rebuilding 280zx rails dimensions please

[Guest cs14silvia]

well I am thinking of rebuilding my 280zx rails but dont know how

and dimensions of the rails. any info is appreciated

thanks

[Roostmonkey]

Usually you just cap the originals with 12 ga mild steel.Jack it up and have at it with a tape measure.Sketch up what you think you need,all dimensions should be shown as inside dimenssions because whatever you have made will need to fit over the old rails.This is the easy way and will last for a while.The better,harder more expensive way is to cut the old rails out and have them duplicated.I make rail caps for 1st gen Z's and sell them thru "Bad Dog Parts" but I dont have patterns for a ZX.

[Guest 305240]

Wow, I just noticed where you live. I was going to say I have a set you can have, just pay shipping...but that would cost you a fortune!

[Guest cs14silvia]

so its just simply cut the floor pan

cut the rails

duplicate new rails

weld them back ??

[Roostmonkey]

Dont cut the floor pan unless you have to.The rail can be seperated from the pan leaving the pan intact.

[Guest cs14silvia]

do I need to take out the transmission??

 

without cutting the floor pan means going under neath?

so the floor pan is not attached to the rails???

 

 

305240z thanks for the offer

 

actually sending stuff over to here aint that expensive ~ depends on how long I d like to wait

 

was thinking using stainless steel~ MIG or ARC welders you guys using or TIG??my floor pan got some sorta leak so hopefully its the robber plugs

still trying to get rid of the black sticky stuff on the floor pan

[johnc]

Usually you just cap the originals with 12 ga mild steel.

 

You're kidding right? 12 gauge steel is .104" thick and is way thicker then anything on the Z chassis. 16 gauge (.060") is a huge upgrade over stock.

[Guest cs14silvia]

by cutting the rails

do u mean the whole rails or just damaged sections?

 

do you have photos or documentations about how this should be done.

I ve seen one of the panel beater doing this, he just hammer out the bent sections and weld some mild steel onto the rails to reinforce it, I was thinking to cut the mid to rear sections and weld new ones in place.

 

before I repair/replace the rails do I need to sand the underneath surface to bare metal?

 

12gauge?16gauge? sorry I am not so familiar with this. is it the spec of thickness?

 

one more question about floor pan/rail

I thought the floor pan is welded on the rail, how do you repair the rail without cutting the floor ( in order to reach/weld)