1990 S13 New Sun Visors - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Boeing7487 · 05-17-2021, 01:03 AM

As with many vehicles of their age (and of the quality of 90's Nissan) I needed to replace the sun visors which were worn out though replacements were far too expensive and many appeared to have the same issues. Thus in desperate need living in Florida, and having some time to kill I decided to completely make my own visors from scratch.

(Left side one is a (pre-)prototype, thus why they appear different for the time being.)

They are also visible from the outside of the car as well.

Making them, the outer frame is a 3D print, the center is laser cut hobby foam, and some of the internal structure is RC helicopter parts as reinforcement.

***dorkidori_s13*** · 05-17-2021, 09:34 AM

very interesting! ive wanted to make replacement sun visors, but the biggest thing thats stopped me is finding the swivel mechanism. i currently have S15 sun visors in my S13 hatch and they work great. took me about 45 min to figure out how to edit the swivel mechanism to fit right (step drill bits and tap + die sets are life savers heh).

did you reuse the factory swivel setup?

Boeing7487 · 05-17-2021, 02:01 PM

Yup! I used the factory swivel and internal spring that came on the visors originally. I'm not well versed with car visor standards though I would imagine the springs and such are relatively standard.

silviaks2nr · 05-17-2021, 02:26 PM

Looks great what is the insert made of? Looks like laser cut high density foam of some kind.

Boeing7487 · 05-17-2021, 03:42 PM

Spot on! It's just some hobby foam from a craft store that I laser cut at home. The logo was somewhat an afterthought but adds a very nice touch.

s13silvia123 · 05-17-2021, 05:27 PM

fyi 90s Honda Accord works. i use to switch them out back and forth when I had a daily accord. why because honda accords break easily when they get old.

nmerriw · 05-18-2021, 10:36 AM

Curious to see how that 3d print holds up to the heat/sun.
Never been a fan of 3d printing for final production (until you get into SLA or that type quality), but good on ya for solving the issue yourself, turned out nice.

Boeing7487 · 05-18-2021, 12:32 PM

3D printed material such as PETG are higher temperature than the likes of PLA with soft temperatures and melting temperatures being above what the car reaches inside. The only heat related issue I had on the prototype was any place the foam wasn't secured was prone to lifing which was since solved on this new one.

If you have settings well dialed in with a bumped up resolution you can get quite nice results but I think past appearence functionality was number one.

rustable15 · 05-19-2021, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorkidori_s13

very interesting! ive wanted to make replacement sun visors, but the biggest thing thats stopped me is finding the swivel mechanism. i currently have S15 sun visors in my S13 hatch and they work great. took me about 45 min to figure out how to edit the swivel mechanism to fit right (step drill bits and tap + die sets are life savers heh).

did you reuse the factory swivel setup?

do you have any pics of this? Just interested in how the black looks with the rest of the interior.

Boeing7487 · 04-29-2025, 11:12 PM

Bit of a resurrection of an old thread, if this is an issue feel free to let me know. However thought I would update (4 years on), the original design did face some issues with the Florida heat. This was expected, mostly was a test to see by how much.

ORIGINALS
The original set that I made did surprisingly well but mainly struggled with the tension from the spring near the swing arm assembly. With the heat cycles from about 1-2 years of usage the whole assembly twisted.

SECOND VERSION
Nonetheless, I've been busy with school so this project has been on the back burner but the new version uses a sheet metal core for improved structure sandwiched by 3D printed plates to give the sun visor shape. The second version I have only made for the driver's side and without any cosmetic work done (Wanted to just not be blasted by the Florida sun) and has performed with no notable defects over the last couple years.

Hoping to get back onto this project at some point with it being so close to finished.

05-17-2021, 01:03 AM	#1
Boeing7487 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 11 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	1990 S13 New Sun Visors As with many vehicles of their age (and of the quality of 90's Nissan) I needed to replace the sun visors which were worn out though replacements were far too expensive and many appeared to have the same issues. Thus in desperate need living in Florida, and having some time to kill I decided to completely make my own visors from scratch. (Left side one is a (pre-)prototype, thus why they appear different for the time being.) They are also visible from the outside of the car as well. Making them, the outer frame is a 3D print, the center is laser cut hobby foam, and some of the internal structure is RC helicopter parts as reinforcement.

05-17-2021, 09:34 AM	#2
*dorkidori_s13* ITS LISA'S FAULT!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Las Vegas Age: 43 Posts: 7,496 Trader Rating: (41) Feedback Score: 41 reviews	very interesting! ive wanted to make replacement sun visors, but the biggest thing thats stopped me is finding the swivel mechanism. i currently have S15 sun visors in my S13 hatch and they work great. took me about 45 min to figure out how to edit the swivel mechanism to fit right (step drill bits and tap + die sets are life savers heh). did you reuse the factory swivel setup? __________________ Check out my IG for what I'm up to! DORKIDORI INSTAGRAM!!!

05-17-2021, 05:27 PM	#6
s13silvia123 Post Whore! Join Date: May 2006 Location: where waldo is Age: 43 Posts: 3,267 Trader Rating: (16) Feedback Score: 16 reviews	fyi 90s Honda Accord works. i use to switch them out back and forth when I had a daily accord. why because honda accords break easily when they get old. __________________ 18g and 20g turbo users click on me http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/261219-18g-20g-turbo-users.html

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-17-2021, 02:01 PM	#3
Boeing7487 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 11 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yup! I used the factory swivel and internal spring that came on the visors originally. I'm not well versed with car visor standards though I would imagine the springs and such are relatively standard.

05-17-2021, 02:26 PM	#4
silviaks2nr Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,193 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Looks great what is the insert made of? Looks like laser cut high density foam of some kind.

05-17-2021, 03:42 PM	#5
Boeing7487 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 11 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Spot on! It's just some hobby foam from a craft store that I laser cut at home. The logo was somewhat an afterthought but adds a very nice touch.

05-18-2021, 10:36 AM	#7
nmerriw Leaky Injector Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: SC Age: 27 Posts: 119 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Curious to see how that 3d print holds up to the heat/sun. Never been a fan of 3d printing for final production (until you get into SLA or that type quality), but good on ya for solving the issue yourself, turned out nice.

05-18-2021, 12:32 PM	#8
Boeing7487 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 11 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	3D printed material such as PETG are higher temperature than the likes of PLA with soft temperatures and melting temperatures being above what the car reaches inside. The only heat related issue I had on the prototype was any place the foam wasn't secured was prone to lifing which was since solved on this new one. If you have settings well dialed in with a bumped up resolution you can get quite nice results but I think past appearence functionality was number one.

04-29-2025, 11:12 PM	#10
Boeing7487 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 11 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Bit of a resurrection of an old thread, if this is an issue feel free to let me know. However thought I would update (4 years on), the original design did face some issues with the Florida heat. This was expected, mostly was a test to see by how much. ORIGINALS The original set that I made did surprisingly well but mainly struggled with the tension from the spring near the swing arm assembly. With the heat cycles from about 1-2 years of usage the whole assembly twisted. SECOND VERSION Nonetheless, I've been busy with school so this project has been on the back burner but the new version uses a sheet metal core for improved structure sandwiched by 3D printed plates to give the sun visor shape. The second version I have only made for the driver's side and without any cosmetic work done (Wanted to just not be blasted by the Florida sun) and has performed with no notable defects over the last couple years. Hoping to get back onto this project at some point with it being so close to finished.