Volvo C304 (4x4) Restore and fitout - WR7002

[geckoadventure]

Long time since update

Brett the builder has been in Sri Lanka at the SRI LANKA RFC 2011 and then we both at Malaysian RFC 2011 so there is 30+ days gone and now its FEbruary 2012 so delivery date is now 14 May 2012.

Here is latest progress fuel tank built 180 Liters approx (45 US Gallons) with 5 liter internal tank. Steel frame to be built around it also.

Battery box is complete no new pic

PIcs after XMAS as I have my WEDDING Chinese TEA Saturday so no time to visit the Volvo in the workshop.

 

[geckoadventure]

Awesome! I will be keeping an eye on this build....

Ok so enjoy 5 months condensed up .

 

[Martinjmpr]

Nice! I love the rugged look of the Volvo C-series. There used to be a place near me that specialized in those Volvos, the business is still there but I haven't seen any C-303's or similar vehicles in their lot for quite some time.

 

[RMP&O]

Sweet engine swap, just all around great build and write up. Great build thread and looking forward to the end product, especially based on your concept.

 

[RMP&O]

Nice! I love the rugged look of the Volvo C-series. There used to be a place near me that specialized in those Volvos, the business is still there but I haven't seen any C-303's or similar vehicles in their lot for quite some time.

You talking about LinDen Engineering? There is another guy in your area who just did Volvos, his business name slips my mind though.

 

[Martinjmpr]

You talking about LinDen Engineering? There is another guy in your area who just did Volvos, his business name slips my mind though.

I don't think so, the one near me is called Xtreme Vehicles. Their web site is still up:

http://www.xtremevehicles.com/

But I don't think it's been updated in a while. It's 2 blocks from the post office so I go by it every time I have to mail something. The yard is active and there is stuff going on there but I haven't seen any C303's in the yard for at least 2 years. Having said that, the sign is still on the fence:

I think I took these in 2008 or maybe 2009:

 

[RMP&O]

I don't think so, the one near me is called Xtreme Vehicles. Their web site is still up:

http://www.xtremevehicles.com/

Yeah that is it, I bought a Nissan Patrol from him many years ago before he started Extreme Vehicles. IIRC his name is David.

 

[geckoadventure]

This is what it would have looked like 30 years ago when it was a police truck well almost its missing the window grills and the BLUE canvas top and the dark BLUE paint job.

This is one of the other few remaining restored ones in Malaysia

 

[EricM]

wow

 

[geckoadventure]

Has anyone heard of these guys before or used any of their KIT? I am looking at this model for the new DASH for the Volvo.

Dakota Digital - Digital Instrumentation and Accessories

Many thanks
Gecko.

 

[Gazoz]

Volvo RHD conversion

Hi my first post
What geat project Gecko.
Ive done alot of recearch online about the Volvo C30X Machines and are very keen to get one.
My problem Im in Oz RHD

Gecko Can you point me in the right direction for RHD steering gear parts.

Do you know if the Steering Box on your C304 is the same as left hand drive?

Thanks in advance

Gazoz

 

[geckoadventure]

Been away from this site for a long time about 12 months

Progress progress progress

This mornings 29 JUne 2013 2.5 hour visit and discussion in seating position and lights.

My drivers seat needs to go back 3" or 75mm so the corner of the engine compartment will be moved back leaving the existing shape.

We then pretended I was strapped into the harness and organised all the DIFF LOCKS etc to be moved to above the driver on the roof, Winch controllers etc will be there. Being 188cm its amazing how far I can reach.

Console will now be constructed.

Then we discussed rear lighting and switch position.

Then the progress. Wow 2 weeks and a lot done.

The rear frame looks strong with only the air filter to be fitted

The rear right and left front doors are complete and swings out gull wing style as shown here.

The middle post is hand made c-channel and a bent flare for the door seal you cannot see the quality in the pic.

The new front floor and my foot well widened for my size 11 boots

The roof will be 3mm alloy and can walk on it and a side top rail will be added to tie stuff too. The floor will be bolton/off 3mm alloy so the complete floor can be lifted for maintenance work. The rear "door" will be cross braced up next week and the "DOOR" will not open side entry only.

The angles look wonderful.

The left side is impressive with the angles back frame. The "middle" work area (the radiator and exhaist area etc) will be two parts bottom half will fold out as a LADDER and the top half will be bolted in.

Brett talking to the workers telling them to finishe it by next friday

Front view - still a few bars to add to the front to make it tougher.

The final product - the DAKAR class winner from 1983. I hope.

Colour scheme is done

Completion date discussed RFC time 2013 so mid-late November 2013.

will do a retro history tonight.

 

[geckoadventure]

13 FEB 2012

Went down to the workshop saturday to discuss whats left to do and the issues with this. ANy feedback on the ruining of the original POLICE look is welcomed.
1. External "roofrack" sorted out (roof rack here as external rolll cages not allowed. I'm going to loose 6" behind the CABIN (this is a CAB/TRAY vehicle as delivered to the Malaysian Police).
2. The Radiator is being mounted on the LEFT Rear of the CABIN scoop from roof to pull air down. Radiator from USA to be imported. This when mounted will give me 4'10" of MUD before the MUD touches the RADIATOR
3. Intercooler to be mounted on the RIGHT side same height same reason and the AIR cond condensor also.
4. REAR canopy to be made of ALLOY over steel frame. front 1/2 of the rear will be a raised PLATFORM of approx 19" to allow 4 military boxes per side to be slipped in. Left side will have a slide out DRAWER for the COOKERS. The rest on the same side will have drop down panel for kitchen PREP. exactly same as I have in my TOYOTA TROOPy now so we know this design works.
5. The side panel for this side will be lift UP (from below the fuel TANK) to provide shelter to cook under and gas struts to hold up
The other 1/2 of the left side will be DROP SIDE and lift up and out for shade etc
6. The RIGHT side will be drop sides and lift up doors with gas struts.
7. The area between cab and chassis on right will hold recovery STRAPS and recovery kit and possibly the highlift JACK.
8. The rear will be swing down twin SPARES and drop rear and lift up and or off door for kayaks etc to stick out of.
9. The front where the Radiator used to be will be 40 liter water TANK (and pump to kitchen area) and a 12V SOlar battery and will be blocked. The built in fan from the intercooler will provide the air movement under the gearbox etc.
10. SOlar PANEL on the roof.
11. Inside cabin sound proofed and im looking at GREEN canvas over 6mm marine ply to finish it with nice fastenings (quick release). STereo and VHF radio and GPS etc and of course AIR COND.
12. 5MM alloy 5 bar checker plate for the rear floor. SInce I have over 200lb of winches (3 winches) sitting over rear axle saving weight is cruicial 8)
13. LED lights all 12V.

14. Paint job will not be military look due to ever driving it through southern Thialand I may become a target for the militants
Basically I can pack everything under the platform in 8 military boxes head off to the jungle and it will look empty in the rear

It's going to end up looking like a DAKAR truck reminiscent of the VOlvo 1983 entry


due to be finished 15 April 2012.

 

[geckoadventure]

16 MARCH 2012.

not much to report as we are waiting for the new pipe bender to turn up. There is 4 vehicles waiting for work and they all need the pipe bender.

The handbrake location modified as the 13B-T turbo clipped it.

The old roof of the rear cabin was in bad condition especially since it was only 6 years old.

The positioning of the military boxes for the new lifted platform we can see its going to work. 3 boxes long each side.

The rear rack over the rear wheelsm is to hang the two 18,000 and 12,000 winches underneath.

I will draw up a rough plan so people can see what I have in mind.

 

[geckoadventure]

23 APRIL 2012

How close is it? You had hopes for field testing this weekend in preparation for next weeks outing?

No progress to report im afraid.

The workshop still busy pushing out TRAILER orders not one thing has been done since November

and I have been very SICK for past 4 weeks - I got a dose of LEPTOSPIROSIS or WEILS SYNDROME

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

It nearly killed me and I am very lucky to be alive after 10 days in hospital and 3 in ICU and then 2.5 weeks off work and now 1-2 months complete rest (trust me im totally exhausted at 3pm each day) before I can start exercising.

This disease is killing quite a few people here and in my case I had RENAL failure and severe HEART issues. THe only reason im still here is the CARDIO told me you have a very very strong heart.

I am visting the truck in 2 weekends time as by then they are starting the rollcage.

WE are changing the colour scheme due to the issues in southern THAILAND so im going from military colours so something rather loud so if I ever drive through (and it highly likely) then no mistakes.

Updates soon as progress is made.

New date is to be ready for 15 Sepetember event.