My first real project: volvo ute

[Azzafraza]

Hi.
I'm 22 and i drive a 1985 240 volvo station wagon. this car has been the best. reliable safe etc.
i was recently in an accident where a 4x4 ran into the back of me. due to the fact he didnt have insurance all repairs have to be paid by me.
anyhoo i decided to turn my once station wagon into a two door ute.
now although i have panel beating friends noone really wants to put the "name on the project" ie give advise.

i was wondering if anyone could throw me some tips on how to start.

cheers
Azzafraza

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum!

I keep looking at my 760 estate thinking what it would look like with a pickup back.

The first thing to consider is strengthening the chassis, you lose a lot of strength with no roof.

Somebody here http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/ might have some ideas.

 

[ben8vgte]

I read about an astra they did they same thing i know they used box section to stiffen the chasis, and a load of door skins to make the sides.

 

[JayRS4]

Go for it, i`ve been planning the same on my estate for a while. Only problem at the moment is the cut line i want to use will got straight through the glass on the tailgate, so i wont be able to use it for the back of the cab and the tail. Sourcing another tailgate for mine isn`t really an option either which is a bugger.

Has anyone done the vovlo already? Might be an idea to see if one of the nice folks can do you a photoshop job.

 

[rusty69bus]

just for fun

 

[JW240]

nice! I drive a 240 myself. Still saving up for the last parts to add a turbo to the original engine and to upgrade the suspension. Lots of people did that and they managed to get quite a fast brick

Try www.turbobricks.com. a lot of guys there doing custom stuff, tuning, etc. Also quite a few UK guys, good community with lots of knowledge, ranging from welding, EMS and suspension to restoration.

to start off:

http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=153972