Does anybody have any suggestions on repairing rust under the 280zx frame? I have a Z where the pannel under the passenger seat is rusted out. I would like to weld in a new pannel (don't know where to buy or possibly fabricate one). I will have to fabricate a pannel by the battery portion of the firewall. Lastly any suggestions how much trouble is it to replace the rails under the car (it's a 1983 280zx coupe), we also have an 83 2+2 which is in better shape, but might have to replace the rails also. Any suggestions, dealers who sell kits of that nature would be of assistance. Thanks BigEkak1941

 

MSA or Victoria British(or maybe both?) sells frame rail replacement panels and those include the floorpan part as well. Look into those companies if you don't feel like fabbing your own panels. And just incase you don't know MSA is Motorsport Auto. Any search engine will bring up the site link. Same for V.B. Good luck

 

And to add to the post. Motorsport is: www.zcarparts.com. And Victoria British is: www.victoriabritish.com. Hope this helps, and I am not trying to step on you jfairladyz!

 

Check prices at MSA and VB and then go to the source:

http://www.datsunzparts.com/netscape/1body.htm

Buy them from whoever is cheaper.

MSA marks up the price SIGNIFICANTLY and VB is pretty harsh too. Especially when the stuff is actually drop shipped from the 'real' manufacturer and MSA/VB incur no S/H or storage costs.

 

Hey it's cool. I just don't know the address's. I hardly ever go to either site (catalogs) and when I do it's from my favorites so I never actually have to type in the address. I guess the VB address is kind of a no brainer there though huh? I just recommend searching because I'm too lazy to look up the links myself .

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions (currently have 2 ea 1983 280zx's non-turbo. 1 a coupe & the other a 2+2 (the wife can't stand it), tough. When it cools down a little I need to work on the frame and the heat allows me time to check around for the frame parts. I may do some of the welding myself or get a friend to help.

 

how about a junk yard. Might be kinda difficult, but I know my local junkyard has a 280zx with a perfect frame. Maybe you should try those places first and see if you get lucky

 

I had new rails bent at a local sheet metal company (14 guage too over the stock 18), and they worked out great all for a price of $65. Good luck though.