Datsun Truck

Datsun Truck

Overview
Manufacturer - Nissan (Nissan Shatai)
Production - 1955-1997 (predecessors since 1934)
Body and chassis
Class - Compact pickup truck
Layout - FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor - Datsun 6147
Successor - Nissan Navara

The Datsun Truck is a compact pickup truck made by Nissan in Japan from 1955 through 1997. It was originally sold under the Datsun brand, but this was switched to Nissan in 1983. It was replaced in 1997 by the Frontier and Navara. In Japan, it was sold only in Nissan Bluebird Store locations.

Predecessors

Pre-war
The Datsun truck line began with the Type 13 Truck of April 1934, and was later used as the basis of the Datsun DC-3 roadster. A series of small trucks based on their passenger car counterparts, the 14T, 15T, and 17T, continued to be built until early 1944.
Post-war
The 17T was followed by the post-war Datsun 1121 in 1946, which was nearly identical technically but had an extremely simple body made out of simple pressed metal (with almost no chrome) and many body parts made from wood, to enable production in resource-starved early post-war Japan. Early trucks also depended on leftover stocks of pre-war parts. The engine was the 15 PS (11 kW) Type 7 unit. As the supply situation improved the new 2124 and then 2225 took over in July 1947 and at the end of November of the same year.
A rapid stream of changes and new model numbers followed in this early post-war area, as pre-war parts dried up and new designs were substituted. The naming followed a clear system: the first number represented the chassis/engine iteration, with "1" being the pre-war (17T) design. The second digit was for the bonnet and grille, the third digit for the cab, and the fourth and final digit for the rear body. 1121 thus had mostly pre-war parts, with a post-war design for the cab. The 2225 had post-war chassis and front end designs, with a fourth redesign of the rear bodywork. The grille was a plain, painted pressed steel piece. Some numbers were assigned but never used, such as rear body designs 2 and 3. The 2225 was succeeded by the 2125 at the end of July 1948; this seemingly retrograde step marked the return to the more ornate pre-war 17T grille.
In January 1949 the 3135 took over, followed by the January 1950 3145 model with a slightly different cabin. In August 1950 the Datsun 4146 arrived, introducing the 860 cc Type 10 engine with 15 kW (20 hp; 20 PS). The 4146 also had a bit more chrome trim included, as well as a stronger transmission. The power increase allowed for a somewhat bigger cargo area but top speed only crept up from 67 to 70 km/h (42 to 43 mph).
In 1951 the 5147 appeared, introducing a longer wheelbase of 2,150 mm (84.6 in) rather than the 2,005 mm (78.9 in) chassis which had been used for seventeen years. Most important was the introduction of hydraulic brakes, replacing the original mechanical units. The 5147 was succeeded two years later by the final 6147 model, which received the 25 PS (18 kW; 25 hp) D-10 version of the old sidevalve engine. The extra power output was made possible because of higher quality petrol allowing for higher compression rates. Although somewhat longer and with a bigger engine, the Datsun 6147 remained very similar to the prewar type 15 truck. Payload increased from 500 to 600 kg (1,100 to 1,300 lb) while overall length increased to 3,406 mm (134.1 in). A rare double-cab version, the DU-5, was introduced alongside the 6147. The 6147 was built until the 1955 introduction of the all new 120-series truck.

1938 Datsun 17T Truck

Datsun 120

Datsun 120/220
Overview
Production - 1955-1961
Model years - 1956-1961
Assembly - Nissan Shatai, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style - 2-door pickup / 2-door double cab pickup / 3-door van/panel van
Layout - FR layout
Related - Datsun Bluebird 110 / Datsun Bluebird 210
Powertrain
Engine - 860 cc Type 10 I4 (120-124) / 860 cc B-1 I4 (125, 126) / 988 cc C I4 (220-222) / 1189 cc E I4 (export) / 1189 cc E-1 I4 (223)
Transmission - 4-speed manual

The Datsun 120 was a load carrying bodystyle version of the Datsun 1000 sedan (110 series), and was introduced in January 1955 as the latest Datsun truck with up-to-date styling. Delivery van, panel van (120 only), and double cab versions were available. Until 1959 it used the 25 PS, 860 cc Datsun Type 10 engine with a four-speed floor shift (column shift for the 123 and later versions) manual transmission. It was joined with a larger commercially focused vehicle called the Nissan Junior. This was one of the first Nissan products to be sold in Europe, when an order of 200 units were shipped to Spain in 1956.
During its six years in production six main models were built: 120 (Jan. to Dec. 1955), 122 (Dec. 1955 to May 1956) and 123 (Jun. 1956 to Sep. 1957). For reasons unknown, Nissan skipped the 121 designation. The L123 was the first left-hand drive version built by Nissan, in response to requests from importers in the Middle East. The L123 also received the new hydraulic clutch system developed for the upcoming 210/220 cars and trucks, as Nissan's engineers did not want to use a rod to transfer clutch pedal movements, fearing vibrations and noise.
After the introduction of the re-engined 220-series truck, the Datsun 124 was introduced in October 1957 as a modernized low-cost option. It continued to use the same bodywork and engine as the 123, although with less chrome trim. This was then followed by the re-engined Datsun 125 in 1959 and finally by the Datsun 126 in 1960. While the 124 was still powered by the Type 10 engine, the 125 and 126 received an improved version of this engine called the B-1, rated at 27 PS (20 kW).
Datsun 220
In November 1957 the type 220 was introduced, able to carry a 850 kg (1,874 lb) payload. Largely unchanged in appearance from the 120-series, which continued to be built as a cheaper version, it was produced from 1957 to 1961. The 220 can be identified by its different grille, featuring a more pronounced frame. During this time four models were produced: 220 (1957-1958), 221 (1958-1959), 222 (1960), and 223 (introduced in July 1959). The chassis was based on the 210 series sedans. Two engines were available: the 37 PS Nissan C engine, and the 48 PS Nissan E engine. Introduced in August 1958, the G220 had a 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) payload and a 300 mm (12 in) longer wheelbase; there were also G221 and G222 models offered. The E engine was originally only used in models sold on the export market. The 220 was the first Datsun truck to be equipped with a 12 volt electrical system. The clutch was now hydraulically operated, with a hanging pedal.
Double cab and delivery van versions were available. Side badges were "Datsun 1000" or "Datsun 1200". There was also a round badge on the dashboard that said "Datsun 1000" or "Datsun 1200", depending on the engine. A long bed version was introduced with the 222. As a low cost option, a lightly changed model of the D10 sidevalve-engined predecessor was introduced in October 1957 (the Datsun 124), followed by the Datsun 125 in 1959 and finally the Datsun 126 in 1960. The 125 and 126 were powered by the B-1, an improved version of the D10 with 27 PS (20 kW).
The original 220 had distinct front turn signals mounted atop the fenders, not far ahead of the windshield. On the improved 221 model (October 1958), these were replaced by more conventionally placed units next to the grille as US regulations did not permit the original layout. Another development which resulted from exposure to the American market was a strengthened rear axle which was also capable of prolonged highway speeds.
The 223 was powered by the new 1.2-liter E-1 engine, rated at 60 PS. The 223 received a round "60 HP" badge on the fenders. The 223 also had a revised chassis and suspension system. The front I-beam suspension used on the 220, 221 and 222 was replaced with an independent front suspension with torsion bars. The steering was updated to a worm-and-roller system while the brakes were now power assisted. These new systems took advantage of parts developed for the not-yet released Cedric large sedan.
In 1958 the Datsun 220 (and a 210 sedan) was exhibited at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with American exports beginning soon after. It was the 220 series that established Datsun in the American market.

Datsun 220
1955 Datsun 120 truck
Datsun U220 Coupe utility
The 1959 Datsun 221 pickup, with more traditional turn signal locations next to the front grille

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