300zx (Z32) hatch stuts for the 280zx
 

Okay, I had to start a thread on this. Because I can't find anywhere, about this upgrade. I have a pair of Z32 300zx hatch struts. And they wont fit on my 280zx. Either direction...so can somebody tell me if I need a set from a 2 + 2 or a 2 seater Z32? Because obviously, I have the wrong kind. I would appreciate it very much. Thanks in advance.

Oh, just to mention...the search sucks on this website. You can't use the phrase you are typing. It tells you every thread, and post with the words in your phrase. Even by them self. It makes it a real headache. :075:

I dont think they fit at all to be honest.... I couldnt get my Z32's hatch strucks onto my 280ZX. and their both 2+2s

Maybe I did it wrong if it does work lol

Hum... the search works fine for me. :D

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...ighlight=hatch

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...ighlight=hatch

^ Smartass... :104: Anyway, what did you type to find those threads? I tried different ways, and couldn't find what I was looking for.

Anyway, so it looks like I need the 2 + 2 struts. So what year should I order, so I get the right ones? Obviously, I have 2 seater Z32 hatch struts. And the hatch wont close. Please tell me, which year I should order. And thanks.

I searched for "hatch" in the 280zx section... the title of the thread usually gives it away.

As for the year... I dunno, but this is from the 2nd thread I posted:

i tried doing this, it really didnt seem to work. the parts place was useless. my hatch wont stay open due to the dang whale tail. please let me know if it really works, im using an uncool stick right now. lol they were saying 2+2 was the same. what a joke

okay, since I'm Probably the only guy that's done this ill tell you how i did it.. first i got the struts from a 90 Z32 2+2 and installed them upside down because thats the only way they would bolt on... i took some pictures this morning and also took a measurement on the cylinder length at 16 1/4" i tried to look for a part number but the only writing on the sticker was all in japanese..

Attachment 19382
Attachment 19383
Attachment 19384

^ Thanks man, that is what I needed. I will try and get a pair of those maybe today. Appreciate the pics, and information. And hopefully it will benefit others, that are trying this upgrade. Rock on man! :icon_super::023:

Could you tell me, which one of these will work? For some reason it wouldn't copy the link directed to the parts. So I copy and pasted the text. Also I looked it up for a 1990 300zx 2 + 2. If you want you could look up that information. So I can order the correct supports. I would appreciate it man.

1990 NISSAN 300ZX 2+2 3.0L 2960cc V6 MFI (R) [VG30DE] DOHC : Body-Exterior : Lift Support Wiki Price
RHINOPAC Part # 4814 More Information About this Part
Hatch Lift;w/o spoiler 2/89-96 (Only 2 Remaining)

Part Image
$12.79
Add to Cart
RHINOPAC Part # 4829 More Information About this Part
Hatch Lift;2/89-93 (Only 4 Remaining)

Part Image
$12.79
Add to Cart
SACHS Part # SG125005 More Information About this Part
Trunk Lid; Trunk

Part Image
$14.12
Add to Cart
STRONGARM Part # 4818 More Information About this Part
Hatch Lift; 2+2; Canada; w/spoiler 2/89-93; Rear
Hatch Lift; 2+2; United States; w/spoiler 2/89-93; Rear (Only 2 Remaining)

$18.15
Add to Cart
STRONGARM Part # 4829 More Information About this Part
Hatch Lift; 2+2; United States; 2/89-93; Rear
Hatch Lift; 2+2; Canada; 2/89-93; Rear (Only 4 Remaining)

$18.15
Add to Cart

i just took another quick measurement of the strut fully extended and it came out to be 30" from tip to tip.. i looked up the parts you posted and 2 of them showed the physical measurements of the struts one was too long and the STRONGARM Part # 4829 was the closest one to mine.. im just not sure of how its attached... the picture looks different then what i have.. maybe they're using a generic pic

heres a pic of the connecting ends on mine
Attachment 19380
Attachment 19381

I've stopped using this site for research because of that. No other search engine I've ever come across is set up like this, it's pretty silly.

For what it's worth, I'm using the MightyLift struts from Autozone. The were inexpensive, installed perfectly and lift the hatch no problem - only problem is that the hatch still doesn't "pop" when I lift the cabin lever. So either the struts don't have enough pressure at full compression, or I need to replace/upgrade the little mini-springs that push up in the back.

Hmm...maybe these might work. They are 30.12" in length extended. What do you think? What is .12 of an inch? lol Anyway, thanks for checking that out for me. And let me know if these will work.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1808156

should work but you might need to get the lil ball connector thing from a Z32... im not sure the struts you order will come with them...

Thanks for your response man. It does say in the item description. That it comes with hardware. I would assume that means the ball ends? I know the ones I got from somebody that has Z parts used but almost new. They had the ball ends on them. It is just that they are for a 2 seater coupe. That is why I couldn't close my hatch.

Anyway, if they don't fit, or have the ball ends, I can send them back. They are pretty good with that. I get most of my parts from that website. Thanks again man, I will keep you posted. And if they do work. I will let people know on here, and spread the word. :)

Okay, I ordered them. I will let you know if they work or not, when I receive them.

im following this one. i really need new ones. i guessing my first ayyempt went bad because of idiot parts people. i most likely got coupe ones or z31

I hear you man. I will post here, if they work. And spread the word. I get tired of using vise grips. lol Anyway I got your back bro'. I'll keep you posted. Should be this coming week. They are pretty good at getting things to you quickly.

I wonder if this same trick will work on 2+2 280ZXs....

I would bet, that the ones I have right now, for the 2 seater 300zx. That are too short, may work in a 2 + 2 280zx. Considering the 2 + 2's hatch's are shorter than the 2 seater. So that might work. Might want to try and see. You would never have to replace the lift supports again.

Quick update on mine - I just replaced the two cylindrical bumpers on the hatch with replacements from blackdragonauto. The new bumpers are a touch longer than the ones they replaced, not sure if the old ones had just been crushed down or just weren't the right size. But anyway, they apparently put just enough pressure on the hatch so that my hatch now "pops" using the lever, so I'm pretty happy. :)

Update....I should have the supports tomorrow. According to the U.P.S. site. As soon as I get them on. And they work correctly, I will post here. Stay tuned.

Success!
 

I got the hatch supports this afternoon. I just put them on, and they work awesome! If you pop the hatch, it will come up on it's own. All you do is mount them backwards. I also want to mention, it will take some effort to push the hatch back down. And if you have your latch adjusted correctly. You should be able to use the lever to pop it up. Mine doesn't work, because I still have to adjust it. So I still have to use the key for now. I will take pics tomorrow. Too dark now.

Another thing I wanted to mention. You should be able to leave the original 280zx hardware, where the supports mount. I did it, and still didn't use the hardware that came with the supports. You can use them if you choose. But since I didn't need them. I decided to keep the originals on the car.

Here is the part # and such.
www.rockauto.com
part # 4829/ 1990 300zx 2 + 2 hatch support.
RHINOPAC Part # 4829 More Information About this Part
Hatch Lift;2/89-93 (Only 2 Remaining)

Hopefully, they will restock more. But I am sure you could find them anywhere. Good luck with your upgrade everybody.

dont forget to mention that this mod should be done with ZX owners who have a heavy wing on their cars.. its perfect for my car since i have a ZX-R wing on my car and for those that have whale tails... the stock shocks wont be able to hold up the hatch with that extra weight...

Right that is mainly why I needed the upgrade. But even if they don't have a wing or spoiler on their 280zx coupe. They wouldn't have to worry about replacing the hatch supports ever again. It wouldn't hurt either way. Also, the struts are just a tad longer than the 280zx coupe ones. As for the 2 + 2 280zx's. I am sure the regular 300zx coupe Z32 supports would work. Though that is a theory. But considering the hatch is shorter on the 2 + 2. I think they might work.

The z32 two seater hatch WILL NOT FIT the 280 ZX 2+2 hatch. It's too long. If the Z32 2 seater strut is too long for the 2 seater on the 280zx. Than it's going to be WAY too long for the 2+2...