chassis swap

[240zguy]

I have a realy rusted chassis that my 71'240z is on now and I have a 77'280z,
I know they both use the S-30 chassis but dose anyone know if the componets for the 240z would fit on the 280z chassis and if everything would bolt in the same place or if I would have to drill and weld brakets for everything?

thanks

[mdbrandy]

I have a realy rusted chassis that my 71'240z is on now and I have a 77'280z,
I know they both use the S-30 chassis but dose anyone know if the componets for the 240z would fit on the 280z chassis and if everything would bolt in the same place or if I would have to drill and weld brakets for everything?

thanks

In general, I think the drivetrain and suspension will be OK to swap, but you'll have a lot of trouble with the interior, and things like the bumpers are totally different. The doors latch differently and have different armrests and handles, the dash attaches differently, etc. Wiring harnesses will be very different since the 77 is FI and the 240 is not. But you can't just swap harnesses, because things like the tail lights are different too.

[240zguy]

Are you sure that the doors and the interior wouldn't work there because I'm talking about having no body from the 280z left, all I need from it is the chassis. btw the datsun body isn't welded to the frame is it? I dont think it is and if its not does anyone know where the body bolts to the chassis?

thanks agin!

[mdbrandy]

Are you sure that the doors and the interior wouldn't work there because I'm talking about having no body from the 280z left, all I need from it is the chassis. btw the datsun body isn't welded to the frame is it? I dont think it is and if its not does anyone know where the body bolts to the chassis?

thanks agin!

The doors themselves would bolt onto the car at the hinges, and would fit the opening, but I believe the latch mechanisms are different between the 240 and 280. You might be able to transplant the latch mechanism too, but I do not know.

The Z car is a unibody design, so there is no separate frame or chasis. Once you have the doors, hood/cowl, and front fenders off, it's pretty much all one welded-together unit.

[Bambikiller240]

Doors will fit the holes in the chassis (unibody) but it would take MAJOR work to even attempt to get the latching system of those doors to work on the chassis.


The project you are talking about is more of a "systems" swap into a different chassis, rather than a chassis swap, since the cars are unibodys. You'll end up with the chassis (and it's VIN #) of the 280Z with a bunch of 240Z parts tacked onto it.

[240zguy]

I'll proabely end up keeping the 240z unibody then, and get alot of por-15 and a media blaster.

[Bambikiller240]

How rusty is your 240Z? Swiss Cheese rusty, or just a lot of surface rust?

POR will stop rust from expanding, but it will not restore structural integrity that has been compromised. Need a welder and patch panels for that.

[240zguy]

Well the 240z isnt to bad but there is alot of surface rust but the 280 is almost perfect so i figured id post and find out. btw thanks for all the help

and allso where is a good place to cut off of the 280 to get a rear top quarter pannel for my 240. do you know?

Carl Rhinehart

[Bambikiller240]

Sorry, I'm not very knowledgable in this area. Our member EScanlon may be a better person to ask. He worked in a body shop for a long time. Good Luck!

Carl

[St.stephen]

Just as a refresher...the door latch mechanisms for the 77 and 78 are the same however 76 and 75 cars have the early style latches and yes, it would take some involved fabrication to swap them around.