JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

Ya i took a look at summits site but they dont have in stock....right now it says.........Estimated Ship Date: 5/5/08

which more than likely means they have to drop ship directly from Curt and they are on backlog for summit....

I dealt with hitchsource because of the one on one customer service and i ordered yesterday and received a tracking number the same day for my hitch 11493 on its way.....

- Jason

urban350z

iTrader: (5)

When i was looking to buy mine it said that it had a later shipping date so i called them on the phone and talked to a sales guy. He called curt and had it shipped out the next day. So just call them and you will get it real quick...

Well maybe not i just re-read and saw that you already have it on its way.

Well just a few quick tips..
1. make sure the hitch is centered on the bracket before you drill.. oh yeah the right size bit, mine was a shade to small..so i played hell with it for a min..
2. you can put the bumper back on without trimming the bottom first. Thats what i did and then slowly removed enough of the bottom edge that is hitting the hitch.. Some people cut to much at first, put it on and have a big gap and then regret it..

Its not that bad.. if you do all your own work than its no problem..

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

sweet.... Im going to do that... i figured i should be able to mount the bumper back on and then cut.. i have my dremel on stand by....

now the killer is i have to wait till next weekend to install it...im all tied up this weekend....bummer...

- Jason

urban350z

iTrader: (5)

I was able to cut upwards on the bumper next to the hitch and then just bend the tab that you created upwards and it makes a really nice clean edge that blends in perfect.. Not sure if one my pictures from the other thread shows it very well or not...

I took my time with this and it took about 2 hours..

If you have any questions just shot me a pm and i can try and help

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

cool....i appreciate it...

- j

urban350z

iTrader: (5)

Oh yeah .. tie a piece of string on to the end of the wire..and then fish the string through.. bc the wire is not long enough to make life easy...lol...

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

ha...ha...... i figured that part would be interesting...

- j

commasense

Jason,

I got a 11483 used from Kolia, assuming it would fit on my 2003 Track. Do you know if it will? The Hitch Source website doesn't show anything for the 2003 model year.

Thanks.

commasense

Also, did you have to strengthen the bracket welds, as was recommended for previous bumper-mounted hitches? See here.

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

If i were you i would climb under the car and see if you can see what kind of bumper support you have? look at the pdf files i attached and you can see the aluminum bumper beam and how the 11483 and 11493 mount on completely different bumper beams!...

also, the Z bumper comes off really easily....now that ive done it once i can take it off in minutes....probably about 5-8 minutes so give it a shot...

- J

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

Ive read that post and havent welded yet...im gonna look into it more....ill get back to you on that...
- j

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

Also, please post pics once you do remove your bumper and lets see if the 2003 bumper beam is different or not...... that would really help for future installers...

i plan on taking pictures of mine this weekend and posting my year Z, etc..
- J

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

OKAY...

Here is p/n CURT 11493 on my 2004 touring, actually a 2004.5 touring Z.

if anyone else can submit pics like this that would be great...

im really curious to find out if the 11483 does fit on any other Z's or if its only G's??? etc..

- Jason

commasense

I climbed under the car, and I'm trying to figure out how to tell the difference without taking the bumper cover off. From what I can see from underneath, it looks the same as yours, with a "plate" that's about 1/2" thick and 16 inches wide on the rear edge.

Is the other style the same thickness (front-to-back) across the entire width of the car? Is that how you can tell?

If so, then I'm SOL as far as making the 11483 I bought from Kolia fit on my car. I should have checked first, instead of assuming. (Anyone want a used hitch?)

What I'd really like, instead of a trailer, is to get one of those cargo carriers you see on trucks, but I'd need a hitch with a tongue weight capacity of 300+ pounds to handle four wheels and tires. Clearly, these bumper-mounted hitches, with a tongue capacity of 150 pounds, won't do.

Does anyone know what the tongue capacity of the U-Haul hitch is?

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

commasense:

Ya i have one of those cargo carriers also, i use it with my Nissan Xterra here and there.... I've thought about that as well, but the Harbor freight trailer is well worth the money and makes going to events very easy! I love that thing...lol..

I wouldn't trust the hitch with all that weight on just a cargo carrier...

you may end up needing to sell that 11483........i say take the bumper off and double check what you got.......as far as aluminum bumper beam is concerned...

- J

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

MANY HAVE ASKED ABOUT WELDING THE CORNER BRACKETS - THOUGH I WOULD UPDATE ON THIS THREAD!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SOLO-350Z
Are the brackets metal or alum on the bumper that need to be welded more? And do you think the 07 needs it?

Here are pics of where to weld.

When you have the bumper off look on both the driver and passenger side......you can see these steel brackets attaching the Aluminum bumper beam on each side. SEE 4th picture!

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

UPDATE:
TRAILER WIRING HARNESS:

ANY Hopkins mfg - http://www.hopkinsmfg.com/ "HOPPY" BRAND - (AUTOZONE, ETC) WILL WORK - SO LONG AS IT IS FOR A CAR THAT HAS A SEPARATE** BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHT LIKE THE Z DOES. GET IT?? THE DIFFERENCE IN HOPPY BRANDS IS ONLY DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE END (END WHERE TRAILER WIRES CONNECT - I BOUGHT A SEPARATE END AND ATTACHED ONE WITH TESTING LEDS ON IT).

I used a wiring light tester and verified all my colored wires did the exact function i was looking for.

I labeled in the attached pics the wiring colors foso r my 04 Touring Z but i dont know if the colored wires are the same for all Z's so i recommend buying a simple wire tester and double checking.

I don't have any pictures but i hot soldered all my connections and then used the ghetto electrical tape.

edit*
UPDATE:
Okay, like mentioned - any hopkins brand "Tail Light Converter" will work with the Z - you just need one thats designed for separate blinkers and tail lights.

"STANDARD CONVERTERS"
See here: http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.co...ht_converters/

So any hopkins model:
46115 - Has 4 wire flat connected to the brain - but has 4-Wire flat extension to mount the brain wherever you want. Kit with everything you need for someone that doesnt have a tester, 3 splice connectors, etc...
48925 - Has 4 wire flat at the end of 74 inches of wire
48935 - Same as 46115, but not a kit ---
48915 - Has 4 wire flat on the brain, has long azz wires to connect far away...

Installation is super easy!!!!
CONVERTER WIRING IDENTIFICATION
WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GROUND
RED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BRAKE
GREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RIGHT TURN
YELLOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LEFT TURN
BROWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PARK / TAIL

Instructions here: http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/doc/48925.pdf
- J

z-u-later

iTrader: (43)

Hey Jason - Nice job! How long did it take you to install the wiring? I haven't done this to my Z yet. Next time you're in SA, I'll buy you some brew if you help me do the wiring. Also, good job on the welds . . . I have not done that part either on my bumper.

JasonZ-YA

iTrader: (60)

Ya, no problem. its very simple to do... got it done in about an hours time. Its more time consuming taking the bumper off actually....lol

Ill pm you next time im gonna be heading into town......im thinking the weekend of the 21st of june.
- Jason

Madbomber

iTrader: (1)

curt manufacturing class I hitch for 350z. DIY installation. 150lb tongue max, 1500 load capacity. also installed on the Z, being the tow vehicle, a tow vehicle trailer wire harness. made by towready.com it isolates the trailer lights electrical system from the car. current is drawn directly from battery for trailer lights.