Guys,
Has anyone sawed out the rear strut brace in the hatch area? I want to be able to lay a mountain bike frame in the back and the damn strut bar is so bulky its taking up half the hatch area.

I know ill lose some suspension support but my old z32 did not have a rear strut bar and it handled fine even autocrossing it.

let me know if anyone has and what issues they ran into. I just want a heads up before I get the saw out and start cutting.

 

nope, no one ever. You would be the first.





(search dude, plenty have done it.........laziness is killing this forum and USA)

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61208532@N05/6027172985/http://www.flickr.com/photos/61208532@N05/6027172985/]Car/Bike[/url, on Flickr
Not needed frame size is a 19

 

Why not buy a bike rack?

 

The Z32 wasn't built to have the strut bar. The 370Z doesn't have it either. I suspect you will lose a lot of structural integrity if you just remove the strut bar. However, it's your Z and if you don't mind driving around with reduced structural integrity, go for it. Just chop it out and let us know how it feels.

 

no one currently makes a bike rack for our cars except some suction cup bike rack which I do not trust with a heavy bike on top..
I can fit the bike in the hatch area like that pic above but the fork and handlebars are the issue. The wheels I usually just put in the passenger side footwell.
I might go for it and just leave the two sides and just saw the middle section out but leave enough mounting area for a welded in plate and bracket incase I need to put a bar back in the middle when I lose my interest in mountain biking.

 

I don't think I would be cutting my car and destroying its resale value and structural integrity for a bike...but maybe I just over think things.

Solutions: 1. Get a friend to drive you. 2. Figure it out. 3. Destroy resale and structure by cutting it. 4. Sell Z and buy a hatchback.

 

Several members here have adapted Yakima roof racks to fit a Z. Use the search function (not all that user friendly unfortunately) to see the which uprights they selected (the cross bars and bike trays are standard) There are a few Yakima and other makes of clamping uprights that will reach around the delicate plastic finisher piece on the side of the roof just above the window. With the cross bars in place, this makes a very strong and secure rack, capable of carrying bikes, lumber etc.

 

OP, sell your Z. If you're considering sawing out the rear strut brace to fit a bicycle then you obviously have no business owning a Z...That's like me saying, Hey guys it gets really HOT in Texas during the summer. You'd think it'd be OK if I just saw off the roof so it will cool down the cabin faster??? I know I might lose some suspension support but....

 

there are some pictures of a red Z with a bike rack installed, the z looks very nice,
the rack is practical and does not take away from the appearance of the car. It is still
a better alternative than removing any re-enforcements from your zed. I will try to find the picture this evening.

 

370's is right behind the seats as opposed to being in the middle of the trunk.

 

There are pics of a rack mounted to the hatch, just like the boofsquire rack, but from Thule or another brand. This is the route I would go if I had to transport my bike all the time.

 

Please make sure you do not try and weld it back on if you decide to sell the car. LOL

 

bike racked z

 

Yes, someone has done it. Some of the pics are now missing . . . .

https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...back-seat.html

https://my350z.com/forum/audio-and-v...ease-help.html

another: https://my350z.com/forum/media-share...-build-up.html


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I just googled "350z bike rack"

http://boofsquire.com/

Doesn't look like a suction cup to me...

 

this rack does not have sucky sucky cups, it is mounted properly.

 

They make bike racks that mount on the trunk/hatch too.