Once I finished the install of the hatch, it was too late in the day to get over to the glass shop in L.I. so I covered up the car and made an apopointment for the following day. I found the shop thru the internet and the best price I could find was $330 for the glass and install and 1 year warranty. ( it could have been done for less if I went to the store directly and not used the web)

I luckily had already purchased the glass rubber moulding that it fits in and brought that with me. I purchased that from Nissan about 1 week prior just in case and I am glad I did because the glass shop did not have one available and would not have been able to install the glass without it. It cost about $80 from Nissan direct.

And as far as the actual glass install, it was truly disgusting. It was 1 guy with a silicone gun that laid about a 1/2" bead of silicone for the glass to sit on. Then 2 people lifted the glass and dropped it on the bead of silicone. Thats it! DISGUSTING!

All that was left for me to do at that point was to insert the water jet nozzle and to connect the 2 tabs for the rear defroster to work (one on either side).
Finished!

 

Looks good. COngrats!

 

did you put the rubber molding back on the underside of the hatch? B/c im questioning drilling holes to put in the old rubber

 

Yes I did transfer everything over to the CF hatch. I drilled the majority of the holes except for when it gets really thin. In those couple of areas I didn't want to take a chance on drilling thru the hatch I just used rubber weather stripping glue to hold the rubber weather stripping on. Worked great.
The remainder of the holes I did drill and I used the tiny OEM buttons to secure the rest of the weather stripping.

 

Aight thats what I was curious about appreciate the quick reply

 

No Diggity...No Doubt

 

I had the same question. Thanks for the info and awsome DIY.

 

No problem. Nice Avatar kiddo!!! /\ /\ /\

 

Sorry if I missed this but what brand hatch did you use?

 

His was a Seibon hatch.

 

Nice, but wrong forum...

https://my350z.com/forum/body-interi...hting-diy-460/

 

weight savings?

 

weight savings?

 

Tremendous weight savings. Stock hatch you really need to be careful not to drop because it can easily slip out of your hands...its NOT light.
The CF felt like it was going to be blown away...out of my hands while I worked to install it. (Without glass that is)...

I believe its like 40 lbs total differential.

 

40 pounds? Good lawd...

Bet even more so with Lexan instead of glass...

Does the hatch provide any rigidity to the frame? I'm wondering if there is an more flex in the chassis with the CF...

 

Depends on the brand also.

Seibon weighs 22-24lbs each
Mastergrade/Asuka weigh 12-14lbs each

 

I wouldn't think so, especially not any where near as much as the rear strut bar immediately below where the hatch lives.

I estimated 40 lbs, thanks Jim, but even at 25 that seems a bit much. Is that with glass? I remember holding the hatch up with my index finger and a gust of wind almost blowing it away. That was a crazy moment.

And oh yeah, if you use the stock hydraulics (as I suppose we all would) on the CF hatch, be prepared for it to launch up when you hit the trunk release. It might pop you in the chin if your not careful. LOL
Remember the hydraulics are now lifting 1/5 of what they were intended to lift...The hatch will fly up with virtually no resistance.

 

any pics from the inside

 

Did u not look at the first page of this thread? What pics are you looking for?
Once the plastic interior panels are put back in place, it basically looks stock from the inside of the car.

 

I want that Nismo wing painted Lemans..........