Bates' 2012 Nissan Juke & 1987 300ZX

[Bates]

No serious updates but lots of little ones:

- Needs an alignment with some camber dialed in. Car handles like crap on the new wheels lol. Should be getting one if my mechanic gets his software upgrade this week for his alignment machine.

- Put on a home depot lip to hide the part of the IC that is sticking out. It's more of a skirt. I don't like it but it looks better regardless. Going to track down someone who works with aluminum to make me a custom front skirt or splitter to hide it better. Anyone here???

- Started to do research on a IRS conversion. It went from something that looked doable to something I no longer want to do haha. It would almost be easier to find an AWD shell and swap over my FWD setup. The problem is the AWD model (that has IRS) has a rear K frame that bolts to the floors, but the floors are radically different in the AWD model. I would have to get AWD floors (which they sell) and weld them into my car. The labor on a job like that must be insane and I am not in the mood to drop a couple thousand dollars just to be able to do the conversion. I thought about having someone cut up and customize the rear K frame to make it mount to the FWD floors, but after thinking about it, the dimensions and measurements would be off for the rest of the IRS components. Welding in new floors or getting an AWD shell are my only options if I really want to do this. Suffice to say, unless some welders can give me a good price on welding in the floors, this project is dead in the water.

- Brakes should be my next purchase, though I really want the Impul single wing, but they aren't cheap. Also looking to upgrade my BC coilovers next year to either Cuscos or RS*Rs. I'll go with the RS*Rs if they eve release their camber plates, or I'll go with Cuscos if they can build me a set of customs with dampening adjustments for the front.



A lot of the really nice body mod option for Jukes have to be imported from Japan sadly. Wings, rear and front lower fascias, and even a set of Fender flares.
http://autostyle-usa.com/?pkey=item_...1&car_url=juke

[Teku18]

Car looks really good with the XD-9's. I'm really liking it.

[Bates]

Originally Posted by Teku18

Car looks really good with the XD-9's. I'm really liking it.

Thanks. They really make the car pop now. I need to do something about center caps though. Caps won't work on the front because of the axle shaft/thread sticking out so far.

[Bates]

Quick pic.

[Teku18]

What were the specs on these? I actually ordered RPF1's for my BRZ.

[Bates]

18x9 +43 wrapped in 235/40 tires.

[mr_eh]

couldn't fit wider rubber in there?

[Teku18]

Nice. good to know if I ever decide to buy a set.

[Bates]

Originally Posted by mr_eh

couldn't fit wider rubber in there?

Yea, I could have, but I really didn't want to possibly have to deal with rubbing issues when I lower it more, though people have been stuffing 20 inch GTR wheels on Jukes without too many issues so I don't know.

When I upgrade the tires I'll get something a little wider, I was just playing it safe for now.

[Bates]

Last upgrade of the summer has been ordered. Decided since the IRS conversion is pretty much a lost cause, I need to make this toad handle as good as it possibly can, and the last thing to do besides upgraded coilovers, is brakes (and an expensive CUSCO rear sway bar lol). I wanted to order these months ago but went with wheels instead. Hopefully I will get everything by the middle of next week and they can be installed. Looking forward to seeing how these calipers look behind my wheels.

[Bates]

Calipers came in and they look great. They are going to look awesome behind the WORKs. Never really looked at a pair of Wilwoods before but they are so flat, they might actually clear my stock wheels when they go back on for winter. If not, some minimal spacers will be required but it should be okay. I kind of want to get a set of 18 inch winter wheels, if I can find a pair cheap enough (Z33 wheels would be nice). If anyone has a set for sale let me know.

Waiting on the rotors, which look like they have not been shipped yet. Ordered them from AJUSA. I hope they go out today.

[Bates]

Okay people I get it! Jukes are ugly and no one likes them, but that doesn't give you people the right to keep rear ending my friggin car! /sigh

Okay so this morning on my way to work was sitting at a stop light, when WHACK!! It took a second for me to register what had happened as my foot slipped on to the gas pedal and started revving my engine (thank God I was in neutral). Threw up the E-brake and got out and to my surprise I see was just jabbed in the pooper by a brand new 400hp $70,000 Lexus LS460. The guy gets out, looks nice, gives me the 'ole " I don't know what happened, I hit the brakes, were you in reverse?" routine, which I shrugged off because we have all done that. I told him that it was all him, my car was in neutral. He apologizes a million times, and we pull into a gas station a block away.

He tells me he got the car 3 weeks ago, he works in the building next to me, and he was overall super nice. I got his license and his insurance card info. Going to see if Phil over at Detailer's Domain can't take care of the nasty marks his license plate screws did to my bumper. This is the third time poor Zitz (if you don't know the name, google it, it will make sense then lol) has been hit, but this was the worse damage by far.

While part of me wants to milk him because I know he can afford it, he was super nice and it was an accident so I am hoping Phil can just work on my bumper and he can just pay for that. Hopefully I don't have to hound this guy for the money but judging from how receptive he was, I don't foresee an issue.

[rocknrace03]

that sucks man. things always happen to nice/new cars. I daily a 98 legacy wagon with a gagillion miles on it. id love to collect a few bucks for people lightly rear ending me from time to time, but no, it always happens to the cars you care about lol

[Bates]

Originally Posted by rocknrace03

that sucks man. things always happen to nice/new cars. I daily a 98 legacy wagon with a gagillion miles on it. id love to collect a few bucks for people lightly rear ending me from time to time, but no, it always happens to the cars you care about lol

Tell me about it. Got an estimate yesterday and it is going to cost at least 650$ to fix the bumper.

[Bates]

He wasn't overly happy at the estimate and is asking that I get one from a dealership. I said sure it is no problem, but he thinks that what he did is a scuff and can be buffed out. I already asked Phil over at Detailers Domain and he said it needs to be taken to body shop (I agree, as the marks go deep into the bumper). Opinions (there are 2 of these marks/gashes)?:

[rocknrace03]

i did body work in high school, and while I'm no expert, that looks like it'll need some filling/paint to get it back to normal. 650 seems fair to me.

[Bates]

I'm getting a quote from a dealership, like the guy wants. He won't be happy regardless. Whatever.

Dropped the Juke off last night to get it lowered more, aligned, and to have the brakes finally installed since the rotors came in yesterday. If everything goes well (it never does though), I should have it back after work today.

[Bates]

Quick pic from my mechanic:

[c7scayman]

To cover or hide the intercooler, why don't you paint the bottom of the intercooler in flat black using PlastiDip. It will blend in with the front bumper and most people won't notice it. Just a cheap idea that might work.

[Bates]

Originally Posted by c7scayman

To cover or hide the intercooler, why don't you paint the bottom of the intercooler in flat black using PlastiDip. It will blend in with the front bumper and most people won't notice it. Just a cheap idea that might work.

I already used a home depot lip for now to cover it. Looks crappy, but better than it was. Thanks for the idea though.