Finally, I can start a thread. lol

So ever since I was a kid I was always fascinated by the 85-88 Nissan Maxima. So much, that at age 6 back in 1995 I used to draw this car ever chance I got in school. The teacher was convinced that my dad worked for Nissan. That was not the case. He had owned a gray 88 GXE at the time. Idk, I guess my love for boxy 80's cars started young. So 16 years later, I finally purchased the rectangle on wheel's Ive drawn oh so many times as a youth.

Found the car sitting in Queens in a yard for a few months. Knocked on the door twice, no answer. My best friend's brother calls me a few weeks later asking me if I was still interested. He had went and knocked on the door for me, and got an answer. The guy wanted $450 for the car, said it needed an alternator.

My buddy and I go look at the car two days later. For whatever reason, all of the fuses under the dash were missing. I think the guy had removed them all because of him being cheap. Anyways, we put in 3 fuses to just get the car running. Started right up, ran great.

Last saturday, I went over and bought the car, snuck it home without my dad seeing me unload it. Of course, I knew when he left the house he'd figure out it's mine. I got yelled at for 15 minutes yesterday about it. Since I have 3 other cars. A 84 Supra, a 87 Supra Turbo, And a 87 Turbo 4Runner I need to finish.

You know what, It was totally worth being yelled at. I finally had my first favorite car of my life, 16 years later.

She's a 88 with only 96k miles on her. One spot of rust, and just needs to be buffed and touched up in some spots. So far, I added all of the fuses back today and started the car checking everything. The Alternator is charging fine to me. A/C blows ice cold. The only thing wrong so far, is the power steering is out.

Anyway, here are the photos.

Loading up with my towbar.



First wash


Heres an update. 6/27 I brought the car around yesterday to my backyard so I was able to finally vacuum and clean the interior. I also mocked up my S13 coilovers. Looks like they will work in the front. The rear, I'll have to figure something else out.

Straightened out the lip with some zipties.


I wish the paint was better, I'll try to revive it with a nice buffing.



Feeling like a kid all over again.

Then I tried converting it over to a Cressida.



The power steering, I fixed on 7/18. I took the reservoir out, cleaned it out, put it back in and bled the system. Good as new! Hoping to register it soon!

 

holy crap ancient LOL!! no really would love to see one restored and dropped

 

Pretty cool. Too bad it's not a stick.

You're a few years younger than me but I was also really into the 2nd gen Maxima when I was younger. I wasn't as young as you when I was really into them, though.

For a few years before I could drive I always really, really wanted a 2nd gen. My mom had a '92 SE but I still wanted the 2nd gen. When I started driving I couldn't for the life of me find a 2nd gen for sale, and eventually I inherited her '92 SE when I was 17 and the rest is history. It's been 11 years now and I still have two 3rd gens.

Sounds alot like me too with sneaking cars home. I have a twin brother and between us we probably have 10 project cars. We used to always literally sneak cars home into the backyard to be screamed at later on when our mom finally discovered them

 

for the back coil overs check out some from a p11 or other G20s, I have had a quick glance at them and they might work I haven't had a chance to check into it much........ but might be a possibility.

 

change the timing belt before the engine blows! ...nice car =)

 

OP, you said you have a 87 turbo 4runner. is that a rare factory motor package, or did you aftermarketly boost an suv?

 

Nice find, man!! Great to see a car like that rescued from a life of neglect!!

 

Second Gen FTW

 

Since the rear of the Maxima takes strut cartridges, I might try to see if I can find a AGX insert with the same diameter, and just use spacers if its too short.


I did the same thing on my 84 Supra when I made coilovers in the front. Since they didnt make a AGX for my car, I had to order some for a MR2, but instead of using spacers inside the tube to take up the extra space, I shortened the strut tube making it a short stroke setup.

If what I said made no sense, check this out.
http://www.tscperformance.com/supra_frontstrut.htm

I will be assessing that as soon as I can. Thank you!

Its a rare motor that came in these trucks. They came in the Pickups and the 4Runners. I bought mine after wanting one for years. Mine is the high option with the digital dash =D

Quote from wiki
"A turbocharged version of the 22R-E engine (the 22R-TE) was also introduced in 1986, although this engine is significantly rarer than the base 22R-E. It appears that all turbocharged 4Runner models sold in the US were equipped with an automatic transmission, though a five-speed manual could still be ordered in the turbocharged pickups. Most Turbo 4Runners were equipped with the SR5 package, and all turbo trucks had as standard a heavier rear differential. Low-option models had a small light in the gauge cluster to indicate turbo boost, while more plush vehicles were equipped with an all-digital gauge cluster that included a boost gauge."


And for the Maxima, I just registered it on Thursday. Looks like Ill be replacing the Alternator soon. Im starting to get some issues with it. Also gonna tune it up next week when its not 100 degrees outside. lol

 

yeah do the timing belt, VG are interference so if the belt snaps, youre gonna hear a bang and the engine most likely will need a major rebuild or just get a new engine

 

that would work, I've heard of cutting the bottom of the factory strut and using that for a spacer and filling it with epoxy to keep it from clunking around, so yea if you find something that works well let us know, I've been thinking about doing something along those lines for awhile just don't have the time or money to play around with it right now.

 

thats pretty sick to find. i guess much like the old turbo dodge caravan. post pics of the dash!

 

LOVE IT!

 

Great pickup bro!! Good luck with her!

 

LMAO! I made up a story about mine.

 

My Dad had a silver 87gxe. I barely remember riding in it bcuz only minutes after being strapped in I would fall asleep on the comfy couch in the back. Was pissed when my dad sold it (wanted him to buy it back). Funny I used to draw mine with 17'" blades all the time when I was small. Still miss that car. With my grandmother owning a 4th gen, my dad having a 3rd gen as a take home ride, my great uncle owning a 7th gen Ihad to be at the top in my family and own 2.

 

Thanks for the kind words guys. The say after I registered it, I went to my buddies house to visit. He then handed me his $15 pair of Harbor Freight Fog lamps, and we decided to put them in. The car was already wired for factory fogs, but the lights were missing. I have a pair of BNIB NOS Bosch Nissan fog lamps for this car with all the wiring and switches, but I dont wanna use them since they are NOS. Thats where the hoarder in me comes out. haha



Repairing the factory fog tab that broke off with a welder.



Installed.


This week will be tune up time and alternator swap. I havent looked at the motor yet, but is the alternator swap gonna be a *****? lol

Also, if by chance anyone reads this. I am looking for a factory rearview mirror with screws, a power mirror switch with pig tail. I need the plug from the car as well since someone cut it off. Also, I need the 4 door lights, but Im not in a rush for those. Just the first two.

 

If you would have asked 2 weeks ago i would have had them. I just scrapped my other 2nd gen maxima after stripping it for parts. I never kept any of the interior though I just needed it for the 5 speed tranmission.

Sorry.

 

bro, i've got my 87 sitting in the junkyard(using parts for my 88) i'll go back monday, and if i have the parts you need i'll pm you, meantime before i go back monday if you think of anything else you'll need pm me before monday/let me know, and i'll check my 87 for it. g

 

Thats all I need. Ill need the screws for the rearview mirror and Ill need the plug on the car side for the mirror switch, along with the mirror switch. Thank you so much!

 

i have the rear view mirror, i'll go back tomorrow, i forgot about the pm switch, so i'll hit you back tomorrow evening sometime. g

 

Thanks dude. Please remember to clip the power mirror switch plug with a few inches of wires if you can.
Thanks again!

 

So today at my friends house we were working on his Cressida, so I decided to testfit some "hammers" that I had left at his house.

My friends provided the drop so I can have an idea what it may look like when I install my suspension.

Got some poke going on.

 

Actually drop it and put those hammers on. As for the supposed "poke" I'd leave it. Its kinda along those line that most classic Japanese cars are doing these days. Like this.



Your car do as you'd like.

 

Suspension techniques Sport springs are a good choice.....Amazon or JcWhitney for $80 front & $80 for the rears.....1.5" drop.....!

 

Seems like I forgot to update this.
This is from October 1st.

So progress at last.

I fixed my stupid ******* electrical drain problem. It was the battery. I put a new one in, and so far no issues for 2 weeks.

I found out my Front control arm bushing was shot on the right side two weeks ago, so I took it apart last weekend and spent the week replacing them on both sides along with a left tie rod. That was the cause of my really bad alignment problem. I found out that when the racks leak, ATF gets on the bushings and ****s them up. My rack is also leaking thanks to Nissan's wonderful seals of the 80s and 90s.


Took the time to install my Cusco 240sx coilovers in the front. Just had to slot one hole slightly on the strut tower and it went right in. Had to slice a piece off of the bottom of the coilover where it went to the knuckle. It rubbed the axle boot. Grinder solved the problem. Also with the tabs to hold the brake line in place on the coilover hit the wheel well on full lock. Cut those off too.

The rear, I bought two new struts since the ones on the car were blown. It wouldnt even return on compression. I then installed some brand new lowering springs for the rear of a 91-94 Sentra SE-R that my buddy had laying around. I figured I would give it a shot for free. The diameter was slightly smaller and the height was shorter than the stock spring. Gave me a nice drop. But with the soft spring rate, it rubs the wheel wells easily. Gonna have to rethink the rear.

Gonna go lower in the front eventually after an alignment.


And heres a current update.
Put the stockers back on so I can clear bumps atleast in the rear. Car's been driving great despite the roughness of the occasional hard bump. Car's doing a lot better on gas with the control arm bushing fixed. I also did another seafoam job since it wouldnt hurt.

Had the car buffed and waxed. The Clearcoat is faded in some spots, but the car looked a lot better and felt smooth as can be afterwards.

Need to lower the front some more.

 

Awesome! I want one now!

 

i would just get smaller tires on the rear, they look bigger than the fronts.

 

Dang reminds me of my 88, loved that thing

 

Yeah I was going to do that, but the offset of the wheel might have me still hit the rear arches. I could probably get away with a slight roll in teh back, but the drivers arch has some rust in one part of it.

Update, still need to get an alignment to set the toe perfect and I could have a normal looking steering wheel position.

I will be swapping the blown Cusco coilovers for a set of KSport Coilovers my buddy is letting me borrow.

Will take some photos of when that goes down!

 

Update, car is aligned and running brand new KYBs all around.

She is also for sale. Something else came up, and I want that instead. I kinda dont want to sell the Maxima, but I cant keep her. I'll probably regret this in the future though. =(

Check out my for sale ad.
http://forums.maxima.org/maximas-sal...ma-se-nyc.html

 

Nice whip, keep going at it....

 

Car was sold today. Hopefully the new owners will take the best care of her. I was having second thoughts about selling her as I was driving this morning. I just love this car. I'll def own another someday. But it must be a 5 speed.

No one will ever understand my unhealthy love for these cars. <3

 

believe it or not, I understand how you feel lol, im actually walking in your footsteps right now, my dad had one of these amazing cars, an 87 and then he dumped it in my uncles shop for years, amazingly its still sitting there and im just hoping that it will stay for 3 more years or so(im 16 now) until i can buy it off my uncle and make it my project in hopes of bringing her back to life...ill have to do it in secret too cause if my dad finds out my plans to bring that car back to life he'd kill me.

 

time to be good friends with your uncle

 

Here's one of my friend 87 that he refuses to separtae from...I want to built an intake system for him and install headers....I'm sure that a 3rd gen exhaust system will fit a 2nd gen gen chassis with no problem.....
here's his ride! Cleanest 2nd gen (5 spd) in Houston that I've seen personally:

 

Save yourself, let me have it. I need another second gen in my life. Is the car in NY by chance?


Cmax03, thanks for sharing those photos. I always love to see 1st and 2nd gens still around!

 

I'll put together a engine for this guy using a rebuilt VG shortblock! I really wanna build an air intake for him since 2nd Gen Oem intake systems really suck! Also included in the mix will be an experiment to see if a 3rd gen exhaust manifold and ypipe will fit a VG installed in a 2nd Gen chassis! If they fit that means my buddy will get a set of Pacesetter or OBX VG headers! His car is rather quick and has a 5 spd M/T with about 2600-2800 lbs of chassis

 

That White Maxima is clean as hell. Your yard find was pretty good too thats awesome how you sneak it by your parents lol.

 

My buddy tried doing a timing belt change and didn't quite know WTF he was doing.....It never ran again! So since I'm kinda tied up with other cars at the time....I want to try getting a reman'd VG shortblock or have his rebuild and I'll assemble everything after the machine work! This car was a hard running 5 spd when it was running!