Well, well, well …
When I Googled for Datsun tailgates one of the search results was some discussion forum
(Ratsun??) where someone asked about the typeface/font for those letters.
Datsun have used different fonts, the one in this case seems to have been an
“in-house” design taking inspiration from a few different fonts.
Anyhow, one of the answers was a link to some kind of vinyl letters, I clicked the link
and came to an ebay-page informing me that it was sold out. OK , whatever, onwards
on my quest. This was a few minutes before I posted that white tailgate, later edited to
include the red toy truck.
Lo and behold, 25 minutes ago I got an email from ebay asking me to ‘make an offer’
for those vinyl letters. The almighty algorithm at work again, never ever let a customer
slip away without making an effort to lure him in.
Link to letters, in case someone feels prompted to ‘make an offer’:
I suspect that these letters may not be from the correct years, hard to tell when they are jumbled up like that.
1 Like
According to what’s written on the package, they’re for a 80-84 model…( the “N” is different on a 1976 model )
H.P.
2 Likes
You can replicate the embossed or raised areas using TinkerCAD. Embossed areas are done by turning the embossed area details into “negative” space which will subtract that volume and shape from the base, “positive” shape.
My approach might be to make both areas, inside and outside, as simple rectangles (about the same thickness as the kit part (or maybe a tad thicker). The inside rectangle with the embossed ribs would start out as a “positive” rectangle onto which a series of “negative” smaller vertical rectangles would be added. The result would be a rectangle with “embossed” areas that are rectangular shaped.
The outside area would be done the same, start with a rectangle and “scab” on the Datsun logo script after importing it as a .svg (converted from a .jpg or .png - there are free converter apps that will give you a number of conversions without having to pay or download). Turn the script into “negative” space will again “subtract” its volume from the base rectangle.
Make the base rectangles sized so that the corresponding areas of the molded tailgate can be cut out - retaining the surrounding tailgate structure. Fill the cut out areas with the 3D printed inner and outer rectangles, fill the surrounding as needed.
With careful measuring, it might even be possible to print the inner and outer rectangles (with the embossed areas subtracted as described above) vertically, back-to-back with the correct amount of thickness to insert through the cutouts and fill the inside open space to make it easier to glue in the new pieces.
However, I think that it would be quicker to make the new pieces separately and use wedges inside the tailgate between them to help hold them in place even with the molded kit part surface.
With regard to creating the initial .jpg, I’d import an image from the interweb and then open it in Photoshop. Skew and resize as need to create a regular rectangle out of the script area, then crop. Convert the image to B&W and then use the eraser tool to eliminate everything but the letters. Save as a .png.
Browse the interweb to find a convenient free files converter app that will let you convert the .png into a .svg. TinkerCAD will let you import that .svg into a project so that it can be manipulated like any other shape.
1 Like
That all sounds great. Mot of it beyond my abilities.
I did manage a bit of surgery though.
2 Likes
I missed your post the other day.
I hope you find yours again. But just so folks aren’t confused, they way I use the word may be different - in my definiton it’s the ability to magically navigate a program, find the feature I want, and use it produce the results I’m looking for. For people with ADHD like me, that can be daunting, but not insurmountable. That’s the mojo I refer to. Not to be confused with
gumption, as defined in by Pirsig. As some folks seem to lack the desire to read quotes from a certain work, perhaps someone else’s take on it sums it up best:
But whether it’s your mojo you’ve lost, or something else, go to the corner, pick it up by the collar, and give it a swift kick in the azz.
2 Likes
I’d just build a Toyota instead and be done with it.
The Datsun kit represents the Datsun in the photo above in this thread.
When I want to build a Toyota -
I’ll use a Toyota kit:
And when I want to build a Stepside Chevy -
I’ll use a Stepside Chevy kit:
I know, I’m a little funny that way. 
3 Likes
