How similar are the front suspension set ups on a RWD Volvo like a 960 vs a front wheel drive Volvo like a V70?
Are there any parts that are interchangeable or is it a completely different set up?
How similar are the front suspension set ups on a RWD Volvo like a 960 vs a front wheel drive Volvo like a V70?
Are there any parts that are interchangeable or is it a completely different set up?
Completely different setup.
The RWD cars (at least in the 700-900 years) have a two-piece control arm setup with the knuckle integrated into the strut housing.
The FWD cars have a single-piece A-arm with a separate knuckle/wheel bearing assembly and pinch-bolt struts.
Rear drive volvos are front steer, front drive volvos are rear steer. Everything is wildly different in dimension and design, too.
About the only things that interchange is you can use the wheels from one with the other, but you'll need a lot of spacer or fender clearance depending on which way you went, because the offsets are wildly different.
In reply to Somebeach (Forum Supporter) :
You've gotten great answers from two guys who know what they're talking about.
It is interesting that 740 to 850 is a car that from its looks appears to be an evolution of a product but instead is the revolution of a product. https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-european/curbside-classic-1993-volvo-850-glt-divergent-evolution/
Video from 1993: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaR_JJhQc6c&ab_channel=MotoringTV
Sedan only for '93 but wagon came in '94: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shMDJLH6aho&ab_channel=MotorWeek
It might also be worth mentioning that the Volvo 780 Coupe doesn't share a single exterior body panel (not even headlight or bumper) with the 740 or 760.
The 780 is beautiful but body panels are rare.
Thanks for the info. This thread was an extension of my AWD ls swap idea I am daydreaming about. I know I have seen quite a few RWD ls swapped Volvo's but thought you may be able to use some fwd bits to assist in doing a AWD ls swap Volvo starting out with a rwd Volvo.
I wonder if there is room for a longitudinal v8 in a FWD Volvo wagon. Hmmm.
Somebeach (Forum Supporter) said:I wonder if there is room for a longitudinal v8 in a FWD Volvo wagon. Hmmm.
Do you own a plasma cutter and a mig welder?
Obviously width wouldn't be an issue, since they stuffed an inline 6 sideways in the hole, but the trans tunnel might not be big enough. They run the exhaust and the driveshaft down a tunnel, but I doubt it's big enough to swallow a transmission and transfer case.
In reply to Somebeach (Forum Supporter) :
You would need to fabricate the front end anyway, from a subframe to heavily notching the body.
No way to make a longitudinal from a front driver unless you throw away all of the steering bits. The rack would be in the middle of the torque converter. It is high enough that the AWD models' driveshafts run under it. And it mounts to the top of the subframe. (Actually the engine/trans mount bolts to the rack, then the rack bolts to the subframe.)
Generally all transverse cars are rear steer, almost all longitudinal cars with a rack are front steer.
In reply to John Welsh :
I like the 740 and 960 wagons, but do not care for the sedans. Same for the 850/v70. But that 780 (previously unaware of) is gorgeous !!!
Prolly to rare for my (less than) beer budget. I'll have another wagon, one day.
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