Sunday, April 19, 2020

Fixing the Interior - Taking Some Things Back to OEM

So with R33 parts rapidly becoming unavailable new from Nissan (and many parts still not available under the Heritage Program), I figured that, whatever course of action I take to fix the interior, I should at least stock up on a few parts I will need to at minimum bring the interior back to OEM status.

Everything that Cesar did in terms of the leather work (with some exceptions) will stay - that work is simply too beautiful from a quality and tactile (and smell) standpoint to switch back - but items that in my opinion detract from the utility of the interior, as well as drive-ability, will be taken back to OEM, or OEM+, levels.  For me, the 2-DIN Navi/stereo doesn't work (too complicated, and the HVAC control relocation I don't like) and the A-pillars need to be replaced (the Morel speakers in the A-pillars are ugly and I don't think they sound that good) despite my attempt to recolor the suede to a proper color.  


As of this writing, my NISMO contacts have informed me that the HVAC control unit, the passenger side A pillar column cover, and of course the original radio cassette deck are no longer available as new.  So, over the last couple of weeks I've been on Yahoo Auctions trying to find quality used items.

From my earlier post where I began fixing the damage Worx AutoAlarm had done.
First, the HVAC control unit - my old one is now permanently encased in the shift surround so I would end up having to cut through plastic to get it out.  And given that someone out there probably wants this set up (admittedly a decent alternative to sticking the HVAC control unit in the glove box), I decided to go ahead and find a used HVAC control unit.  Let me know if you are interested in my WORX'd old one!

Second, as I continue to unpack stuff for the house I keep looking for my original OEM radio cassette head unit.  However, it remains to be found. Maybe someday I will find it, maybe not.

Never fear however, I found this on Yahoo Auctions:
Going to have take care of that slight rust on that left bracket...
Complete with brackets too! Total WIN! Having not accessed the space behind the audio since WORX installed the 2 DIN Pioneer CyberNavi, I am concerned that the brackets to hold both the HVAC unit and a 1 DIN radio might also be missing. Of course, brackets can be fabricated, but it's always better if OEM parts are used.


Nice to have everything in one package.  The concern though now is, whether OEM wiring for the head unit is still present in the car. If not, it will be quite painful to get it fixed to be able to hook it back up.  Further, I have no idea whether either of the two parts work!  (a call to NISMO and they told me they have a shop they work with that can fix the head unit so...)

Anyway, I did what I could to clean it up:


I also found this on Yahoo Auctions a few days later.
Not exactly the best packaging but hey it worked...
A bit of wear and tear but I can live with it!
Finally, rummaging in my boxes of car parts (that I have unpacked!) I found this - yep my original ashtray. You may notice it has a cut out in the rear, this was because I was experimenting with LED lighting for the cigarette lighter surround, and wanted that very bright light to illuminate the inside of the ashtray. Not sure if I will keep it or get a new one but at least one less part I have to buy.



I also found the OEM cigarette lighter.
You can see how faded it is. The white graphic outline is gone! 
I also found the original OEM speakers. I think these are for the rear, but you can see how cheap (paper cones) they are.
Still, I wonder what they sound like now...
Lastly - bonus - this was something I had bought a long time ago when trying to figure out if I could use the Nissan OEM CD changer deck that came with the Kenwood Sound Cruising System.  I was able to figure out that the Alpine CD changer that was located in the trunk was similar to the one Honda used in the NSX (just one difference in the harness pin), but I could never find the amp that was mounted in the space next to the battery so gave up...

I wonder if the lettering is supposed to be yellowed like that... if not that would bother me anyway...plus those scratches...
Anyway, combined with a few strategic purchases of some other new items from Nissan and some other used parts on Yahoo Auctions, my interior should soon be back to normal.  Actually, consistent with my theme of OEM+, the result should turn out pretty good.

Now, the next step is trying to figure out if the original audio harness still exists or if it's been hacked as well...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Actually one of the reasons why I ended up getting the R33 I did was because the interior was completely stock. I just want a single DIN with bluetooth, maybe replace OEM speakers with drop-in equivalents if they're broken but that's it.

Fingers crossed you can fix up your interior/wiring.

Aki said...

Smart man (or woman? lol). Sounds exactly what I want to do... just modernize as if Nissan sold the car today! Hopefully that means no paper OEM speakers but a drop in equivalent as you say!

And yeah thanks on the finer crossing...

Nick said...

I'd be interested in the HVAC gear surround combo if it's still available and possible to ship to AUS?

Anonymous said...

Regarding the head unit if you're looking for a single DIN and having a hard time finding something that looks tasteful, I ended up buying the Continental TRD7412UB-OR. I don't need the DAB function but that's the only model with a wire for dimming when headlights are switched on. Also a little unfortunate is the lack of an automatic antenna control function, it's tied to the remote amp wire so a power antenna would raise/lower as soon as you turned the stereo on. The orange is a pretty close match for the OEM cassette head unit so I'm just going to not think too hard about it, probably will just install a switch where there's a blank on the series 1 R33 to switch off the antenna power for the 99% of the time I'm not listening to AM/FM.

Another option that I think looks period correct is the Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB. It has RGB lighting so you can adjust it to match perfectly to the OEM head unit lighting, has the illumination pin as well. Unfortunately it also has the same issue with power antennas. Only some aftermarket head units have the proper power antenna behavior and they come with their own issues, the Clarion M508 is a marine unit that gets very hot and is extremely bright for automotive use. It also only comes in a white/bluish backlight.

Aki said...

Hey Nick, let me know what your email is and I will respond.

Anon - thanks for the recommendations, I didn't even know Continental made car audio! Agree that ideally would want the lighting to match the OEM green/blue. The Blaupunkt I think looks even more period correct. But yes, what to do with the power antenna. Some people I know say get rid of it, but that is what makes the car so 90s!!

In any case... shall continue to research!

Nick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I believe the OEM head unit has an orange backlight to it so I'm willing to tolerate the mismatch relative to the OEM backlighting.

I would probably get the Blaupunkt and install a switch in the dash. I believe the series 3 has a blank where the series 1 antenna switch used to be?

Anonymous said...

Another option is to do what I did back in high school, just use a cassette to 3.5mm adapter + external bluetooth adapter. Then in college I got a proper 3.5mm adapter retrofit to the OEM stereo, so now I just use the external bluetooth adapter.

Aki said...

I think the OEM was green lit to match the digital clock? In any case it's been too long but so long as it looks OEM, I am ok with whatever I replace it with. Meanwhile, I have to do a deep dive on what speakers. Ideally would be nice to have tweeters in the sail panels, or A-pillars, but after the current A-pillar fiasco, I'm inclined to stick to smaller ones on the sail panels. Then again, the car is too noisy for a proper stereo, so...

Anonymous said...

https://topranktrade.jp/photos/vehicle/org/6820_422.jpg

I definitely found it weird that the stock head unit isn't matched in color to the clock or HVAC at all, but it does appear to be orange. Maybe there are some LEDs to light it up at night that are actually that blue/green color?

Aki said...

I'm not sure that looks right. The catalogs show a digital grey LCD background. And from memory, mine wasn't orange. Believe me that would drive me nuts. FYI, this particular unit (in different forms - CSK-9511D, 9511K, and CSK-9311C - I think the 9311C was for R33s?), was used in various different Nissan cars at the time, so it's possible that the photo you show was a restored battery from another car.

But in the end, doesn't matter - point being whatever I use, I will make sure to match with the green LEDs in the HVAC and Clock! Thanks man!

Gabe said...

Aki I love the blog. It is such a huge help to us R33 owners. Speaking of R33 interior, I had just ordered a bunch of parts for the interior GTR, opting for the Series 2-3 type with the textured surfaces... found a GTS dash fascia, brand new shift surround, light switch surround, and ash tray. Snap them up quick because 2 of those three parts are discontinued as of now!

It is my hope these will be re-introduced on the heritage line, however I am sure it will be at a considerable cost increase!

-Gabe

Aki said...

Hi Gabe,

Many thanks for the kind words - really keeps me going sometimes. Sometimes I wonder why I bother but people like you are why!

So let me guess - the dash fascia and the light switch surround?

Aki

Apr1209 said...

Hey Aki, did you ever part ways with the AC control relocation?

Aki said...

Apr1209 - if you are talking about the item that moved the AC controls to the ashtray location - yes. Nismo had to essentially break it to get the car's AC controls out. Thanks for reading!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I surch r32 gtr radio