dmoralesbello Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 I think this was my last project on the Z for the summer: make my front side marker lights work as turn signals as well. Took a little more effort than I anticipated as I modified a set of cheap marker lights from Thailand (Ebay) and saved my OEM lights in case anything went wrong but it worked out well and I'm really happy with the results since it is an improvement in safety and visibility. Here are a couple of pics and I'll write up the mod in detail in a separate post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 I found a very cool and rare JDM auxiliary map light for '76-'78 Zs. After consulting with the bros at the Classic Z forum we've come to the conclusion that it attaches overhead between the sunvisors by means of a metal plate (missing) which I will have to fabricate. I will wire it to the glove box light by going under the front headliner trim toward the passenger side A pillar and down over the glove box. I will tackle the job in 2 weeks and post the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 Map light is done! After cleaning up the light, touching up the lettering, and putting in an LED bulb, I fabricated a mounting plate from stainless steel sheet, put 2 rivnuts in it so as to attach the lamp to the plate with 2 M5 bolts in the original holes, connected my new harness from the lamp to the glovebox light and pushed the forewardmost section of the mounting plate into the tight space between the headliner and the forward trim above the rearview mirror, which holds it very tightly in place. Looks like it was there all along . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 I also added an inline fuel pressure gauge. Took 5 minutes to do and works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbgambini Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 dmoralesbello First I have to say how I didnt see your build until today lol. Been on these forums for a while now and finally ran into your car. And it is amazing I have to say. I got my first classic Nissan 78 280z (Previously owned a 95 and 98 240sx and a few 350z) a few years back and now trying to do little by little to it. This build just gave me more motivation for my 280z. Best of all I see you are located here in South FL. Hard to find local Z guys. Im located in North Miami and would love to meet up and ask questions about your car and maybe get some guidance from your experiences if thats possible and ok with you. Could I PM you my phone number? Great ride again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 dmoralesbello First I have to say how I didnt see your build until today lol. Been on these forums for a while now and finally ran into your car. And it is amazing I have to say. I got my first classic Nissan 78 280z (Previously owned a 95 and 98 240sx and a few 350z) a few years back and now trying to do little by little to it. This build just gave me more motivation for my 280z. Best of all I see you are located here in South FL. Hard to find local Z guys. Im located in North Miami and would love to meet up and ask questions about your car and maybe get some guidance from your experiences if thats possible and ok with you. Could I PM you my phone number? Great ride again!! I'm very happy you appreciate the work done on the car! I enjoy it greatly. I'll check your PM and give you call so we can talk shop. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 I had installed an MSA short shifter kit about a year and a half ago and noticed that the rod supplied by MSA was curved differently from the stock shifter which positioned it about 2.5 inches forward from the stock neutral position, The first pic shows the forward position of the short shifter with the car in neutral. The second picture compares the new black rod to the superimposed chrome OEM rod. This forced me to stretch forward to shift into first, third and fifth gear, and to pull the knob backward with the tips of my fingers when downshifting into second and fourth gear. So even though I liked the feel of the short throw associated with this shifter rod, the experience was tolerable but definitely not comfortable. Called MSA and they said most people had no complaints but other people had in fact decided to bend the rod. I could not find references in the forum. I finally decided to take my center console apart once again and take out the shifter. Using the chrome stock shifter as the model I heated the MSA rod and gave it two different bends and one twist until the correct form was achieved. After a little polishing and a couple of coats of satin black lacquer I'm ready to mount again in a much more ergonomic position. I'll post final pics tomorrow and report on the degree of comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) Here are the finished pics. Amazing difference when I test drove it. No more reaching for the gears as everything is comfortably within reach of the palm of my hand. I bent the shaft 2.5" back and 0.5" toward the driver's seat. Edited October 28, 2018 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelekona Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 Amazing car, great attention to details! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 Amazing car, great attention to details! Thanks and welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 (edited) One more detail: My cigarette lighter socket was not working so I decided to change it for a very similar unit that I found on Ebay from England. Not only does it work perfectly but I also had the option of installing it with an illuminated trim. Very cool and practical. The best part is you can still use the original lighter itself in that aftermarket socket. Edited April 5, 2017 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 I had this very nice rendering done by Oleg Markaryan, an automotive artist. I thought I would share it with you guys.(instagram.com/oleg_markaryan, behance.net/Markaryan) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingScot Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Just joined and started to read this thread - appreciate the heads up on ClassicZ. HybridZ is definitely where I'm going to take my project but I have a long road ahead. Your car looks awesome and that rendering is very cool. Definitely something for me to shoot for as I do my project - too bad I moved out of Pinecrest up here to Boca Raton. Grew up in Miami and miss it - but like you finding not too many Z owners or shops familiar with the Z. Awesome project and car. Lots to learn here and thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted May 8, 2017 Author Share Posted May 8, 2017 Thanks for the compliments FlyingScot ! As i said on ClassicZ, if there's anything I can help with just let me know. Boca aint that far. Best of luck on your build and post frequently with lots of pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) I've been bit by the "Z art bug" and had this realistic drawing made by a very talented young artist in Poland. Thought I'd share with you guys on this forum as well. Edited June 7, 2017 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unterbergamotten3 Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 oh wow, that is beautiful art work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Beautiful car, some beautiful artwork too! Love how you're putting in the effort even on the small bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 (edited) On 6/7/2017 at 10:46 PM, unterbergamotten3 said: oh wow, that is beautiful art work Absolutely! This guy is super talented and a pleasure to work with too. On 6/8/2017 at 10:10 AM, Jay said: Beautiful car, some beautiful artwork too! Love how you're putting in the effort even on the small bits Thank you very much Jay. I think that sometimes we concentrate on the "big stuff" and leave the small details unattended without realizing that it's the smallest details which set apart a good job from a great one. Edited September 27, 2017 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooky_Intentions Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 I love all of the LED upgrades! I would really like to learn how to wire that kind of thing myself. Where did you get those nifty center console webbed holding things? Looks like a great place to put maps or phones etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmoralesbello Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 (edited) Hey @Spooky_Intentions, it's really not that hard to do an all led conversion on your Z. There are a couple of very good write ups that explain it. Search "Datsun Z led conversion" on Google and you should get some hits. Most of it are just simple bulb swaps. The net pockets are great for your phone, wallet, parking lot tickets, etc. They are simple and very cheap double stick tape add-ons from Ebay. Here's the link for those: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Car-Auto-Storage-Mesh-Net-Mobile-Phone-Organizer-Bag-Holder-Pocket-/251869476390?hash=item3aa4973626:g:TggAAOSw~OdVb78g&vxp=mtr Edited June 9, 2017 by dmoralesbello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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