brianZortiz Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Hey HybridZ, I own an early 260z (8/73) and love the car. It is going to a bodyshop for restoration, but before it left I wanted to put some 240z lights because I love the way they look. I do like the 260z/280z tail lights but when I found a great deal for some 240z lights I couldnt pass up. I have searched thoroughly and have not seen a write up. I wanted to do something this Sunday as I am not a big fan of fotball, so I went ahead and removed the 260z tail lights I then test fitted the trim panels. (note those platic pins have to be removed) I then set up my weopons of choice, It was a drill and cutting wheel. I was ready to cut, I first used a sharpie and drew out the lines. It was simple to cut, nothing too complicated, The way I cut it was to make sure there was no round corners it all had to be squared. I cut till that point on the upper and lower portion of the metal. I test fitted and I needed to cut about a half inch on the upper side of metal panel so the 240z tail light housing can clear. It fit perfect. I then did a test fit with tail light first then with trim panel. I used the sharpie and pin pointed my holes. They were all different from 260z holes. They were nice and spaced out from exsisting holes. There was only one that wasnt but only needed a little trimming. They are from the upper left corner on the left hand side and the upper right corner on the right hand side. That was my start point for hole drilling. I was ready to install. The fit was perfect. The picture above is the left hand side finished and the right hand in the process. The light bulbs on my existing 260z did fit in the 240z tail light housing. They just needed some mixing and matching. They did light up but have no picture since it was already dark and rainy. I should have picture of lighting tomorrow. Here is the Finished product Well, it is semi-finished I just need to remove and clean. Then the car goes to restoration shop. note: I do have the middle piece which goes on tomorrown when I clean it and paint it. The holes on middle piece do match the holes of the 260z piece. There is no mod there just install License plate. It was fairly easy. The only real hard part was to remove 260z tail lights. It took me a little over 3 hours to complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuoWing Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 (edited) Looking good! If I can ever get my 280Z running I may do this. My biggest concern is with the 260/280Z reverse light hole. Isn't there part of that left open that doesn't get filled by the 240Z taillights? I'm curious as to what you plan to do for that since it would just be an open hole that if water runs down behind that trim panel can now go right into the car? Just fiberglass up the remainder? Edited October 4, 2010 by DuoWing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 Yes sir. I forgot to mention that. I looked into threads about rear wing but for my situation it prob won't help. I just ordered a mig so I will weld that up but for now I should be ok since the gap is less than an inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I did this to my Zed as well. All I did was use some left over sheetmetal and cut it to fit where the hole is. Then Just drilled a hole in it so the tail light assembly could bolt to it. Lastly I used some liquid gasket to seal the "patch" to prevent water (like it ever rains in Vegas) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 Lol. Better safe than sorry. Yah I might end up doing that, it's raining 3 days straight here in Los Angeles. Was it brushed on gasket or spray. I have this bottle of liquid gasket with an American Indian in front. Dark brown color. I might use that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 I just used what I had laying around, I believe it was the red high temp rtv. Now I have to come up with a new tail light setup since i ditched the Trans Am tails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplyedmind Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Makes me want to cut mine up also. But I really want amber rears and 240's are taxed. Nice job B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddmanout84 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I did this to my Z at the beginning of the summer. Yes, its a 280z. Its not done, by any means, as I have to get the gaskets to fit... But one thing for you to consider is that the 240z had small metal clips that were welded(?) to the body on the BOTTOM area of the tail light surrounds. The surrounds slot into them and they keep them from waving around. Otherwise, your only attachment points are the top holes where the plastic rivets go... not a great amount of support using just them... I have not yet come up with a solution for my car, but I highly suggest finding one before yours hits the road (and before you paint it, if that's still possible). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lim Posted November 11, 2010 Share Posted November 11, 2010 Thanks. I'm going to use this for my install. Any ideas on the wiring? I'm sure its really simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 the bulbs are plug n play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted November 15, 2010 Author Share Posted November 15, 2010 Yah no wiring just plug and play with bulbs. There are no mods required when it comes to electrical and lighting. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaotty Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Im in the process of doing this swap as well on my 75 280z. As far as the surrounds go, im going to tack weld threaded studs on the back side, and nut them on the inside of the car. The outside studs will have to go through the white plastic that surrounds the lens, and the inside studs will go through the metal of the car. Havent done it yet, but it should work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazycat5 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Odmanout84 when iconverted my lights i ran into the same problem. I went to the local truck parts store and got some chasis wireing clips. They slip on truck chasis to hold wire harness on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddmanout84 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Odmanout84 when iconverted my lights i ran into the same problem. I went to the local truck parts store and got some chasis wireing clips. They slip on truck chasis to hold wire harness on. Any chance you can send a link? I'm not sure if the stuff I found on google will work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santanawhite Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 Awesome, I know its been some time since you guys posted. Any chance you guys can post the final completed lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted October 20, 2012 Author Share Posted October 20, 2012 I have been driving around with these tail lights for a while, looks original, I think I have some pictures. Ill post some later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfg Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 how did you mark where to drill the holes for bolting on the taillights? Mine did not come with any hardware so I'm not exactly sure what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted December 2, 2012 Author Share Posted December 2, 2012 Well I didn't run a gasket between the taillight and panel. Drilling is a measuring thing. I started with one bolt that lined up and went from there. Also. I just found out the 240z license plate light works and bolts in to the same location as my early 260z. Never did it until I got pulled over for no lights. Fits like a glove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfg Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 heres them mocked up on my 280z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted December 3, 2012 Author Share Posted December 3, 2012 looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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