Wtb: 280Zx Chassis Rails And Other Stuff

[WayneKer]

G'day all,

 

Primarily looking for ZX Chassis Rails, so if you have em and looking to get rid of em or If you have a ZX shell/wreck with straight rails and looking to sell, you're an absolute angel. 

Located in VIC and willing to travel, but if interstate, I'll probably be more than happy to pay postage for them.

 

Also looking for original ZX cassette/radio console and hood + rear badging.

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne
 

Edit: should also note that it's for a 2 + 2, just in case you own a 2 seater and want to part it for whatever weird reason 

Edited November 6, 2015 by WayneKer

[luvemfast]

Edit: should also note that it's for a 2 + 2, just in case you own a 2 seater and want to part it for whatever weird reason 

 

lol 

[PeterAllen]

Just measure them up and have them made by a local sheetmetal shop. If they extend to the front frame rails, or at the rear to the cross-member, have those sections made separately and weld it all together in situ. Make them oversize so they fit over the top of the existing rails - much easier.

 

 

See here where horizontal section of rail is welded to up-swept section attached to front rails. Much, much easier than trying to create a one-piece rail.

 

PS. There are quite a few Wayne Kerrs on this site but I see you're man enough to admit it.

 

[imackz]

that's what I did and made them out of a heavier gauge steel at the same time, got them made locally at a metal shop.

[WayneKer]

Ah cheers for the response everyone! Yeah, I'll have a look at getting them made to fit ontop then.

But I'm wondering how much work these chassis rails actually go through considering the metal itself is so thin. I hear they're more like floor stiffeners, but i suppose that makes it more of a prevalent safety thing and worth doing.

 

 

 

PS. There are quite a few Wayne Kerrs on this site but I see you're man enough to admit it.

Haha, it's a nickname my mates gave me. I hope I dont become the resident Wayneker though 

[260DET]

Those chassis rails are an essential structural part of the car and if weak can affect handling, noise and comfort. And safety too of course. Bugger of a job but necessary I'm afraid.

[WayneKer]

What has to be done, has to be done.

Why on earth didn't the engineers use stronger steel i wonder? Maybe they didn't plan on these cars lasting this long altogether? 

[PeterAllen]

...Why on earth didn't the engineers use stronger steel i wonder? ...

There is nothing wrong with the OEM design, it's simply rust and/or drivers not understanding ground clearance.

 

To replace the horizontal section, drill 6-8mm holes through the floor between the spot welds for the existing rails. Using a trolley jack, push the new rails up over the old rails and, from inside the cabin, weld through the holes. It minimises the amount of overhead welding required.

[WayneKer]

I just had a proper look at them, and noticed that the floor pan isn't straight and flat like the S30s. It's got dimples, curves and recesses all along. Do you think it'd be sufficient to have the oversized rail welded to the floor where it is flat, but then welded to the existing rail where it isn't?

If the new rail cover has to be welded to the floor pan, then i just don't think it's possible.

[PeterAllen]

I think I know what you mean but some photos would clarify.

 

If I understand correctly then it might be possible to attach it to the 'flat' areas and then reshape the other areas with a hammer to sit flush, then weld.

[imackz]

G'day all,

 

Primarily looking for ZX Chassis Rails, so if you have em and looking to get rid of em or If you have a ZX shell/wreck with straight rails and looking to sell, you're an absolute angel. 

Located in VIC and willing to travel, but if interstate, I'll probably be more than happy to pay postage for them.

 

Also looking for original ZX cassette/radio console and hood + rear badging.

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne

 

Edit: should also note that it's for a 2 + 2, just in case you own a 2 seater and want to part it for whatever weird reason 

 

 

Try  http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/280zx.html

 

[260DET]

Yes, the 280ZX under floor is not flat so the only realistic way to fix it is to flip the car over and get rails deep enough made up so they can be cut and bent where required to suit the floor shape. Hell of a job but quite possible with care, patience and lots of time..

[imackz]

Yes, the 280ZX under floor is not flat so the only realistic way to fix it is to flip the car over and get rails deep enough made up so they can be cut and bent where required to suit the floor shape. Hell of a job but quite possible with care, patience and lots of time..

 

 

I agree, it is a shit of a job but worth doing ( i have done it to mine) but have to get the car back to bare metal, tidy up the floor pan , drill out the spot weld & use the old rails as a template for the new ones, that way you know they will work.

[WayneKer]

Massive thanks to everyone for their input! I'll have a chat with my mate on what he thinks; it'll either be getting some oversized rail cover and moulding into shape, or taking the existing rails off and remaking it from high gauge steel (which i think is a cleaner and somewhat more thorough solution, albeit more effort).

 

Perhaps I'll chuck an update on the forum somewhere on which i direction i go with and hope it'll help someone else in my situation!

 

Again, all the help is much appreciated!