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Credit: zero2sixtyZ

Just finished disassembling the G35 passenger seat.

Update – 2/8/2008: Successfully installed the passenger seat and modified the G35 cushions to fit on the 5.5 gen pan. Currently working on integrating the rails and controls. More details and pictures to come. The driver’s seat swap will have to wait until next week, as it needs to be completed in one session.

Here’s the latest update, folks:

  • Top Cushion: The top cushion (where your back sits) bolts directly onto the Maxima frame without any issues, utilizing the existing bolts and notches. It fits perfectly and functions well.
  • Bottom Cushion: However, the bottom cushion requires some foam trimming underneath to fit properly on the G35 frame. While it doesn’t align perfectly as it would on a G35 frame (I’ll share pictures to illustrate), it’s manageable and can be made to work.
  • Clips/Retainers: The main task now is to ensure that the clips and retainers fit onto the Maxima seat pan. This way, we retain the Maxima hardware, making wiring a breeze. I’ve chosen not to deal with side-airbags in this process.

Still on my to-do list:

  • Switch Spot: I’m figuring out how to fill the spot where the G35 cushion has a switch slot. It’s not very noticeable since it’s next to the center console, but I want it clean and seamless.
  • Power Switches: I’m looking for a suitable place to position the Maxima power switches. Unlike the original seat, the G35 seat doesn’t have a cutout on the door side. Right now, they’re connected but just resting next to the seat.
  • Heated Seats: I’m eager to add heated seats, which would be fantastic right now. I’ll have to investigate under the center console for this. Since the connections from the G35 cushions are power and ground, splicing shouldn’t be too challenging if needed.

When I tackle the driver’s side, I’ll document each step with pictures. Most of the time spent on the passenger’s side was figuring out our next moves, so I’ll make sure to streamline the process and provide a clear guide. Stay tuned for updates!

Update: Exciting news — both seats are now officially installed in the car! I dedicated most of the morning to fixing the suspension and installing the driver’s side seat. I made sure to capture important steps with photos, and I’m planning to create a detailed DIY guide for installing the cushions into the Maxima hardware. Unfortunately, the heated seats and fixing the switch holes will have to wait for now.

A big shoutout to Dark-V and StealthMax for their invaluable help with these seats over the past week. Here’s a picture of the passenger seat fully installed for your reference. Stay tuned for the DIY guide and more updates!

Latest Status Update:

  • Both seats have been successfully installed.
  • Controls are operational on both seats, except for the passenger seat reclining function. It seems I may have shorted the motor while plugging it back in. Tip: Wait for a while to let the charge dissipate, or disconnect the battery first before working on electrical connections.
  • I have not yet attempted to activate the heated seats.
  • Controls have been mounted on the passenger seat only; the driver’s seat controls are connected but not yet mounted.

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Credit: Robert Garcia

Notes:

  • There are no modifications, just straightening the bottom part of it because the Q50 rails are wider.
  • The Maxima brackets are finally getting welded onto the Q50 seats. Wiring is simple; only tap into the negative and positive, and the seat goes forward and back, up and down. Can’t wait for the outcome!
  • I only need positive and negative feedback on the seats to work. Yes, the seats are slightly slanted towards the left and right, and they are also too close to the center console. However, I will be removing them again and welding the brackets on the opposite side further inside so they can sit right in the middle. As for them being tilted, my dad gave me the idea of using washers or a certain type of spacers with longer bolts to raise them from the opposite side so they can sit as straight as possible.
  • The last picture shows the driver-side OEM harness connecting to my Q50 harness. I did this so I can simply get the plug from the OEM seat, connect it to the main body harness, and tap into the Q50 harness. This acts as a bridge in between, making it plug and play.

 

 

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Credit: kukx30de

Found a set of Heated 7th gen seats locally that were in good shape. Got them home, cleaned them up, some modifications using the 5th gen bottom frame and 7th gen backrest and voila they work great!

Still to do:

  • Add some leather on bottom of frame to cover up some open areas
  • Mate heated seat wiring to 5th gen harness
  • Figure out how to fit 7th gen thigh extender on 5th gen driver frame
  • Complete driver side

I can already say the 7th gen seat is so much better to ‘hug’ the body. I have 5.5 gen seats and I always slide around. Something to liven up the interior as part of celebrating 350k miles!

Update 4-14-2023

  • And we have successful test fit and working! Minor sticking of the position switches that need a little filing and re-fitting. I was also able to use the 7th gen side trim. Thigh extension also fully functional
  • Next thing will be to get the power lumbar working.
  • Tried the seats around the block and just love the hug feeling vs sliding around in the 5.5gen seats I had!

Cheers!

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Credit: kukx30de

Found a couple i30s in our local salvage yard in good shape so got the cluster from them to see how much work this would take. I wanted to keep original mileage(my 5th gen is now at 323k). I tried the chip de-soldering but failed on the i30 board so had to explore options

With modifications to the plastic board and the PCB holes for the gauges, the 5th gen board can fit into the I30 cluster. Next project replace climate control buttons as they are pretty scratched up! Pics below.

Before. Stock 5th gen.

Black out effect of I30

I30 gauges with LED backlight instead of stock EL tube.

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Credit: marktab

I previously had a Boss brand stereo, but had a few issues. First, there was a high-pitched hiss which never went away even though I put all types of grounds on the system and a filter on the audio. Second, that Boss stereo started to reset its own time. Third, sometimes the Boss stereo would change the channel (!) — seemed like the display screen was somehow stuck. Fourth, the volume always seemed low — and I had started to consider changing the speakers.

However, benefits of the new Pioneer stereo:

  1. The hiss is gone (still keeping the line filters on at the moment)
  2. Stereo has a better screen touch and overall layout
  3. Adds iPhone capability including mic for hands-free phone
  4. Volume is restored — way better than the Boss system ever was
  5. The screw holes match better than the Boss unit — all six attachment screws matched the original Clarion/Bose head unit
  6. Llays DVDs

One installation note — my particular unit went off and on during the installation, and the issue was that the antenna connector to the stereo had to be bent a bit out so it made a solid contact with the connection tunnel.

Finally, some notes on the wiring:

  1. You may connect the blue/white to the blue — that connection makes the antenna go up while the stereo is on (radio or not) — but then when the unit is off, the antenna goes down
  2. You may connect the orange/white to the orange — that connection makes the unit brightness a bit dimmer if the parking lights or driving lights are on
  3. (This wiring picture is for Pioneer brand, only intended as a general guide)

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Credit: marktab

This post is about upgrading your Maxima rear seats. Even on my GLE, the original factory options did not offer rear seat headrests (which are so common in even the most basic cars today). The solution is to find an Infiniti I30 fourth generation — take that seat and put it in. There is no drilling or modification needed.

When I was scoping a replacement seat, I didn’t know if an I30 seat would work or not — but I found a good condition leather black seat which matches my Maxima. I spent no more than US$30 (I had to remove the seat myself from a junked car). The whole job only requires typical metric wrenches.

Start: how the seat looks at the outset

Start: another angle

The replacement seat from an Infiniti I30

Must remove the bottom seat first to access the bolts

Bolts in the center portion

How the panel looks with the back seat removed — this picture indicates where bolts connect

Bottom portion of panel — this part is mostly covered by the seat bottom

Replacement back installed (no seat bottom yet)

Complete: angle 1

Complete: angle 2

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