Anyone Remove The Factory Splash Guards?

[Bonzo]

Okay, I tried doing some searching on this topic and not much came up.

Has anyone removed the factory installed splash guards? I'm wondering what it all entails, and what it looks like in the end. Are they just screwed on from the fender well side, or is there 3M tape too, or screws from the bottom?

It appears most cars anymore come with them, but I like the car better without them. If I get the opportunity to actually order a car, I will order it without. But in the chance I have to go with a "dealer lot" car, I was wondering if removing them is an option without too much hassle and no holes left over etc.

I'm wondering because per my other thread here, you can see ordering isn't an option right now due to the Tsunami shortage.

Dealers Lying Or Has Nissan Put A Hold On Production

[tonybui]

I never liked splash guards on cars but I like these stock ones. Have you looked at one with and without yet?

[MacCool]

IIRC, those splash guards are dealer-installed options, or user installed, not factory.

The installation instructions are here. Looks like a simple de-install, although might have to get out the Porter-Cable to deal with a little paint marring.

[azn370z]

The fronts are held by screws and the rears with tape and screws. Easy to remove. I had no marring problems.

[Bonzo]

tonybui, yes, I have seen them both with and without. In 2009 most cars I saw didn't have them. Now, every car I see has them, and, every car my dealer looked up on his search program had them. The car doesn't look "bad" with them, I just prefer it without them. I guess that even as good as they are styled, to me it's still mud flaps on a sports car.

MacCool, not so, at least not anymore. They may be dealer installed if a car doesn't come with them, but they are a "factory installed" option. Check out the website and you'll see. The cars are arriving at the dealers with them already on. One dealer told me they actually put them on in California when the cars arrive there. Another said the same, and that in California they just install them unless you specify otherwise. Some of his cars came with them even though they ordered them without. Another dealer told me they "had" to order them because the allocation they got demanded it. I know I can't trust everything a dealer says, but since basically every car on the dealer inventory list within 500 miles of here has them, it's either being done at the factory or California. And I know for a fact allocations can in fact demand such things, so that may be possible too.

Thanks for the diagram. So it does involve drilling and punching holes and taping to install them. Just what I was wondering. Thanks.

azn370z, so it wasn't hard eh? Tape came right off? But you still have some extra holes that weren't there before. Although,those holes are all into plastic right, not steel? So even though you are making a hole in the paint underneath, it won't rust or anything. After you removed them, did you just put the screws back in so they looked like they belonged? Sounds like this might not be too bad a deal.

Thanks everyone for your quick answers!

[azn370z]

It leaves holes but it's not really noticeable because it faces the treads. I screwed back on the screws that attach to the bottom of the car. or any screws that have something to attach to.

[Bonzo]

So basically, it's more a matter of the labor to remove, and tossing $225 out the window paying for something I don't want or need.

Another option to consider.

[11Thumper]

I believe (at least for the '11s) these are factory installed. I tried to get a Z without them and it wasn't possible in my area at the time.

[Bonzo]

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

I believe (at least for the '11s) these are factory installed. I tried to get a Z without them and it wasn't possible in my area at the time.

Sometimes companies make certain things mandatory or unavailable during allocation ordering. I think it depends on available inventories and build schedules etc. Basically, for example only, Nissan might have a problem with their leather seat supplier, so for that month, even if you want one, the allocation will not allow Touring models to be purchased. Or it could be the other way around. Or they might have a shortage of a certain color, so for that month's allocation, you just can't order it. It could be a build thing too, to say combine colors etc, like where they want to build black, gray and silver cars in July, then red, white & blue cars in August. These are all just examples of course, and I have no idea how it works on the 370Z. But what I can say with 100% certainty is that this stuff does take place. I also know it takes place on the Z because all the dealers I spoke to said they would want me present in the room when they ordered it for me, because "you need to be here just in case we get a restriction or there are mandatory stipulations on the allocation. That way you can decide for us right there." Bottom line, you can't always get what you want.

But, I'm not sure why splash guards would be a mandatory option, only other than they get to make more profit and it makes it easier to just "do" it on every car, rather than having to ask every car coming down the line.

If they end up being mandatory, I will be taking mine off first thing. I'm glad they come off without too much hassle.

[kfscoll]

What's the best way to remove the tape from the rear splash guards? Dental floss? Goo Gone? Blow dryer?