THUNDERZED Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 In the beginning was Zed… Well, I have had my Zed about 18 months and done around 1.2k to date [very under used but was purchased as a second car for sunny day use with the occasional weekend run out – family commitments permitting] I viewed some which were somewhat disappointing in either condition or paperwork. Some had really low miles which I wanted but the condition didn’t back it up… By chance I stumbled across this one at a local independent dealer who had purchased it from Vic Young Nissan as a trade sale. The car has come in part ex for a new Qashqai. It had been sat for a month in stock while the plate came off and the local independent purchased it as they buy a number of cars from them. It's a facelift (56) 2006 GT Pack with SAT NAV, all three keys, all manuals and books and folders and some of the original purchaser paperwork, original mats, paint protection on mirrors and lower chin on the front bumper. The car has had two previous owners who both had the car for around 4 years. Service history it has 6 stamps which the latest was a P3 by my local Nissan dealer. I know it should have had a few more stamps but the condition, miles service history and MOTs all stacked up and was also a second car I understand. A deal was done, with 6 months warranty, interim service, year’s tax, fresh MOT and a few niggles put right for me. I picked it up and drove it the next weekend to Nissan for a health check and flew through with no issues identified. I have a very specific plan for the Zed, OEM+ modified look but super clean… So then the fun began, for ease I have listed the mods/updates below with pics which I can find and some I have not but will add to this as time goes by. · The Rays were showing signs of age so the alloys were stripped and professionally refurbed by Romax in Stockton, full dip and powder coat. I have used them several times and the finish on the inside as the outside wrapped in new Falken FK453 tyres. · New OEM gear knob (not cheap) – old one was a little worn on the top aluminum bit · New OEM mats as the current ones were 9 years old and looked a little worn · New 350z OEM boot carpet and original Nissan tonneau cover · New OEM cargo net · Passenger grab handle had a few scratches from a ring I assume. So new one ordered and also swapped the pedals for new OEM items to give the new look · New OEM chrome kick sills as the current ones had a few scuffs · New OEM mud guards front and rear, professionally painted · Front bumper professionally painted as few nasty chips sadly on the areas not with the paint protection film · Deep clean and polish So over winter the Zed slept in hibernation away from the salt and elements and I continued with accumulating plan and ideas. Role on spring 2015 and the Zed returned to the road. MOT and Taxed with belts changed and a P3 service at Nissan with full front to back health check. Then as summer approached my radiator gave up. So I opted for a new OEM Nissan part, the last one lasted nearly 10 years so fingers crossed on this one – it was not cheap. A few weeks later I heard the exhaust was starting to blow on the flexi… So I decided to change the full thing. I was really torn as want the OEM look and quiet. I stumbled across a brand new OEM Y pipe for a bargain price and ordered a brand new miltek Y pipe back system. With new gaskets from Nissan my local garage fitted it and was a happy chap. New OEM clear indictors sourced from Nissan to clean the front up and then the engine bay bling.. A big thanks to MopedMark ·Polished plenum, strut bar and bonnet lock ·New cap covers and dip stick ·Tomei oil cap ·Group buy engine bolts I am pretty happy with the bay but a core brace I feel might follow I saw some 35th Anniversary badges on the US forum some sourced a set for the wings as they are an OEM part and I feel suit the look I am after. Anyway, that’s me up to date. Some updates to follow over winter and hope you enjoyed the first chapter. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 He also brought the driver's seat to me to have a repair done About time you actually posted something on here, mate! Not long before there's some new changes to document either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THUNDERZED Posted November 1, 2015 Author Share Posted November 1, 2015 I know mate, only taken me about a year to get round to it, hope all is well Totally forgot to add that bit in, am sure I have a before and after pic so will dig them out. Yes not long now :teeth: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Looks very tidy. Great work so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopedmark Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 nice start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Looks well, mate, just need some spacers so sit the wheels out a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Looks very OEM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davectr Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Very subtle but quality changes, definitely OEM + Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Looking fabulous buddy. All that hard work certainly paid off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edenc Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Mate, lovely looks. It does become rewarding as things start to pickup and cleanup bit by bit. I've just received my new gear knob which, unlike your original and expensive item, is an aftermarket, albeit Z logo'd. Tell me, if you get a moment, how to get the old one off I have the silver, lower gator ring removed from the tunnel but for the life of me can't see how to release the gator itself. There is a plastic clip holding it on but there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to get it off. I am sure I saw a thread on this somewhere, but can't relocate it so any pointers would be much appreciated. Cheers P.S. Have same Zed as yours in colour and model except for I have the flimsy roof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THUNDERZED Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 Thanks for the comments all, some winter updates to follow soon edenc - I am sure I had a followed a guide on here for the gear shifter removal, it was not very straight forward and I destroyed the old one getting off. I can't seem to see it now but definitely have a read before tackling as read a few stories of it going wrong for people and breaking parts as you need to clamp part of it Some basic maintenance jobs on the plan such as waxoil/sealing the underside and arches and some subtle modifications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo 300 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Retrim progress on this very Zed can be found here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Thompson Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Can't say I have seen you around these parts. Where are you from if you don't mind me asking? I'm from Thornaby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanjuke Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 nice and tidy mate,where did you get the oem mud guards from cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THUNDERZED Posted December 11, 2015 Author Share Posted December 11, 2015 Can't say I have seen you around these parts. Where are you from if you don't mind me asking? I'm from Thornaby Not to far from you mate, over near Richmond. The zed doesn't get out as often as it should but I do often see some out and about but am never in the my zed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THUNDERZED Posted December 11, 2015 Author Share Posted December 11, 2015 (edited) nice and tidy mate,where did you get the oem mud guards from cheers cheers mate, I got them off eBay from a Nissan dealer in the USA as was struggling to source them in the UK then just them painted up. Price was not too bad if remember Edited December 11, 2015 by THUNDERZED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanjuke Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 thanks mate cheers now Im off to ebay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THUNDERZED Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Well as the Zed slumbers in hibernation for winter the next big installment was a re-trim. The car did not really need it, but the work Si of Hideandseat did on the seat sometime ago for a repair was so good when the group buy came up I signed up. OEM + was the specification and WOW did Si deliver. Amazing job and the photos do not do the work justice. I wanted it to look like new with few subtle variations and here it is. I also repainted the window switches in satin black while they were out. Seats re-trimmed, door armrests and cards. I plan to have a steering wheel done next years by Si and have sourced one ready for then Thanks for reading, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THUNDERZED Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 (edited) Well the time is almost here to bring the Zed out of hibernation, one job I wanted to do was new brakes over winter but have not had time. I wanted to keep the stock set-up as this is good enough for me so set about getting some new Brembo discs front and rear with pads. I got a great deal from Eurocar parts a few months back. Now they are coated on the lips and edge of the top hats to stop rust by Brembo but the face of the top hat was not which I thought was odd. So to avoid them looking rusty in time a few coats of the face of high temp paint was needed. It's all in the detail. Well it is MOT and annual service time this week so having these fitted before I have a few mods planned this year so watch this space Edited April 30, 2016 by THUNDERZED Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT350 Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Very nice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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