1979 Datsun 280ZX from North America - Comments

Comments: 1-15, 16-18

2nd Dec 2002, 21:48

"Hell on wheels"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Power steering went out.

Had to replace relay circuits many times.

Speedometer cable was way off.

General comments?

Once I got it running, it ran like a bat outta hell!

Great handling.

Performs like a mini-corvette.


24th Feb 2004, 22:07

No Power steering on the 280ZX? Bull. My 79 280ZX has original power steering.

Now the 280Z on the other hand, may not have had it.

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25th Feb 2004, 20:27

The 1979 Datsun 280zx definitely has power steering!

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25th Jun 2004, 02:14

Not all of the them had power steering. I have an early model '79, built in late '78 and it came factory with no power steering.

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23rd Oct 2004, 14:56

There is power assist rack/pinion steering learn your stuff before you comment.

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16th Feb 2005, 17:03

I have a 1979 ZX in Australia... definitely has power steering.

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8th Jul 2005, 16:01

No, they are as said before, power assisted rack and pinion.

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14th Aug 2005, 11:32

1979 was actually the last year for the no power steering option.

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29th Aug 2005, 20:52

I live in Australia. I have a 1979 280z and it has power steering.

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29th Aug 2005, 22:28

Why does that guy keep saying "power assisted rack & pinion"?

It's the same as power steering.

Rack & pinion is just the particular type of steering system.

You can have unassisted steering which could still be rack & pinion.

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3rd Oct 2005, 14:45

I Have a 1979 280ZX and it does have power steering. With a rack and pinion style steering systems.

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5th Oct 2005, 21:08

I have a 1979 280zx, produced 3/79, and it has power steering. 79-81 you could get power steering, but it was NOT rack and pinion, it was a recirculating ball steering rack. It wasn't until the middle of 81 when Datsun started making power assisted rack and pinion.

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23rd Oct 2005, 01:50

My 79 280ZX coupe had rack and pinion. It was really stiff when trying to turn from a still position, but once it hit the open road it really hugged the turns with the rack and pinion. When I get another one, it will have rack and pinion. I only drove it for about a year and a half and I wish I had it back.

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11th Aug 2006, 14:49

With the best will in the world guys, you either got; a 'Power Assisted Recirculating Ball Steering Box' fitted, or a 'Power Assisted Steering Rack' fitted! Power Steering is just what it says it is... fully powered and not an assisted manually governed method, a bit like many fork-lift trucks have in warehouses. Strangely, it's pretty important to get nomenclature correct if you're going to successfully communicate with your fellow human beings and be acurately understood! As a vehicle designer and developer, I got a fairly good idea what everyone was going on about, but I'm guessing that not every reader has my experience to fall back on... ho hum, on we go :)

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14th Aug 2006, 18:20

Not all 280zx have "power assist" steering, in fact you could get any year 280zx with out it. 1979-80 You have a choice 'Manual Rack and Pinion' or 'Power Assist Recirculating Ball' steering; 1981-1983 'Manual Rack and Pinion' or 'Power Assist Rack and Pinion' Steering. I have the factory service manual for all the years of the 280zx so I known what I'm talking about. That being said, of all the 280zx's I've seen, none of them were manual steering, I guess the majority were power.

Anyway, I think the 280zx was the best looking car nissan ever released in the U.S., while lacking a little in the power department. The Turbos helped, but the engine still was under utilized because of the single cam setup, and the recently toughened epa standards on emission. Over all a great car, with a lot of options, good power, and great looking.

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25th Aug 2006, 00:16

Hey guys I have a early model 79'280zx, but it's not power steering. How can I convert it to power steering?

Email me with info robs85stang50@yahoo.com

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