triggerc

So I'm going to Tokyo for spring break, and I figured I'd go and pick up the fabled GAB strut bar if I can find one. I'm guess I probably can't find it at most auto parts stores, besides I don't even know where to look for in Tokyo for aftermarket parts. So if Go90go or anyone else who is acquainted with Japan will point me in the right direction it would be great.

Go90go

I found it at an online shop once, but that link's back in SF. I'll ask around, though. Where in Tokyo are you staying?

~Cheers~

Go90go

Oh, and when's spring break? It's been many, many moons since I was in school... I went back this past fall semester but two months then dropping out doesn't count, haha.

~Cheers~

triggerc

I'll be flying out from the U.S. on the 8th of March most likely, and I'll catch the plane back on the 16th. As of right now I have no idea where in tokyo I'm staying yet, but I'm looking for someplace close to shinjuku or akihabara. Nevertheless I'll have my entire itinerary planned out in a week or so that way I can apply for my visa on time.

korrupted

Try contacting them
Tokyo Minato-ku Shinbashi 6 Chome 2nd 1
TEL: 03-3431-0103 FAX: 03-3438-3830
E-Mail: Gabmail@mta.yrc.co.jp

Go90go

Why do you need to apply for a visa? You're only here for a week... US citizens get a free Temporary Visitor visa upon landing and it's good for 90 days from your arrival. Canadians are treated even better, they can get a Working Holiday Visa where they can work legally if they have to (say you lost all your money at a maid café or pachislo).

For me, Akiba is boring. I'm not a fan of dirty looking otaku and dirty minded gaijin roaming the streets. Unfortunately, I have an acquaintance working at the @home Café in Akiba. She scared the hell out of me when I saw her in her work mode. I haven't been back since.

~Cheers~

triggerc

Hrm, I wasn't aware that akihabara is inhabited by otakus, I thought it was just a discount electronics district. I better just stick with Shinjuku and downtown tokyo then. Do you know of any auto parts stores in Tokyo, Go90go?

On the visa part, I'm actually a U.S. permanent resident and Chinese citizen, so I need a visa to go to Japan if I want to stay for more than 3 days. Screw international politics and history, I would have a much easier time going to Japan if not.

And Kurrupted, thanks for the contact info you posted, I'll be sure to send GAB an email.

Go90go

^ Tell me about it. I just got back from the Immigration Office in Yokohama... I can't change the status of my visa to an Investor Visa as long as I'm here in Japan. Korea, here I come! Damned Aussies, Canadians, and New Zealanders have it so easy! They can get a WHV and can switch to a regular work visa whenever they feel like it.

My friend's brother was a Nova teacher (sad, but true) and he knew of fellow Australian-born Nova teachers who had been living and working in Japan for several years and still didn't speak a word of Japanese. On top of that, they got pissed off that more Japanese people didn't speak English!! Those are the types that have it made...

I'm planning on meeting some drifter buddies this weekend so I'll ask them if anyone local has the bar in stock. I want to see his new setup on his Skyline and see if he needs my help tuning it. My first time with an RB, but a motor's a motor!

~Cheers~

triggerc

That would be awesome, which skyline is it? R33? R34? Inline-6 for the win.

Go90go

It's an R32. As some Nissan guys call their RBs, it's a slant-6, haha. The motor is tilted in the car.

~Cheers~

P.S. My fave i-6 of all time? 2JZ-GTE USDM version, .

triggerc

Nice, the original godzilla. I guess us UA2 people have the slant-5. haha

Go90go

BTW, I found one strut bar for the UA2s but it's not the GAB one and the shop wants $150 for it. Tax isn't included and I have to pay for shipping it as well, . If anyone's interested and wants it, LMK. I'll take bank transfer only nowadays since PP charges me too much to have a Premier account.

~Cheers~

triggerc

did you find the bar online? is there an actual store i can buy it from when i go to tokyo next month?

Go90go

My friend found it at some small shop. Anyhow, I went around this afternoon but I didn't bring my laptop with me so I didn't have the addresses. I'm going to Up Garage soon to pick up some Supra parts so I'll ask them there. I was at Daikoku earlier tonight because I was supposed to meet some of the Supra guys but unfortunately it was snowing a bit so I don't think they bothered to show. I left early so I'm not sure if they even went, haha. I ended up driving the Skyline around the parking lot a bunch of times, haha. I love that clutch/tranny. Smooth as a mofo and easy to shift at really low RPMs.

~Cheers~

P.S. The shop is not in Tokyo. It's either in Chiba or in the Fukushima area. That's at least a 2 hour train ride from Tokyo if you want to go there, and about the same if not longer by car (traffic is a bitch).