So how many of you R33 fans knew that, when Nissan sold the R33, they offered a "cold climate region spec" option? (in Japanese, 寒冷地仕様). Actually, not just the R33 GT-R, but all R33s were offered with this option.
Not sure if it was a box you checked on the order sheet, but I HAVE been able to research and find that the option was comprised of at least the following items:
1) A larger standard battery
2) Heated door mirrors
3) Trunk liner
There is not much else to be found, however. The only other interesting tidbit I learned is that all 422 of the 4-door R33 GT-Rs built were "cold climate region spec" models. I could not find any information whether these spec cars had any mechanical differences, however. I was looking for, but could not find information on the typical "cold weather" improvements such as different coolant, better anti-rust protection, larger alternator, de-icing wipers, etc. So if anyone has any info on this, please let me know!
Anyway, assuming it's only the three items I listed above, then modifying your R33 to become a "cold climate region spec" car is not too hard. In my case, I have already installed a huge Optima Yellow Top battery, and so I just had to find the other two.
As for the heated mirrors, a happy accident - a while back when I lived in Tokyo and suffered the curse of mechanical parking, I damaged my left side mirror when backing in (I clipped it... Enough to crack the housing!). No matter, I just went on Yahoo Auctions and picked up something the same color. Wasn't paying too much attention then, but now when I had the doors apart for the sound deadening, I realized that I had gotten one with a 7 pin connector. The standard model is 5 pin, the extra 2 (blue connector) are used for the heating element. Lucky me!
So now, I have to find one for the right side, and THEN figure out how to wire it to the defogger switch, which activates the mirror heating elements.
(both of the above photos courtesy of http://minkara.carview.co.jp/group/r33skyline/bbs/5827926/l10/)
Honestly, while not urgent for me to have, as I live in Yokohama, it would still be cool to have my car fully accessorized this way (never mind that I almost never take my car out in the rain, and of course never when it's snowing). So, if anyone out there has the right side one in KR4 color, let me know! Thanks!
Finally, in keeping with my recent theme of trying to make my car more "comfortable" I found that you can still order the trunk liner and the 16 clips you need, so I did. (Parts number 84966-22U00 for the liner and 01553-04941 for the gray clips- thanks Matt!).
Here is the liner:
Here are the clips:
The trunk lid before (note the sound deadening I put on):
The trunk lid after installing the liner:
Is it just me, or doesn't the trunk lid look WAY better with this liner?
BTW - as I am updating, on an occasional basis, the R33 GT-R Technical page, please check back once in awhile. New entries are in green.
10 comments:
I'v only just recently found out about the heated mirrors and trying to track some down myself! I've looked in Nissan FAST to get a part number to see how much the heated glass is new (make up my own loom) but only see a listing for standard mirrors :/ How did you go with the wiring to defroster? The R32 came with a separate switch for the mirrors, however I've not seen anything like this for R33 so they are probably controlled by the main defroster dash switch.. http://i41.tinypic.com/20rv76b.jpg
nic969 - interesting how it doesn't show up on FAST. Have not wired it up yet, trying to find the driver side first. And that's right, the main defroster switch is what turns them on.
Ohh trunk liner.. Mine never had one originally. Is this usual? It was not until I saw someone else's car with one I just had to hunt one down. A used one in my case!
Karl - I believe most cars do not come with the trunk liner!
Aki
Very interesting piece of info Aki, didn't see anything regarding the cold climate spec in the brochures I have :/
Also, nicely done with the trunk liner! That's also on my to-do list :)
Glad I could be of help :)
Hi Aki,
I also own a '97 series 3 and mine came with the trunk liner. i think your right. it may have been a option.
I noticed for the driver side seat belt, there is an attachment which holds the belt for easy reach. it is not present for the passenger side. was this also a option?
Do you have heated mirrors too? Just curious...
Driver's side seat belt, the extender arm came standard on all cars I believe - but I'll do some research. I'll post again here if I am wrong! LOL
Aki, unfortunately i don't have i have the heated mirrors either. shame i know lol.
btw there was also another very rare factory option. the bumper on the passenger side had 2 extra intake ducts for a optional nismo oil cooler. can this be purchased from nissan?
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/7873/gtrsidegp5.jpg
Mingy - not so rare, and yes you can still get that from Nissan.
I just didn't want to cut unnecessarily into my stock bumper back when I installed my oil cooler... but what do you think, does it look better with this ducting??
Hi Aki - me again...
I found this a while back about heated mirrors as I had intended to change mine (was a daily driver even in the snow unlike you)...
Though it might help - post 22 specifically and then post 25 with another screen picture as an example - resulting in a YES, it was obviously an option.
http://www.skylineowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154155&page=2
Worth looking into the part numbers too (and for me so let me know lol).
Keep it up
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