ransomnotes Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 73 240 bumpers on my 78 with the ZCC conversion brackets. I have the brackets pushed back as far as they will go, and the bumper still sticks out too far. Not sure if this has to do with the brackets, or because the bumpers are from a 73. I would be happy with about an inch further back. I think that's all I can get away with. Completely flush would be ideal. Anyone else have this problem? You can see the bracket here won't go back any further. I also don't like this gap. Thinking about cutting that little bracket off, and just running a bolt all the way through. Keep in mind I cannot weld, but I have a friend of a friend who might be able to help me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two80z4me Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 id grind the mounting wholes on the zcc adapter back as far as you can and then bolt it up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ransomnotes Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Not sure what you mean Two80z4me. You can see in this pic the bracket allows plenty of adjustment here. But in my third pic you can see where the problem is. There's no more room for it to be pushed back. I could grind or cut down the bracket in that spot, but that would make it a heck of a lot weaker. And even then, I wouldn't be able to push it back as far as I'd like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janaka Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 what part of the car is the bracket hitting? Can that part be trimmed some too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators RTz Posted June 14, 2010 Administrators Share Posted June 14, 2010 The bracket circled in blue is what sets the fore/aft bumper location.... Does that mount line up with the body? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two80z4me Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 ahhh, my fault for not looking closer. id say grind it, but im just irrational like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 The brackets that are on the inside of the 73' bumpers are located differently from a series one bumper, which extends them away from the body as you have discovered. The over all side length of the earlier series 1 bumper is shorter and pulls in closer to the body. I have one of each and have put them side by side for a comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ransomnotes Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Here in the white is where it's hitting. I'd rather mod the bracket, or have new ones made than cut into the car. I have about right at an inch that I could go back, but the conversion brackets won't allow. I had to hammer and bend this bracket back toward the front of the car to get it to fit in the existing hole. That's another reason why I'm thinking about deleting that bracket, and running my bolt through the bumper hole. Is that how most people bolt the sides up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ransomnotes Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 The brackets that are on the inside of the 73' bumpers are located differently from a series one bumper, which extends them away from the body as you have discovered. The over all side length of the earlier series 1 bumper is shorter and pulls in closer to the body. I have one of each and have put them side by side for a comparison. Damn, that's what I thought. Same with the 73 rear bumper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 I don't have a rear series 1 bumper to check on, just my stock 73' that will get a fresh cleaning/chroming in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ransomnotes Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Well I guess I'll be paying someone to modify these brackets then. That, or have some made that bolt to the old bumper shock location. I've done some mock-ups, and I think I could make some just by cutting and bending some steel. My fabrication abilities are fairly modest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azcarbum Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 (edited) Well I guess I'll be paying someone to modify these brackets then. That, or have some made that bolt to the old bumper shock location. I've done some mock-ups, and I think I could make some just by cutting and bending some steel. My fabrication abilities are fairly modest. Hey guyz.. This thread was pointed out to me, and I thought I better jump in. Ransomnotes: Yes.. the 73 bumper is a different monster, and most who put the bumper on a 280z usually are using the FRP ones, which are whats available for the most part. Those are modeled after the series one. Because your using the 73 bumpers, it will require you to trim back the lip of the area you have highlighted in "white" under the turn signal light. It doesn't mean you have to go crazy and chop the whole bracke section out!!.......This is very easily done, either by cutting the small slot out, or by making a single cut with a hacksaw to the inside edge, then bend the tab downward and away from the bracket. I've done this an several cars to include my own, and your not hurting any vital support area of the car......... I wouldn't cut into the bumper bracket, as it will weaken it. The brackets are made to make custom installation as easy as possible, and with a good supportive design. But as with all custom work, sometimes little tweeks are require depending on the car, bumpers used, etc. Edited June 14, 2010 by azcarbum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-280z-260z-240z-Aluminum-Front-Bumper-Brackets-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f30a613cQQitemZ300430287164QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories I in no way mean to undermine your sales, azcarbum by posting this link. I am curious though, if this is the "FRP" bracket you referred to, for those of us changing to '73 bumpers. I think I actually ended up buying a '73 which was advertised as a '72. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azcarbum Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 (edited) THose are a different route to go, but the differeces are ZCC brackets bolt up in existing bolt locations, and allow for a large array of adjustment. Now I'm not sure i understand your post.. are you asking me a question? The brackets are a universal part, just made to "simplify" the installation of the early bumpers on the 280z with as little effort as possible. These can be used with the series 1 bumpers, series 2 bumpers, and I've even had a few customers use the 260z bumpers. Now as we've seen here, some cars will need a bit of customizing, as all our cars are not the same, and depending on what bumpers you use. Edited June 14, 2010 by azcarbum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Disregard my last post. Just a bit of a brain fart. I read the below quote, and thought "FRP" was some company that also produced bumper brackets, hence the link. Of course you were referring to the bumpers themselves. I do quite prefer your brackets to those ebay ones anyway. Thanks for the reply though! Yes.. the 73 bumper is a different monster, and most who put the bumper on a 280z usually are using the FRP ones, which are whats available for the most part. Those are modeled after the series one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ransomnotes Posted June 14, 2010 Author Share Posted June 14, 2010 Ok thanks azcarbum! I might do what you suggested, and cut a bit of that area. Or, go a different route. I still have the original 73 bumper brackets, and last night I cut them so they will fit where the old bumper shocks used to mount. I just have to trim a bit more metal off, and drill new mounting holes in the 73 brackets. A friend of mine is going to help me with it tomorrow. If everything lines up right, it should be a much stronger alternative to your brackets, and still give me the ability to adjust for the best fit. I'll still keep your brackets though, just in case I go with a carbon fiber bumper on down the road. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.