great in today’s world if your not part of the beltway club. Just the freedom of no car payments for a daily ride is a wonderful thing. You can tag, insure and drive 6 things like this for what the costs of some new jellybean is. Great little truck here, and as the song went ” Don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” . many in today’s world see it that way as prices for these one time trow aways reflect that.
I’m like Chris, I’d rather have 4-5 older vehicles with no payments and cheap insurance than one new one. A new vehicle to me is one with 100,000 miles. I buy cheap, wear them out, then repeat.
Totally agree that it’s cheaper to tag, and insure an older car, thru Hagerty than to buy a newer, modern, Jellybean car with emissions, more insurance costs and tag taxes. My 65 Mercury is $20 per yr on tag.
Back in the late 70’s there was the Datsun Mini Truckers of Oregon. Hubby and I met because of that club. He had a ’74 standard cab/short bed and I had a ’76 King Cab. Best trucks ever, well the whole Datsun line was. He worked auto parts for a couple of different dealerships and says that the part number was logical and easy to decipher. Still wish we had his truck. Sold it because he wanted a change.