1st & 2nd Gens are fading away.....
11-08-2008, 07:39 PM
#81
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1
I own a '84 Maxima, stock. Thinking about doing an engine swap, transmission swap, and many other mods just to be concise. I currently go to college but would like to start up this project as soon as possible. Any ideas as to how much this would cost? Also, is it even possible to find the parts for this car anymore?
11-09-2008, 12:12 AM
#82
engine parts are easy to find, remember that 280zx's are similar to the RWD maxima engine and i can find plenty of parts for my 1979 280zx, if you see one at a junk yard alot of the parts should work on the maxima motor but do some reasearch because somethings just wont. transmissions are the same i think some may need custom drive shafts due to the legenths but i think thats not a biggie because it may be better replacing it with a drive shaft with replacable u-joints as some one told me the z cars of this era dont have replacable u joints and i wouldnt be supprised if the maxima shared this.
interior parts are going to be hard to find in good condition, remember if its in a junkyard its usually in there for a reason and generaly trashed throughout
interior parts are going to be hard to find in good condition, remember if its in a junkyard its usually in there for a reason and generaly trashed throughout
11-22-2008, 11:20 AM
#88
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 1,323
and wouldn't really be that hard to wire in next trip to the junkyard grab the box (not sure what one it is but could check for you) tap your speed sensor wire, door light, e-brake, fuel gauge (not sure if that would work right) low fuel light. and enjoy your car yelling at you.
11-23-2008, 03:28 PM
#90
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Posts: 176
I am amazed to see how slow and sleepy this forum has become. I first started to watch this 1st/2nd Gen forum in '99 and it was a busy place. The talk was mostly 2nd Gen, but some 1st Gen too. Now......it seems so few of us have either 1st or 2nd Gen Maximas, that this forum can go a week without a single post. Sad to see all the Maximas gone and the owners have moved on to newer cars. I still have my '81....and hope to keep it rolling for many more years.
11-25-2008, 11:37 PM
#91
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Anaheim
Posts: 7
Just want to represent old school 1st gen maxima.
Hello guys, I'm new here and just want to let you guys know that US 1st and 2nd gen. are still around and going strong. Just want to share my 81 turbo maxima. Enjoy guys and thanks for this great site, Rommel
http://s459.photobucket.com/albums/q...maximus003.jpg
http://s459.photobucket.com/albums/q...maximus003.jpg
11-26-2008, 09:57 AM
#93
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Posts: 176
to anyone reading this i have an 87 max
parts i need and want are...
auto tranny
front and rear spoiler
4 lug z31 300zx rims ill even trade my 17inch falkens with tires for them
ill think of the rest later
11-26-2008, 01:38 PM
#95
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Location: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Posts: 176
11-26-2008, 01:54 PM
#97
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 1,323
12-25-2008, 03:54 PM
#98
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 15
So
I think My 83 is going to the Junkyard soon. Just had to rebuild the head Got it all back together and now I have No spark... in the cold weather I broke a wire in the harness somewhere... I'm just done with it. I guess the time will go to the 86
12-26-2008, 02:54 PM
#99
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1
I have an '88 that I've just loved for the last four years. Just two mondays ago it broke down (pretty much for good). Has had a transmission that doesn't switch when cold for the last 1.5 years now and had to take it to much too high RPMs in the morning to drive it to work. Guess all those miles revving it too high when it was too cold wore it out too fast and now when you run it you hear a clanging noise every revolution of the engine and it is leaking oil.
Funny thing, it still starts and idles fine and I even drove it home slowly when it happened. Very reluctant to give the car up because I love it, but I just don't have the knowhow to work on the engine or the transmission. I was actually only coming here to list it in the classifieds as I figured if anyone would appreciate it or the parts off of it, it would be you guys, but I don't have the required posts. :\
Funny thing, it still starts and idles fine and I even drove it home slowly when it happened. Very reluctant to give the car up because I love it, but I just don't have the knowhow to work on the engine or the transmission. I was actually only coming here to list it in the classifieds as I figured if anyone would appreciate it or the parts off of it, it would be you guys, but I don't have the required posts. :\
12-27-2008, 07:26 AM
#100
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
'87 Wagon for sale!
Sorry to post here instead of classifieds, but I can't start a new thread yet (not enough posts I guess)...
We have an '87 wagon with 207k miles. Runs, automatic transmission is starting to slip. Power steering leaks like they all do. Electricals are not bad at all. The unibody is rusted out and not worth fixing, but some of the wagon-specific parts (rear bumper) and some of the common rust parts (rear crossmember) were replaced with southern metal over the last few years and are still quite usable.
Only asking $300... we just want to save this guy from the crusher, or at least save another Maxima from the crusher with his parts. My mom drove this off the lot of McDermott Nissan 21 years ago, brand new with delivery miles only. I already miss him terribly...
BTW if anyone can put a link to this in Classifieds, I'd greatly appreciate it! I'd do it myself, but again, I can't start my own threads yet.
We have an '87 wagon with 207k miles. Runs, automatic transmission is starting to slip. Power steering leaks like they all do. Electricals are not bad at all. The unibody is rusted out and not worth fixing, but some of the wagon-specific parts (rear bumper) and some of the common rust parts (rear crossmember) were replaced with southern metal over the last few years and are still quite usable.
Only asking $300... we just want to save this guy from the crusher, or at least save another Maxima from the crusher with his parts. My mom drove this off the lot of McDermott Nissan 21 years ago, brand new with delivery miles only. I already miss him terribly...
BTW if anyone can put a link to this in Classifieds, I'd greatly appreciate it! I'd do it myself, but again, I can't start my own threads yet.
12-29-2008, 08:42 PM
#103
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 301
well im glad to see that you guys are keeping those cars running. and i thought my 97 gle was from the stoneage. even with power heated leather seats, auto climate control, make me think twice when i think of my car as WAY OLD. i guess its not as old as i think. LOL
p.s HOW OLD ARE YOU GUYS..LOL. jk
p.s HOW OLD ARE YOU GUYS..LOL. jk
Last edited by webjohn; 12-29-2008 at 08:46 PM.
01-01-2009, 06:24 PM
#104
01-02-2009, 03:07 AM
#105
well im glad to see that you guys are keeping those cars running. and i thought my 97 gle was from the stoneage. even with power heated leather seats, auto climate control, make me think twice when i think of my car as WAY OLD. i guess its not as old as i think. LOL
p.s HOW OLD ARE YOU GUYS..LOL. jk
p.s HOW OLD ARE YOU GUYS..LOL. jk
door is open
keys in the ignition
parking brake is on
and fuel level is low
might take a while tho..
01-02-2009, 03:22 AM
#106
well im glad to see that you guys are keeping those cars running. and i thought my 97 gle was from the stoneage. even with power heated leather seats, auto climate control, make me think twice when i think of my car as WAY OLD. i guess its not as old as i think. LOL
p.s HOW OLD ARE YOU GUYS..LOL. jk
p.s HOW OLD ARE YOU GUYS..LOL. jk
door is open
keys in the ignition
parking brake is on
and fuel level is low
might take a while tho..
01-02-2009, 06:59 AM
#107
I realize this post is a month+ old, but wanted to comment on the 4 lug Z wheels. These are a dime a dozen. A guy over on Nissanclub had 2 sets of these. I picked up a set off e-Bay for $75 delivered to my door. I wanted them for my '97 Altima, perfect fit. Just beware, you'll need the factory lugs for the Z wheels. Either the factory Z lugs will work or the lugs that came with the six spoke wheels that were part of the ST package on the 720 pickup.
01-02-2009, 11:00 PM
#108
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Posts: 176
pleeeeeease dont junk it!!! theyre WAY to rare!!! thats why no one can find one nowadays...
01-02-2009, 11:03 PM
#109
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Posts: 176
01-02-2009, 11:11 PM
#110
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Posts: 176
01-11-2009, 02:42 PM
#111
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 15
Well I was hit head on last winter so the front bumper, grill and passenger fender are trash. I have a complete l28t conversion ready for it. Mega squirt engine management Kit assembled and ready to go but with the front end looking like it does its not worth putting it all in. so i guess I find another one or I just but it all in a 240z.
07-31-2011, 10:14 PM
#112
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Andover, New Jersey (northwest)
Posts: 10
I bought a clean 84 sedan. I am in process of converting it to a manual transmission. I bought an entire maxima, just for the clutch pedal. I would contact ebay sellers, when they would list a 1st gen Maxima part. Multiple salvage yards told me that was their only part, and that they crushed the 1st gen maximas.
08-01-2011, 06:21 AM
#113
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 159
I bought a clean 84 sedan. I am in process of converting it to a manual transmission. I bought an entire maxima, just for the clutch pedal. I would contact ebay sellers, when they would list a 1st gen Maxima part. Multiple salvage yards told me that was their only part, and that they crushed the 1st gen maximas.
08-01-2011, 10:18 PM
#115
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 159
Its depressing. Not just Maxima though. Im madly obsessed with 80s cars, and its just difficult these days to find parts. I mean, thats what happens. They get bought, thrashed, and scrapped when people get tired of them. Its worse in the city, everyone wants a newer car.
Today in traffic, a guy in a 84 Max pulls up along side me in the 2nd gen. Asked if he wanted to sell it, but he said nah. Seemed to be very happy with it.
Ive wanted a 2nd gen Maxima since I was 5, when I started looking for one last year and partly this year its almost impossible to find a decent one in goo condition. I got lucky with my SE, finding it parked in a driveway.
Right now in the Allentown craigslist, theres an ad for 2 Maximas, a 88 Se 5 speed, and a 87 GXE Auto. Guy wants 900 for both. I really want the SE but its not running and he suspects a slipped timing belt. Same color as my car too. =(
I hate that I cannot find parts for my Maxima easy. And it sucks, cause it was such a popular car in NYC back in the day.
This was taken in Maryland earlier in the year. We found a 87 SE in the yard, car was clean. No idea why it was scrapped. We pulled the spoiler for my buddies Cressida.
Today in traffic, a guy in a 84 Max pulls up along side me in the 2nd gen. Asked if he wanted to sell it, but he said nah. Seemed to be very happy with it.
Ive wanted a 2nd gen Maxima since I was 5, when I started looking for one last year and partly this year its almost impossible to find a decent one in goo condition. I got lucky with my SE, finding it parked in a driveway.
Right now in the Allentown craigslist, theres an ad for 2 Maximas, a 88 Se 5 speed, and a 87 GXE Auto. Guy wants 900 for both. I really want the SE but its not running and he suspects a slipped timing belt. Same color as my car too. =(
I hate that I cannot find parts for my Maxima easy. And it sucks, cause it was such a popular car in NYC back in the day.
This was taken in Maryland earlier in the year. We found a 87 SE in the yard, car was clean. No idea why it was scrapped. We pulled the spoiler for my buddies Cressida.
Last edited by TransAmBandit; 08-01-2011 at 10:20 PM.
08-02-2011, 01:49 AM
#116
Its depressing. Not just Maxima though. Im madly obsessed with 80s cars, and its just difficult these days to find parts. I mean, thats what happens. They get bought, thrashed, and scrapped when people get tired of them. Its worse in the city, everyone wants a newer car.
Today in traffic, a guy in a 84 Max pulls up along side me in the 2nd gen. Asked if he wanted to sell it, but he said nah. Seemed to be very happy with it.
Ive wanted a 2nd gen Maxima since I was 5, when I started looking for one last year and partly this year its almost impossible to find a decent one in goo condition. I got lucky with my SE, finding it parked in a driveway.
Right now in the Allentown craigslist, theres an ad for 2 Maximas, a 88 Se 5 speed, and a 87 GXE Auto. Guy wants 900 for both. I really want the SE but its not running and he suspects a slipped timing belt. Same color as my car too. =(
I hate that I cannot find parts for my Maxima easy. And it sucks, cause it was such a popular car in NYC back in the day.
This was taken in Maryland earlier in the year. We found a 87 SE in the yard, car was clean. No idea why it was scrapped. We pulled the spoiler for my buddies Cressida.
Today in traffic, a guy in a 84 Max pulls up along side me in the 2nd gen. Asked if he wanted to sell it, but he said nah. Seemed to be very happy with it.
Ive wanted a 2nd gen Maxima since I was 5, when I started looking for one last year and partly this year its almost impossible to find a decent one in goo condition. I got lucky with my SE, finding it parked in a driveway.
Right now in the Allentown craigslist, theres an ad for 2 Maximas, a 88 Se 5 speed, and a 87 GXE Auto. Guy wants 900 for both. I really want the SE but its not running and he suspects a slipped timing belt. Same color as my car too. =(
I hate that I cannot find parts for my Maxima easy. And it sucks, cause it was such a popular car in NYC back in the day.
This was taken in Maryland earlier in the year. We found a 87 SE in the yard, car was clean. No idea why it was scrapped. We pulled the spoiler for my buddies Cressida.
09-14-2011, 10:03 PM
#118
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: SF Bay
Posts: 32
Talk about dredging up a thread from the grave! This thread was originally started in Jan. 2008!
Anyway, my '82 Diesel Sedan has 67k original miles on it, was garage kept it's entire life, has no rust here in CA, great paint and gets driven to work in San Francisco at least once every couple of weeks. I'm planning a turbo swap from an '83 280ZXT that I just pulled the motor on last weekend.
The diesel motor is getting turbo charged and swapped into a '72 240Z!
Anyway, my '82 Diesel Sedan has 67k original miles on it, was garage kept it's entire life, has no rust here in CA, great paint and gets driven to work in San Francisco at least once every couple of weeks. I'm planning a turbo swap from an '83 280ZXT that I just pulled the motor on last weekend.
The diesel motor is getting turbo charged and swapped into a '72 240Z!
Last edited by lww; 09-14-2011 at 10:05 PM.
01-13-2012, 08:08 PM
#120
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9
I still have my 84 max wagon sitting in the yard. Every now and then I will start it up and let it run for a few minutes. It needs some work and I haven't had current plates on it for years. Needless to say it's not my everyday car and raising a family has a higher priority. I also have an 84 sedan parts car. I can use everything from the front door section and up. If anyone needs anything from the rear door section and back (except the fuel pump), let me know. If anyone ever sees a 81-84 max wagon in the pull a part PM me as I have been looking for some inexpensive tail lights and rear side marker lights for years.
I have been looking for quite some time now. Damn over-salted roads here in Michigan has taken a toll on the body of this car.
I won't scrap it, and won't sell it either... there are those few people that love these first gens... and I am one of them. Never seen another one my whole 19 years of life here in Michigan. Hell, a Maserati or Lotus is a more common sight than a first or second gen Maxima. Seen three Maseratis in the past three years alone. And a few months ago, two different Bentley Continentals...
As for finding taillights, good luck... I had a hell of a time finding one (driver's side) for mine when someone smashed it when they couldn't stop in a parking lot. (winter and a welded rear diff on an 80's Toyota 4wd pickup don't really go hand in hand...)
Came from a yard in Idaho, and cost me 55 bucks plus shipping... the other yard I called up had one, but broke it when they tried to remove it.
Worst comes to worst, I still won't give her up. I'll have to clean out the barn and do a total resto. It'd be a major PITA since the rockers near the fenders are basically gone, and the rear bumper mount needs to be fabbed, and the bottom of the lift gate also needs to be fabbed...
It'd be like this project... WARNING: Long @55 thread, make sure you got food and drink handy... lots of good reading and info in here though, and worth the time to read...
http://retrorides.proboards.com/inde...t&thread=70135
Problem is I haven't found anyone that sells Zintec steel here in the US... and I honestly don't know if I have the patience to go through with so much body work... my Max is structurally sound, but still needs rockers, bottoms of the doors, and many areas repaired in order to look proper again. And a paint job...
176,000 miles, and she still hauls *** to red line... pretty fast little wagon. (115mph...) Handles pretty good now that the springs are sagging so much that it doesn't take much to hit the bump stops...
Still idles so smooth that a glass of water wouldn't hardly show any ripples if set on top of the valve cover.
I love this car to death. I regret not taking better care of it.
