Questions on Installing Tail
 

I'm in the process of buying a used OEM Carrera tail to install in my 1976 911s. I would like to do it myself so I'asking for opinions from those of you that have also installed one. The questions I have are: 1) If I purchase a used tail, how difficult is it to fit it to the existing deck lid (drilling holes in lid, mounting, etc) 2) Will the installation hardware interfere with the full size AC condenser unit currently mounted on the inside of the deck grille, 3) What hardware is required, where can I purchase, and roughly how much it costs, 4) Do I need to change or adjust the hinge mechanism of the deck lid to compensate for the added weight of the tail. 5) Has anyone primed and painted the tail body themselves, and finally 6) Any other tips or points that I may be missing. So many questions, so little time. Thanks in advance for your responses, I really appreciate them.

Ruben911
1976 911s 2.7L

I have a 77 911S, I just installed a tail on mine. The one I bought was a complete one peice unit, not one that attaches to your existing lid. I just bolted it on directly and it fit perfect. I never had to add heavier duty shocks or anything. I did not paint it myself but it only cost me $150 to have it painted here in Canada and its great. See pics at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=167822

try it

Shawn

The usual solution for holding up the additional weight is dual shocks which require additional hardware. there is a good picture of the additional parts required in the Automotion catalog and probably at their web site (look at the pictures - try to buy elsewhere - anybody else will be cheaper). The aftermarket tail on my "87 appears to be held on with 1/4 inch bolts nothing special - although if I were doing it I would have used nylock nuts instead of the regular nuts the PO used - nylock nuts don't vibrate loose.

Charlie "87 Carrera

Ruben,
I quick answer to your questions. 1)Not too sure. I put a turbo tail on, if the mounting points are anything like the turbo tail it's not very difficult to do. 2)What's ac? J/K I don't have ac on my car, but I know for putting on a turbo tail I had to remove the deck grille. Now I'm thinking of cutting up my decklid so it would have an opening twice as big(as to fit a intercooler!) and cool my engine much more. 3)As for hardware, I used 10mm nuts and bolts. I purchased them at a local hardware store. I used stainless steel nuts with the ss nylon nuts to mount them on. 4)I bought the heavy duty shocks from Automotion(doooh!) and they work quite well. Expensive, but it's lifetime warranty. I also bought a dual shock kit from Pelican, except it's the one that you need to weld onto the right side of the engine compartment...I think it's more balanced, like how the factory did it. I'd rather do that then put two shocks at the same place, makes one side stick up more. Give Pelican a call and they'll assist you with what you need. 5)I have sanded, primed, and painted the tail(with help from a friend) but make sure you take the rubber off first. 6)The only other thing I can think of, is, to use Black Chrome to keep the rubber in tip top shape!
Good Luck!

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Jeff
1976 911S

Shawn-
where did you pick that tail up? (no pun intended);-) i like the look of it and want to check and see if the application works for my '84. thanks!
-jeff