Datsun traces its origins to Kwaishinsha, a Tokyo company founded in 1911 that produced its first car, the DAT, in 1914. The name Datson, later changed to Datsun, appeared in the early 1930s, and the business was absorbed into the company that became Nissan Motor in 1934. Nissan used the Datsun brand for its smaller cars and light trucks sold at home and abroad, before gradually retiring the name in favour of Nissan during the 1980s. The brand was briefly revived for emerging markets between 2013 and 2022.

Datsun earned a worldwide reputation for simple, economical and reliable vehicles. Its small pickups, sold in North America under names such as the Datsun Truck and Li'l Hustler, became popular working vehicles in the 1960s and 1970s. The 320, 520 and 620 series led to the 720, which was replaced in the mid-1980s by the Nissan Hardbody, continuing the same family of tough compact pickups.

The workshop manuals on this page cover Datsun engines, manual and automatic transmissions, electrical systems and wiring diagrams, torque specifications, diagnostics and scheduled maintenance. Because most Datsun trucks are now decades old, genuine factory documentation is essential for owners restoring or maintaining them accurately. Their simple engineering makes them popular restoration projects today.

These manuals suit owners of classic Datsun pickups, collectors and restorers, and independent garages that specialise in vintage Japanese vehicles. With factory specifications to hand, keeping a Datsun truck on the road becomes a straightforward and rewarding project.