well my interior is nasty! So I want to replace it. I'm going to be searching the junk yards for stuff and wondering if the seats from the older z fit fine in the 280zx and if I can use the carpet from an older z.

 

The carpeting from the first gen Z's is cut for a differently-shaped interior. If you're going to the junkyard anyways, you may as well get the proper carpeting out of a 280ZX. Though most any carpet you grab out of a junkyard Z is likely to be rather nasty from mud and rain (unless it's a new arrival).

 

ya, I've pretty much noticed that. Hoping I may get lucky... I'd rather not have to pay 200 for a carpet kit

what about the seats though?

 

Size-wise, the early seats will fit but it's all a matter of the base mounting. You can easily take a measurement of the bolt spacing and measure it up against an older Z when you next see one. But since the interior designs are different, I don't think it will be a drop-in deal (I could be wrong though). Besides, junkyard seats are likely to be quite worn through, faded, had god-knows-what spilled on em, and probably got nearly 30 year's worth of butt-groove worn into em! ^^ Seats are one of those things I consider worth saving up to get something good; after all, it's the thing you feel everytime you get in the car.

 

I think you should spend $200 on a carpet kit. Its not a bad price. New carpet will make a huge difference.

Do you need any of the plastic interrior parts? What color? I've got some tan and red parts but most are in ok or fair shape. I might be lucky and have what you need though.

 

I currently have red and want to switch to tan blabk ir grey

 

I just bought a red interior carpet kit for my 280ZX and will be getting rid of the original grey carpeting, if you're interested. The car only has 86k miles and was well taken care of, so the carpeting is in about as good a shape as you'll find.

 

How much do you want for the grey carpet? Just curious, and what year is it out of. And is it out of a coupe?

 

It's out of an '82 turbo coupe. I even have the matching floormats that say "280ZX" on them. Best offer takes it.

 

Wow, out of a turbo? Do I need that carpet if I'm doing a turbo engine swap? or can my non-turbo carpet handle the torque?

 

Yes, as a matter of fact you will need to swap carpets. NA carpeting doesn't hold up as well under high speed loads.

 

thats why mine is Porsche Black carpet in there...

 

I hear that the Turbo carpet is more stain resistant than the NA ... you know that "Oh ****!" factor has brought you to leakage at least once ... admit it. The pucker factor, however, is a different story ...

 

I just removed the carpet in my 82..Black w/ tan interior..Let's just say it looked more like a racoon pelt, then carpet out of a sports car...I'm just gonna buy the complete set sometime later this week, should make a huge diff...Got pretty much a whole set of interior panels from a Zx at the junk yard..35 bucks!!

 

What a steal. Nice catch man.

 

I also did not think spending 200 for carpet was the answer. I went to the local material shop and bought 4 yards of heavy vinyl and made my own. They turned out awesome and have held up great for the 4 months they have been in. For the back I got rubber matting and cut it to size. I am very pleased and I recommend giving it a shot total probably only cost me less than 50. Good Luck

 

well, I fix my carpeting problem. Bought a material that stretches and it molded right into the floor just fine. Only costed me $100 for all materials including the glue, carpet padding, carpeting and heel pads.

going to go for a black interior. Now I just need to solve the problem with my seats. I think I want to pull seats from another car, but I need brackets to be made. Do you guys know how I can figure out how to do this or find someone to do this and for how much? I really like apollo's seats.

 

Brackets are easy. 4 pieces of flat bar steel and weld them together with the right dimensions. The front to back bars should line up with your factory bolt holes on your floor and the left to right bars should line up with your new seats bolt holes.

Can be done in less than 30 minutes.

 

shoot, wish I took those shop classes in high school. To late now. Hmm, maybe I'll make a post on craigslist saying I'll pay someone to make the brackets for me. If I make a post how much money should I offer for a custom bracket.

 

If you weren't up in OrEgOne, I'd weld 'em up for you. If you supply the parts and the measurements, probably $25 each.

If you want some that look REALLY nice, you can buy the Corbeau slider adapters for $75/ea. and just drill your own holes.

This is actually the best option because the Corbeau slider adapters are made of hardened steel and are certified to keep the seat attached to the floor in the event of an accident.

If you use cheap scrap steel to make your adapters, you're likely to come off the seat if you know what I mean.

You should always use grade 8 bolts and nuts or better as well. These will be strong enough to not shear off in the event of an accident.

Remember, when you're working on your seats, you're working with an integral part of the cars safety system. Home depot parts and bolts won't cut it.

 

thanks captin,

go with honda or mazda seats. most other seats have clearance issues. I got both seats for 15 a piece in AWSOME condition out of a 90' something prelude in the junkyard.

lww is right in that you should take care when having your brackets made that the right stuff is used. you life is secured in by those brackets. Its not hard, just make sure not to skimp on properly rated bolts and quality materials!

 

Alright, got some prelude seats. I called some junkyards and the ******** wanted $200 for old seats out of a really old 80s prelude. Then I tell them I'm looking for something around 50 and said no and hangup. Looked around and found great seats from a 92 prelude. Bought em for $60.

Know that I have seats I still need to figure out how to get these things in. Confused, idk how I can make new brackets for it. The old mounts on the seats aren't bolted onto the slider and I'm going to need the slider if I'm going with a custom bracket. The old mounts look like they're riveted in or something

Edit: Apollo, I don't think your seats are from a 92. 92 doesn't have an adjustable head rest

 

awesome man, Im glad you're makin some progress.. hey, do you have any pics of what you did with the interior??

 

use the stock slides with your new seats.. i belive theyre jsut bolted on to the slides.. what your mostliky gonna have to do is make a brackt from your new seats to the stock slides.. you can jsut get some 1/4" x 2" wide flat bar and jsut bend it and drill mounting holes from your seats to the slides.. thats what i did with my eats.. ive got recaro seats on the stock 280ZX slides..

 

Which Recaro seats do you have? I've got the Recaro "Trend" seats, but they have fat side bolsters that touch the door armrests when closed, and the seats are moved as close to center as possible too.