forward console panel

[frank13]

DJACEY, it is possible to use later 5 speed in the early '71's. Grab the shifter out of a later 240 that is already bent. Or one that somebody has already bent more by heating it up when they swaped thier 5 speed in. Like at a breaker yard. The bend goes from the front of the consul openning, then bends back towards the choke. Also with the '71 you have to cut 2 or so inches of the openning up foward to clear the shifter throw.

Bambikiller240Z, hey Carl. I don't rember my '72 having the same cover as my '73. Every original '71 or '72 had the center consul with the ash tray on top of the fuse box. I could be wrong, i'm sure I had two '72's but can't remeber one of them? Was your center consul in the mentioned '72 original?:devious:

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by frank13

Bambikiller240Z, hey Carl. I don't rember my '72 having the same cover as my '73. Every original '71 or '72 had the center consul with the ash tray on top of the fuse box. I could be wrong, i'm sure I had two '72's but can't remeber one of them? Was your center consul in the mentioned '72 original?:devious:

Hi:

100% original, purchased from original owner, with all systems intact. Nissan stopped using the console with the ashtray at the very front (over the fusebox) in early 1971, that is why they sell for over $100 consistantly on eBay. Realtively few cars (in relation to total 240Z production) came with them AND they were made of some plastic-type material and did not survive very well.

[PrOxLaMuS©]

I have that SAME center console as in the picture...

I have one for sale if you would like....

Private Message me.. with any price you choose and it's yours.

[DJACEY(UK)]

Sounds good Frank13. I'll start the search for the right shifter and then elongate the opening.

[Royce]

Sorry to continue getting this thread a bit off topic but here goes...

FYI... in the US the ash tray fuse box cover was used on '70 and '71 model 240Zs, including the '71 series II cars (without hatch vents) like mine (build 08/71). The console change did come about with the transmission change in the '72 US model cars. The main problem area with the ash tray fuse box cover was that the tangs of the ash tray cover would break and the cover would not flip open properly or break off completely . Most of these cars will have the ash try but no cover. Wow, $100+ on ebay these days. I replaced mine new from Nissan 15 years ago for about $30, one of the few times I actual replaced a part before they became hard to get!

You can use a later 5-speed in the early cars. You will need to cut an inch or 2 of the trans tunnel making the shifter opening longer to the front. Since the original inner rubber boot would no longer work I mounted the later style inner rubber boot. This mounted easily using a boot frame from a later car and self tapping sheet metal screws. I did this swap on my car long before I found internet Z clubs and went ahead and cut my orginal console a bit to fit the later shifter. It would take some modification to the shifter lever but I am sure you could make it work without cutting the console.

Hope it helps! Happy new year!

[frank13]

I have never cut any of my consuls to clear the stick shift throw in any of my 5 speed swaps. The '79 and up 280ZX has a great boot set up. It's really three pieces. The lower dust seal, the outer rubber for the shifter (very thick) and the metal trim that holds it very secure with the formentiond screws. I just got mine out of a very straight '79 280ZX at the breaker yard. This will take care of the dust seal and the rotten leather boot in my '71. As well as keep my attention on the road instead of watching my drive shaft spin round & round & round.:devious: