DIY: Quick Latch Install

AstatenateZ · 11-09-2019, 02:56 PM

I searched all over for a DIY video / forum post, even Facebook 370z page. I found nothing so I figured I'd make a quick little DIY "how to" ...

I think these are much cleaner and do the job better than those rubber band "quick release" that are all over the Honda world..

.. So to the DIY...

Parts you will need:
- (4) m6x1.00 (2" long) bolts - $3.50 at Lowe's
- (8) washers to fit on the front and back side of bolts - $4 at Lowe's
- (4) m6x1.00 locking nuts to go on back side of bolts - $5 at Lowe's
- (2) 6" long metal brackets (Item #64735) - $2.50 each

You'll also need some tools:

- Dremel (with cutting wheel)
- 10mm wrench
- 10mm socket wrench (deep socket helps)
- Torch (to bend metal brackets)
- Vice grips / bench vice / pliers (whatever you got to hold brackets and bend them)
- Drill bit (to widen hole on white bumper bracket)
- Drill w/ hole saw (1/2")

STEP 1:
You'll want to remove bumper (obviously) , take white bumper brackets off

STEP 2:
You need to trim the edge (closest to tire - about 1" off edge) you can remove this bracket completely since the new bracket will take over it, but I wanted to retain it to prevent bumper sag by the fender

STEP 3:
You need to trim the back clips off the white plastic piece as well as drill the holes in plastic piece just a little bigger so the new m6x1.00 will slide in there easier!

STEP 4:
Heat 6" bracket up with the torch in the center, use vice grips, bench vise or pliers whatever you have to bend metal on both sides and bend it slightly about 15-20 degrees worked for me. But different bumpers , fenders, and latches might need more/less.

STEP 5:
Install the metal bracket on the back side of metal bracket (on fender) put the white plastic piece on the front and run the m6x1.00 2" long bolts and washer through, secure it all together with the locking m6x1.00 locking nuts. Tighten with 10mm wrench and sockets.

STEP 6:
Install Quick latch rods and adjust to where the ball of latch is about even with the fender.

STEP 7:
Ahhh... The scariest part... but you've made it this far... put bumper on (I just secured bumper from falling with push pins by radiator support, I heated up the bumper with a heat gun on low where the quick latch rods are and push lightly on the bumper so the bumper will press against the rods where it will leave a small dimple) I marked this with a sharpie. And used this as my center for the pilot hole on the hole saw (I used a 1/2" hole saw but yours may require a larger or smaller hole to be cut)... CUT BUMPER...

STEP 8:
Install quick latch outer pieces onto bumper and tighten nut on back, now install bumper back onto car, push onto quick latch and it should SNAP in.

STEP 9:
Adjust quick latch rods using nuts on back, to bring the latch in or out, whatever you need to make body lines nice and even!

STEP 10:
Sit back and enjoy your new quick / quik latches! Enjoy not breaking any more bumper tabs, no more rubbing on big bumps if you're lowered like I am, no more pushed out bumper on edges, easier and faster bumper removal.

BGTV8 · 11-09-2019, 04:16 PM

No photos

FireDan50 · 11-09-2019, 08:29 PM

fix the photos please...interested to see how you approached this

gomer_110 · 11-09-2019, 08:41 PM

While my approach was a bit different than the OP's, here's how I did the quick latches on mine:

The standard quick latch posts are 1/4-20 thread so I just got a coupler nut, some washers, and a 1/4-20 flat head screw. Using that hardware, the factory bracket where the white plastic pieces used to be can be bent to the needed angle.

The convience factor of having these is huge.

JARblue · 11-09-2019, 08:47 PM

I'm confused. Is this for the front bumper removal/install?

If so... neat idea, but it seems unnecessary to me. After a few times, I had no trouble removing and re-installing the front bumper in <5 minutes. YMMV.

gomer_110 · 11-09-2019, 09:54 PM

Yes, front bumper removal. I would agree that 5 minutes isn't a big deal at home in the garage but at an autox event, having the bumper off in <20 seconds is a nice convenience.

AstatenateZ · 11-09-2019, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooltoy

We also have a DIY section.

Sorry, I saw that AFTER I posted this, feel free to move if possible. I just saw "interior/exterior modification"

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireDan50

fix the photos please...interested to see how you approached this

Sorry just saw this, fixing them now!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I'm confused. Is this for the front bumper removal/install?

If so... neat idea, but it seems unnecessary to me. After a few times, I had no trouble removing and re-installing the front bumper in <5 minutes. YMMV.

Yes for bumper removal. Also because I kept breaking bumper tabs where the 10mm bolt goes and my bumper would pop out because I run a wide wheel/tire upfront and am pretty low..

AstatenateZ · 11-09-2019, 10:57 PM

How's everyone uploading pics nowadays? I used to post with PhotoBucket but now all their posts are blurry / water marked. I can attach images. But not add pictures to the actual posts.

NorthStyle · 11-10-2019, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstatenateZ

How's everyone uploading pics nowadays? I used to post with PhotoBucket but now all their posts are blurry / water marked. I can attach images. But not add pictures to the actual posts.

Imgur

gomer_110 · 11-10-2019, 08:21 AM

flickr

AstatenateZ · 11-10-2019, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthStyle

Imgur

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

flickr

Neither of these worked. They just left a small white square. I wish we had an add image button straight from our phone option.

I’ve seen it on other forums I been apart of.

AstatenateZ · 11-10-2019, 11:30 AM

redondoaveb · 11-10-2019, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstatenateZ

Neither of these worked. They just left a small white square. I wish we had an add image button straight from our phone option.

I’ve seen it on other forums I been apart of.

You can add photos through "manage attachments"

Krylon · 11-10-2019, 01:03 PM

Hey man, thanks for taking the time to make this post with the pictures and all. I’m sure someone will find this and really appreciate what you did.

AstatenateZ · 11-10-2019, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

You can add photos through "manage attachments"

Yeah I added photos to the post using that. But I wanted to add them where the text on the post is how I used to be able to before photobucket started blurring pics with watermarks.

11-09-2019, 04:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
BGTV8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 03350 Australia Posts: 1,503 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 29907	No photos AstatenateZ likes this.

11-09-2019, 08:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
FireDan50 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Antonio Posts: 714 Drives: '09 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 19	fix the photos please...interested to see how you approached this AstatenateZ likes this. __________________ VSR Single-turbo kit: 611hp/517tq @ 10psi (Q16 race gas) Dan's VSR top-mount turbo 370z

11-09-2019, 08:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36940	While my approach was a bit different than the OP's, here's how I did the quick latches on mine: The standard quick latch posts are 1/4-20 thread so I just got a coupler nut, some washers, and a 1/4-20 flat head screw. Using that hardware, the factory bracket where the white plastic pieces used to be can be bent to the needed angle. The convience factor of having these is huge. JARblue, Hotrodz, AstatenateZ and 1 others like this. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

11-09-2019, 08:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	I'm confused. Is this for the front bumper removal/install? If so... neat idea, but it seems unnecessary to me. After a few times, I had no trouble removing and re-installing the front bumper in <5 minutes. YMMV. Hotrodz, AstatenateZ and redondoaveb like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

11-09-2019, 09:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36940	Yes, front bumper removal. I would agree that 5 minutes isn't a big deal at home in the garage but at an autox event, having the bumper off in <20 seconds is a nice convenience. gbrettin, JARblue, Rusty and 3 others like this. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

11-09-2019, 10:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
AstatenateZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: LR, Arkansas Posts: 428 Drives: 2012 370Z Rep Power: 10	How's everyone uploading pics nowadays? I used to post with PhotoBucket but now all their posts are blurry / water marked. I can attach images. But not add pictures to the actual posts. __________________

11-10-2019, 08:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36940	flickr __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

11-10-2019, 11:30 AM	#12 (permalink)
AstatenateZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: LR, Arkansas Posts: 428 Drives: 2012 370Z Rep Power: 10	__________________

11-10-2019, 01:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
Krylon Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 153 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 19	Hey man, thanks for taking the time to make this post with the pictures and all. I’m sure someone will find this and really appreciate what you did. AstatenateZ likes this.

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