How To: Jspec Rear Ladder Bar Installation with lots of pics

[94_240sx]

I installed jspec s13 rear ladder bar the other day, and here's the write up for you guys. There's one write up in the other 240 forum(z****.n**), but pics are not there anymore, so I hope this helps. Here's the description about the rear ladder bar from the seller jspec.com.

"Our own jspec rear ladder bar, will only fit any 89 to 94 240sx COUPE only. Very hard to install so for local customer only. $180 installed."

They said it's hard to install and it's because of the passenger side bracket. I think this is a copy of Do-Luck ladder bar which is for Japanese s13 chassis, so it needs some modification to make it fit on USDM s13.

Before I start working on it, I wrapped it good, so chrome finish won't get damaged.

Passenger side looks like this. This is the part that needs some modification.

Driver side is a direct bolt-on without any modification, so you don't have to worry about it.

Basically, passenger side bracket should be the mirror image of driver's side, so I made a template using pencil and paper like this.

There are 2 holes already on the passenger side frame. You can find them right in here.

Those 2 holes already have threads.

I test fitted the paper template and it fits perfect as you can see.

Like I said, driver's side is a direct bolt on, but you will have to remove exhaust and hanger bracket to get to these 2 holes though.

Test fit is done, and now I have to modify passenger side bracket to make it look like this.

First, this little piece had to go.

After that, I removed the other bigger piece with a Dremel.

I've seen some people installed this ladder bar. To me, it looks like they just stopped here, made 2 holes(in red color) on the plate and installed it that way.

You can do that if you want, but what's going to happen is... passenger side will go up a little just like in this picture. This picture is from jspec.com and I suspect that this person did it that way too.

I decided to go further and welded the big piece like this. I took it to a local machine shop, and a guy did it for me with a small fee. He used TIG welder. As you can see, I drilled 2 holes using the template that I made earlier.

I could have stopped and installed it at this point, but decided to do this. I cut the top portion and welded it on to the side.

I think it's really good to have this little piece on the side because it'll prevent the bracket from flexing left and right.

I took it to a local chrome plating place and finally it came out like this.

Now it's time for installation.

The bar came with 2 bolts for passenger side, but 2 stock bolts on the driver's side were too short. So, I went to hardware store and bought more bolts. They are treated too. Short one is stock bolt and far right is the bolt that came with the bar.

Passenger side was very hard to install because of gas tank was on the way. I had to use this joint thing with the wrench and extension.

Driver's side was piece of cake.

As you can see in the pictures above, holes on both brackets are slotted, so move both sides up and down to make the bar seat even.

All done and it looks like this once installed.

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to drive it yet, so driving impression is not available, but I think handling should be better than before. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Overall, modification was not that hard, so I highly recommend this rear ladder bar.
Modified by 94_240sx at 8:50 AM 10/1/2007

[positron1]

Very very nice! I've been waiting for another write-up on this with pics, like you said, the other one doesn't work. Excellent job with the modding and the chrome plating. Your car is sweet!!! I hope I can get up the nerve to do this because I've wanted that rear ladder bar for some time now thanks!!!!

[AZhitman]

AWESOME!!!

I have a Do-Luck bar sitting in my garage and was trying to figure out the mounting - Lots of "WTF" and OMGWTF" going on!

Thanks a TON for the great article and pics!

I'm gonna go bust out the cutoff wheel and welder now!!!

[slik_s13]

nice write up! keep us posted on the handling when you get a chance to drive it and test it out.

[Jiggyfry]

Does this bar work with the hatchbacks also?

[nwmrkt]

yeah this would be great if it works for hatches.

[94_240sx]

Does this bar work with the hatchbacks also?

Answer is YES.This is Dousan's hatch, and he modified exact same Jspec rear ladder bar to make it fit on his hatch. Sorry. I don't know what kind of modification is involved for hatchbacks, but I think it'd be similar(cutting/welding/drilling). I have a better picture somewhere, but sorry, this is all I could find at the moment. If you look at the rear end carefully, it's there.

nice write up! keep us posted on the handling when you get a chance to drive it and test it out.

I went out for test drive last night, and it was great. I can't install rear strut bar on my vert because top well frame is in the way, so this should help a lot. I also have a Circuit Sports trunk bar and they should brace the chassis from top and bottom.

AWESOME!!!I have a Do-Luck bar sitting in my garage and was trying to figure out the mounting - Lots of "WTF" and OMGWTF" going on!Thanks a TON for the great article and pics!I'm gonna go bust out the cutoff wheel and welder now!!!

You are very welcome. Actually, you inspired me to do these rear and front ladder bars. You have a welder??? I wish I had one. I can have a lot of fun with it. Do-Luck bars are expensive and quality gotta be very good.