Nissan · 1980-1986
Datsun 720
The Datsun 720 (1980-86) was the boxy, four-wheel-drive-capable successor to the 620, notable for the Z-series engines and for marking Nissan's switch from the Datsun badge. From mid-1983 it was built in Smyrna, Tennessee.
- Years
- 1980-1986
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD
- Engines
- L20B · Z22S (NAPS-Z) · Z24
- Sold in
- US · Canada · Global
Spec sheet
- Generation
- 4th Gen
- Production
- 1980–1986
Built in Japan from October 1979; Mexican production continued to 1993.
- Assembly
- Nissan Shatai, Kanda, Fukuoka, JapanSmyrna, Tennessee (1983.5-1986)Cuernavaca, Mexico (to 1991/92)Samut Prakan, ThailandVolos, GreeceSanyi, Taiwan
- Sold in
- USCanadaGlobal
- Codes
- 720KC (King Cab)HY720/MY720/NY720 etc. (4WD)
- Body styles
- Regular cabKing CabFour-door double cab (not in North America)Bushmaster covered utility conversion (1984-86, aftermarket)
- Bed lengths
- 6 ftLong bed
- Drivetrains
- RWD4WD
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual (to 1983 US)5-speed manual3-speed automatic
- Trims
- Lil' Hustler (to 1982)MPGGL (standard)DX (deluxe)XE (luxury)ST (sport truck)
- Wheelbase
- 101.4 / 110.8 in
- Width
- 63.4 / 66.3 in
Engines
- Displacement
- 2.0 L
- Config
- I4
- Years
- 1980
- Notes
- carbureted
- Displacement
- 2.2 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 98 hp
- Years
- 1981-1982
- Notes
- 73 kW (98 hp) per US table
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 103 hp
- Years
- 1983-1986
- Notes
- Z24i throttle-body injected (option 1986): 106 hp
- Displacement
- 2.2 L
- Config
- I4 diesel
- HP
- 61 hp
- Years
- 1982-1985
- Notes
- 2WD only in the US. EPA lists a 2.5 L 2WD diesel (5-speed manual) for MY1985, which suggests the SD25 replaced the SD22 late in the run; not confirmed by a Nissan source.
- Displacement
- 2.0 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 95 hp
- Torque
- 112 lb-ft
- Notes
- MPG trim only. EPA lists a 2.0 L 2WD truck for MY1985-1986 (EPA has no MY1984 Nissan truck data); earlier years not confirmed.
Highlights
- 01
- Two body designs: Japan-designed "A" body and the US-designed "S" body King Cab (styled at Nissan's San Diego studio) with a unique hood and wider flared front fenders
- 02
- 1983 front-end refresh with larger grille and corner lights, round gauges, and a lengthened regular cab
- 03
- Datsun -> Nissan rebadge in the US: Datsun name used for model years 1980-1984; Nissan from 1985
- 04
- Bushmaster (Matrix3): welded cab-and-bed covered body similar to the 4Runner
Photos
Nissan Datsun 720 1980-1986, image 1 of 3
Nissan Datsun 720 1980-1986, image 2 of 3
Nissan Datsun 720 1980-1986, image 3 of 3
Related
Overview
The 720 debuted in Japan in October 1979 and came to America for 1980 as the "Datsun 720", boxier than the 620 and available with 4WD. US trucks started out with the carbureted 2.0-liter L20B, then switched to Nissan's NAPS-Z family: first the 2.2-liter Z22S, and from mid-1983 the 2.4-liter twin-spark Z24 (103 hp, later throttle-body Z24i at 106 hp). A small diesel (SD22) was sold in 2WD trucks 1982-85.
North American buyers could choose regular cab and King Cab trucks in GL, DX, XE (luxury) and ST sport trim, with 4WD versions getting bucket seats and a center console with extra gauges. The US-designed "S" King Cab body had its own hood and wider fenders. A 1983 refresh brought a bigger grille and round gauges.
Badging changed through the run: Datsun until MY1984 and Nissan afterward. The 720 was the first Nissan to be built in the US: Smyrna, Tennessee started production mid-1983. A dealer-installed Bushmaster covered body, sold 1984-86, gave 4WD King Cabs a 4Runner-like wagon top.
The 720 was replaced by the D21 Hardbody in 1986 (MY1986.5).