Steps to Remove Interior of 280ZX and Tools to Use

I have a 79 280ZX and just finished putting all the interior BACK in. The only tools I used were:

8mm wrench
10mm Ratchet and wrench
14 mm ratchet with extension
15mm Ratchet
various sizes of flat head and Phillip's head screw drivers
a putty knife .
steering wheel puller

I did not use any specific order just took everything out starting with seats and steering wheel. Just remember the order that the plastic trim comes out.

some stuff has to come off before others. usually obvious. Get one of those flat metal tools they sell at auto stores for trim removal. it will help in some instances (door panels).
careful old plastic is brittle and parts not readily found.

I bought a 5 piece interior tool kit from our matco sales rep. It was not that much. Its made out of plastic so you dont scratch up or crack plastics and vinyl. Anyone wants one let me know. The part number on each tool is 1 digit different 4489-2a 4489-3a etc. Dont know the kits part number.

heroe said:

I bought a 5 piece interior tool kit from our matco sales rep. It was not that much. Its made out of plastic so you dont scratch up or crack plastics and vinyl. Anyone wants one let me know.

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Forgot about this tool

its one of those tools you only see in a bodyshop or magazine. You gouge an antique plastic once and you'll be getting some plastic tools. They're more for disassembly but I have used them as prybars to line things up at installation.

don't forget to take a series of photos as you pull things off. In two years when you start to put everything back it saves a ton of head scratching and cussing. pull a piece off take a pic. digital cameras are a godsend.

RogerZ said:

In two years when you start to put everything back it saves a ton of head scratching and cussing. pull a piece off take a pic. digital cameras are a godsend.

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2 years? NOOOOOOOO!

Phillips screwdriver with #2 and #3 heads. 14mm and 12mm for the seats. A thin blade to pop all the plastic plugs covering the screws. On the doors, take off the door handle trim with one phillip screw, then the arm rest with 2 screws. On the right door the handle has a self locking square plug on top and bottm. In the rear, spare tire cover, then rear panel, then left qtr trim. I think there may be 2 bottom screws on the left qtr. Then remove the upper roof trim just behind the hatch window. 4 screws but you have to remove the plugs first. then the side panels to the rear of the seats and strut covers. Oh Knee panels, then one or 2 screws and the kick panel, door rocker covers. Look how it all fits, it will naturally come to you what needs removed first.