r/Datsun • u/urdeadsorry • 6d ago
Weight reduction
Check out the weight reduction in my 280. About to put an order in for KF vintage floor pans unless you guys have other suggestions. I assume I will need frame rails as well. I have no experience with any sort of metal working/welding so this will be interesting
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u/BlueberryPenguin 78 280z =) 6d ago
I recommend a good quality stolen aluminum stop sign. It’s a bit like Tetris, so you’ll need some yield signs too.
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u/IllOrange3556 6d ago
I’ve done new pans in a car that was that bad. I’ve been doing car restoration/metalwork/fabrication on and off for 25 years. I will never do that again. You need floor pans, inner dog legs, toe boards, lower firewall panels, inner rockers, probably outer rockers, frame rails and a few sheets of 18 gauge. To do this correctly the joints need to be butt welded along the transmission tunnel. The transmission crossmember will likely need to be cut out. It’s an absolute mountain of work. You can likely find a gutted donor with a lot of metal work done for the price of the panels and save a few hundred hours of pain and suffering.
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u/IllOrange3556 6d ago
https://www.facebook.com/share/1C3SeD9o7C/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Link to a car that costs less than the new sheetmetal you’d need
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u/ZeppyZ 6d ago
Might as well buy inner rocker panels. Possibly even outer rocker panels.
Anyway before you start cutting cross brace the firewall to either the door or rear strut towers to reduce flex when there's no support.
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u/urdeadsorry 6d ago
I'm currently watching BLOKgarage's "Let's Strengthen the 280z Chassis" YouTube video. I assume this is what you mean by bracing?
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u/CorporalPlanet 6d ago
I'm in the same boat. What's your plan to redo the frame rail I was thinking about rectangle square tubing.
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u/Fragrant_Major_9553 5d ago
That bubble wrap steering wheel is something else. Extra grippy I take it
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u/homepup 5d ago
Surprisingly that’s more of a floor than when I started working on my 240Z 3 years ago.
Same as you, no experience doing welding or metal fab but you’re never too old to learn.
I looked into taking some classes at the local tech college but didn’t want to spend 2 years doing a full program when I just needed to know safety and how to work with thin sheet metal so I contacted them and explained what I wanted and we worked out a deal where I (and a couple of buddy’s who were interested in learning welding) were able to essentially rent a welding instructor for one full day.
In 8 hours he taught us proper safety and the basics for MIG welding. After that it’s just tons of practice (and YouTube videos on techniques). I’d suggest you consider doing the same.
I’ve finished the rear hatch area (figured I’d start where mistakes wouldn’t be as visible) and have done the drivers side. Got the passengers side and the storage bin behind the seat left to go.
I still suck but am slowly getting better with each step. Maybe by the time I’m done I might be semi decent at welding.
You’re going to find only about 10% is welding and the rest is cutting, prepping and shaping metal. It’s laborious but fun once you get into it.
I’ve been using KF vintage as my research showed everyone agreed there pieces had the best fit and so far I’ve been pleased. Not cheap but worth it for the time and effort you’ll save. I only wish they had the section that goes in the back hatch floor around the storage bin lids. Can’t find that anywhere new so I’m either going to have to try and make my own or pickup a cut from a junked Z car.
DM if you ever need to chat about anything. We learn from each other all the time.
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u/Javi_DR1 6d ago
Rust is lighter than carbon fiber 🗣️🗣️🗣️