I have been reading some posts about the difference between older and newer Z diff and tranny positions. I understand that my early (2-71) Z has the diff mounted a bit shorter (2 cm) than the later Z's. No one at the shop has talked about changing the driveshaft or the center console mods. I have a 83 Maxima long O/D 5-speed and a R-200 L/S with the stock '71 drive shaft all ready to install. Will I have problems getting this combo to work in a '71 Z?

The rear end of the differential will sit farther back than the stock set up on the older 240's (like mine 1-71). You will have to change the rear suspension cross member that the control arm mounts to (the tail of the car end). It resides under the mustache bar. The ones in the early 240's are straight, you need the curved one from a later 240-280z. The Zbarn sells them for $25. That is where I got mine. I am not familiar with the trany you have but I put an 83 ZX 5 speed in my car and used a shifter that is bent back to clear the trans tunnel. The other option is to cut the tunnel so the stock 5 speed shifter clears. I am going to do the tunnel cutting in the future because the odd shaped shifter feels wierd and the inner shift boot gets in the way. Your stock drive shaft might not fit, I do not know because I am unclear about the tranny. I used a later 240-280 drive shaft (non 2+2).

If you have the original Diff mounting, I think that you will need a later style moustache bar also.

see attachment

I have the later mustache bar which allows the diff to move rearward. I am hoping the driveshaft will work. I just had it powder coated and put new u-joints in it. I will weld the gearshift rod to give me the extra clearance. I am hoping the D/S works!

I'd like to know what dimwit put the differential forward in the first place. Seems like a fundamental blunder to me. If you have a 72 or later driveshaft, you're good.

BTW, Zguitar71, nice paint color!!