I have sourced a factory rear spoiler from an SE at a junkyard that I want to install on my '98 GXE. It is the same color as my car but is pretty weathered so I will get it painted along with a few other trouble spots, like the bumpers.

My primary question is how far from the trailing edge of the trunk is the proper distance from the trailing edge of the spoiler supports? ... in other words how many inches or fraction thereof does the spoiler belong forward of the end of the trunk lid.

The original hardware (mostly plastic) was pretty much junk so I will be coming up with a new way to attach the spoiler to the deck lid so ideas on that process would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks!

 

Find someone that has 97-99 Maxima SE around you and just measure it. That would be the easiest way to figure it out.

 

It's not forward, but rather hangs over ever so slightly, like maybe 1/4 inch.

 

The outer legs and the inner legs have different measurements. I just measured the inner legs on my 98 SE and came up with 1 3/16".

As for the plastic mounting hardware, I'm not positive, but I believe replacement parts can be had from the dealer.

Mounting the spoiler is really personal preference. Start with the factory spec'd OEM measurement I gave you, and move it back and forth to see what you like the best. For example, on one of my Maximas I have a Stillen Type II spoiler and it's mounted near the edge of the trunk lid for that extra overhung look. See pic.

 

Is this your other 4th Gen,... Wiz?

 

One of the many

 

I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

didn't know u had multiple 4th gens wizard.

 

 

I wanted to report that the junkyard factory spoiler needed a little custom work with the nuts and bolts to attached it to the trunk but that the install went pretty well. The trunk metal frame has reliefs that help make sure you are drilling the holes in the right spots. As it turned out, the 3rd light assembly was burned out so I just painted over it when I painted the rest of the spoiler. Since I still have a working 3rd light in the rear window, I doubt I'll ever get hassled by the cops. It may be just my optimistic nature, but the car does seem a little more stable at speed. Thanks again for all your help.

 

2 years later? Glad you got it done and it came out ok.

 

I agree, I took way too long. Fortunately we have other cars to keep us moving along. The Maxima is a lot of fun to drive now however. I have some other niggling issues that I will be posting new threads about but at least I can drive and enjoy it.

 

2 years isn't too bad. I bought an aftermarket replica spoiler for my SE six-ish years ago. I finally got around to painting it last month. Still haven't installed it. Amazingly the trunk has never taken in water from the nine holes left from the missing factory spoiler.