Skyline R32 Gtst - Installing R32 Gtr Aluminium Bonnet Properly Using Gtr Latch

[Les000X]

Skyline R32 GTSt - Installing R32 GTR Aluminium Bonnet Properly Using GTR Latch

- Les Lothringer's Approach to properly Replacing Skyline R32 GTSt Steel Bonnet with GTR Aluminium Bonnet and correct GTR Latch & Mounting Bracket.

Adapting the GTSt Mounting Bracket is not advised. Refer below "What Can Go Wrong".

- Parts: In addition to R32 GTR Aluminium Bonnet and Grill, R32 GTR Bonnet Latch & Mounting Bracket Assembly, 2 of M8 x 1.25 35mm or other length bolts as necessary (refer below), flat washers and lock washers for supporting aftermarket Intercooler.

- Special Tools: Panel Shop Clip Remover.

- Other Equipment: One original R32 GTR alongside for handy reference, Vernier, Hydraulic Trolley Jack, Axle Stands or Wooden Blocks or both, Screwdrivers, 1/2" Extension Drives, 1/2" Sockets, Painting Materials.

- Costs: GTR Aluminium Bonnet and Grill typically 450 - $750 second hand. GTR Bonnet Latch & Mounting Bracket typically $100 or about $300 new from Nissan. Costs are 2011 A$'s Melbourne prices. My GTR Bonnet - $550 painted. GTR Grill - $100 painted.

- Duration: 4 hours one person to remove / install Bonnet, Plastic Bumper, aftermarket Intercooler, Latch & Mounting Bracket. Panel Shop repainted Bonnet / Grill. I surface restored 2nd hand GTR Bonnet Latch & Mounting Bracket. I also had one unmodded R32 GTR next to GTSt to ensure correct setup on GTSt.

- Difficulty Level: Fairly Easy. Check below for what can go wrong. Pay attention to Point 5.

- Disclaimer: This describes my approach to installing the GTR Bonnet & Latch Assembly to also support an aftermarket Intercooler. If you choose to follow it and screw it up following this approach, remember - at all times, it's your fault. If you choose to follow it and get a different outcome, that's because you need to know more than what is described here. No responsibility for errors or omissions. Every car can be different. Torque settings as per Nissan R32 GTR WSM.

- Reference: Nissan R32 GTR Workshop Manual.

- What Can Go Wrong: The method described at April 2005 post, using R32 GTSt Mounting Bracket rather than correct R32 GTR Mounting Bracket, is unsatisfactory, does not follow sound engineering principles, renders the vehicle unroadworthy and will not work with some aftermarket Intercoolers.

Refer http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/71448-fitting-r32-gtr-bonnet-to-gts-t-without-new-latch/

This approach not recommended - refer next note.

Differences GTR to GTSt Bonnet Latch & Mounting Bracket:

a. GTR Bonnet Latch has shorter hood safety release lever to avoid interference with GTR Grill.

b. The Mounting Bracket top flange is 1.5 cm narrower, front to rear. This difference is important - enables the Latch to intersect with the GTR Bonnet Striker. GTR Bonnet Striker is further back and higher than under GTSt Bonnet. So, the above post method of using / relocating a GTSt Bracket both moves back and raises the Mounting Bracket by altering all three bolt points, leaving two points unbolted and the structure weak.

Not a clever outcome. I would be beware of buying a GTSt with GTR Bonnet that did not have the correct GTR Latch Assembly.

Specifically: Leaving the Centrebolt off or redrilling will weaken the latch assembly. Wedging the Bracket on top of the bottom anchoring bolt cannot possibly be a solid fit.

That approach should not be followed.

Why? Because the Bracket is made from two pieces, with 2 x spot welds at the factory. The Centrebolt and the two bolts securing the Latch give structural rigidity to the Bracket and take up the loads, along with the spot welds. These three bolts are stronger than the two spot welds. This necessarily relies on the the bottom bolt to properly secure the Bracket and take any upward wind pressure on the bonnet.

Approach:

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1. Surface Finish Used GTR Bonnet Latch and Mounting Bracket.

a. 4 step process - paint stripper, rust remover, anti-rust primer, colour overcoats.

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2. Set Up.

a. Jack front of car on flat surface, secure under Chassis Rails or Towing Points with axle stands, timber blocks.

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3. Remove Body Parts.

a. GTR Bonnet: Disconnect washer tube, remove GTSt Bonnet 2 x 2 Hood Bolts, install GTR Bonnet, reconnect washer tube. Check operation.

b. Front Plastic Bar: Remove Indicator Lamps x 2 to access Front Bar Clips. Remove Wheel Arch Screws x 2, Plastic Clips across top / bottom of Bar. Use Panel Shop Clip Tool. Remove Front Plastic Bar.

c. Steel Crash Bar: Inside wheel arches, remove Bolts x 2, loosen Nuts x 2 but do not remove. Slide Crash Bar forward to remove.

d. Intercooler: Aftermarket front mount Intercoolers will vary in how mounted. Mine has a Horizontal Supporting Rail that bolts to the Bonnet Latch Centre Bolt - this supports the Intercooler from above and Bottom Brackets x 2 maintain alignment / rigidity. Remove the Bonnet Latch Centre Bolt, remove Intercooler hoses as necessary, bottom Intercooler support brackets and remove the Intercooler. This exposes the GTSt Bonnet Latch and Mounting Bracket.

e. Bonnet Latch: Unbolt from Mounting Bracket - Bolts x 2. Disconnect Bonnet Release Cable.

f. Mounting Bracket: Unclip Horn x 2 + Sensor x 1 leads, remove Horns. Unbolt Mounting Bracket - Bolts x 2 across top Radiator Support Rail, Bolt x 1 bottom front lower Radiator Support Rail.

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4. Install GTR Bonnet Latch, Mounting Bracket.

a. The reverse procedure.

b. Horns: Connect to each side to Mounting Bracket, next to Bonnet Latch.

c. GTR Mounting Bracket: Has a Flange to support the Centre Clip on the GTR Grill. This Flange interfered with the Intercooler Horizontal Support Rail. I removed the Flange. This means the GTR Grill is held in place by 2 x two Clips on the Headlights.

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5. Install Intercooler & Check Install of Grill.

Intercooler: This was the trickiest part.

a. Horizontal Support Rail: Bolts to Centrebolt of Mounting Bracket. This bolt, plus the two that support the Latch also give strength to the entire Mounting Bracket. None of these should be altrered or left off.

b. The Mounting Bracket should take the vertical weight of the Intercooler. My Intercooler is supported by the Centre Bolt on the Mounting Bracket. To correctly align the Intercooler and have the load taken up by the Mounting Bracket requires bolts off the Horizontal Support Rail of the correct length plus washers as necessary. Refer photos. I placed a trolley jack under the Intercooler and jacked it to bring it to the best position to attach to the Horizontal Suppor Rail, already bolted to the Centrebolt of the Mounting Bracket.

Use a Vernier for the measurements - depth of bolt holes in top Intercooler mounting points, thickness of Intercooler support rail and necessary gaps requiring Spacers and Lock Washers to determine the bolt length. I used 2 of M8 x 1.25 35 mm but each situation may vary.

c. GTR Grill: Clips onto Headlights - 2 Clips each side plus a centre clip off the Mounting Bracket unless you need to remove it. GTR and GTSt Headlights are the same.

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6. Install Crash Bar, Bumper Bar, Indicator Lights, GTR Grill.

a. Check lights, horns, washers work.

b. Check bonnet lock down / release operation and alignment and ensure Bonnet Safety Hook works. See photos.

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7. Torque Settings ft-lb average [from WSM].

Hood Bolts - 13 ft.lbs. Lock Mounting Bracket Bolts - 18 ft.lbs. Crash Bar Bolts / Nuts - 22 ft.lbs.

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[Andrew_Lazzaro]

nice post, about time someone did it the correct way

[JonB]

Where did you source your parts? Prices seems reasonable. Last time i check a normal condition gtr bonnet will cost around 700 or more from wreckers.

[Andrew_Lazzaro]

Where did you source your parts? Prices seems reasonable. Last time i check a normal condition gtr bonnet will cost around 700 or more from wreckers.

yes i need to source GTR bonnet latch, but cant find anywhere!

[StevenCJR31]

nice post, about time someone did it the correct way

$200 - $300+ for new GTR grille from nissan depending on what colour your after with silver being the cheapest

[Les000X]

Jon,

I have no idea if you are still looking to do this.

Sourcing all these parts is not easy, especially the GTR Mounting Bracket and Bonnet Latch.

I got the Bonnet and Grill from a recycler who just advertised it - 1st in best dressed.

Got the Bracket and Latch from a Dealer / Importer who I knew and also knew he had a GTR rusting in the yard behind the office.

All parts can be sourced from Nissan new but ex-Japan is of course very expensive.

Hope that helps - - - Les.

Where did you source your parts? Prices seems reasonable. Last time i check a normal condition gtr bonnet will cost around 700 or more from wreckers.

[redm0th]

Anyone else not able to load the images here on mobile?

[jmknights93]

46 minutes ago, redm0th said:

Anyone else not able to load the images here on mobile?

Thread is 9 years old. Photos work desktop btw.

[redm0th]

1 hour ago, jmknights93 said:

Thread is 9 years old. Photos work desktop btw.

When dealing with cars that are 30 years old, some forum posts with tutorials are going to be ancient. Just call me the necromancer lol

 

Also I didn't know pics showed on desktop, thank you. The pics were linking from google images but on the mobile forums not showing.