79-83 280zx hatch window seal replacement

**dgcamp58** · 03-29-2012

I'm guessing many of you know that the rear hatch window weather strip seal (79-83 280zx) has been out of production for many years with no substitute available. This might be a crazy idea, so I thought i would throw it out there. Thinking of purchasing hatch, breaking out window in order to remove hatch seal & trim intact to reinstall in my 1980 280zx when paint is complete. Body shop destroyed old seal removing window for paint thinking these were readily available. Has anybody gone this route? Think it's doable?

**Kurbycar32** · 03-29-2012

The seals are actually salvageable without destroying a hatch if they are in good shape and still pliable. If the seals are old and crusty they wont be pliable enough to use with your glass anyway. So the way i see it, if you cant pull the seal out of another vehicle intact you didnt want it anyway. Black dragon lists new seals for that model pretty cheap actually: http://www.blackdragonauto.com/features/z/zrh3.htm

**grantf** · 03-30-2012

Originally Posted by Kurbycar32

The seals are actually salvageable without destroying a hatch if they are in good shape and still pliable. If the seals are old and crusty they wont be pliable enough to use with your glass anyway. So the way i see it, if you cant pull the seal out of another vehicle intact you didnt want it anyway. Black dragon lists new seals for that model pretty cheap actually: http://www.blackdragonauto.com/features/z/zrh3.htm

I see the hatch seal for sale but not the glass seal.

**dgcamp58** · 03-30-2012

I've checked Black Dragon and every possible source. They have been out of production for many years. In my search I have read threads back as far as 08 til present. Same problem, no solution except to urethane glass in. I really don't want to do that. I have a lot of time and $ into this restoration. Want to do it right. Check ebay daily hoping somebody finds one on an old dusty forgotten shelf. There are complete seal kits for 70-78 280 but very little for 79-83. Z source had seal, but only for 2+2 model. Dimensions differ greatly

**dgcamp58** · 03-30-2012

Black Dragon has the seals that mount to the body, but not for the glass

**black gold man** · 03-30-2012

This is what i would do. Buy another hatch with glass have the new one painted and installed without pulling the glass.
Have your hatch painted also and store it until new rubber is available.

I have a nice hatch no wiper with glass and trim i would sell for 100 bucks no rust. Come get it.
BGM

**Kurbycar32** · 03-30-2012

Originally Posted by black gold man

This is what i would do. Buy another hatch with glass have the new one painted and installed without pulling the glass.
Have your hatch painted also and store it until new rubber is available. BGM

Yup i see it now, major bummer. BGM has the best plan i think. My car was painted in the 90's with the rubber in place (ive since repainted) and while i wouldnt choose to do that the paint job didnt look terrible around the seals, its not a bad option

**dgcamp58** · 03-30-2012

Not a bad idea. I found a thread from last March that a company called Z specialties was doing R&D for the window gaskets. I gave them a call and spoke to a very nice young lady who is going to talk to "the powers that be" and get back to me to let me know where they are on that.

**Kurbycar32** · 03-30-2012

Originally Posted by dgcamp58

Not a bad idea. I found a thread from last March that a company called Z specialties was doing R&D for the window gaskets. I gave them a call and spoke to a very nice young lady who is going to talk to "the powers that be" and get back to me to let me know where they are on that.

I get parts from them all the time. The guy orders stuff from Nissan Japan and claims he can get just about anything. Super nice people

**dgcamp58** · 03-31-2012

What year hatch do you have?

**black gold man** · 03-31-2012

1979 no wipe no rust good glass and trim.

**dgcamp58** · 03-31-2012

Send message with your contact info. dgcamp58@yahoo.com I could give you a call tomorrow.

**dgcamp58** · 04-04-2012

Got my restoration back on track today due to a quick trip to Detroit to see Black Gold Man. The hatch you sold me is in great shape for a piece that old. Thanks for everybody's input. Hopefully have the paint done in a couple weeks and I can put up some pics. Black Gold, good luck with your project cars. Nice little Z collection.

**black gold man** · 04-04-2012

Glad i could help. But there is someone that also needs a hatch maybe someone could help Datsy280zx in
London Ontario. He was wanting the hatch i had but didn't act fast enough. He said he had someone coming
through Detroit and he might call. Just a few hours after the sale someone called on his behalf about the hatch.
And i told them sorry it is sold. He didn't sound happy. If someone can help contact Datsy280zx
Here http://www.zcar.com/70-83_tech_discu..._903703.0.html
BGM

**dgcamp58** · 04-05-2012

Might be willing to sell my hatch if Datsy280zx is interested. The hatch is solid, z coated and ready for paint. The glass is in good shape as is the chrome. As you know the glass has been removed and the seal is shot, so glass would have to be installed with a generic seal or urethane. Not something I was willing to do. I was planning on holding on to it hoping the factory seal would go into production in the near future,but if he is interested he can contact me. For some reason I can't get on zcar.com. Oh well.

**black gold man** · 04-05-2012

Want me to send him your #

**dgcamp58** · 04-06-2012

Sure, you can give my # and or email

**dgcamp58** · 04-06-2012

Spoke with folks at Z specialties again the other day in regard to 280zx hatch glass seal. They said it will happen but nothing in the wind as of yet. Could be a couple months or a couple years.

**Vintage Rubber** · 03-22-2013

Old post, yes, but wanted to let you know that Vintage Rubber . com is going to be reproducing the rear hatch glass seal for the 280ZX!
Should be ready in April 2013. ( fingers crossed )
Keep an eye out, we're really close to finishing!
Thanks for the interest.