zeeboost Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 I would really like to shave the rear bumper on my zx to give it a cleaner look, much like this: The only thing is that I don't want some jackass demoloshing my rear because he can't hit the brakes quick enough. Is there any way that I could weld some reinforcements behind the rear piece of metal (pretty much a hidden bumper) instead of having the big bulky bumper sticking out? I've seen many z's with a shaved rear and I think they look great, but I don't know if they did anything else to help support the rear of the car in case of a collision. I searched around but I couldn't find anything related to this topic. I was debating between posting here or the chassis forum, so I apologize if this should've been posted there. Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synlubes Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 zeeboost, Sorry I can`t help with the reinforcements issue questions, but the rear of that car looks sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Its a long held secret which I must now reveal. How do you keep a 240z bumpers and panels free of small dings and damage? How do you avoid dings in general? How do you keep that great flush bodied rear panel straight and safe? DONT CRASH!!!!!!! No, really, thats my secret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Yeah, and just look at Lens cars. Not a ding or a scratch on a one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil1934 Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Pennsylavania requires bumpers, but most street rods don't run them. I saw a solution they accepted where the owner welded a length of 1-3/4" tubing to two legs attached to the frame and positioned it one inch behind the sheetmetal. It won't save the sheetmetal but will prevent more serious damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Yeah, and just look at Lens cars. Not a ding or a scratch on a one of them. It costs to be the boss! Ive been lucky with the turbo car, no crashes (yet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 That's the first ZX if seen without a rear bumper, and it looks great. One thing to remember if you were to find an acceptable way to reinforce the back of the car is, what happens to the rest of the car if the back does not "give" in a collision. I thought about doing the same thing at one time, but decided that in a limited range of collision speed, a dinged up rear panel will be a lot easier to fix than a straight panel that is behind two buckled quarterpanels that were bent because the rear panel didn't give any. That's why they had shocks on the bumpers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 I love how that guy brought the 1/4's down straighter. Looks more like the NSX rear 1/4's. Real sweet clean treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad-ManQ45 Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 I have one of those reflector plates between my taillights and the red had faded out - darn it. Guess I'll have to buy a new one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240hybrid Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 Aren't there smaller bumpers (made of heavy duty fiberglass from the looks of them) underneath the exterior bumper that takes most of the shock/impact? At least this is what I have seen on almost ever car from mid 80s up, when they pull the exterior/cosmetic bumper off. Maybe if there are shock absorbers like the 280z has, you can bleed them out and push it in more and get it back far enought that it will clear. Or reposition the mounts further back?? I could be out of my mind though? Chase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Jarvis Posted January 26, 2004 Share Posted January 26, 2004 Aren't there smaller bumpers (made of heavy duty fiberglass from the looks of them) underneath the exterior bumper that takes most of the shock/impact? Most everything I have seen in newer cars is bumper shocks / sheet metal bumper / Styrofoam / urethane bumper cover.... I bet the Styrofoam does a lot more than you think ! Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted January 26, 2004 Share Posted January 26, 2004 WOW that is the best looking rear end for a 280ZX that I have ever seen! 8) Do you have any more pictures of that car? Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeeboost Posted January 27, 2004 Author Share Posted January 27, 2004 One thing to remember if you were to find an acceptable way to reinforce the back of the car is, what happens to the rest of the car if the back does not "give" in a collision. I thought about doing the same thing at one time, but decided that in a limited range of collision speed, a dinged up rear panel will be a lot easier to fix than a straight panel that is behind two buckled quarterpanels that were bent because the rear panel didn't give any. That's what I was thinking about. I guess my safest bet would be just to leave the rear bumper on. I guess I'll check it and see if I can push it in after I bleed the rear shocks. I have the MSA II fiberglass rear bumper, so maybe if I can shorten it down to where it won't stick out so far it would be a happy-medium. Thanks for your replies. Oh, and 80 lt1, I'm at college right now, but when I return home I'll post up some more pictures of that zx since they're on my harddrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I have to agree. That is the nicest rear view of a ZX that I have EVER seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 What IMHO would look good and perform some function is some self adhering rubber strip, it may even be legal for a bumper. Nice strip that suits the car, not the daggy stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia Flash Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 That is a nice rear treatment but it could look a little better if he had dropped the license plate down a little and made a recess for it to sit in. But all in all it looks sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 I've had the MSA Aero II kit on my car, and the current paint job for nearly 6 years now. There are no cracks i the fiberglass front or rear and only one small door ding on one side. I drive the car to work daily unless it' heavy inclement weather so I've been logging about 10,000 miles annually. It's all in how you drive it and where you park it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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