I would like to know how to get the glove box out of the dash of a 240z with out tearing it up ?

Pull the glove box light out of it's socket first. You then collapse it top and bottom and a little on the sides (after removing the Phillips screws that hold it in the dash, of course) and slide it out. Yes, a couple of R&R's will make a new one look old.

anyone ever try upgrading from paper to plastic? I'd love to have a glovebox with a bit more stamina/rigidity

Just throwing this out there, too. The repro glove boxes from MSA are sub par in quality. They folks that make them staple it very sloppily, so there are gaps in the box liner. I called MSA, and though they were willing to exchange and select the best one, they said that they were all like that, so I didn't bother. You might try taking the cardboard one and using it as a base/mount. Lining it with plastic or vinyl on your own. And maybe using some sort of metal frame on the outside.

i swapped the 240z paper one for a 260/280 plastic one and cut it to fit so that i can remove easily.

i swapped the 240z paper one for a 260/280 plastic one and cut it to fit so that i can remove easily.

Do you have any pictures of what you did? I know I would be interested in seeing what to do.

anyone ever try upgrading from paper to plastic? I'd love to have a glovebox with a bit more stamina/rigidity

Here's how: Make your paper into fiber-reinforced plastic. Impregnate it with something like thinned urethane floor finish, thinned epoxy, wood hardener, etc.

For those without A/C, here is an alternative approach that avoids turning the glove box into an ugly piece of origami: remove the heater fan motor to gain clearance space and pull the glove box out the back. During my resto work, I purchased a new one from BD and was well pleased with the quality and workmanship of the MADE IN USA item. It installed easily from the back as long as the fan was out.

For those without A/C, here is an alternative approach that avoids turning the glove box into an ugly piece of origami: remove the heater fan motor to gain clearance space and pull the glove box out the back. During my resto work, I purchased a new one from BD and was well pleased with the quality and workmanship of the MADE IN USA item. It installed easily from the back as long as the fan was out.

I'll have to second this method as I had a NOS glove box and didn't want any blemishes on my resto! Just remove three or four machine screws and the fan motor and attached plenum drops right down.

Be careful not to let the mounting tabs scrape or gouge anything in the process.

i swapped the 240z paper one for a 260/280 plastic one and cut it to fit so that i can remove easily.

I've heard that the plastic 280Z plastic box can slip in from the front (installing from the back on my Z is a bad option because I would have to remove the A/C and blower fan - a major project). Can you work around the lock latch without removing it? How do you work around the bracket that holds the glove box light/switch?

anyone ever try upgrading from paper to plastic? I'd love to have a glovebox with a bit more stamina/rigidity

Upgraded mine to a custom metal mounted box that holds my HD radio CD Player. The old 8-Tracks were glovebox mounted as well.