Hey guys,

I'm new to this one, not to forums but it's been a pretty long time. I just obtained this one to use as my DD. 02 3.5L 5speed. 200k miles.


Shes's back to factory height right now, but I'm going to put her back down to around this height. I'm thinking about the Rev9's Hyperstreet coilovers. They seem like a fairly good "bang for buck" type thing. Thoughts or recommendations or advice?

Idk of other components (tie rod ends, axle shafts, etc) that I need to consider when lowering too


Doesnt have a/c or power steering. I think I can handle the A/C part. The guy says ths power steering rack was leaking so he took off the belt to save the pump. So I'm assuming I'm gonna have to put a rack in it. In my s10 days alot of guys would put a zq8 gear in it because it was tighter, or sportier or something (this was 20 years ago so forgive me). Does the same thing go for Maximas? Like I have a GLE, will one from a GXE work, or is it better?

I work at a dealership, albeit a dodge store, but I'm sure the nut and bolt stuff my guys can do


Are there any recommendations for interior parts? Needs a door handle, or door panel among some other things, or am I just gonna have to search ebay, amazon, etc.


Monday at work I'll get her racked up and looked at underneath. Get her a little more mechanically sound and then move on to tint re-do, stereo, etc


Thanks for any help and helping and old "newb"

 

Welcome back!

Love the color! Post more pics if you can. If this Maxima is from 2002, it is most likely a 6 speed. The 00-01 5th gens came with 5 speeds and some even came with LSD trans (viscous) Some 6 speeds in the 2002-2003's came equipped with the HLSD.

I'd go with BC coil-overs, they are twice as expensive as the Rev9's, but they are much much better. Keep in mind that when you lower the front end too much, the inner CV joint and boot wears out a lot quicker due to the steep angle that the CV axle has to operate in.

 

It's def an 02, but 5 speed, unless my shifter is mislabeled or something lol. I've never owned any imports just domestics and minitrucks

 

Best way to check, 6 speed uses cables for linkage between shifter and transmission. The linkage is on top of the trans at the back.

5 speeds use metal rods/tubes, the linkage is under/behind the trans.


6 speed linkage 2002 or newer model year

5 speed linkage 2001 or older model year


Nissan used a few different racks over the years. I don't know which is more desirable.

Check https://car-part.com/ for used parts.

 

But 2002+ was def a 6spd outta the box? I'm gonna def end up changing it, the rpms are just to high for my liking at 70.

Do you know if fidanza flywheels are still available?

Thank you for helping

 

Thats pretty funny as I too am an s10 guy lol. Seems like there's a particular crowd around s10s, fox stangs, and max's 😆.

As far as Im aware there are no readily available quick ratio steering racks for these cars. The racks between trim levels are all the same. If you're interested in that kinda thing you'd have to go custom which ofc = big $$$.

Best option for niche and one-off parts like interior is either junkyard or Facebook parts cars if you have any near you. I would try to avoid Amazon and ebay as stuff that may be listed for these cars usually fit terribly or not at all. Just a hassle that is best avoided altogether if possible. OEM is king on these cars unfortunately!

Alternatively, if you have a Nissan PDC near you that works with some local dealers they may have old stock. I'm lucky to work with a large east coast dealer chain that has access to lots of these old parts so you may get lucky through work connections if you're dealer'ed up, so to speak.

Hope my $0.02 helps you out! Good luck with your car and enjoy it while they're still around!

P.S. All 02/03 models came with 6 speeds for the manual option so either somone threw in an inferior 5 speed, or that shift **** is a liar 😂.

 

looks awesome... should be a 6 speed unless they converted an auto to manual using a 5 speed. the Atima 3.5's had a 5 speed from what I remember..

 

do you have to pull up on that ring to get into reverse? its a 6 speed if yes. i dont think the altima had that ring,

ZQ8 box was a thing but the grand cherokee box and shaft was much easier to find. only down fall was it didnt have the internal stops for the wider ZQ8 front wheels so they would rub on the lower control arm if lowered with spindles. no such luck for a maxima.

 

It does have the pull up ring, and I tried to find 6th, ended up goin back down to 4th around 60 lol. Sigh*

Now I'm diggin up threads for trans/clutch work

 

For power steering, there is a known leak issue with the high pressure hose, located near the firewall on the pass side. Most people replace the hose with OEM for 3rd party hoses will have a whining sound if not properly burped when replaced.

 

If it wasnt noted by my last comment im also an S10 guy. Was my first car. No fox though. Had an 89 GT for a few months but it was a basket case. Do have an 03 cobra.

 

What's under the hood? This could be a 02-03 Clone Guys! There were plenty that placed 02-03 front ends on their 2000-01 Maxima(s)....

 

he said it's an 02 I'm sure he knows what year his car is... my first guess is an auto to manual conversion but with a 5 speed.

 

I'm putting money down that it's a proper 6 speed but the old owner was only able to find a blue 5 speed **** to replace his old worn out OEM ****.