Volvo Driver Gone Truckin'

[Mylesofsmyles]

Well, my first truck was a '75 Chevy LUV...

In ways, I wish I kept it, but it wasn't THE truck for me.

I'm a long time Volvo Redblock enthusiast, with three Volvo 240's at home. The dependability, power and ease of service of a Volvo 2.1 or 2.3L Redblock is hard to beat! It's no surprise that I'd seek the same qualities out of my next pickup...hence my desire for a 2.3L Lima engine...it's almost a carbon copy of a Redblock.

I'm on the hunt, and soon to purchase a 1st Gen Ranger 4x4 5-speed...if it won't come with a 2.3L, I'm swapping in a '88 2.3L Turbo.

I like the Ranger's a lot, and will find myself happy with one, for how I need a truck. A modest 1.5-2" lift, with 29" tires, Bushwacker flares and Hella H4 headlights...I've got my rally lights, truck bed paint & tool box standing by...

Maybe next week!

 

[Spott]

I had the same problem. My first car was a 1980 245 DL diesel, with that crazy audi D24 straight six. Rebuilt the head after swamping the engine in the river. Shoulda overhauled the block, too.

The replacement was a 1982 244 GL, with the good old B23. That manual transmission was indestructible, but my sister proved that the suspension was not.

Finally got a 1986 745 Turbo, with the B230 powerplant. That was so much fun, I could pull up next to some wanna-be ricer at a stoplight, and leave him in the dust, in a 20-year-old, stock, family station wagon. Unfortunately, after having it for 7 years, some inattentive driver rear-ended me at 55mph, as I was stopped on the highway. The frame ended up 2 feet shorter, but there were no significant injuries.

I had to find something that used inexpensive parts, that were commonly available. Volvo's don't satisfy that requirement. Turns out that an '88 Ranger was the best choice, both in the truck itself, and the community I found here.

I really like the Ford 2.9l engine, I'd claim that it's just as reliable as the redblocks. The electronics from '86-'88 are simpler, but the heads from '89 on are more reliable.

Spott

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

Haha. I feel more at home now, knowing there are Volvo fans among us here!

I drive a '85 245 Tic daily, with a Mustang T5 transmission
My girlfriend daily drives the '81 245 with m46 manual, I built her
And I have a '79 242 race car with a twin cam B230ft and t5!

I'm currently looking at a '84 Ranger 4x4, 5 speed, single cab, long bed. It's Exactly what I want, less the v6 engine. It'll drive home and I can focus on brakes & suspension and a general detail, while I hunt for my donor motor vehicle. I found a '88 Turbo Coupe that could supply the motor, ecu and wiring, but I'll still need the clutch disc, bell housing and motor mounts

I plan to drive the V6 for as long as I need to, while I clean, resell and install fresh timing belt on the Turbo 2.3L

Light, powerful and economical are my goals...hence the turbo 4 cylinder.

It'll be nice to have a truck again!

 

[SenorNoob]

Unless the early ones are different, there is no changing the bellhousing. You have to change the whole transmission. I'll admit I've never paid attention to any early transmissions.

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

I did some homework and it seems the early rangers had two transmission types, with removable bell housings. I hope this will be the case