Now this is why vert members are so kick ***. Thanks DanRC30!

[Z Style]

Well, if you guys don't know I am trying to restore Dexter's wrecked vert. I went and cut a new windshield frame off of a hatch to weld in place of the smashed one. After I had that back to the Lab, I made a trip to the local Nissan dealer a few days later about ordering the steel reinforcement that is riveted and tack welded at the ends to the windshield frame. This is the piece that the top clamps too; which also gives the frame a huge upgrade in strength. Well, the part comes off in one piece. It is two pieces of stamped sheet metal welded together. The cool thing is you can order it from the dealer but it comes in two pieces. No huge deal, each piece is like $75 bucks or whatever. Now here his the huge kicker, only the lower piece is still available! So I was screwed because mine was bent to crap. The worst case scenario is that I would have to pound this thing back into the best shape I could.

Another option I had was finding a wrecked vert and getting the whole windshield frame off of it. So I have been watching the part outs of verts on this forum for a year or so now trying to get someone to cut the frame off. One guy even sent me an email saying that he was in the same boat. Well finally there was one guy named Jeff, forgot his handle on here, from New Jersey that didn't care if the windshield frame went. Now another kicker, he didn't have the tools or the will to cut the thing off. He did drill out the rivets to try and remove just the frame but I forgot about the tack welds on the end so he couldn't even get just that part off.

So one night in the Lab I asked Dexter if he was in contact with a NICOnaut vert owner in New Jersey. He looks at me and says, "Dude, I just talked to one last night and he was a really cool dude." Dex calls him up and he is totally willing to help a guy out. With out any cash up front, just the words of a NICOnaut vert owner in desperate help, he made a trip down there with a buddy that owned a Sawzall. This was even during the time he was dealing with his house burning down and all the **** that entails. The two of them not only cut the windshield frame off the car but even saved the windshield by cutting it out with just a knife. I told Dan no rush and a couple weeks later I get a call from him saying he is at the UPS getting it shipped out. That was last friday and the new frame arrived this past wednesday. The dude is a ****ing champ! I give you all the kudos in the world bro.

And that is why vert owners kick more *** than any other members on NICO!

[Eikon]

Dan rocks!!!

[DeXteR]

Such a beautiful story.

Dan, give your buddy props for not damaging the windshield. That's some mad sawzall skills for sure. Thanks much for the help. Make sure to let us know if you ever need anything.

NICO vert forum FTMFW.

[Danrc30]

Thanks for the thread guys... glad I could help! I know what it's like to be stuck and need some help. Trust me! I'm stuck now having to install 2 garage door frames so the doors go up into the now cathedralled garage ceiling! Anyway, hope that baby gets fixed soon!

Z Style forgot to add I was mad sick the day I took the drive to get the piece... I figured a trip in the vert would get me some fresh air and make me feel better... well, not-so-much, but it's all good. It was nice taking a ride on a sweet day.

It's true... my house burned back in October... been majorly slammed with that and fighting with the insurance company... seems like I'm always at Home Depot or Lowes making selections on what goes back into the house...

Now maybe someone could help me get my right side headlight to go down and stay down everytime I shut the lights off? Can't seem to keep that working right...

[DeXteR]

been majorly slammed with that and fighting with the insurance company... seems like I'm always at Home Depot or Lowes making selections on what goes back into the house...

I know how you're feeling, but to a lesser degree.

Best of luck with that and if you just want a new light assembly, we can send you one with the motor and all.

[Danrc30]

I know how you're feeling, but to a lesser degree.

Best of luck with that and if you just want a new light assembly, we can send you one with the motor and all.

Thanks, but the light and motor assembly works well... sort of. It goes up, but won't go down. It's either a bad relay, or some sort of bad connection somewhere... man do I hate electrical issues.......

[mrk442]

lol sorry to thread jack but i just figured i would throw out that i have the same damn problem... light goes up fine but never gets the retract signal... I know it does not get the signal since i can manually activate the motor with a 12v source to the right pin and it retracts... sucks...

[ishkabibble]

Dan's a pretty nice guy from my experience.

Now maybe someone could help me get my right side headlight to go down and stay down everytime I shut the lights off?

BFH

[Danrc30]

Well, now I need some serious help! No, not the mental problems... you guys can't help me there... lol! This morning the fitting that's screwed on the top of the hydraulic piston that connects the piston to the convertible top snapped. It's crappy pot metal. Anyone have an extra one???

[Z Style]

Dan, email me a picture of it. I am not going to be using my hydraulics, so if it is still there and Dex doesn't need it it is yours.

[Danrc30]

Dan, email me a picture of it. I am not going to be using my hydraulics, so if it is still there and Dex doesn't need it it is yours.

How's this? It's the broken piece...

[Danrc30]

Well, I decided since these things are made out of pot metal, I'd make something better. It may not be as pretty, but it's all steel. Just three 5/16" washers, four 3/8"- 24 nuts, all welded together. Should be strong enough...

It's installed and working fine... I'm gonna make another one for the other side...



Modified by Danrc30 at 10:48 PM 7/11/2008
Modified by Danrc30 at 12:50 AM 7/12/2008

[Z Style]

Sorry, I didn't get back with you. If your piece works, **** it.

[Danrc30]

Sorry, I didn't get back with you. If your piece works, **** it.

No worries... Not only does it work, I think it's better because it's steel and not that crappy pot metal they used... this thing will NEVER break!

[Z Style]

No worries... Not only does it work, I think it's better because it's steel and not that crappy pot metal they used... this thing will NEVER break!

I guess my car is missing the rams anyways.

[topless_240]

hey man the same thing happened to mine, I was wondering if you could make me a steel one like yours or if you just had an extra one laying around you were willing to sell me would be great to. lmk asap!

[Danrc30]

I can probably make you another one, but it may take me some time... still working on getting settled in my house from the fire last year... how quick do u need it?

[topless_240]

not too quick b/c with winter coming up i probably won't have the top down much, so idk take your time i guess