Hello.
I'd like to know if the 1981 244 GL external parts and 1976 244 GL external parts are interchangeable. I'd like to replace cracked rear light plastic covers to start with, and if the parts are interchangeable I might get an engineless 1976 244 GL, which I can get very cheap - though, I haven't seen the Car as yet.
I should be grateful if any of owners/mechanics out there would direct me to the right direction.
Thank you.
m.244GL.au
The taillights on the '81 will wrap around the corner, on the '76 they'll just be flat, so they won't work. I'm not sure about the configuration in Australia, but I think that the front will be completely different as well.
Thank you for your reply, Mike. I should have done Google Images search!
1976 has round head lights, and 1981 has square ones. I'll call in to wreckers tomorrow to see if they have those brake light covers. Thanks again, Mike. :)m.244GL.au
My news server seems to be playing up ATM - I haven't yet seen the original post.
1981 was the first year of plastic bumper bars. The front guards, indicators, headlights and grille are all different to earlier models. The tail changed in 1979, so the bootlid, taillights, etc. are all different.To top it off, around 1978 or 1979, Volvo changed their door locks, making the doors incompatible between vehicles before and after the change.
In summary, about the only external panel that is likely to be the same between the '76 and '81 is the bonnet.
Oh, and the dashboard changed in '81. The dash shell is a different shape and all of the gauges are different.
A few small internal parts such as the headrests on the seats are the same between '76 and '81. The cloth trim seems to have changed in about 1979, so interior trim is unlikely to interchange. I must admit that all of mine are cloth trim, so I don't know if the vinyl or leather trims were the same over the years.
The mechanicals also changed a number of times over those years, so I don't expect that a '76 244 would even be much use for mechanical parts! Different sway bars, front struts (wheel bearing size), lower control arms (later are more reinforced), etc.. The rear axle and suspension are the same, though!
G'day, Athol. Thank you for your reply. Now I know I'll need to look for only 244s manufacturered after 1981.. :)
m.244GL.au
PS. Re. newsgroup server(s), my original didn't get "published" on my server for at least 2 hours, when I see mine, Mike F. already replied my original..
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