So I am toying with the idea of swapping out my trunk lid for one that doesnt have a spoiler. I feel like the spoilers on our cars look kinda tacky, and to my knowledge they are only cosmetic and have no aerodynamic function. Kinda looks like it was just plopped on and doesnt fit the rest of the car and makes the rear look fat. The only real snag I could see here is with the brake light, since the spoiler contains that, and to my knowledge I wouldnt be able to just pop an oem one inside as the rear deck is different. For that Id imagine I could just drill through the rear deck and install an aftermarket light.

Any thoughts on this? I dont think I ever seen a modded max without a spoiler, so Im not even sure if this is something Id want to do. But I think the car would end up looking much sleeker without it. Probably would add a ionicdynamics roof spoiler to give it a little flair so it doesnt look like a bar of soap lol. My last 4th gen had this setup (roof spoiler, no spoiler trunk) and it looked killer - sadly I no longer have pics of that beautiful car otherwise Id show you guys.

Anyways, just looking for advice/opinions. Almost to the point where shes something to look at

 

I picked up another deck lid because I backed into a mailbox. I'll swap them out when I put the stereo in and with the old one off (only very minor damage) I'll be removing the wing and filling it in smooth then keeping as a spare/swap out whenever. I think I paid $36 bux for it at a local LKQ yard.

 

I was considering going this route, however I have zero bodywork experience and I dont feel confident that I could produce the quality of work I desire on my car. Theres a JY with a trunk for less than $100 that isnt too far from me, so it wouldnt be a big deal to simply buy another.

 

ur rear deck shouldnt be different because you had spoiler or not. i could be wrong but that doesn't make sense to me if they changed the deck because of spoiler.

i don't have a spoiler. its sweet =)

 

Let me see if I can help: A deck lid with a wing on it has mounting holes in it. A stock deck lid with no wing does not have mounting holes in it.

 

The rear decks are the same just grab the brake light from the junkyard with your non-spoiler trunk. Obviously your have to take the wire from the trunk lid and mount it in the rear deck but I think it's the same harness/plug.

 

^^^ +1 this makes sense to me

 

It's starting to make sense to me now as well. Third brake light on the deck of non-spoiler cars. Rare. No clue. Anyway, yeah, you could do just about whatever you wanted about that issue. I like the Tesla style 3rd brake light.

 

I say keep the spoiler. If you ditch the spoiler, at a minimum, add one of those small trunk lip spoilers, coupled with the roof spoiler.

 

i'd keep the spoiler. the rear, imo, is kinda bland w/out it.

 

Not a fan in general of spoilers myself, with the exception of the 5th gen. It is one of the more distinguishing characteristics of the car. That said, I'm also a bit partial to a bare deck lid on lowered 5th gens. Sleek.

 

The best manner is to purchase a used Maxima GLE Trunk Lid. Usually these used lids come with the wire harness for the License Plate and other trim hardware.

On eBay is rather expensive proposition, however, visiting a Salvage Yard (one that is pretty large and has plenty of Maximas) would yield the best of what you are trying to accomplish.

A careful study of the Factory Wire Harness is what entails here from your Sport Version Lid with the Wing and that of from a GLE without Lid Wing. Like someone else who already posted, the hardness that goes to the wing, if supplied would have to be re-routed back inside the vehicle and up at the rear deck and you might as well get a used Rear Deck Brake Light assembly from a GLE.

Here are two pictures showing what is being discussed here. One with a Wing on lid with Brake Lights on the Wing and the other picture showing you a lid without.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I can see the consensus is strongly in favor of having the spoiler, but regardless, its still not to my personal taste. I think the sleek looks better. Might have a different opinion when I get around to buying an installing a Stillen front lip but Im still grimacing thinking about paying $250 for something purely cosmetic, not to mention the cost to have it professionally painted. Still on the fence and have plenty of other little projects to complete before I can focus on that so Ill have time to chew it over.

My understanding about the rear brake light was that I wouldnt be able to swap it in, since I thought my rear deck is different - my BOSE subwoofer grill looks like it is where the brake light would go which is why I thought there would be issues there. In any case it wouldnt be very difficult to wire in an aftermarket light if it really came down to it.