AZGhost623 Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 (edited) I bought some interior door panels off a guy here earlier this year. I then got a vinyl skin kit from ZCarSource for the 280z door panels, and got them reupholstered professionally just recently. However, the door lock is in the wrong place when I try to go to install them. On the car door, the lock is about 5" in from the edge. On the door panel itself, its like 9" in. What's the deal on this? The skin fit just fine which was for a 280Z, but the door lock holes on the panels are clearly in the wrong place. (There is only one hole on the panels as well.) So what kind of door panels did this guy end up selling me? They are in very as new condition now. I paid about $200 for both door panels, plus the skin kit, and labor to put them on, so i'm in pretty deep to have to end up not using it.Am I screwed, or can I just drill out a new hole in the door panel and all is well? It looks like a fit otherwise... But will everything line up? I dont want to destroy a needless panel if I dont have to and would rather resell it if I had to. Edited September 28, 2013 by AZGhost623 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexter72 Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 (edited) Two things come to mind, Possibly an early 280z door panel on a late 280z door. 280z 2+2 door panel or skin. I just looked at my late model 260, which has early 280z style doors and panels. Im going to go with you have 280z 2+2 door panels. Edited September 29, 2013 by dexter72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZGhost623 Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 I have an early 76 280z.... So where does that leave me... screwed? Can I just drill out a hole for the door lock and be ok, or will they not fit at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 If the panel fits the door then drill a new hole . Put a dummy door lock in original hole , use it as an anti-theft . It would confuse a thief . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryant67 Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 If the panel fits the door then drill a new hole . Put a dummy door lock in original hole , use it as an anti-theft . It would confuse a thief . Would also be a good spot for an anti-theft LED, if you have an alarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z240 Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 77-78 door panels are different from earlier 74-76 panels in two key ways. The location of the lock button is 9" from the rear on 77-78 , AND the angle of the back edge is steeper, making them an akward fit to early 280 doors. This accomodates the changes to the door latches that changed on those late doors that use part of the back edge of the door. We've had this discussion several times already. The key to look for is that long 9" door lock button location to know if you're buying early or late panels. 9=late 5=early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZGhost623 Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 well that's new to me... I've never been apart of any conversations that I know of about this situation. So I guess what your saying is that the doors won't fit if the shape of the door panel is more angled? I guess I have to go through this whole process again on sourcing panels skins and getting them upholstered... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z240 Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Well, the back edge will fit, but will leave a bit of a gap showing more door frame. The button hole is the only real issue. Throw them on and see how they fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideways Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Time to go with electric locks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 AZGhost-I think you are screwed. And, you have had the pleasure of being patronized. Feeling bad for you on both accounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZGhost623 Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 gah.... that really burns me up... so much time/money wasted... I guess I will have to keep an eye out for door panels. Perhaps sell these off to try and recoup some money I suppose... the problem is I dont know what I got... 2+2? or Later 280Z door panels? gonna be hard to sell if I dont know what exactly they are... I guess the big thing is to just mention its 9" in not 5"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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