Guys,

What is the feedback and fit for this product on the 77 280z. Would really appreciate?

https://vintagedashes.com/products/datsun-280z-reproduction-dash

Also delivery and order placement ...

 

IIRC, you’re required to use the existing metal work from the original dash and fit it to the replacement. Unfortunately NOS dashes aren’t available of course but they came complete from Nissan back in the day. Quite a few members here have installed these.

Edited May 2, 2024May 2 by Yarb
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5 minutes ago, Yarb said:

IIRC, you’re required to use the existing metal work from the original dash and fit it to the replacement. Unfortunately NOS dashes aren’t available of course but they came complete from Nissan back in the day. Quite a few members here have installed these.

Using existing metal work and also gauges is fine. Does this come with pre-drilled screw locations etc.? I don't want to deal with that for sure.

 

Yes, there are metal inserts in the foam with holes and most are accurately placed. Have installed a couple 260/280 and a few 240. Not saying that they are entirely plug and play but well worth the effort and an extremely nice end result.

I installed one on my '78 280 during the pandemic lockdown and it helped me keep my sanity. It's a relatively long process if you've never done it before. Probably a good 6 to 8 hours of labor to pull out the original dash, instruments, label and organize all the harnesses, and reassemble it all. It turned out pretty close to perfect. The Vintage Dash unit is a superb reproduction of the original, with better, more durable materials. With good care it should last several decades. The final result is well worth the effort. 

Where have you been friend. Any updates on the car? As it really needed anything!

11 minutes ago, dmorales-bello said:

I installed one on my '78 280 during the pandemic lockdown and it helped me keep my sanity. It's a relatively long process if you've never done it before. Probably a good 6 to 8 hours of labor to pull out the original dash, instruments, label and organize all the harnesses, and reassemble it all. It turned out pretty close to perfect. The Vintage Dash unit is a superb reproduction of the original, with better, more durable materials. With good care it should last several decades. The final result is well worth the effort. 

Thanks. Do we need to drop the steering column to pull the dash out? Do you have any thread of your dash build out? 🤔

1 minute ago, Yarb said:

Where have you been friend. Any updates on the car? As it really needed anything!

Hey, pal! Yeah! Long time. No updates on the Z (thank Goodness) other than periodic maintenance, but no upgrades needed. I do enjoy it immensely. Drive it around on Sundays when it's not raining, of course! Also take it to some local meets on occasion. That Z is certainly one of my sources of pleasure. 

I do surf the forum now and then, and keep up with all you guys do. You never know when I'll be in need of all that unfathomable crowd source knowledge. 

1 minute ago, MH77280Z said:

Thanks. Do we need to drop the steering column to pull the dash out? Do you have any thread of your dash build out? 🤔

Yes. I'm pretty sure dropping the steering column is necessary. I have a ZPowersteering unit installed so it was absolutely necessary in my case.

I think I did post the process but can't recall if it was here or on the HybridZ sister forum. 

I need to pick your brain in the near future as far as power steering. Looks like Silvermine and ZPowersteering are the two main players.

12 hours ago, MH77280Z said:

Thanks. Do we need to drop the steering column to pull the dash out? Do you have any thread of your dash build out? 🤔

I did not touch the steering column for dash removal on my 75

There's no real reason to leave it up and in the way. It's just four bolts forward of the clamshell to remove and then push it down. Just as easy to raise it and bolt it back up when the dash is back in.