door panels

[frankensteinZ]

Hey does anybody out there know for sure whether or not 78' 280z interior door panels can fit on a 72 240z. I knox this question has already been asked but there was no clear answer given. Let me know.

Frankenstein Z

[kmack]

The 280 doors are essentially the same as 240 doors save for a few minor interior structural changes. So the panels should fit with no problems. Although the vinyl on the panels will definitely be different.

[Royce]

Okay, yes they will fit but the mount points for the arm rests will be different. So it isn't just a bolt on change. You would either have to cut holes for your 240 arm rest and have holes visable from the old armrest. Or you would have to fabricate some mount points for the 280Z arm rest. Sure it can be done but it would take a little bit of work because the inside door skin (making this term up) is different. This is the metal interior door panel that has access holes and welded nuts to mount all the panel items (window crank, interior door latch, and arm rest.

Hope it makes sense! Let me know if i have raised more questions than I have answered!

[GunnerRob]

The door lock pull knobs on the '78 280z panels are a bit forward of where the earlier Z car's are. Even my '75 280Z's are farther back than the '78's.

[peterc]

Frank,

Yes they will fit but there are some subtle differences that you will have to deal with. I just finished doing the reverse, putting 240 door panels (from a '72) onto doors from a '78.

The armrest mounting locations are different as is the location for the door lock. Both required some cutting and hammering to fit the 'new' panels.

The window crank and interior door handle are in the same locations, and the door panels fit the door frame the same.

Peter

[frankensteinZ]

Thanks for all the advice, I found some cheap 280z, but i think i like the look of the 240z panels more, so i am going to hold out for some in motorsports.

[2ManyZs]

If you want new door panels, Andy Russell has them for 250 a pair including new mounting clips and the rubber receptacles.

Contact him at z@datsundude.com or 480-343-2962

I don't know about the colors he offers, so you'd be best to get in touch with him.

I also saw a pair on Ebay yesterday under Datsun Z parts, you might want to check on them, as I can't remember if they were 240 or 280. But the way Ebay auctions go, the price might end up more than what you can get them from Andy......

If you want his price list, PM me with your home e-mail address and I can send you a copy.

[280Zone]

Anything can be made to fit just about anything given enough time, money and determination but, it would be much easier to buy a set of new ones or have your recovered rather than going to the trouble of making the later models fit. That's my $.02