240z rear bumper to 280z...
 

Has anyone tried putting the smaller 240 rear bumpers on a 280? Is it that involved with the bumper shocks. I love the look of the smaller 240 bumpers. Thanks

From my understanding on things i have read. The 240 bumpers are smaller then the 280. It can be done but it will require a lot of mods on your part.

You have to take the shocks and mounts off, then the 240 style bumpers will bolt right on. The body of the car is essentially the same as the 240Z. My 77 has both of the huge bumpers taken off, and even without the bumpers, it looks way better. I am going to get the MSA fiberglass bumpers, and paint them the car color. Should give the car a more modern look.

me too.
 

thats what I wanted to do. Either the msa fiberglass 240 or the stock chrome 240 bumpers. Wasn't sure if it was just changing the mounts or what. Thanks

Wrong, the 240 bumpers do not just bolt up. Even though the bodies are so similar, they are just a little different. The area where the tie down hooks bolt up to on the 280's are offset just enough to where you can't bolt the 240 bumper flanges up. There was a post a while back addressing the exact same question. When I did the same on my '77, I ended up using the tie down hooks as a starting point and welding the 240 brackets to them.

The '78 280Z I just bought had the original bumpers removed, with a pair of 240Z bumpers sitting in the hatch section waiting to be installed. And they will wait (at least the rear). from what my mechanic tells me, the front bumper *can* fit without retrofitting, but the rear will need to be re-drilled.

I will agree that the 280Z without the larger bumper does look nicer, but I cannot drive without them here in south TX, where everyone else has a Ford 150 and likes to drive thisclose to you.

I'm going to have my mechanic attach the front bumper for the time being, but want to place one of those 'fiberglass bumpers', the ones that are semi-customized. Wish I knew the exact term. I might have to do the same for the rear, too. Finding a decent set of bumpers with all the attachments is next to impossible, and just as expensive as if I were to order them from a catalog. Not having a garage, or an automotive-inclined husband (my husband's a merchant marine engineer, and car engines and parts are microscopic compared to the giant ship engines he's used to) also makes it easier to have bumpers added. I used to have an '86 300ZX Turbo, and liked the look of the bumpers; maybe something like that might be doable, especially for those of us who just want to restore the car, just not to original specs.

:eek:

Brandy,
Have you looked at an MSA catalog? Here is a link to their online store...
MSA.com
This is probably the kit you are looking for with the bumper integrated with the air dam for a more updated look.

That is the exact kit I have on mine. It fits nice with very little adjustments. I really love the look compared to those huge bumpers that came stock on my 78Z.

I'd like to put that on my 280Z also, but not sure how the rear bumper would work out with the huge rear fenders that I have. Maybe I could just do the front and do the shaved look out back...hmmmmmm :confused:

What about the 260Z bumpers? Weren't they smaller but were attached differently than the 240's? Still looking at a whole new bumper and attach parts from motorsport.