framerail is gone

[drag0n]

Im looking at purchasing a 79 j-spec fairlady z 280. it has signifigant frame rail rot on the passenger side. enough to the point that im considering not getting it. but when i look i found baddogparts.com and a few other resources that led me to think this might not be all that uncommon or massively detrimental . the it rots from just forward of the front bend to almost all the way to the rear bend the whole bottom side is rotted out and the sides are almost gone. can anyone tell me 1- how signifigant this is, and 2- how easy it might be to fix this and 3- how much this is worth against his asking proce (2500) its in good conditin otherwise, minor scratches and surface rust and like i said until i saw this i was about to cut a check on the spot. thanks guys, if i get this car im going to be getting more into the scene and it would be great to see another scene thats as helpful as some of the others i have been around.

[MikeW]

It's not clear to me if this car is an S30 280Z or an S130 280ZX. If it's an S130 then the frame rails from baddogparts won't fit. Can you post some pictures of the car along with the rusted rails?

[MEZZZ]

I agree, post some pics and we can direct you better. I bought a pass. frame rail from Baddog, its still in the box to date. Looks to be f a very high quality, so much, I am thinking of getting a driver side just to match the sides up even though the stock rail looks fine.

Where in Cincy are you? I'm around the Beechmont/Anderson Township area.

[hls30.com]

I don't think Japan got the 280ZX, or atleast not by that name.

Replacing the rail is possible, but unless you are going to do it, expect to add $1000 or so to your budget, between having the area trimmed, the new part fitted and welded in...better to over estimate than to underestimate.

Be aware, if there is significant rust there, there is probably more...check it out thoroughly, or get a well versed member to have a look.

Will

[drag0n]

i have a few competent welding friends, one is actually a fabricator at river city body, a truck fabrication company. if i get it i can have someone work on it with me, but i didnt know how major this was, i have a jeep that has SOME deterioration in the frame and i know its bad on that, but with as gone as this one was i didnt think it was so bad since it was still driving

[Zak's Z]

I would walk away. Even what you described sounds like a huge project, and you should expect it to be worse. I had only a little bit of visible frame rail rot and it turned out i had to replace floors, rockers, and rails. It took a long time and the work had to be corrected once because the floorpans didnt line up properly. For the money and time it cost to fix a cheap car I could have gotten a much better car for the price of the rails/floors/rockers alone.

Seriously inspect this car over if you're entertaining the idea of buying it. Take a little pick or screwdriver and poke at everything. I'm certain you'll find more rot waiting for you thats hidden by paint, undercoating, or grease.

Good luck,

[gnosez]

It's a 280ZX 2+2 right hand drive....

[Mr Camouflage]

If it's a RHD 280ZX then it's not from the JDM, otherwise it would be a Fairlady 280Z.

[MikeW]

If it's a RHD 280ZX then it's not from the JDM, otherwise it would be a Fairlady 280Z.

Clearly the original poster said it was a "79 j-spec fairlady z 280". I'm the one who first used "280ZX" since that's what the S130 was called here in the states in 1979. Since the original poster is also here in the states I was hoping that would help him distinguish between the two completely different body styles and realize that the aftermarket frame rails might not fit. Since his follow-up post offered no clarification we may never know.

I suspect the car in question looks like this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/Fairlady/auction-201810128.htm

[Mr Camouflage]

Its an S130, there's no question about that, though not a 280ZX. There was no 1979 S30.

[gnosez]

Well the car seems to have a 280Z fender badge and a ZX badge on the rear.

It is not an S30....

Edited March 2, 2009 by gnosez

[MikeW]

Its an S130, there's no question about that, though not a 280ZX. There was no 1979 S30.

I suspect you're right but either way we don't have all of the information from the original poster. However, gnosez seems to have inside information that isn't part of this thread. Based on that I still think replacing the frame rails will be a problem. I'm not aware of aftermarket rails for an S130.