HICKL Posted November 18, 2002 Share Posted November 18, 2002 Like everyone else in the world, I hate the bumper that goes on my 76 280. The guys at Motosport (zcarparts.com) sell a fiberglass 240 replica front bumper. I understand that the mounts are way different. I called the guy and he told me that it will not work on my car, can't me made to work on my car, etc (quite rude actually) Have any of you guys put a 240 bumper on a 280? Is it that hard? Is there a kit made to adapt? I manage a machine/fab shop, so I'm not afraid of a little bracket building. Please help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 18, 2002 Share Posted November 18, 2002 I have some 240 style fiberglass bumpers from the Origin convertible kit that were designed to be attached with large sheet metal screws from underneath the bumper by a slotted flange that extends down at an angle from the top leading edge of the bumper. You place the bumper straight and level on the body in the appropriate location and mark your holes in the body sheet metal using the slots on the bumper's flange as reference points. Drill your holes and attach the sheet metal screws ,large fender washers and lock nuts. Slip the bumper's slotted flange over the screws/washers and then tighten the screws from underneath the bumper. The attaching hardware is out of sight... not much impact strength but what would you expect from fiberglass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HICKL Posted November 18, 2002 Author Share Posted November 18, 2002 Mr. Tomahawk, When you say "you have some" does that mean you have some for sale??? I'm not sure I follow your instructions, but am interested. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 18, 2002 Share Posted November 18, 2002 Not for sale....In the back of the fiberglass bumper there is a built in (integral) slotted mounting flange. The molds for these wound up with the Vello Rossa/John Washington business that is now in limbo... I am learning how to make fiberglass parts. Due to the slotted mounting flange on the back of the bumper the molds for these front and rear bumpers would havee to be a two part mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zcarnut Posted November 18, 2002 Share Posted November 18, 2002 The trick is to use a early 260Z bumper. Same mounts as the 280Z. Lots of people have done this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlalomz Posted November 19, 2002 Share Posted November 19, 2002 I came across a late 260 or 280 where the owner cut off the triangular area the headlight bucket rides on and welded on the same piece from a 240. This included the two bolt holes for the early bumper. Sorry I don't have any pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LT-1 350Z Posted November 21, 2002 Share Posted November 21, 2002 i have 73 240z bumpers in my car.they were mounted with a L braket . easy to make from a metal strip mounted as close to the body ,they look nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAW Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 I used the standard bumper mounting brackets for a '72, removed the bumper shock pistons from my '75 and then made a long "J" bolt from 3/8" threaded rod which hooked into a hole in the early bracket and ran back through the existing hole at the rear of the shock cylinder and pulled it snug with a 3/8" nut. Once everything is in place and lined up, spot weld where the early bracket goes into the shock cylinder. DAW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted November 22, 2002 Share Posted November 22, 2002 I also have a 260 bumper on my 280. Though I took it a step further, and cut out an inch or two from the middle, and rewelded it to get a very tight close to the body fit. No bumper on the back...it was going to be too much work...I prefer the smoothed rear look anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAW Posted November 23, 2002 Share Posted November 23, 2002 Oh, BTW, if you want to lose a lot of lbs on a post-'74 Z, consider Fiat X19 aluminum bumpers. They are the right shape & size and you can remove a section from the plastic "accordian" bellows trim pieces to compensate for the displaced distance when the stock bumper shocks are deflated & compressed and the Fiat bumpers fitted. DAW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S30Z Bushido Posted November 29, 2002 Share Posted November 29, 2002 it's pretty simple to attach 240z front and rear bumpers to a 280z, i replaced both of mine myself. for the front bumper you are going to need some aluminum stock to make brackets that will hold the bumper in place to the inside of the grill, there are plenty of places to bolt the brackets and i'm sure you can figure it out, it's quite simple. i'll try to get some pictures of my brackets. as for the back, i removed the stock bumper and released the pressure in the shocks by drilling a hole in them, pushed in the shocks so they sit close to the body and used them to mount the 240z bumper. it's an easy project, the hardest part is finding 240z bumpers in good shape. 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.