Volvo Wagon Expedition Vehicle

[casioqv]

I'm building an expedition vehicle based around a 1987 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon because I want it to (1) handle and drive more like a sports car than a truck (2) get 30+mpg.

Roof tent open:

Flex test:

Kitchen:

Endless nav gadgetry:

Mods:

Suspension/towing:

• Eaton G80 locker
• Bilstein HD shocks
• iPd Overload springs
• rear sway bar
• class III hitch and wiring

Engine/transmission:

• Saab APC @ 10psi w/ back to stock dash switch
• Engine WatchDog monitors temp, coolant level, oil pressure
• A/F gauge
• calibrated Dave Barton boost faceplace
• Trans temp gauge
• enormous B&M transmission cooler
• iPd 3 row radiator and tropical fan clutch
• all synthetic fluids

Music/Navigation:

• Macbook Pro w/ steel permanent stand
• Lowrance GPS w/ USB adapter
• 1/2 DIN equalizer/amp for laptop sound input
• Delorme navigation software
• 400W Inverter

Recovery:

• come-a-long
• various jacks
• sand anchor
• ropes
• carpeted boards

Camping Equipment:

• 11' inflatable boat w/ electric outboard
• CampingLabs roof tent
• combo BBQ/stove
• MSR Dragonfly Diesel/Biodiesel stove

Future plans:

• D24T (VW 6 cylinder) diesel engine and manual trans swap
• VW Vanagon tires (tough 8 ply, extra ~1" lift)
• Rally tires
• winch
• full length skid plate
• 1" suspension lift
• slide-out storage inside tailgate with integrated stove and sink
• insanely long road trips (Brazil?)

 

[casioqv]

The inspiration:

Garry Sowerby circumnavigated the world in a 1980 245 in 74 days, beating the world record.

And Blurg's Mercedes W123 Expedition 300TD:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37908

 

[saint urho]

That's cool. I've owned two Volvos.. 69 122 and 72 124. Both were over 20 years old when I had them and were super reliable.. though spartan. Good luck.

 

[Mamontof]

Some good person in our Forum have that

 

[Patman]

My daily driver is a 73 145 and I constantly think about converting it to my expedition rig.

Adapters to bolt up a t5 and d300 from a CJ exist. Replace the rear d30 with a d44 and slap a d44 on coils in the front. 31's and it would go anywhere I would ever want to go. The b20f is more reliable than my FJ and more fun to drive anyways, and it's already orange (my favorite color)

Your rig may not be for everyone, but your out there exploring, which is all that matters.

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

I like it.

I would also like more specifics on the XC70 pictured. My current situation has be driving an XC70, both LCs are 10,000 miles away. After a few mods I'd like to make a lap of the Black Sea....

 

[casioqv]

Adapters to bolt up a t5 and d300 from a CJ exist. Replace the rear d30 with a d44 and slap a d44 on coils in the front.

I've been all over Baja and various offroad places all over the west coast and haven't been stuck in years- not since I installed the locker in 2007. I toyed with the idea of building a custom 4wd Volvo, but for my purposes I now think the extra weight, maintenance, worse fuel economy, and potential reduced reliability of such a custom job just wouldn't be worth it since I'm not getting stuck even axle deep in mud/snow/sand. With such mods it would no longer drive like a Volvo!

Even getting stuck once every few years or so is totally worth the extreme reliability and durability of the mostly stock Volvo suspension and drivetrain. I'd rather winch it out once in a while than have a major parts failure in a remote place.

The b20f is more reliable than my FJ and more fun to drive anyways, and it's already orange (my favorite color)

Yea, the B20 is probably one of the toughest motors ever made, but I prefer the D24T (VW diesel) for the diesel simplicity and great fuel economy...

This car has a B230FT (gas turbo) motor, but I also have another Volvo with the D24T diesel and manual transmission, and plan to eventually combine the two into one newer Volvo wagon body (940 probably) for a long trip to South America.

 

[Mamontof]

I've been all over Baja and various offroad places all over the west coast and haven't been stuck in years- not since I installed the locker in 2007. I toyed with the idea of building a custom 4wd Volvo, but for my purposes I now think the extra weight, maintenance, worse fuel economy, and potential reduced reliability of such a custom job just wouldn't be worth it since I'm not getting stuck even axle deep in mud/snow/sand. With such mods it would no longer drive like a Volvo!

Even getting stuck once every few years or so is totally worth the extreme reliability and durability of the mostly stock Volvo suspension and drivetrain. I'd rather winch it out once in a while than have a major parts failure in a remote place.
Yea, the B20 is probably one of the toughest motors ever made, but I prefer the D24T (VW diesel) for the diesel simplicity and great fuel economy...

I was drive Cadillac Deville 1992 true USA some crazy spots where only 4x4

requested , made over 300 000 miles (in two cars) , and when i stock in

Vest Virginia ...that make me buy 1990 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with the

same comfort and luxury.

I see Toyota Camry at a Black Bear Pass ....so it not what you drive it hay

you drive .

And Volvo it a good car for over-landing travel

 

[laylow]

As a die-hard Volvo fan (RWD four cylinder volvos only, the real ones) This makes me smile.

 

[flywgn]

Yep, we're on our third Volvo, and believe the XC means what it symbolizes.

Allen R

 

[Jason124]

Very cool build, Do you have any exterior pictures of the car? I have an early ford escort wagon and the mpg is great. You've got some great ideas can't wait to see the progress.

 

[carolinasuby]

Man, great to see the brick in such fine form. About 10 years ago I took my 1990 240 wagon on a trip through Colorado and Utah. That fine car took on some pretty rough roads and did about 8000 miles in a few weeks. :sombrero: No car will compare to the durability of Volvo's RWD/4cyl platform. Driving a 8 year old Suby now reminds me of my old Volvo.

 

[dirty Bakers]

Sweet rig.

 

[Accrete]

we had an XC70 wagon and enjoyed the ride and ability. . . but the shop time and part replacement sucked ,(

 

[alaskaboy]

Its not every day you see both a dog in the RTT and a barbecue in the vehicle. LOL

Wishing you fun travels!