Quick Door Question - 280

[Datzun76]

Will doors from a 77 280 Match up with a 76 280? I am assuming they would.

[Darylick]

Someone out there will be able to give month and year that they change. But for the most part don't match just look at the latch.

[2ManyZs]

I think the 75-76's are the same, but the 77-78 are a bit different in the latch. But, I don't think they are so dissimilar that you couldn't put the 76 latch on the 77 door. I believe the strikers are the difference, but don't know if they can be swapped for sure, never tried it...

[phi22b@ck]

I can vouch for that -- I thought my ITS car was a 76 280 (thats what the guy told me it was) It is actually manufactured in 11/77. and I have a 76 parts car, the latches are different.

No go, although I am going to investigate moving the whole latch mechanism off the 76 onto the 77... Ill post my findings, once my parts car thaws out from under the 5 foot of snow that is on it now...

[Darylick]

If you looh at the latch the 77-78s latches sit inside the door shell, the 76 latches sit exterior to the door shell. I t would require some fabrication to change, it would be easier to change the 77 to 76 than the other way around. Check it out.

[Datzun76]

I ordered one door from a guy on ebay but he stated it was a 76 model. Waiting for it to arrive. People have sent me pics of other doors for sale and the latches are always different compared to mine.

[Datzun76]

Well I got the door today and surprise surprise it does not match.

My Reply to him:

The door is in ok condition but it is not from a 76 model. Z cars from 1970 to 1976 all have the same door and lock mechanism. This door does not have the same mechanism where the lock plate grabs on to the door when you shut it. This door is most likely from a 77 or 78 280z. This is why I asked upfront if you are sure it is from a 76. Do you still have the car this door came off of? There is a metal plate on the driver side on the body of the car that tells the month and year production date. Mine is 3/76.

If this door had the actual locks on it and the lock plate that attaches to the body it may be possible to switch them out? but since this door is so stripped down it is not going to work. I am discussing this with other Z owners so I will be sending pictures to show how they are different.