detailing everything different and unique about the convertible, soft top, vert

 

part 0. General

 

the vert was not available in the uk

 

it was made in japan from 1992 to 1996 ( i think - feel free to corect me)

 

it only came as an NA - no twin turbo model (although at least 3 in the uk have had a twin turbo conversion)

 

the vast majority came as automatics with very few factory made manuals

 

 

 

 

part 1. the boot lid

 

 

unlike all other models of the 300zx the vert boot can only be opened with a key

 

obviously it has the key lock in the usual place in the rear panel, but it doesn't have the release lever down the side of the drivers seat like other models

 

instead the boot release and fuel filler cover release are in the center arm rest storage thingy

 

 

the boot release is operated by a solenoid (located behind the boot trim at the back of the boot (ie behind rear light center panel) and is triggered electrically from the switch marked "push"

 

the push switch can be locked out using the master key in the keyhole in the middle of the switch. the valet key will not work here (so when you give the valet key to the parking attendant they cant steel your luggage from the boot) i always park my own car so i leave this lock in the unlocked position

 

further to this you also need the ignition key turned to power the solenoid circuits

 

the boot lid and the roof storage compartment lid (which is also solenoid operated) are interlocked so only one can be opened at a time (more on this later) so if you still cant release the boot, check the roof storage lid is latched properly

Edited August 29, 20196 yr by ianl

part 2. taking the roof down

 

its a work in progress :)

part 3 . putting the roof back up

 

its coming

part 4. radio aerial

 

all 300zx came with a diversity radio receiver

 

basically there are 2 aerials and the receiver chooses the one with the best signal

 

aerial one is the telescopic rod on the rear corner

 

aerial two on all other models is built into the rear window

 

in the vert aerial two is built into the front windscreen. its the wire you can see round the edge and up the centre

 

i believe that this is the only reason the vert windscreen has a different part number, so possibly if you need a new one and the vert one is nla then one from another model should fit ( but ive never had to try)

part 5. probably something about the lack of heated windscreen / heated mirrors / etc

 

Having a plastic rear window, the vert does not have a heated rear window.

 

On the base model the heated rear window switch is blank

 

Some models have heated wing mirrors, and in this case the switch will have a picture of a heated wing mirror

Edited October 27, 20196 yr by ianl

part 6. roof storage bay lid handles

 

On the top of the roof storage bay lid are two plastic handles. These are often broken or missing completely.

 

These are still available from the usual places ( ie CZP)

Edited October 27, 20196 yr by ianl

part 7 - wind deflector

 

On the black plastic area of the roof storage bay lid, there is a flip up wind deflector, this is released from a lever just underneath the lid. It is just pusded back down to put it away

 

Be careful when opening and closing the roof that you have opened the roof storage bay lid fully, otherwise it is possible to smash the release lever when swinging the back end of the roof down into the storage bay

Edited October 27, 20196 yr by ianl

 

 

 

 

 

part 8 - the sales brochure

Edited October 27, 20196 yr by ianl

part 2. taking the roof down

300ZX Drophead hood open and close.pdf

 

As with any convertible hood, be careful, cautious, don't force anything: and fold it / unfold it carefully - if you have to force it, you're doing it wrong and something needs fixing. Don't damage anything by use of force - or, indeed, doing anything wrong.

 

Open

1. Release top windscreen handles L & R (thumb latch and pull handle to right angles from hood frame)
   
2. Bottom button behind driver's seat to release hood from storage lid.
   
3. Lift back of hood to vertical (hinges forward).
   
4. Top button behind driver's seat to release storage lid from car body.
   
5. Pull storage lid backward (the oval handles can be fragile).
   
6. When fully back, tilt front edge of the lid upward so the (now-vertical) hood can be laid back underneath the lid normal position.
   
7. Gently pull the hood back from the front and collapse down into the space under the lid. The front part of the hood folds nearly completely backwards.
   Fold the rear window with care - don't crack it (especially when cold - best not drop the hood then to avoid damage).
   
8. Push the hood frame down into the retaining locks either side - there will be a click.
   
9. Return the hood handles from 90 deg back (as when released) back to normal position (pointing forwards).
   
10. Slide the storeage lid cover gently back down the wheeled guides and latch it back down either side.
    

If you've managed to do that, there won't be a "open door" warning light on the dash.

Edited August 31, 20196 yr by Gio

part 3 . putting the roof back up

 

 

 

[ATTACH]118332[/ATTACH]

 

As with any convertible hood, be careful, cautious, don't force anything: and fold it / unfold it carefully - if you have to force it, you're doing it wrong and something needs fixing. Don't damage anything by use of force - or, indeed, doing anything wrong.

 

Close

1. Top button (behind driver's seat) to release storage lid from car body,
   
2. Pull storage lid up at the back toward the rear (the oval handles will be fragile) and then, when fully back, tilt the front edge upward to near-vertical.
   
3. Pull the button release (looks a bit like the top of a golf tee - pull up) behind the driver's seat to release the hood frame.
   
4. Use the hood latches to release hood handles both sides and swivel them to open position (check the actual hooks that connect the hood to the windscreen top each side).
   
5. Unfold the hood from the storage compartment carefully - there is a handle in the middle.It will "Z" upward and unfold back over toward the windscreen.
   
6. Gently ensure the front edge of the hood is in position. You may need to reach outside and pull down carefully on the hood frame to make sure the hook (when you close the handle) latches properly with the connector in the top of the windscreen. If you don't, you either won't secure it or break the connector. These are difficult to replace (Z1 Performance and ConceptZ may have stock).
   
7. Lift up the rear edge of the hood frame so you can slide the storage lid back down toward the front engaging its guide wheels in the channels. Latch the storage lid back down in position. There's a latch each side/ Don't scratch it if you're wearing any rings (or anything) when you push down.
   
8. Now latch the hood frame back into the latches in the storage lid - same applies, be careful and one each side.
   

As with the opening procedure, get it right and there shouldn't be any "door open" warning light on the dashboard. You MUST make sure the top connector latches on the hood frame are secure in the connectors on the top of the windscreen frame. If not, DO NOT drive off until rectified - you don't want to risk the hood flying up at any speed -or at all.

Something I only found out yesterday, the vert has its own specific instrument cluster with the roof warning light in the top right hand corner above the fuel gauge.

JDM optional tonneau cover: