Fitting 240Z bumpers and Valences to a 280Z

[EuroDat]

Hi fellow members,

I have been searching the forum and although I can find a lot of info about replacing the bumpers I can't find much about replacing the valences. My plan was to buy the fibreglass bumpers, fit them, if everything went well replace them with the Stainless steel bumpers from Harrington.

Datsun 240Z and 260Z Bumpers | Harrington Group

Fitting the front bumper was easy, but it left a big open area between the small two bar grill and the bumper. I knew there was a hight differance between the 240 and the 280 valences and decided to go down that road.

The height difference was more than I expected. The 240Z is so much higher that the centre section between the valences can not be fitted because the chassis drops down to low.

To solve this problem I want to fit a front airdam. I have found info on this and some say remove the centre section and use the airdam to hold it all together. Others say dont do that, it will vibrate at cruising speeds. Something which I could tend to agree with. To solve this I am going to make an aluminium frame to brace the two valences with the centre mount and use this to support the airdam.

I dont have an 240z airdam yet so I not sure if it will be low enough to cover the lower section of the frame. Before I start digging an even deeper hole (buying an airdam, hiring a Mig welder to weld the frame) I decided to ask for help.

Maybe someone has done this before or knows someone who has? Even the distances from the bumper to the lower edge of different airdams would be a great help or even photos.

I will post photos of my progess.

Any help / advice is much appreciated.

[tamo3]

Here is the photo of the xenon airdam mount onto my 240z.

You can just drill a holes at the bottom section of the head light case behind the bumper. You don't need welding. It's easy.

As you can see, it's about 10 inches long from the bottom of bumper.

You can measure your Z's crossmemebr height from the bottom part of your bumper.

Good luck!

tamo3

[EuroDat]

Thanks tamo,

Ill measure my crossmember today. The right side valence is now stripped and mounted. They were painted white then repaited white and someone painted them blue. Took three goes with the paint stripper to get them cleaned back to bare metal.

The centre section is completly different to the 280z and will not fit because of the cross member. I dont wont to do any cutting or modify the chasis in any way. Everything Im doing in bolt on and reversable.

Once I work out the height issue I can order an airdam and fabricate the brackets to hold it all together.

[EuroDat]

Looks like the 240Z air dam will fit and cover the front cross member on the 280Z. The cross member is about 9" under the bumper. I took some phots, but the angle is deceiving.

The measurements are:

From the bottom edge of the hood to top of bumper is 10cm (4")

Botom edge of bumper to lowest edge of the cross member is 22cm (8.7")

[tamo3]

No wonder you have red, blue, and bare metal valence.

Once you purchase airdam, you don't need it anymore.

The front turn signal can mount direct to the airdam.

Good luck!

Tamo3

[EuroDat]

Started playing with thre front bumper again. The bumper does not fit very close to the 280Z grill leaving a wide gap between the two. I tried to close the gap but then the bumper side arms extended past the recess in the fender.

I am now playing with the small cover panel that fitted between the grill and the original 280Z bumper. It strapped onto the shocks and the bolted to the valences on the side.

This panel fitted quiet well and covers the gap nicely. I had to remove the two ears at each side of the panel and reset my bumper mounting brackets. The brackets are now made of aluminium so I can modify them easily. When its all finished Ill make them out of Stainles steel.

I pleased with the results so far.

Now to rebuild my 240Z indicators (out of the blue valences). Ordered new lens rubbers and other small parts from MSA and will be ordering the Air-Dam shortly. Just got to get my mind around the shipping costs and import duties.

Start gripe // The air-dam kost $180 + $ 250 shipping + $90 Dutch taxes = $520.00. Sure takes the fun out of restoring. Sorry guys, but this haunts me every time.:sick: // End gripe

Might try and hold out till MSA start their christmas specials. Releave the pain a bit.

Motorsport! Urethane Air Dam, With Brake Cooling Ducts, 70-8/74 240Z-260Z - The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts

Here are some photos of the panel fitment.

Chas

Edited September 7, 2013 by EuroDat

[tamo3]

Good job, Nicely done!

In order to mount 240z bumper onto my 280z, I started cutting front section now.

[tamo3]

Here is my progress of 240z bumper mount over the weekend.

[EuroDat]

Looking good. The bumper is in good condition complete with bumperettes and rubber strips. Im trying to get the fibreglass one to fit and then might go over to the stainless steel one from Harrington. They dont come with the bumperettes.

You have strip the grill supports. What are your plans for the grill area? I have been leaning towards the JDM style that 1tuffZ on HybridZ makes and sells through MSA. With the 240Z indicators and air dam it would clean up the front nicely.

I can see two brackets on the frame in the first photo. Their located in front of the bottom corners of the radiator. Mine didnt have them so Im thinking its something different between the 75 and 77 model or stone gaurd supports?

Chas

[tamo3]

Hi Chas,

The two brackets are used for mounting horn.

I'm rebuilding 240z front grille now. Sandblasted and power coated as matte black.

[tamo3]

Some more update.

240z has bumper bracket that does not comes with 280z.

So, I made one.

Weld it.

Done!

[EuroDat]

Tamo, Thats a neat job you have done to get the 240Z brackets to fit.

I stayed with the original shock mount holes. I can't use the 240Z brackets because the shock mounting is lower and further to the centre. Ordered a 240Z air dam and I already have the turn signals from the 240Z. Next is find a 240Z grill.

Which year is the bumper you are using? I know that somewhere in 73 they started making the the 240Z bumper compressable. I have not seen one, so not sure how it changed.

Chas