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Here’s what I started with – the engine, transmission, subframe, suspension, fuel system and interior was removed.
I removed all the bolt on body panels to be left with the “body in white”:
I started cutting the pillars with the sawzall:
This is a section of the B pillar. Notice how many layers have been folded to make it up, as it has to withstand side impact intrusion:
Convertible first gen G35! Windshield is pretty strong!
I started hacking the quarters using the angle grinder:
Rear section removed:
Floorboard was a tough one to get through, I really could have used a larger angle grinder:
Cross section of the floor pan. Notice how every few inches there is a reinforcement in the tubular structure.
Notice the rust. Like, a lot of hidden rust.
Here are all the pieces turned upsided down so you can see what the underbody of the car would look like:
Finale:
Common questions:
1. How long did it take? - Across a few days about 16-20 hours with filming.
2. How did I dispose of it? - Tossed it out on garbage night. Within 2 mins the scrap metal guy showed up and fit a G35 in his Dodge Caravan!
3. Would I do this again? - No, but it was a good learning experience.
4. How many blades did you go through? 3 sawzall, and 6 cut off wheels.
5 What was the hardest part? The firewall and floor board have the thickest and most intricately folded pieces of high strength steel!
What was all the stuff inside the quarter panel? How did it get in there??? I thought the only way in was the air pressure balancing flaps in the trunk which are absolutely BURIED and not really accessible.
G35 Sedan Leather Base, Z1 Plenum Spacer, Z Tube (Currently sold to a friend)
This is really great work and the pictorial reference is much appreciated. I've always wondered what the cross sections of some of these strength elements looked like. Most "u pull it" junkyards will kick out anyone bringing in a battery powered sawzall which has prevented me from ever cutting through a modern a pillar.
Cool stuff man, It was helpful to me since I am deciding on replacing the rear inner trunk structure of my 04' that got rear ended. Also love your pointer toothbrush and when you guys say "Out" haha
I cut up a G20 just like this once because they wouldn't let me scrap a car without a title. So I cut it up in to quarters and threw it all into another parts car and recycled them both at the same time.