shaving the 3rd gen trunk. Is there a guide? Any tips, what all do i need.
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shaving the 3rd gen trunk. Is there a guide? Any tips, what all do i need.
Im trying to figure out what all i need to get to shave my trunk my neighbor said he can do all of the welding for me if i do all of the sanding, and filling ect.
but he said i need to find out all the parts I will need. and what to use to fill in the gap. who has done this mod, and what was your procedure.
if there is a writeup please post the link, i searched and didnt find anything on it.
thanks guys
but he said i need to find out all the parts I will need. and what to use to fill in the gap. who has done this mod, and what was your procedure.
if there is a writeup please post the link, i searched and didnt find anything on it.
thanks guys
has this neighbor done serious body work before? I strikes me as all you need is to weld a some sheet metal onto the space and make sure everything is flush.
I would think materials would be sheet metal and bondo but i'm not a body guy. this seems like something i would leave to professionals.
I would think materials would be sheet metal and bondo but i'm not a body guy. this seems like something i would leave to professionals.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 187
From: Vista, Ca
I found this... it seems pretty easy. Just a little welding and such...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/376954/4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/376954/4
Originally Posted by NineOhSE
I found this... it seems pretty easy. Just a little welding and such...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/376954/4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/376954/4
I think that thing looks like sheit...
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that looks awesome! i dont like the brakelight but nice work on the trunk, im wondering what he filld the big gap with, i know sheet metal works, but i was thinknig of maybe filling it with foam that hardens.then welding a peice of sheet metal on top, grinding the welds down, body fillin everything in and sanding, priming, then paint.
he did a nice job of filling and was smart to use the braces to support the metal. Not my taste, but it still came out looking like factory stock except for the 3rd brake light, he did it too low IMO
well you could do it they way i did... i can't weld worth ****. i took some fiberglass bondo and filled in the top line and sanded don't look bad if you ask me. of course i did it maybe that's why, i wasn't sure how durable it would be but no matter how hard my subs hit it hasn't cracked.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 367
The timing of this is kind'a funny considering that car JUST went to the wreckers this morning - trunk and all. (I got sick of trying to save the heap)
In my defense, that shaved trunk was only the second mod I'd ever done (the first was shaving the antenna). I was using a flux-core welder with one of those masks you simply hold in front of your face (not advisable).
The trunk previously had a spoiler on it and was very rusty. The 3rd brake light was needed to make it legal (was in the spoiler - and I didn't want to 'just' put it in the rear window like everyone else). Everyone I knew who saw it in person liked it.
How I did it...
Unlike most I've seen done, I took the subtle contour of the tail lights into consideration. I wanted the filler peice to match that contour exactly. So I started by removing the stock center peice and traced it's outer edge onto some metal. I then cut 5 matching peices and used these as my supports (1 on each end and 3 in the middle). I then tried to cover it with 1 peice of metal, but because of the compound bend (up/down & side-to-side), 1 peice wasn't working for me. I ended up using 4 seperate peices to cover it. NOTE: I know now how to cover it with 1 peice.
After that I applied short-strand fiberglass filler and sanded. I didn't have a longboard and was using only a small square vibrating sander - so it took forever... Then I sprayed it with some canned spray paint and clearcoat.
Overall, for my second ever mod I thought it was acceptable. Now, however, I'd expect a better job and have it properly painted when I finished.
What about the 3rd brake light in the trunk was it that people didn't like? (specifically)
In my defense, that shaved trunk was only the second mod I'd ever done (the first was shaving the antenna). I was using a flux-core welder with one of those masks you simply hold in front of your face (not advisable).
The trunk previously had a spoiler on it and was very rusty. The 3rd brake light was needed to make it legal (was in the spoiler - and I didn't want to 'just' put it in the rear window like everyone else). Everyone I knew who saw it in person liked it.
How I did it...
Unlike most I've seen done, I took the subtle contour of the tail lights into consideration. I wanted the filler peice to match that contour exactly. So I started by removing the stock center peice and traced it's outer edge onto some metal. I then cut 5 matching peices and used these as my supports (1 on each end and 3 in the middle). I then tried to cover it with 1 peice of metal, but because of the compound bend (up/down & side-to-side), 1 peice wasn't working for me. I ended up using 4 seperate peices to cover it. NOTE: I know now how to cover it with 1 peice.
After that I applied short-strand fiberglass filler and sanded. I didn't have a longboard and was using only a small square vibrating sander - so it took forever... Then I sprayed it with some canned spray paint and clearcoat.
Overall, for my second ever mod I thought it was acceptable. Now, however, I'd expect a better job and have it properly painted when I finished.
What about the 3rd brake light in the trunk was it that people didn't like? (specifically)
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 206
Originally Posted by MyGreenMax94
I think that thing looks like sheit...
and makes me wanna ...my only beef with the 3rd gens. 
Originally Posted by Scriz92SE
Sorry, I think thats the best looking 3gen tail. IMO..It just looks so..nice..I friggen hate that filler panel. That is definately and makes me wanna ...my only beef with the 3rd gens.
and makes me wanna ...my only beef with the 3rd gens. 
Your question
+ this quote
=
Maybe this shouldn't be very high your list of "to do".
Originally Posted by backNblackj30
Im trying to figure out what all i need to get to shave my trunk my neighbor said he can do all of the welding for me if i do all of the sanding, and filling ect.
but he said i need to find out all the parts I will need. and what to use to fill in the gap. who has done this mod, and what was your procedure.
if there is a writeup please post the link, i searched and didnt find anything on it.
thanks guys
but he said i need to find out all the parts I will need. and what to use to fill in the gap. who has done this mod, and what was your procedure.
if there is a writeup please post the link, i searched and didnt find anything on it.
thanks guys
Originally Posted by heresmymind
. my CV shaft boots ripped. i had a fuel injecter problem and my wallet is empty with the possibility of getting kicked out of my house cause my dads an *******. sorry i took it out here. but i had to vent somehow,
Maybe this shouldn't be very high your list of "to do".
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
Your question
+ this quote
=
Maybe this shouldn't be very high your list of "to do".
+ this quote
=
Maybe this shouldn't be very high your list of "to do".
How did I miss that? They post very similar things I think. 
Originally Posted by Loco7
OK I'm confused those are quotes from 2 different people. So why should he wait? Other than if the temp is still cold where he is the filler will never set up right. Unless you have a heated garage. I know that's been the only thing keeping me from doing more body work! Well that and a couple of others.. but that is one of the main reasons
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 187
From: Vista, Ca
Originally Posted by shvelle
What about the 3rd brake light in the trunk was it that people didn't like? (specifically)
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 206
Originally Posted by MyBlue92Maxima
anyone know how much a shop would charge to fill it with sheet metal and finish it , no painting? i would do it but i dont have a welder, nor do i know how to weld even if i did have one >.<
Take it to Maaco and ask..would hurt I'm sure. Max 100 bucks or so? I dunno
Originally Posted by Scriz92SE
Take it to Maaco and ask..would hurt I'm sure. Max 100 bucks or so? I dunno
max $100...I dont think so. To have a shop to it right will probably run around $400-$500 easy. Body work is not cheap.
Originally Posted by Scriz92SE
I'm going tomorrow to get it quoted, I'll tell you then. 
there is a difference in doing it and doing it right.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 206
Originally Posted by Michael
Well just remember if its $100 dont even bother dropping the car off. I know body work...I do body work and even though I am not a pro I wouldnt do it for under $300.
there is a difference in doing it and doing it right.
there is a difference in doing it and doing it right.
I've dipped my hands into a bit of bodywork, nothing in the area of fabrication though lol..We'll see, though.
Originally Posted by Scriz92SE
I'll just buy a power sander
if you take the trunk thing off , the gap is way to big just to be epoxy'ed , it will crack way to easy i believe.
for shop class
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 118
I'm kind of tossed on the reflector on the trunk, some days I think it's "decent" and other days I think it's the ugliest thing I've seen. It wasn't til I seen this car http://www.cardomain.com/ride/835409 that really wanted the reflector off. But of course he has a skyline body kit and skyline tails.