1994 Nissan Maxima (J30)

[Geordie]

Ahhh Nick, that was you with the white Maxima who posted in the original FS ad for mine.

I seem to remember that you were thinking of selling yours rather than recommissioning it? If you're keeping it, and bearing in mind there are so few left, it would be wrong not to get them together at some point.

[Geordie]

The 225/50 tyres were rubbing on full lock, slightly worn unevenly so causing a vibration, and wouldn't have allowed the car to be lowered, so time for a change. I've put some 215/45 Falkens on there now, and they sit better on the alloys....



Of course, they have increased to arch gap a bit until I get it lowered, but I can live with that for now....



Much as I loved the look of the original music system, the CD player was fubarred, and the lcd display on the radio was temperamental. I needed a decent head unit in there with wireless Bluetooth to stream the music on my phone, and a cup holder of course (essential), so I fitted my Alpine single din and a useful filler unit underneath.....



Time for another coat of wax. The paintwork is coming up a treat...



Another small detail. The black on the badge on the US grille was a bit faded....



so I've freshened up the black bits....





For my own benefit, list of things done so far:

New battery
Initial clay bar and clean
Initial engine bay clean
Modern dealer sticker removed
Cleaned inside of rear window with tyre dressing (doh!)
Leather interior cleaned and fed
Headlamp wipers levelled out
Original manual sourced and purchased
Bonnet lifters replaced
Serviced (oil, plugs and oil, air and fuel filters)
USDM front grille sprayed KH2 and fitted
Meshed front grille also sprayed KH2
USDM front corners fitted
'4DSC' stickers fitted
Towbar removed
New 17" wheels
Tyres (225/50/17 Falkens)
Tyres to replace the ones above (215/45/17 Falkens)


Things still to sort:

Timing belt, tensioner and 3 other belts to change
Needs lowering
Rear windows to tint
Remote boot release to fix
Spare key to get cut
Deep centre caps to find to clear the hubs
Finish engine bay clean
Replace headlight bulbs with Osram Nightbreaker Unlimiteds
Put a layer of vinyl film over the sunroof to protect the crack in the glass
Occasional sticky throttle pedal to sort (butterfly valve)
Stillen body kit maybe?

[nick0303]

Jan 31, 2016 14:03:42 GMT Geordie said:

Ahhh Nick, that was you with the white Maxima who posted in the original FS ad for mine.

I seem to remember that you were thinking of selling yours rather than recommissioning it? If you're keeping it, and bearing in mind there are so few left, it would be wrong not to get them together at some point.

It was me indeed. Still planning on selling the car, but in a year or so as I am planning on using it to commute for a bit once it has a new ticket on. There is a bit of work required on mine before I dare the trip to the MOT station, but hopefully I should be in a position to MOT it before end of Feb. After that it will be a rolling project throughout the year to sort out the "few" imperfections.

BTW have you had any cold start issues on wet days? Mine never liked dampness so I used to spray WD40 on the leads and ignition module. I found it was a great help on those rainy mornings.

I am all for getting the Maximas together at some point. Perhaps if you are coming down for some retro shows this yeart I could try to tie up with that. Alternatively, if you ever pop over to Birmingham/Halesowen, we can always arrange something.



Nick.

[Geordie]

Jan 31, 2016 21:04:21 GMT nick0303 said:

Jan 31, 2016 14:03:42 GMT Geordie said:

Ahhh Nick, that was you with the white Maxima who posted in the original FS ad for mine.

I seem to remember that you were thinking of selling yours rather than recommissioning it? If you're keeping it, and bearing in mind there are so few left, it would be wrong not to get them together at some point.

It was me indeed. Still planning on selling the car, but in a year or so as I am planning on using it to commute for a bit once it has a new ticket on. There is a bit of work required on mine before I dare the trip to the MOT station, but hopefully I should be in a position to MOT it before end of Feb. After that it will be a rolling project throughout the year to sort out the "few" imperfections.

BTW have you had any cold start issues on wet days? Mine never liked dampness so I used to spray WD40 on the leads and ignition module. I found it was a great help on those rainy mornings.

I am all for getting the Maximas together at some point. Perhaps if you are coming down for some retro shows this yeart I could try to tie up with that. Alternatively, if you ever pop over to Birmingham/Halesowen, we can always arrange something.



Nick.

No cold starting issues with mine Nick.

I'll let you know if I'm down in your neck of the woods.

[Geordie]

Sorted the remote boot release today. I found out from the guys on the US forum that there is a switch like a child lock on the boot lid latch. The remote boot release down by the drivers seat now works. One more little job ticked off the list.

Lowering springs should be with me on Friday. I bought some Eibach's from a lad in the States. There's also an SE set of dials in the box with white faces like these.....



Not sure if I like them better than the standard black dials though, so probably won't fit them straight away, but they were only $5, and I do like having the option of a change.

[shedvan]

Nice project, these are a plush looking cruiser man.

How is that drinks holder working out? Is it decent quality wise?

[j4mes]

Got to say Geordie you've a very eclectic mix of cars, really feeling the Maxima!
Think I saw your Primera late last year heading south on the A19 near 'Boro.

Thanks for the tip about Colinite 915, it's fantastic stuff!

[Geordie]

Feb 10, 2016 21:01:40 GMT shedvan said:

Nice project, these are a plush looking cruiser man.

How is that drinks holder working out? Is it decent quality wise?

To be honest, the drinks holder is a bit plasticy, and the pull out mechanism feel cheap, but it does the job, and doesn't rattle or vibrate, so it'll do for now. One little annoyance, the Costa insulated cup I like to use is wider at the top, so it touches the buttons on the audio lol. I'll probably end up with a double din unit in there at some point.

Feb 11, 2016 0:05:47 GMT j4mes said:

Got to say Geordie you've a very eclectic mix of cars, really feeling the Maxima!
Think I saw your Primera late last year heading south on the A19 near 'Boro.

Thanks for the tip about Colinite 915, it's fantastic stuff!

No worries. Yeah, I like the Collinite.

It probably was my old Primera, as there are so few about, and I'm up and down that bit of road daily.

[Geordie]

Lovely box of goodies arrived from Texas today....

[THE_Liam]

This is gonna be controversial but I actually prefer the original wheels, not that I don't like the new ones that is.

[Geordie]

Feb 15, 2016 12:48:48 GMT THE_Liam said:

This is gonna be controversial but I actually prefer the original wheels, not that I don't like the new ones that is.

Not controversial no. You're in a definite minority, judging from feedback on this and other forums, but nothing wrong with that.

I have grown to like the original alloys, and appreciate their JDM'ness. They are different and I like different, but the thing is they are in desparate need of a refurb, and I had to get them off as soon as I could anyway. I will be getting them refurbed though, and I'm sure they will reappear at some point.

[THE_Liam]

Feb 15, 2016 15:13:59 GMT Geordie said:

Feb 15, 2016 12:48:48 GMT THE_Liam said:

This is gonna be controversial but I actually prefer the original wheels, not that I don't like the new ones that is.

Not controversial no. You're in a definite minority, judging from feedback on this and other forums, but nothing wrong with that.

I have grown to like the original alloys, and appreciate their JDM'ness. They are different and I like different, but the thing is they are in desparate need of a refurb, and I had to get them off as soon as I could anyway. I will be getting them refurbed though, and I'm sure they will reappear at some point.

I think the new wheels will suit it more when it's lower, I tend to prefer aftermarket wheels on lowered cars, strange I know. Either way as I said before, I love this car, should have bought it myself.

[Geordie]

Fitted the Eibach springs to the front yesterday. I'm sure to some it won't look low enough, but I'm not really into 'propa slammage', and just want my cars to look level and 'right' if you know what I mean. Full wheel alignment done after fitting too.

Before...



and now...







Much better. Nice and level. Drives great too. I took it to work today, and the new springs took any speedhumps, lumps and bumps in their stride. Not a harsh ride at all.

Rear half windows being tinted tomorrow, then it's basically done, and my wallet will heave a huge sigh of relief.

[THE_Liam]

I agree with you on that, why buy a luxury car and then slam it so it rides like a live axle truck? Nice height that, suits it well.

[Geordie]

Parked near a load of modern boreboxes earlier today...



The only car with any personality in my opinion.

I love the US Maximas, and the front fogs they usually have. Like this...



A while ago, I bought some fogs, and found time today to fit them. I think I like the look. Pretty sure I do anyway. Yeah, I do. I think...









I was thinking of possibly tinting them yellow, but haven't, as I think it would be too many different colours with the orange indicators and slightly different orange flashes on the corners.

[jpsmit]

Love this car and what you are doing with it, and, obviously your choice, but I am not feeling the fogs. I really think you need a splitter to make them work, otherwise they look amateur. Sorry but my 2 cents

[Geordie]

Feb 20, 2016 19:09:06 GMT jpsmit said:

Love this car and what you are doing with it, and, obviously your choice, but I am not feeling the fogs. I really think you need a splitter to make them work, otherwise they look amateur. Sorry but my 2 cents

Feedback on two more forums, plus FB groups, is pretty much an overwhelming 100% thumbs down for the fogs lol.

As I was very unsure about them myself, I think they'll probably come off at some point. I want the car to look as good as it can, and value peoples opinions. If I was dead set on loving the look with the front fogs, I'd be keeping them, but as I'm undecided anyway, I reckon they'll be history. They might make a reappearance when/if I get the deeper bumpers of the Stillen bodykit.

[nick0303]

I must say the body kit on that black car looks rather nice. Ironically, this guy in the US seems to have gone for the European smoked indicators and side light repetitors.

Anyhow I do like the US grille that you fitted. I would be tempted to get one for my car if they're cheap enough.

Good progress on your car and I do like the way the car sits on the Eibachs. Did the ones you got from the UK not fit at all then or did they look like they wouldn't fit compared with the Eibachs?

Nick.

[gettingold]

Could you not get the fogs to tuck in closer to the bumper.. up a bit and back a bit fill the gap between the
number plate and the indicators but still under the bumper I think they would look good then.

[hamps]

looking good, needs a little more lows, rear looks to high, front fogs defo don't look right in my opinion.