1990 Redo Transformation

[Rev_D21]

I'm going to give it a try.

[Desert Rat]

I don't think so. I think the length of the bed from the front to the fender well is longer on a king cab thn on a reg bed. You'd have to extend the frame to get it to fit right.

Right and wrong. It's actually the regular cab bed that's longer from the fender well forward. You could put a king cab bed on a reg cab truck, but you'd have a huge gap between the bed and the cab.

[mrecoolgar]

Thanks for verifying what I was thinking.How big is a huge gap?I was guessing around 3".

[Rev_D21]

Right and wrong. It's actually the regular cab bed that's longer from the fender well forward. You could put a king cab bed on a reg cab truck, but you'd have a huge gap between the bed and the cab.

Ah, I was 180 degrees off. Meatloaf can still sing about it though.

[Rev_D21]

Here's a photo shop of the grill mod I've been considering.I'd be removing the inner, thinner bars.Here's the stock grill.

It might look even better if you lose the Nissan hamburger. My new grille is almost the same as yours except it's slotted for Pathy headlights. I'm think I am going to ditch the hamburger.

[mrecoolgar]

I may just do that.I had been considering removing the tailgate 'Nissan' or moving it centered.I picked up an aluminum grill guard / push bar at the U Pull.Twas $19 but the steel attachment hardware gave me a workout.I'll be painting it black.I had no idea aluminum was available.

[Rev_D21]

I was able to find and recondition a SE tailgate trim on mine. It really sets the rear of the truck off.



I installed it with 3M tape, didn't use the brackets because those require oval holes be punched in the sheet metal. It's been on for 3 months now with no problems.

I also changed the front valance/apron from the color matched metal to one off an 87 Pathfinder. Truck-Lite sells a 3 bulb amber ICC light panel for big trucks that fits on the lower apron perfectly, as if it was meant to be there. Nissan even provided the mounting holes!

[mrecoolgar]

Does your tailgate have the indent for that panel?I considered getting one but noticed the tailgate was indented.Instead, I got a set of 4) bed pop up tie downs.And do you have a vertical power rear window?I was considering adding the Pathfinder front apron.The same piece you removed.

[Rev_D21]

The indent is exactly where the SE trim sits. No power windows on this ride.

[Rev_D21]

I knabbed the speaker mounts and rear carpet for $16 today, also grabbed some nuts and bolts to put it all together.

[mrecoolgar]

My tailgate has no indent.Post picks after you install.Here's mine.Note the spare rod placement since I have cubbies on the floor.I also relocated the jack and tools under the drivers seat.

[mrecoolgar]

And I added mirrored and lighted visors, front map light and a second rear light over the weekend.I had also installed a solid grab handle on either side.But decided to change to a softer, flexible unit.And grab bars on the A pillars.

[Rev_D21]

Do you have a pic of your tailgate? Also, I don't think my truck is drilled for the rear speaker mounts. The brackets don't fit not matter which way I fit them. Also there are no upper screw holes the hold the brackets in place.

I did hang the carpet tonight though. The finisher trim is metal to my surprise and needs to be primed and painted due to surface rust on it.



I didn't install it because of that.

[mrecoolgar]

Goes to show on what end I've been paying the most attention to.I do have the indent.Here's a pic showing where the speaker mounts go.And how they look in place.I believe all the metal trim panels need repainted.

[Rev_D21]

I just checked and my rear wall looks different. No upper mounting holes even though it has both lower holes. Odd.

I painted the upper carpet trim piece flat black. Came out nice. Just waiting for the paint to dry.

[mrecoolgar]

Looks good Rev.I picked up SEM interior dye to start color matching items like the rear trim panel.

[mrecoolgar]

Been busy yesterday and today at the Kruse Auction at the Giant Center.Held every fall Hershey Car Show.Here's pic of my truck and my friend Matt pointing to George Formans Lincoln.He came in with two body guards.

[Rev_D21]

Did he autograph a grill for you?

[mrecoolgar]

No, but he did buy 4 cars.On another note, I may be getting another Hardbody.Not that I don't like mine, but I have a chance to get a King Cab.It's a 1986 SE with 3.0 and AT.

[Rev_D21]

Feeling it, except for the AT. SE's are really nice.

[mrecoolgar]

Oh well, back to the standard cab.I was out bid.

[mrecoolgar]

Going to take a second look at a 90 Ford Ranger.Bad motor and trans but appears rust free.I have 6 Taurus SHO's and plenty o parts.So I'll be installing the motor and a T5 trans for rear wheel drive.Ford made one back in 1990 that I'll be using as a guide.I'll need this truck for my detailing business I'm hoping to start soon.I don't know if I'll be keeping my Nissan if I go that route.

[mrecoolgar]

Here she is in all her glory.The important part is it has 95k miles and is rust free.And my friend is buying back the Nissan when it's finished.

[MinisterofDOOM]

SHO motor in a Ranger should be a LOT of fun. I'm definitely not a fan of the lower plastic trim on the white truck, though.

[mrecoolgar]

After removing the Pathfinder flairs, I installed ones from a truck.Also installed new exhaust.

[mrecoolgar]

Installed a gage cluster with tach.Went from thisTo this.I wired the passenger side door switch that was originally not there.Installed a better rear lamp and wired the lited visors and map lites.I added a brace in the rear of the roof for the light mount.I'll probablly add the king cab hinged light that drops down to illuminate the bed.And I installed sound deadening to the roof.I also got the power locks working.
Modified by mrecoolgar at 4:45 PM 11/7/2008

[mrecoolgar]

Now my friend says he doesn't want to buy the truck back.Says he needs something bigger.I brought the Ranger home last Tuesday.I'll be replacing the timing chain.And adding power steering, a larger radiator and AC hopefully next week.
Modified by mrecoolgar at 4:19 PM 2/20/2010

[JC87HB]

Hey man how did u get the Tach from that thing to work...I lookd and looked for the wiring for it but couldnt find it. If u could show some picks of where it was for u that would be Amazing~josh~

[mrecoolgar]

Well... it's in place and wired but it doesn't work.The wiring / connectors where in my dash harness.All I had to do was plug it in.Everything works but the tach.When I figure it out I'll let you know.

[ghostcivic]

wow, i was glad to find this thread. lots of good ideas for me. i just bought a 2wd 1995 nissan with a ka24. it has 170k, but the motor runs great!it needs some attention, paint, body work, new front bumper.i also snagged some fender flares, window visors from the junk yard. flares ran me $40 and the visors were free.im gonna get a black bumper/grill to replace the rusted chrome bumper.i think the black will look tougher with the green paint.im gonna use a spray-on tint on the brake lights to "smoke" them.i like alot of what you guys have done on the interior. i would like to go with bucket seats, but ill have to stick with the bench since my wife and kid will have to go places with me some times.i would love to do a performance exhaust, but have a feeling i wont find something like that on ebay.please keep posting pics of your projects, it helps us all.and its great to see others restoring/improving these great little trucks