New big undertaking....R34 tails lights on my Maxima. Wish me luck......
07-16-2007, 08:07 PM
#1
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New big undertaking....R34 tails lights on my Maxima. Wish me luck......
Well since I have the new job, I can finally afford to do the body work. I just got a new hood and fenders, thanks to maxpwer. And I just got my quote for the whole paint job with a little body work....just some rear wheelwell rust and some small dings. I've had these tail lights for about 9 months now, just waiting for me to break down and start cutting up the car...but fear and lack of time kept me from undertaking the project. I finally took off the taillights today, and sized up the amount of work ahead of me. Suprisingly...the lights have the EXACT same profile around the bumper and top of the quarter panel, so aside from some cutting of the trunk and panel, then welding up a piece of sheet metal that I'll fab up before hand...it shouldn't be toooo bad.
Now believe me, I understand that this is still a huge project...but nothing that can't be done in a reasonable amount of time and since I'm finally painting the car....it's now or never. These lights should be REALLY sweet when it's all done. Hopefully by the end of August I'll have the stillen kit, spoiler, BBK, paint, and these tail lights all done.... Here's to wishfull thinking!!
^^Here I was quickly checking to see if a piece of sheetmetal could be used as a backing plate to mount the light....it does, and hardly has to be altered!! Just that center cutout and some bending at the edges.
Now believe me, I understand that this is still a huge project...but nothing that can't be done in a reasonable amount of time and since I'm finally painting the car....it's now or never. These lights should be REALLY sweet when it's all done. Hopefully by the end of August I'll have the stillen kit, spoiler, BBK, paint, and these tail lights all done.... Here's to wishfull thinking!!
^^Here I was quickly checking to see if a piece of sheetmetal could be used as a backing plate to mount the light....it does, and hardly has to be altered!! Just that center cutout and some bending at the edges.
07-16-2007, 08:47 PM
#3
Taking my Maxima to the Max!
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Awsome! I'm next. Got my tails a couple months ago. Just savin' up for all the other stuff before I can get to the body. Thanks for bein' a pioneer 
BTW, what spoiler are you going to use? The stock Max or R34 GT-R, or something in between?
-Mrkanda
BTW, what spoiler are you going to use? The stock Max or R34 GT-R, or something in between?
-Mrkanda
07-17-2007, 12:08 AM
#5
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nice looking im also planning on doing the same but im also getting the r34 headlights and tail lights juz like the ones traxter has the R34 4 door tails. where did you find those and how much? i luckily have connections to options auto salon in japan through the dealership i now work at, and get a discount on all parts from subaru nissan mitsubishi and other dealerships owned by the owners of my dealerships auto group and also get great prices on tires. anyways like i said where did you find those 4 door tails and how much?
07-17-2007, 01:17 AM
#6
Why are you making threads about custom jobs you haven't started on? Now someone's gonna steal your idea.. Good luck, it'll be interesting to see how it goes. When are you going to start cutting?
07-17-2007, 05:17 AM
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Taking my Maxima to the Max!
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Originally Posted by Hectic
Now someone's gonna steal your idea.
Good luck!
07-17-2007, 06:15 AM
#8
Its been done by some others too, but hey good luck to you because its always fun to do a complex project and see it through to the end, hopefully you will. IMO that style of light doesnt fit the 3rd gen, but to each is own.
07-17-2007, 08:37 AM
#9
Originally Posted by mrkanda
There aren't that many "ideas" with a third gen to steal. Mostly everyone has similar stuff: E36 headlights, Stillen Kit, Etc... I think many of us have had this idea at one time or other. Like I said, I will be doing it sometime in the future. It's only the brave, like TRAXTAR, who will jump into.
Good luck!
Good luck!
I wouldn't neccessarily consider cutting out some cardboard and holding a tail light up to the rear "brave"
. But I'm not saying he can't, or won't, actually get on with the conversion, but unveiling the project should be done afterwards or while underway imo.. I do seriously wish the best of luck, it'd be cool to see them turn out nice.
07-17-2007, 01:33 PM
#11
I have seen this on a local 3rd gen. Sexy as hell! They are not too tall, just right as a matter of fact. I woul be be prepared to wrap the rear bumper with fiberglass to make it flow into the lights.
Hope it work outs!
When I did my wrx's I made the pockets for the tail lights to sit in first. Then slowly cut away the body until the pockets fit right.
Hope it work outs!
When I did my wrx's I made the pockets for the tail lights to sit in first. Then slowly cut away the body until the pockets fit right.
07-17-2007, 03:16 PM
#12
good luck man.....personally i think it will look pretty decent in the end, and the main thing, it's pretty -darn- original.
of course it's gonna be tough, just post pics throughout the process! iBcurious to see how it works out o.O.
of course it's gonna be tough, just post pics throughout the process! iBcurious to see how it works out o.O.
07-17-2007, 08:29 PM
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I just got the sheetmetal today from a local body supply shop. 1/8 thick should hold the light pretty sturdy. I plan on building the backing for the light, then cut a bottom piece and fit that up, to make a pocket, like goon is saying. Then begin cutting out the quarter and trunk to fit the pocket I make. I want to finish the pocket by the end of next week and then begin cutting and have that done by the following week. It really fits the car perfectly, though. You'd all be suprised how well it matches the curve of the bumper, top of the quarter, and downward curve at the back of the trunk....it even has room for the lock to still fit in its stock location.... this is something I've always wanted to do, since I have never seen it or heard of it being done before. I'd like to see pics from those of you who say they've seen it before.
I got then for $100 shipped on Ebay...straight from Japan. It was SOO cheap, I had to do it. I actually purchased them by accident. I saw the lights and they had 5 minutes left so I put in a bid, only to realize that they weren't the R33 lights I thought they were. However, when I held them up to the back of the car and saw how well they fit up, I decided I'd go for it.
Brian, are you telling me that this isn't a sexy a$$?? It's even the same color I'm painting it!
I got then for $100 shipped on Ebay...straight from Japan. It was SOO cheap, I had to do it. I actually purchased them by accident. I saw the lights and they had 5 minutes left so I put in a bid, only to realize that they weren't the R33 lights I thought they were. However, when I held them up to the back of the car and saw how well they fit up, I decided I'd go for it.
Brian, are you telling me that this isn't a sexy a$$?? It's even the same color I'm painting it!
looks like you got a lot of work to do. post up pics of your project
07-17-2007, 09:37 PM
#16
Originally Posted by traxtar944
are you telling me that this isn't a sexy a$$?? It's even the same color I'm painting it!
07-18-2007, 04:17 AM
#18
Originally Posted by elusivemax93
how long ago did you buy these tail lights cuz i see none at all when i search r34 tail lights or even skyline tail lights.
07-18-2007, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by elusivemax93
how long ago did you buy these tail lights cuz i see none at all when i search r34 tail lights or even skyline tail lights.
search for "skyline R34". They all have the two circle lights...but none have the clear light on bottom. It's actually a split light, with half being a turn signal and half being a reverse light. Pretty cool if you ask me. The housings are the same size though...which means that the circles are much bigger on the car in the picture than they are on my lights. Try a search for "R34 skyline sedan" and you will see these lights. It's actually a TOTAL coincidence that it worked out so good, because the Maxima is a 4 door, it's only fitting that it should have 4 door skyline tails. Hell, for 5 months I didn't even know there WAS a 4 door skyline, and had no idea where these lights came from. Funny how things work out, hmm? Either way, they shouldn't look too big since the Skyline's rear end isn't much wider than our car, from what I can find.PS) I got them on Ebay about 8 months ago. And, there is only one R34 sedan the the U.S. according to this website: Ultimate 4-Door R34 Nissan Skyline Turning Heads Across the U.S.
07-18-2007, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Hectic
Same color but different lights. Your tails are from the sedan.. Not a bad deal for $100 though. The sedan tails will probably be easier to fit than the coupe, because the quarters are not flared..
07-19-2007, 01:48 PM
#23
Originally Posted by DanNY
let's just have him work the tails...making a completely new panel out of fiberglass takes A LOT of work.
07-22-2007, 03:50 PM
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The car will be debadged.....lol it's pretty easy on our cars. The center taillight and nissan emblem on the grille. That green car has pics of the R33 lights though, not the R34....it's been around FOREVER on cardomain. There have been more than a few of those conversions, so I'm going for something similar, but totally different. It should look way cleaner than the R33 lights. I'll be fiberglassing the top of the bumper, because you can see that the bottom corner of the lights is rounded off and the trunk doesn't go all the way down on the R34, so I'll try to mimic that. How well does fiberglass stick to a bumper...because I'm worried about cracking. Is there a better product I can use to build it up? I've heard about some new epoxies body shops are using to replace welding...maybe that would work.
In other news, I found a Nice 91 maxima in a junkyard. The owner said if I come down there with a sawzall I can cut myself a rear clip off the car for $35. Isn't that insane? So I'll have myself a nice practice piece so I dont' drive around with holes in my car.
In other news, I found a Nice 91 maxima in a junkyard. The owner said if I come down there with a sawzall I can cut myself a rear clip off the car for $35. Isn't that insane? So I'll have myself a nice practice piece so I dont' drive around with holes in my car.
07-22-2007, 04:18 PM
#25
Fiberglassing a portion of the rear bumper could be trouble. That why I went ahead and fiberglassed my whole bumper. The problem with your urethane bumper and glass is urethane expands and contracts with heats and cold. Glass doesn't. So to secure the glass to the bumper you need to lay on 2 layers, drill and countersink rivets. Grind the rivets smooth, glass one more layer on top.
07-22-2007, 08:14 PM
#26
07-24-2007, 11:40 PM
#28
Originally Posted by traxtar944
That resin might be a good idea...hmmmmm
07-26-2007, 07:54 PM
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lol, yeah goon he was saying something about a project for you but didn't get into specifics. I can't even remember what it was about. Either way...for all you folks waiting on seeing cut metal...don't expect to see me cut the a$$ off my car just yet. I have the cutouts made out of the sheetmetal, but thats nothing picture worthy. I'm picking up the rear clip this weekend, so when I start cutting away at that I'll begin posting the pics. As of right now, it's basically just like the cardboard, but much cleaner....and it's metal. I can't afford to drive around with a hole in the back of my car so I'm going to save that for when I have a free weekend to cut and weld all at the same time...and have no plan on using the car since it'll be grounded at the time. In the mean time I put on the spoiler and began fabricating up the other headlight. Lol there's like 4 projects going on at once....tail lights...head lights...bodykit....BBK....and regular maintainence
.... congrats
12-18-2007, 06:10 PM
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Touche.....a VE-5, fidanza, and exedy clutch weren't exactly a "bolt on"...though they DID require bolts to be installed. Most of the other mods are your standard stuff though....mostly suspension. It's fun to drive either way.
GRNMAX is right on the R33 tails, but every time I see the front end of that car he posted I throw up in my mouth just a little bit.
Most of the other mods are your standard stuff though....mostly suspension. It's fun to drive either way.GRNMAX is right on the R33 tails, but every time I see the front end of that car he posted I throw up in my mouth just a little bit.
Last edited by traxtar944; 12-18-2007 at 06:14 PM.
12-19-2007, 10:05 AM
#33
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Touche.....a VE-5, fidanza, and exedy clutch weren't exactly a "bolt on"...though they DID require bolts to be installed. Most of the other mods are your standard stuff though....mostly suspension. It's fun to drive either way.
GRNMAX is right on the R33 tails, but every time I see the front end of that car he posted I throw up in my mouth just a little bit.
Most of the other mods are your standard stuff though....mostly suspension. It's fun to drive either way.GRNMAX is right on the R33 tails, but every time I see the front end of that car he posted I throw up in my mouth just a little bit.
12-21-2007, 11:31 AM
#36
1. those wheels != performance. waaay too heavy.
2. that roll bar != safety. all forms of racing have outlawed chromed structural parts for years because of the loss of structural integrity during the chroming process. it's also got ****-poor geometry and was most likely only put on there to give the rear door hinges something to hold onto so the door didn't fall off.
there is nothing race about that car. it's all show. which means it's 'race-inspired'.
And going by that colorful wikipedia definition of rice, that's exactly what it is.
slow, flashy, loud paint job, and covered in vinyl and stickers.
other than the big wing and fart can (which I'm sure is there- we just can't see it from that angle) it's 100% rice.
2. that roll bar != safety. all forms of racing have outlawed chromed structural parts for years because of the loss of structural integrity during the chroming process. it's also got ****-poor geometry and was most likely only put on there to give the rear door hinges something to hold onto so the door didn't fall off.
there is nothing race about that car. it's all show. which means it's 'race-inspired'.
And going by that colorful wikipedia definition of rice, that's exactly what it is.
slow, flashy, loud paint job, and covered in vinyl and stickers.
other than the big wing and fart can (which I'm sure is there- we just can't see it from that angle) it's 100% rice.
12-21-2007, 12:12 PM
#37
1. those wheels != performance. waaay too heavy.
2. that roll bar != safety. all forms of racing have outlawed chromed structural parts for years because of the loss of structural integrity during the chroming process. it's also got ****-poor geometry and was most likely only put on there to give the rear door hinges something to hold onto so the door didn't fall off.
there is nothing race about that car. it's all show. which means it's 'race-inspired'.
And going by that colorful wikipedia definition of rice, that's exactly what it is.
slow, flashy, loud paint job, and covered in vinyl and stickers.
other than the big wing and fart can (which I'm sure is there- we just can't see it from that angle) it's 100% rice.
2. that roll bar != safety. all forms of racing have outlawed chromed structural parts for years because of the loss of structural integrity during the chroming process. it's also got ****-poor geometry and was most likely only put on there to give the rear door hinges something to hold onto so the door didn't fall off.
there is nothing race about that car. it's all show. which means it's 'race-inspired'.
And going by that colorful wikipedia definition of rice, that's exactly what it is.
slow, flashy, loud paint job, and covered in vinyl and stickers.
other than the big wing and fart can (which I'm sure is there- we just can't see it from that angle) it's 100% rice.
(that wasn't a personal attack, as i worded it to be sure.)just because something is styled differently than stock, or other than the norm (stillen kit, mainstream ftl), doesn't make it unworthy of it's own credit. (that's for you, .org community) It's not a honda, and they aren't all simple bolt-ons, so you can stop bashing it. ;x
just out of curiosity....did you notice that the rollcage is -seemingly- aluminum, while the harness racks are chromed? that the wheels are aluminum APEX wheels? that the hood pins are functional because there is no hood latch assembly?
anyways, it's probably half-comp/half-show. and i'll admit that there are some things that are only for flash....but you cant drift your way to the top with a crappy looking car. in theory you could, but you wouldnt get the same product support (sponsors) as other cars that grab peoples attention...BUT i was only originally talking about the kit, not all the other accessories....
12-21-2007, 04:47 PM
#38
1. those wheels != performance. waaay too heavy.
2. that roll bar != safety. all forms of racing have outlawed chromed structural parts for years because of the loss of structural integrity during the chroming process. it's also got ****-poor geometry and was most likely only put on there to give the rear door hinges something to hold onto so the door didn't fall off.
there is nothing race about that car. it's all show. which means it's 'race-inspired'.
And going by that colorful wikipedia definition of rice, that's exactly what it is.
slow, flashy, loud paint job, and covered in vinyl and stickers.
other than the big wing and fart can (which I'm sure is there- we just can't see it from that angle) it's 100% rice.
2. that roll bar != safety. all forms of racing have outlawed chromed structural parts for years because of the loss of structural integrity during the chroming process. it's also got ****-poor geometry and was most likely only put on there to give the rear door hinges something to hold onto so the door didn't fall off.
there is nothing race about that car. it's all show. which means it's 'race-inspired'.
And going by that colorful wikipedia definition of rice, that's exactly what it is.
slow, flashy, loud paint job, and covered in vinyl and stickers.
other than the big wing and fart can (which I'm sure is there- we just can't see it from that angle) it's 100% rice.
12-21-2007, 05:53 PM
#39