Just bought a 280Z and its my first Datsun.

ZedzDead

Club Member
View attachment 43679 Latest photo with the new wheels on. Rota RKR's 15x8 ET0 and 205/55R15 tyres. I 'think' I like them but until I sort the ride height I won't know for sure. When I was going over the suspension I noted that the shockers didn't feel as firm as I would expect so after a long phone call with Leda ( who did an outstanding job on my Lotus Cortina struts ) I now have to remove all four struts and send them off for Leda to work their magic. They will rebuild them and alter the shocks so they work correctly for the chosen ride height and then manufacture springs again for the correct ride height. I did consider 'coil overs' but I didn't realise that the strut tube is BRAZED into the carrier at the bottom and having seen all the videos of folk MIG welding them I would't want to go there. Plus keeping the original, slightly modified originals appeals to me.

I like them car looks fantastic !
I'm sticking with what the car came with which look ok now I've had them refurbished not sure what to do about shocks and springs but want to keep ride height pretty much as is
 

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Fosworth

Well-Known Forum User
Another milestone in my life !!. The roads were bone dry and the roads on the estate almost salt free so I fired up the engine and took my first ever trip in a Datsun. Oh now I know why you all love these cars so much. Of course there are a few little things to sort after such a major rebuild but it just drives so nicely and the engine is silky smooth. The view down that long bonnet is something else. Now I need to get back to the hum drum of lockdown and get ready to trailer it to get MOT'd on Monday.
 
View attachment 43679 Latest photo with the new wheels on. Rota RKR's 15x8 ET0 and 205/55R15 tyres. I 'think' I like them but until I sort the ride height I won't know for sure. When I was going over the suspension I noted that the shockers didn't feel as firm as I would expect so after a long phone call with Leda ( who did an outstanding job on my Lotus Cortina struts ) I now have to remove all four struts and send them off for Leda to work their magic. They will rebuild them and alter the shocks so they work correctly for the chosen ride height and then manufacture springs again for the correct ride height. I did consider 'coil overs' but I didn't realise that the strut tube is BRAZED into the carrier at the bottom and having seen all the videos of folk MIG welding them I would't want to go there. Plus keeping the original, slightly modified originals appeals to me.

leada will be miles better than BC. great choice. I love Bassingham.
 

Fosworth

Well-Known Forum User
This car just gets better and better. It is now MOT'd and UK registered. It took less than three weeks to get the V5 which I really didn't expect so this week has involved plenty of driving out on the open roads - well as open as they ever get these days !. Even managed to call in on toon_herit to view his very tasty 240Z rally car, thanks Paul. I've now done about 120 miles and everything is really settling in nicely, no oil/water leaks and it isn't using any oil or water. Just wish I had discovered these cars a long time ago.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
My wife is delirious about her '77 Z !

We used stock replacement shockers and lowering springs. She has a few other hidden mods but otherwise basically stock which is great for the road.

Good luck with yours - enjoy.
 

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Fosworth

Well-Known Forum User
My wife is delirious about her '77 Z !

We used stock replacement shockers and lowering springs. She has a few other hidden mods but otherwise basically stock which is great for the road.

Good luck with yours - enjoy.

Very tasty cars. How much did you lower them by ?.
 

Nik

Club Member
My wife is delirious about her '77 Z !

We used stock replacement shockers and lowering springs. She has a few other hidden mods but otherwise basically stock which is great for the road.

Good luck with yours - enjoy.
That looks great! What front spoiler is that? Would like to do the same thing to my 280z.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
That looks great! What front spoiler is that? Would like to do the same thing to my 280z.

Simple 240Z/260Z stock front incorporated spoiler - fits straight on and then the 'spoiler part' painted black to immiate the stock rubber chin !
 

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Nik

Club Member
Simple 240Z/260Z stock front incorporated spoiler - fits straight on and then the 'spoiler part' painted black to immiate the stock rubber chin !
Thanks. I was worried it wouldn’t fit if I brought one. I really like the look with the indicators still in the grill.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Thanks. I was worried it wouldn’t fit if I brought one. I really like the look with the indicators still in the grill.

I decided to keep them there because they are part of what a 280Z is.

The only choice then is orange, clear or smoked - I chose Klearz' 10% smoked to make them a little more discreet, sinking into the grille but still present.
 

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Fosworth

Well-Known Forum User
Well, almost at the end of a journey of discovery with a Datsun. A great journey it has been and it is now a case of driving it and enjoying it. These pics are from today when I finally fitted the spoilers. I couldn't decide what to0 do so just fitted them and now I think they are nice. Still need to sort the ride height but that will wait until the end of the year. The spoilers are from FRP Automotive and are very well made but FRP area bit difficult to deal with. No big deal just don't expect your stuff 'next day'!.Datsun 217.JPG Datsun 219.JPG
 

Fosworth

Well-Known Forum User
Looks lovely, but you need a wider rear number plate IMO

Yep, I am working on it. Do I make the plate 1. fit the mounting ? or 2. fit the reg number ?. Someone mentioned that there should be a black insert in the rear panel which covers up the holes, is that correct ?.
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Yep, I am working on it. Do I make the plate 1. fit the mounting ? or 2. fit the reg number ?. Someone mentioned that there should be a black insert in the rear panel which covers up the holes, is that correct ?.
If there's something missing, it's missing on mine too. I'd say get a plate that fills the space and then choose a font that best fills the plate.
There's lots of good info in this thread:
https://zclub.net/community/index.php?threads/black-and-white-number-plates.20655/
 

Dale

Club Member
You’ve done a great job, it looks fantastic. I hope to see it out and about.

I always thought the rear of my 260 was a little ‘busy’ looking, but that was mainly due to it having two licence plate light systems, the chrome bumper lights plus the plastic lipped one above.

I really like the look of MZR’s seemingly ‘one piece’ rear panel on their 240 builds and think something similar could work well on a 260/280 rear. It would make plate choice a lot easier too with more space.
 
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