This last weekend I was driving back from Carlsbad Caverns through the mountainous regions around Ruidoso New Mexico(Ski Apache). It was after dark when suddenly an Elk stepped right out into the road. I slammed on the brakes, but still hit him going about 50 mph. I think there were a great number of variables that worked in my favor in the impact: hard brake got the nose down and scooped the Elk, angle of the windhield, the height and position of the Elk, tank like construction of the Maxima. Thankfully, it was killed instantly as there was a spray of brain matter all over the back end of the car. I didn't inspect the carcass closely as I have "issues" from when I hit a deer with my motorcycle.

I'm sorry I don't have pictures...its hard enough to look at my car much less take pictures.

As for the Max, I will definitely need a new windshield. To get an idea of the size of the Elk, its head hit the very upper corner of the driver's side window and its front shoulder hit the passenger's side. There are a few dents in the front of the roof that a paintless dent removal shop should be able to remove. I lost both headlights. The bumper and grille is shot. The hood functioned very well in soaking up most of the impact and consequently looks like a piece of wadded up paper. The plastic radiator end tanks cracked, but surprisingly the AC condenser did not spring a leak. The radiator support bracket could stand to be replaced, but I will probably bend it back in to shape for the meanwhile. Surprisingly, both fenders went unscathed and after some very minimal bending, the gaps between body panels are all perfect.

I am posting this because I need some help. Since I have to basically replace all of the front body pieces and headlights on the car, I thought that this would be a perfect time to update to an 02-03 bumper and headlights. I have seen a few posts regarding this conversion, so I know it is possible, but besides that I'm in the dark. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Here are a few questions:

1. I have an Icelandic Pearl white car. Do the pearl white colors from the 02-03 Maximas match this well or am I better off getting fresh paint? ( I thought that maybe if I found a rear ended 5.5 gen in pearl white I could just take the whole front end???)

2. I know the HID headlights bolt right up, but require new wiring harnesses and those little plastic clips. Is there anything else I should know about switiching the headlights?

3. Are there any differences in the way the 5.5 gen bumper cover bolts up? Do I need to get new brackets or fabricate brackets? For some reason I remember someone mentioning that it was not a simple bolt on procedure.

4. Does anyone have access to a rear ended Maxima or Maxima parts that could help me gather the pieces needed to put my baby back together?

Thanks for your time and feel confident driving your Maxima in Elk/deer country.

 

Mannnn sorry to hear that story...
Well try rockauto.com for some parts, there should be plenty of other sites for the max parts.

 

Yeah...I've started looking in town, but have come up empty. I'm really trying to find someone who has access to an entire rear ended Maxima that I can pull the parts from...especially if its in a matching color. Thanks for your concern.

 

The whites are different from 00/01 to 02/03. 02/03's are glacier pearl, and 00/01's are icelandic pearl IIRC, so you will need an unpainted 02/03 bumper if you are going that route. I am sure you best bet is to call Dave Burnette. He works at a Nissan Dealership and will give you the best price you can get for OEM parts. Good Luck. His number is: 1-888-254-6060, let him know you're from the .org.

 

Those f*@#!% elk! They're always tearin' up stuff! Glad you're okay and he was put out quick. As for the Max- hell of a sacrificial barrier!

 

I ran into two deer in one year once (neither with my Max), but man I can't imagine running into an Elk!!!!

 

Here's another pretty good site for the parts. Could be usefull...

http://www.partstrain.com/products/E...AX-SE-005.html

 

as far as getting your whole car repainted......I got a quote at a local shop here that said their paint job was guaranteed for a lifetime...but to sand everything down and repaint with the 2002 white pearl color....about $4500 they said...so depending on how many miles you got on your max...I would just use lots of touch up.

 

Hey Eric, glad everyone is ok, sorry about the Maxima. I just did the 02 conversion on my 00. very easy, you need 02 bumper cover (I would go with factory not aftermarket.. fitment issuse), 02 grill (very expensive from dealer, see if someone on the org has one laying around that they would sell you), 02 fog lights, as far as the headlights, call Dave B (# above) and get the clips and tell him you are installing 02 HID's in your 00, he will send you all the plugs and wires that you need to do the conversion. Everything is bolt on. the only modification that you will need to do is rewire the headlights and saw about 3/4 inch off of the white foam bumper pad under the bumper cover.

Good luck hope this helps, Brent

 

That was very helpful. I'm glad it is an easy conversion. I was worried I would have to buy new brackets and assorted hardware.

I was looking at an aftermarket bumper and was curious if there were fitment issues. Did you buy an aftermarket bumper and find out that it wasn't very high quality? Have other members had trouble with the aftermarket versions? Has anyone had trouble with the aftermarket hoods? I know you get what you pay for in most cases, but some of those prices are hard to beat...I'm sure I will be able to find someone who is selling their bumper cover.

 

post some pics, this i gotta see!