I dont have FB so ill keep looking.

I got the 08 radio today. I installed it.....and......still same problem....shift bezel will not fit. I wonder if there is an auto trans version of the upper center trim piece that holds the three gauges in? Im stuck....

 

Some pics of the problem with the console:


First pic shows where the upper part of shift console meets the lower part of radio.



Second pic shows bottom shift console..it has over an inch to go to fit but it wont go



Third pic shows upper part of console...it still has far to go

 

Ive had a few days to think about what to do. I have some ideas that I have thought about and also, thanks to DarkZ03, I have more ideas to fix my console problem. I notice that the shift console has the hazard warning on the left side and that connector seems to be hanging it up. I thought about removing the hazard warning just to see if that will solve the problem. The 03-05 console has nothing underneath the shift console. Also, DarkZ gave me some ideas I will try. Its frustrating because I really like the interior facelift from 06+ cars, but with the shift console sticking up, and the shift **** removed, it detracts from the experience.

This weekend I buffed the car with 3M Polish. It smoothed out the paint and gave it a nice sheen, except there are swirl marks which need to be polished out. The paint is far from perfect anyway so, at some point, it will get an entire respray of KH3.

I know the tails aren't everyone's cup o' tea, but I like them more each day. They give the car a fresher more exotic look. I have thought about ways to imrpove the look and I think Im going to try to tint the lense cover over the front/side reflectors. If I dont like it, then its easily removable. If I break open the lights, then I run the risk of damaging them. However, I think I could give them a better look by painting the chrome surfaces a satin black.

Sunday, I decided to enjoy the beautiful So Cal weather and drove up to Mt. Baldy to enjoy the tight 10 mph (yeah right!) twisties are the top. Here's a pic:



Still need to figure the console issue - still looking for Nismo Z wheels in good shape - still looking for the Nismo radiator support H-brace.

 

Are you referring to the side marker (bumper) LED lights, or the headlights?

I would probably upgrade to '06+ headlights since they produce a better light pattern and then crack (not literally) them open to paint the chrome pieces black.

Hours of my life have been spent reading all the retrofit/modified headlight threads. lol

 

I have my oem 06+ housing painted black with no leaks. if you want them deus shoot me a pm

 

Please at least invest in a new CF hood or an HR hood. (Preferably an HR hood)

The 03-06 hood looks so out of place.

 

Kno....pm sent.

0taku...I would get 06 + hood but not cf. Actually, from the front, the 05 hood's lines match the front bumper nicely....right where the uprights are in the lower opening. Ill get a pic and show you.

Today I worked on some fluff....I bought #9 meguiars swirl remover and did half the car. Also finished those areas with Zymoil. My random orbital buffer threw the cloth pad so i need to buy some new pads.

Before:


After:



I also bought OEM Nismo floor mats:


Last but not least:

 

I agree - I'm actually feeling the '05 hood. I think a CF hood may start taking your Z's looks in a different direction...

 

Your issue with the console is that you need all of the parts from an 06+ - the waterfall, the climate control bezel, the two side panels with the leather knee bolsters, the shifter bezel and the storage compartment assembly that goes all the way back to the rear trim panel on the rear cabin firewall.

You cannot mix and match - just scour the classifieds, last year there were a bunch of threads for complete setups. Check out junkyards and ebay too, you will find what you need.

 

I have all the parts you mentioned from an 06+ - waterfall, radio and brackets, shift bezel, knee pads, and center console.

 

I dont think you have the right console, or it is not installed correctly. Look at your pic:

The front part of the console should go under the side panel like I have tried to show with the arrow.

Here is a pic of mine as a reference:


Sorry for the blurries but I grabbed it from a different thread and blew it up so you could see how the shifter bezel has a smooth transition, instead of the "hump" which is stopping you from sliding the bezel into place.

Hope this helps!

 

Yes it does help. Dark Z pointed out the same thing but the picture makes it clearer. I definitely have the correct parts. My long center console is from an 08 Z. Like you said, its too high and needs to be mounted correctly. Ill try to find time to unbolt it. What I could do it remove the long center console and try to mount the shift bezel. If that works, then we know that the long console was not mounted correctly, which we kind of know now. I appreciate all the help. Ill keep you all posted.

 

I may have read over this and missed it but, do you need additional brackets when putting the Nismo Rear bumper on? This is for my 08 Coupe but figured you would know .

 

Good question. Yes, there are two lower brackets that need to be installed. I made my own out of straight aluminum from Lowes/Home Depot. I measured it, cut it, and drilled two holes. It secures the lower portion of the bumper to the body by where the rear mud flaps would be.

 

Thank you! I am looking at purchasing a OEM Front and rear Nismo bumper with Chargespeed side skirts . Love what your doing with the roadster but agree with the HR hood!

 

The tricky convertible top issue was partly solved. The next sticky issue was the console. But, thanks to DarkZ for help and a late night revelation. I was pretty much at my wits end about how to get the 06+ console to fit, specifically the shift bezel. DarkZ did some research and discovered that the manual shift bezel had the silver part screwed on to the bezel from underneath. However, the automatic transmission shift bezel has the silver part clipped into place, and for a specific reason. the automatic shift mechanism is a bit of a complicated device and, therefore, the procedure had to be different and the way it was different was the silver part simply pulls away from the bezel and then the dark plastic surround is unscrewed from the rest of the console.

When he told me this, I immediately went over to the console and sure enough the Silver part was clipped in place. I couldn't get out to the car fast enough because I was certain this was going to work. I basically took everything apart and I made sure the long center console was correctly positioned and I placed the dark plastic piece sans the Silver section over the shift mechanism. The silver section fit over the mechanism as well and then the silver ring went on top to finish it off. Here is the result.....



Thanks again to DarkZ for help. Its nice to have the car back together. I will need to paint z waterfall and the matching shift bezel area due to some scratching.

 

Nicely done!

 

Thank you.. Next task is to take apart the newly put together consoles and paint them. I got black plastic paint and matte clear coat to protect the paint.

Another pic of interior:


Im ready to close a deal on some OEM Nismo wheels. Also, have some 06+ headlight shells lined up. Just need to close that deal.

Im planning on going to the Z meet at Z Store in Orange, CA this Saturday. I need to.prep the car for it.....cheers

 

Love the way the car looks. Again props for not listening to the bs people gave you. Not only does it actually look great, but it's totally unique, and looks proper (not rice).

 

Looking really good! Can't wait to see it after wheels, lights, and the respray!