I'm thinking about installing the Nissan rear diffuser on my SL. I found the instructions online for the install, but they're not clear on just how easy it is. My dealer said he'd install it for $115.00. While I think that's a reasonable price (~1hr labor), $115 is $115!


Anyone do a DIY install for this accessory? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Is really simple all you need is to drill 2 holes on each end on the bottom of the bumper if you have a friend to help you . Ones you have the holes peal the 3m tape and install start from the center.

 

But be very careful. Early on (summer/fall of 2015) we had two folks here who messed this install up, and the diffuser later came unstuck. One person here had the dealer do it, and the dealer messed the install up and had to do it again at dealer cost.

A few of those here who did this install successfully said they would have had trouble if they had not had another person helping them. My dealer installed mine successfully first try, and it has been perfect for 18 months.

I really like this black diffuser on my silver Maxima. A few here have gotten a diffuser from a name brand aftermarket company (name escapes me at the moment) that I like a lot, but I already had my Nissan diffuser on by the time I saw that aftermarket one.

 

I did my OEM one and then i remove it witch was hard the 3m is really good and did stillen one after, i don't understand how you can mess that up is simple but if you have a helper is A+. There is not a lot of members from AZ but i will help any one with any mod. at one point i was a master tech for nissan .

 

A36-SR just jogged my memory. It is the Stillen diffuser that I think is really nice-looking.

 

Had the dealer do mine since I could not do it in the cold weather. The dealer raised the car up to chest level on a lift, and it went on very quickly. Took two techs to line it up and secure the 3 M tape to the car Best part was, they charged me only 50 bucks!

 

Thanks everyone - so is it just a drop in? No need to remove any part of the existing bumper? It looks like where the diffuser goes, there is a black piece on the bumper. Just want to make sure nothing needs to be removed.
Thanks,

 

$50!? Now THAT'S a deal!!!

 

Well, after mulling it over, I had the dealer install mine. I got a great deal on the diffuser at the estore which absorbed a lot of the install cost. My dealer did a great job.

 

Post pics

 

 

I installed mine myself with my wife providing the needed extra hands. Not hard, though it's actually 8 holes you have to drill if I remember correctly. 6 for plastic clips and 2 for actual screws. All holes are into plastic, not metal, so it's easy and not as sphincter-clenching as it could be. I think the chrome accent on the diffuser is a must on these cars. Makes the rear end look much more cohesive as it ties in with the large chrome piece on the trunk lid.

 

Thanks for the report. I do believe Nissan should incorporate this diffuser as standard equipment and be done with it.

 

I've seen both the Stillen and Nissan rear diffusers installed on Maximas in my area of Toronto. I like the look of both but think that the black gloss paint of the Nissan diffuser matches and complements the Maxima perfectly, as though the car should have been designed that way. The black gloss paint is a match for the thin black gloss window extensions that reach to the back window glass and give the Maxima a tighter and more cohesive rear. I'm not usually a fan of chrome trim, but the two horizontal strips of chrome on the Maxima with the Nissan diffuser look good IMO.

I installed my diffuser after reading this thread and made sure to apply 3M 4298 adhesion promoter to the area where the 3M tape would be sticking to. I saw this used on the Stillen diffuser installation video and it should allow a very strong bond between the diffuser and the rear bumper. It should also allow the diffuser to remain firmly stuck for well past the 10 years wet bond that the 3M tape has been tested to.

Be careful not to get the 3M adhesion promoter (around $10-$12 for a 3 pack of 4298 sponges, which is more than enough, but 1 sponge is not enough) on any area that won't be covered so mask off as it leaves a bit of residue. Make sure to apply only one thin, but thorough coat with the sponge(s).

I am attaching a phot of mine after installation and including an "Extra installation tip sheet" that I wrote up for a buddy who will be installing his on the West Coast. These "Tips" are in addition to the regular Nissan installation instructions and might help those who haven't done something like this before.

 

What is everyone paying for the OEM diffuser? It looks like MSRP is $295, and the cheapest at amazon is ~$280 shipped. A dealer near me has a 25% coupon on a $300+ order, so it would be $221.25 plus tax (with a $5 filler item) with free local pickup.

 

 

I had a diffuser installed and it's starting to pop up and the dealer did it. They can not re-use a diffuser once it's popped up and will have to replace it on their dime. Nissan really has a crappy and hokey install for this thing, clamshell a piece of plastic over another piece of plastic, not the epitome of good engineering . If you ask me, the mounting at the bottom isn't enough with just tape at the top along that seam. Needs to be holes drilled along that seam and a combination of clips/screws and tape along it. Also, if you do it yourself, have good help AND make sure it's really really warm out, let the car sit out in the sun and get the bumper cover nice and toasty, the tape glue will stick better. Good luck, these things are a crap shoot if done outside the factory.

 

$115 is not bad, my dealer here in nyc quoted me $195 for 1 and half hr labor, what? yeah.. Now get a friend and install yourself like i did.
#1 clean the bumper where the tape will stick w/alcohol then place diffuser to test fit and press hard and start to remove the tape from center of diffuser then from one end drill screw under the bumper where indicated then the other side and wallah your Max will look much more premium in about 20 min.
if possible get some ramp from a local car shop to make it easier.

 

Love the Blue

 

That be called a spoiler that you had painted. Diffusers are chrome. It's that chrome piece on the very bottom. Don't think you would paint that.

 

I just used 1/2" 3M automotive chrome to ditch the black banding and to freshen up the back end. From what i heard the OEM rear diffuser can be hit or miss with successful installation, besides I'm not sure I want to drop that kind of bread on something Nissan should have implemented into the design of the car originally in the first place.

1/2" automotive chrome installed along stock OEM bumper black striping.

Before and after of automotive chrome installed. 1/2 inch

 

I wanted to accent the rocker panels a bit but wasn't about to spend the money to replace the rocker panels with a look Nissan should have implemented from the beginning. It was very simple to do assuming you clean the area first with alcohol before applying the chrome stripping, be sure to keep it very level as you apply it or it won't come out looking right.

1/2\" automotive chrome applied to lower portion of the rocker panels on the right and left sides.




This picture is just comparing from what the real chrome dressed replacement rocker panels look like against what i did for a lot less.

 

Creative look and well worth the time and effort. Certainly agree that Nissan should have finshed the cars from the factory with the rear diffuser and side rockers. I have both and am very satisfied with them and the install was not hard. Sadly though the factory add on side rockers can get cracked or broken if the tech does not put extra vertical rubber on the lift arms. Ask me how I know!

 

I would be pissed if i spent the extra money upgrading my car and paying extra to have the rocker panels installed to find out they were not installed properly. As far as my diffuser im still torn with it. I figure perhaps some day once I get closer to paying off the car, but for now I'm happy with the change even though it's subttle. If it were white or grey i think it would be a no brainer to get the diffuser because the divided black strip would drive me crazy! I still may, i hai have the ability to get it for $235 shipped brand new, i think that's a good price?

I just ordered LED headlamps and if i end up happy with the result and longevity i will upgrade the fogs too. But again its so easy to hemorrhage money when getting a new ride.

I just upgraded whatever interior lights that Nissan left untouched with LED's. Much better!! I also grabbed the all season mats and trunk mat. Well worth the cost!

 

I love the side rockers and rear diffuser! Makes the look even more aggressive!

 

Factory installed rocker extensions were on properly but the techs need to be schooled on the extra width from the car to the ground since the car lifts will crack or break them without the vertical rubber blocks on the lift body arms

 

Just out of curiosity, what does a rear diffuser do?