An Imperfect but Ultra-Desirable 1985 Nissan 720 King Cab
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Classic pickup trucks are all the rage these days. Buyers are looking for a durable vehicle with day-to-day capabilities, off-road chops, and a dash of Rad-era style. The Toyota Hilux might get the glory of being a star in the Back To The Future films and a long-running Top Gear gag.
But contemporaries like this 1985 Nissan King Cab recently listed on eBay offer the same rugged goodness with a more palatable purchase price.
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These 720-chassis trucks were strictly labeled as Nissans for the first time in 1985. These trucks had worn both Datsun and Nissan badges for a few model years—as the company transitioned branding throughout North America.
By midyear 1986, Nissan introduced the squared-off Hardbody style pickup. So the '85 720 available on eBay was among the last of the “classically-styled” Nissan/Datsun trucks. Thankfully, later 720 models used a double-wall truck bed that was much more damage-resistant than the old single-wall beds.
Battling the Tin Worm
A previous owner treated the bed on the ’85 Nissan 720 King Cab to a spray-on bed liner that helped minimize damage and especially rust. But, unfortunately, the paintwork elsewhere on the truck leaves something to be desired. And the seller is upfront about it.
The truck was repainted, and generally, a repaint will never be quite as good as the original finish. However, in this case, flaws are especially evident on the front passenger’s fender.
Rust is the enemy - opens in new window or tab. of any Japanese-branded vehicle from the 1980s or earlier. This Nissan 720 did not completely escape the tin worm. The seller notes the battery tray was rusted through, and there is a bit of surface rust on the frame. The Georgia location likely kept away the worst of the rot. Up north, these models have all but returned to the earth due to excessive salting of the roadways.
Easy Tuning and Extra Space
Under the hood, a Weber carburetor - opens in new window or tab. replaces the original Hitachi unit. A Weber carb replacement tends to be an excellent upgrade for many cars due to their ease of tuning and repair. The seller notes that the truck underwent a full mechanical restoration, so it should be good for thousands more miles. The extensive records and receipts are reassurance that this will be a dependable truck.
The King Cab designation comes from the extended cab configuration now nearly universal in the truck market. We can attest that riding in the sideways facing jump seats (behind the driver and passenger) is a novelty that wears off quickly unless the passengers are both young and not prone to motion sickness. But the extra cab room is quite welcome for dry, secure storage.
Perfectly Imperfect
If I were to buy this Nissan—and I’ve been digging in the couch cushions ever since seeing this popped up for sale—there isn’t much I’d do. The first order of business would be improved off-road lights atop the roll bar and brush guard. I’d probably look for KC HiLites - opens in new window or tab. (with the yellow lens covers) for the era-appropriate look.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t do much but drive this lovely old Nissan. The paint isn’t perfect, and the trim on the tailgate looks a bit funky. But that means I’d be all the less worried about a scratch or two when taking it down some dusty trails.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.