1996 850 and 1998 V70- interchangeable body parts?

GreenHornet · Post by **GreenHornet** » 02 Mar 2018, 07:36

Good morning,

First time posting on this forum, but longtime lurker and beneficiary of all your collective wisdom. I have a question for the Volvo enthusiast hive mind. I smashed up the hood and front end of my 1996 850 last night, and am looking at options for repair (or just getting another vehicle). I have found a 1998 V70 in the same color as my car that I could possibly used for parts (hood, front end, radiator, headlamp assembly), and I was wondering if the parts were interchangeable on these cars. I see that Volvo "facelifted" the 850 and V70 in 1998, so the models are different, but will the parts work on a 1996?

Thanks for your advice!

Post by **rspi** » 02 Mar 2018, 09:56

If you replace the front support the fenders and hood may fit. I think I have seen it before.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Mar 2018, 10:01

I have read accounts in the forums of people moving the whole nose of a 98 onto an 850, so it absolutely can work but I'm not sure what is involved in the swap. Maybe some search engine time and you can find some documentation.

On the other hand, basically *everything* mechanical will swap between the cars (and very little of the cosmetic parts). So you could consider stripping good parts from the 96 to make the 98 work right. Even if one is turbo and one is not, the vast majority of non-turbo-connected parts are the same. Not the ECU or TCU, not the engine block itself, but all other bolt-ons, all brakes, all suspension, etc. AWD vs FWD you will pick up some more differences.

GreenHornet · Post by **GreenHornet** » 02 Mar 2018, 10:12

Thank you for sharing your expertise! Quite frankly, I think the motor of the 850 even after the crash is in better shape (new hoses, new shocks and struts, new brakes, etc.) than the V70 I found- I think it likely just needs a new radiator and the entire nose and hood. I'm going to do some googling and call my mechanic and find out what's involved. Of course, my mechanic will advise me to get a new car and stop investing in this one, but he just doesn't understand.

I will report back!

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 02 Mar 2018, 10:58

Front swap requires radiator support, fenders, hood, lights, and complete bumper.