ArnZ Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 I have searched here and the net for some info and haven't found all the answers. I just picked up some JDM doors for my 75 Fairlady, I wanted these because I wanted the correct doors. (no FMVSS side impact protection) After a 1000 mile trip, I noticed that the striker is different, and the door locks are moved forward a few inches. The doors came of off a 76 Fairlady. I think that the 280Z's changed in 77? Are there any differences in the 74,75 and 76 doors exluding the 2+2's. Also up to what year Z's had the recessed area for the rear bumper? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 From what Ive found in a quick search it seems up to the early 74's had them. Look through some of these. http://forums.hybridz.org/search.php?searchid=1520277 Not sure on the years but Im pretty sure the late 74's had the changed strikers. http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=100754&highlight=door+strikers http://forums.hybridz.org/search.php?searchid=1520284 Please correct me if Im wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 24, 2007 Author Share Posted December 24, 2007 I read most of those in my searches, I couldn't find anything stating when the rear bumber indent went away, I guess when the big bumpers where introduced? My car is has them, the 76 I got the doors from had them. I guess the 260 small bumper had them and the non US spec Z's had them up until? That is what made not think twice about the doors working. The 76 Fairlady had small bumpers, so I assumed it would be similar to mine. Another lesson learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 My guess would be that the doors on your car now may be replacements?? a 75 (280, right? NO chance of it being an earlier year?) and a 76 should have had the same doors, to the best of my knowledge... I have been wrong before, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 25, 2007 Author Share Posted December 25, 2007 My doors are original and the 76 has the original paint and Jap stickers on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Beck Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 ArnZ - what is the VIN on your Car? S30 or S31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 25, 2007 Author Share Posted December 25, 2007 Mine is a 30 the doors I got came off of a 31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Beck Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 The doors came of off a 76 Fairlady.I think that the 280Z's changed in 77? Are there any differences in the 74,75 and 76 doors exluding the 2+2's. Here in the US - our 75/76 280Z's bodies have several detail differences from the 77/78 280Z. The "S31" body shell started production in July of 76 for the JDM. So your doors came off a late 76.. and they would have been different in shape/design than the doors off your 75. A way of looking at it - is that the "S31" in Japan, is the bodyshell used for the 77-78 280Z in the US. , but without many of the reinforcing / strengthening plates/panels found on our 280Z's. The US FMVSS required not only the stronger side door guard beam, but strengthening of the entire door frame, as well as changes to the openings in the car body itself for 77/78. Not counting latches... you can put a 77/78 280Z door on a 240Z body - and it will bolt right up to the hinges...and (not counting latches) it will close.... but it will NOT seal to the 240Z (S30) body...even if you change the latches... because the 280Z has a different shape to the body openings and doors... In this picture from Datsun Spirit Web Site (below)... you can see the body redesign / reinforcing on the 77/78 280Z body for the door openings (aka S31 in Japan) ... and the doors are different than that of the 75/76 280Z Gray door below. (S30). FWIW, Carl B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Beck Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Also up to what year Z's had the recessed area for the rear bumper? Thanks That depends upon what Country. According to Eiji all JDM first generation Z's had the recessed area. At least his 77/78 280Z here in the States did not... See: Sept. 10th report http://blog.livedoor.jp/datsunspirit/archives/2007-09.html'>http://blog.livedoor.jp/datsunspirit/archives/2007-09.html Lots of interesting information in the Archives there..month by month http://blog.livedoor.jp/datsunspirit/ FWIW, Carl B. Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 I know that for the US market, all factory small bumper cars had the indentions, and all factory big bumper cars did not. I would assume since all first gen Zs from the Japanese market had small bumpers, they all had the indents. Could be a mistaken assumption, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 26, 2007 Author Share Posted December 26, 2007 I did not know that the US 77 78 doors were different. I knew that the 240's have different armrest mountings and were lighter. I just assumed that the doors were going to be just like mine. I am still confused as to which US car most resembles mine. I assume it would be a 260? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Beck Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Again... it depends... There are two different bodies that were marketed as "260Z's" here in the States. The early 260Z used the same body as the earlier 240-Z's while the Late Year 260Z's used the same body as the 75 280Z. As for which resembles your 75 Fairlady - - pictures of the doors and door openings that we could all see might help... FWIW, Carl B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Carl what are specifically looking for? The car is dismantled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Beck Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Carl what are specifically looking for? The car is dismantled. That's fine... I'm looking for the same pictures of your Z - that I Posted at Post #8 above. The opening in the body of your Z and the inside of the door, without the trim if possible. FWIW, Carl B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Maybe these will help Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I vote sticky, this subject has needed a sticky for some time. I am in a decent position to compare 240, 260, 75 280, and 78 280 all side by side by side.. no JDM spec or anything, but when I get a good chance to do so I will come back and re read this thread and endeavour to write a succinct essay covering everything to post here (unless someone else, less wordy than myself, beats me to it.) These questions come up alot, and (apparently) the answers are even more subtle and detailed than I knew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnZ Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 It would be nice to have a picture compilation of ALL of the Z series doors and openings. I have two JDM, 240, and several 280 door pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth-Z Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I have noticed there is some "Half" Year differneces with the State side 76 280Z's. Personally I have cut up two of them. The early model had Door panels simular to the 75 280Z with the lock mechanisms further back on the door. Also it did not have the space saver spare tire well. The later model 76 had doors like the 77-78's and also had the space saver tire well. ArnZ photo of the door latch on the red Z looks just like the latch mechanism of one I just removed from a 75 in a junk yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Beck Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Daeron: Can you start by posting a picture.. at the same viewing angle as ArnZ's last picture ---- of the 78 280Z door. That seems so far in this discussion, to be the one we don't have a good view of. thanks, Carl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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