Big, nasty bumpers

[Ekans_+]

I have come to learn that the front and rear bumpers of the 280Z are extremely heavy. With this in mind, I would like to know if any smaller, more lightweight bumpers from previous Z's would fit my 280. Width is my only real concern as holes can be drilled to match.

[theianmonster]

Use the search button, this has been discussed so many times.

[240ZX]

Welcome to Classic Zcar Club....you've come to the right place! As a new posting member, one thing that is very useful is the search function. Over the years an accumulation of questions regarding the early Z's on what can, cannot, and could be done have pretty much been asked before. Just queery what you want to learn about and you will most likely be provided with a load of info and should keep you in the read for a while. Enjoy the site!

Tom

P.S. You will find info regarding the replacement of the big impact bumpers with earlier units.

[red_dog007]

grumble grumble

just delete this or whatever.....

[Victor Laury]

Hey Don't pick on him too much !!! Anybody with an avatar photo of vintage 1982 Volk racing mesh can't be too bad!!

[Arne]

Hey Don't pick on him too much !!! Anybody with an avatar photo of vintage 1982 Volk racing mesh can't be too bad!!

What Victor said! Plus his profile says he has a RHD Fairlady. While it's a bit uncertain from the description whether its an S30 or an S130, being RHD it's got to be cool either way.

[240ZX]

Use the search button, this has been discussed so many times.

Ian, show a little respect for the new members....you were one once and this isn't another one of those typical car sites. :disappoin

Tom

[1 Bravo 6]

G'Day there Jacob,

I have nothing else to add to your query, just wanted to welcome you to the site.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[cegrover]

I have come to learn that the front and rear bumpers of the 280Z are extremely heavy. With this in mind, I would like to know if any smaller, more lightweight bumpers from previous Z's would fit my 280. Width is my only real concern as holes can be drilled to match.

Here's one relevant link: http://www.zcarcreations.com/howto/240bump.htm

I'm in the same boat. I won't do anything for a while, but I have a '75 with rusty bumpers, which means a I have a great excuse to get rid of this big things. :classic: I'll do some sort of bumper swap when I have full body and paint work done - not sure about fiberglass (body color) vs. 240 bumpers.

MSA says their fiberglass bumpers fit early 240s directly and later 240/260 with minor work. They don't say anything about 280s; so I'm still looking into this and will probably end up on the phone with them sorting that out. My first inclination is to keep the stock valance panels, but it's not clear to me whether I can do fiberglass on a '75 and do so. I will post any news/results here...

Edit: Here's another link:

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=109717&highlight=bumpers

[CANDYBLUE2+2]

I got tired of searching for the rubber that those big ugly bumpers needed to be complete, so I did a 50's look...got rid of the rusty old crabs, welded up the mounting hole and seams, and smoothed it all out...now shes a bumperless 2+2 that if you can ignore the quarter glass, almost looks like a coupe...yeah, it's that much shorter.

[76Datsun280z]

Welcome to the site! I know it's always up to the owner to what he/she wants to do to their own car, but in my opinion, the "parkbenches" as some people have reffered the long bumpers as are in my opinion what kind of make a 280z, a 280z.

EDIT:

I got tired of searching for the rubber that those big ugly bumpers needed to be complete

If you're talking about the bumper over riders, courtesy parts sells them.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=85340-S30RR

[sblake01]

Rather a moot point if he has already removed the bumpers and welded up the holes etc. but I think that he's probably talking about the rubber end caps rather than the over riders. Courtesy doesn't have them nor does any other Nissan dealer.