i was scrolling through the J-yard and found a rust free 280z that is complete and (maybe) about to buy it, but i was wondering if a 280z dash and center console would fit in a 81 zx coupe.

 

That's kinda digressing isn't it? Going to an older setup? Take some measurements & see how they compare.

 

i dont have the measurments for the 280z dash, but i think they should be the same.

 

Personally I think that'd be awesome if you could get an older style Z's dash to fit in there. So you could have the cool retro gauge set-up. With the newer/sleeker design of the 280ZX.

 

how would i go about the electrics in the 280z dash?

 

You'd probably need the dash wiring harness from the 280Z. I imagine most of it shouldn't be too ridiculous to hook up. You could probably even go about splicing together the wires from the gauges of the 280Z into the existing wires of the 280ZX as long as they'd match up. I know alot of people go about swapping in the older Zs Speedos so you can read speeds above 85. So I imagine it wouldn't be super hard. If this can be done, then I'm gonna have to look into swapping in an older Z dash.

 

anyone have a wiring diagram for the dash off a 280z?

 

I think they would matchup as far as dimensions but the wiring could be a mess. Would look great though.

 

It seems obvious to me that the 280Z is narrower than the 280ZX. I've done a lot of driving in both, and there is no shoulder room in the 280Z. The ZX has room to spare.
I bet the dash will fit but you'll have gaps on both sides and if you line up the steering wheel right in front of you, the gap on the passenger side will be noticably larger.

Sell the crack free 280Z dash for big bucks. Then buy a hard 280zx dash cover from MSA. They look good. oh, use the change from the 280Z dash to buy some other stuff too....

 

im not really worried about a gap, but more of hooking up the electrics from it to the zx.

 

I would be... You're doing this for looks right? Thad suck to see huge gaps on both sides...

 

Yeah but gaps can easily be filled. Of course the gaps will no doubt be a bigger pain in the *** then the wiring. If you think about it the wiring to the dash isn't all that complex. With a wiring diagram you could figure out how to swap the dash in in no time.

 

i have the diagram for the zx, but none for the z.

 

Which would be easier, fitting the dash from the 280Z then filling in gaps, or just getting all the gauges and such from a 280Z and going about cutting up your ZX dash to fit the gauges in the 280Z fashion.

 

but i just like the look of the dash, i dont really care much for the gauges, i could easily install a auto meter 160MPH speedo any day, btu i just love the look of the dash, i can figure out a way to make the dash look right.

 

take the radiator cap off, roll the 280ZX out of the way. Drive a 280Z underneath, re-install the radiator cap.

 

i wish it were that simple BTW i use a chrysler radiator cap.

 

i measured the length of the zx dash and its the same size, the width is just a tad wider, but i might have to cut a little off the bottom where the console hits.