Crashtd420 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 11 hours ago, mainer311 said: Mocked up the wheel using the standard adapter and kit from my roadster. Sticks out too far. I designed a thinner 3 bolt to 5 bolt adapter today and will machine it once our mill frees up. My plan is to also design a filler shroud and 3D print that to fill the gap behind the wheel. It should have full horn and turn signal cancellation once it’s done. It makes getting in and out of the truck a lot easier. Looks good.. What diameter is the steering wheel? How is the visibility of the stock gauges? My steering wheel is kind of small.... makes my stock gauges kind of hard to read. 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted August 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 It's a 13" wheel. It does occlude the stock speedometer a little bit, but it doesn't bother me. My truck is slow, why do I need to look at the speedometer anyway? ? 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted August 28, 2018 Report Share Posted August 28, 2018 1 hour ago, mainer311 said: It's a 13" wheel. It does occlude the stock speedometer a little bit, but it doesn't bother me. My truck is slow, why do I need to look at the speedometer anyway? ? Too funny.... I think mine is a 13 also, does good, it was ruff turning before but since I rebuild my kingpins it's not a problem.... I cant wait to see all your upgrades in person.... I know mines more rat than original, but I definitely like the look and mods your doing while keeping it stock looking... 2 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted August 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 Sooo, I just received a Grant part number 3592 from Amazon. I open the box and the item inside looks nothing like their typical installation kit. Can’t figure out what it is, then it dawns on me that it’s an expensive quick release! I’m so torn. It’s worth way more than I paid for it, but it’s kinda useless to me. Do I send it back? Anyone want a steering wheel quick release for $30? 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted August 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 (edited) Just had this crazy idea and test fit it onto my roadster. It fits dead nuts perfect. Wtf? Just looked up the MSRP on this thing: $220. Thanks Amazon! Edited August 29, 2018 by mainer311 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted August 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 Machined my low(er) profile steering wheel adapter this morning. Will be painted texture black on the outside. 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 Looks great. You made 2 Rigggght? 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted August 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 47 minutes ago, d.p said: Looks great. You made 2 Rigggght? You can buy them online for $30. I was just being a cheap ass. 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 33 minutes ago, mainer311 said: You can buy them online for $30. I was just being a cheap ass. Link me. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 1 hour ago, mainer311 said: You can buy them online for $30. I was just being a cheap ass. More fun too... looks good.... 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted September 1, 2018 Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 4 hours ago, mainer311 said: Machined my low(er) profile steering wheel adapter this morning. Will be painted texture black on the outside. Nice work! 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 (edited) Steering wheel is in. Horn and blinker cancellation work. I modeled up the extra shroud, but haven’t had a chance to 3D print it yet. I sprayed the adapter and bezel last night with bedliner. Edited September 1, 2018 by mainer311 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted September 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2018 Despite it being Labor Day, worked has been swamped, so I went in all morning. That gave me a chance to finally print the steering column shroud. When I got home, I acetoned it, sanded, and sprayed with the same bedliner as the other 2 pieces. I then used some JB-qwik and epoxied the stepped end into the back of the Grant shroud. Fits perfect. Unfortunately, despite all my attempts at modifying the horn contact on the back, it kept shorting and blowing the horn as the steering wheel was turned. To fix this, I removed the female spade crimp from the housing under the dash, made a short spade connector jumper, and put an aftermarket horn button on the bottom of the dash. State law says that you need a functioning horn, but there is no requirement for it being on the wheel or column. 3 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted September 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2018 (edited) I made a little horn button trim piece for my new steering wheel. Japanese Car day is rapidly approaching and I’m putting some final doo-dads on it. This little piece is 1.5” in diameter, and matches my hub centercaps. Edited September 19, 2018 by mainer311 2 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 19, 2018 Report Share Posted September 19, 2018 See this is why I had to clean things up on mine.... didn't wanna look to ratty next to you at the show ... love the personal touches... 2 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted September 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2018 We’ll be the only 2 mini trucks there. It’s going to be awesome. 2 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Hey do you want my 60 amp externally regulated altenator Sunday? It's the exact same one you have... I'm thinking of you ever need to warranty what you have it would come in handy.... I'll trade you for an old one if you have one and want to.... all I want is a core, just in case, doesn't even need to be good... I would rather not give up a good altenator as a core if the situation ever came up where I needed it.... 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 On 9/19/2018 at 7:52 PM, mainer311 said: We’ll be the only 2 mini trucks there. It’s going to be awesome. We may be joined by a 3rd... not a 521 though.... and maybe not so mini... but still a truck.... guy posted a couple times about his 720 4x4... said hes gonna go... 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted October 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Nice! 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 The steering wheel looks like it belongs to the truck. Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted October 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 2 hours ago, Charlie69 said: The steering wheel looks like it belongs to the truck. Thanks. In hindsight I probably would have went slightly bigger on the diameter. 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted October 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) Is there any advantage of a 4 speed 240Z transmission vs. the stock 521 4 speed? One just came up for sale near me for $100. I believe it's an F4W71B. Edited October 12, 2018 by mainer311 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 There might be a slight gear difference but in my opinion probably not enough for the hassle.... You'll need to mod the driveshaft and rear transmission mount and the shifter location.... the zcar transmission is a bit longer.... it is stronger but if your gonna go that far I would find a 5spd.... the only benefit I see is you'll have the mods done for when you swap to the 5 spd.... 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 If actually from a 240 or 260Z the ratios are almost exactly the same. (these are old cars now and the trans may have been swapped for a later 4 speed) From '75 on they are a mid ratio which I think better over all for a truck with 4.375 diff that is used for commuting rather than work. If you mod the truck for the 4 speed, when a 5 speed comes along it's literally a drop in swap. I would put an old clutch disc on and mark it and the output spline at 12 o'clock. Place in first and turn 20 times while counting the output turns... 5.5 turns would be a wide ratio, 3.592 first (similar to the stock 4 speed) 6.0 turns is a mid ratio with a 3.321 first 2 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted October 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 The listing says it's from a 1974 260Z, so I'm afraid it won't get me anywhere. 1 Quote Link to comment
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