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General information about the first-generation Nissan Maxima in the US. What was the Datsun 810 became the luxury leader Maxima in the US in 1981.

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83_maxima
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Location: Denver

New Member Introduction

#1

Post by 83_maxima »

I just found this forum - so I signed up and have been lurking for a little while and thought I'd introduce myself.

I live in Denver and own 2 1st gen Maximas. I have owned the 83 since 86 and the 84 for just a few months. Bought it as a parts car before I realized that it was in just too good of condition to part out. It is now for sale.

Both of my cars are gas, but I am trying to find a diesel out there to add to my stable. If you've got any leads - let me know!

I am going to try and get some pics of my 83 up on the rides forum soon.

-Ben
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asavage
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#2

Post by asavage »

Ben, if you feel like you know enough to do it, would you care to write up something for the FAQ's Model Year Changes section for 1984?

Although I own FSMs for 1981 (w/supplement), '82, '83, & '84 (and I gave glenlloyd a spare '84 FSM), I admit that I haven't read it, and I haven't been around an '84 Maxima long enough to form any impressions as to the differences incorporated. 1984 Maximas are pretty rare up here, I think I've seen two for sale over the past three years.

Since you own both an '83 and '84, perhaps some glaring differences have reared?
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
83_maxima
Posts: 423
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

#3

Post by 83_maxima »

Al,

I'd be glad to. Although the differences between the two years are very minimal. Mostly cosmetic and option-wise. And...they dropped the diesel option that year...tear...
TheDieseliminator
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#4

Post by TheDieseliminator »

That's a shame they stopped the diesel option in 1984. You figure since they had the diesel engine in the Maxima for 81, 82, and 83 they also would have had it in 84 given that was the last year for the first generation body style. I can see that they would've stopped the diesel option in 85 because the car totally changed in body style, drivetrain, and new powerplant in the V6 gas engine.
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asavage
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#5

Post by asavage »

TheDieseliminator wrote:You figure since they had the diesel engine in the Maxima for 81, 82, and 83 they also would have had it in 84 . . .
FAQ wrote:Model Year Changes
For
1981 - 13% (were imported with this engine)
1982 - 27%
1983 - 5%
Nobody was buying them, 5% is too small a percentage of overall sales to justify it. GM had killed the market in the US for diesels with the high failure-rate of the early 5.7l ('78-83) (though by late '82, the 5.7l GM diesel was a fine engine, but it had gone through four major revisions to get there.).
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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asavage
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#6

Post by asavage »

83_maxima wrote:Although the differences between the two years are very minimal. Mostly cosmetic and option-wise. And...they dropped the diesel option that year...tear...
I've noted the latter in the FAQ, but I'm completely unaware of even cosmetic differences from '83->84, and if you know of them, let the rest of use know. If I can document the change of the PW controls, power mirror controls, and A/C controls, nothing you come up with will be too minor ;) Besides, for those of us whose primary interest is in the diesel option, 1984 is pretty much a non-year for us. I only pay attention to them because so many body parts interchange.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
83_maxima
Posts: 423
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

#7

Post by 83_maxima »

The cosmetic differences I am referring to are that the cars were actually badged Datsun, but right next to that badge they added a big "NISSAN" badge. same Maxima badge on the right side. The hood ornament changed from "DATSUN" to "MAXIMA" and the emblem on the steering wheel changed from "DATSUN" to "NISSAN."

There may be some changes in the options available as well (so I have heard) but I do not have an 84 sales brochure so I don't know for sure.

I also think that the speedos may be different between the 83 and 84. 83s having an 85 MPH speedo and the 84 having a 125 MPH speedo. I need to look at my 84 to be sure.

I am trying to find an 84 sales brochure so I can compare the different options available. Then I can compile a list of differences between the two years for the FAQ.
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kassim503
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#8

Post by kassim503 »

84's have 125 mph speedos?!


also i think the 83+'s have overdrive transmissions
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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asavage
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#9

Post by asavage »

kassim503 wrote:also i think the 83+'s have overdrive transmissions
All manual transmissions '81-on have OD ;)

For automatics, OD was added in 1983 and continued in '84. The L4N71B continued to be used in the 300ZX, 200SX, Pathfinder, and D21 PU up through '89 -- but none of them have the correct bellhousing to fit the LD28 -- but the bellhousing does unbolt :?
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
83_maxima
Posts: 423
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

#10

Post by 83_maxima »

84s did have a 125 mph speedo.

Image
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asavage
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#11

Post by asavage »

Great pic, Ben. Worth 1k words.

If I find an '84 gasser in a JY, I'll snag the cluster. I'm not personally much interested in it for myself (it's about two days a year I would top 85 MPH, and my eyes sure as hell won't be on the dash), but I bet one or two of you might want one.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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asavage
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#12

Post by asavage »

83_maxima wrote:Although the differences between the two years are very minimal. Mostly cosmetic and option-wise. And...they dropped the diesel option that year...tear...
Was the "talking lady" (voice warnings) system retained for 1984? I didn't see the voice module in the '84 I was working on today at the JY. The shift console was missing, so I couldn't check for the presence of a disable switch for that system either.

Speedo: the '84 JY Sedan has the digital dash, with a spare digital dash cluster in the trunk, so I didn't have an opportunity to pick up a 125 MPH speedo. I didn't think anyone here would be interested in the digital dash either.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
83_maxima
Posts: 423
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

#13

Post by 83_maxima »

The 84 did have the voice warning system, and there is a disable switch on the center console.
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asavage
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#14

Post by asavage »

This one must have been gutted before I got to it then. Thanks for the confirmation -- you are the "resident expert" on the 1984 Maxima :D
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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