1993 Interchangeability Questions

Volvebaker · Post by **Volvebaker** » 01 Sep 2020, 16:01

Thanks to anyone that reads and responds, I know it’s a lot...

Hello again, all!

My beautiful, deeply beloved 850 had a very unfortunate encounter with a deer

though my Volvo came out winner (while they are a bit of a nuisance to cars, still my condolences to the deer) it still took a very serious beating on her front end. Now, I have a few interchangeability questions hopefully someone here can assist me with.

This is a 1993 850 which, as many of you know, was the introductory year and the model has a few minor difference and peculiarities as opposed to later years. So on to my questions regarding this:

1) The headlights are slimmer on later years but, if I’m correct, it appears the only difference is the plastic piece the headlight wiper comes out of. It is thicker to make up the difference of slimmer headlights. Is this correct? If so, fenders and hoods from later years can be sourced and WILL fit my model, correct?

2) The fiberglass nose mount/core support is also slightly different for ‘93. The center part is split down the middle, but that’s the only difference I can seem to see. Even the headlight mounts (though headlights are different) appear the exact same size. Is this correct, and will later core supports mount properly on my ‘93?

3) What exactly is the terminology for that piece of plastic the headlight wiper comes out of? I am deep in search for the slimmer ‘93 piece to replace my broken but it’s been hard to source. Perhaps if I know the correct term I will have more luck. Though, I know, ‘93 pieces are still much harder to come by.

4) Another terminology question: what is the metal piece below the core support? The core support is mounted to it by (I think) 3 or 4 brackets. Mine got badly bent by the deer. It’s just tack welded in I intend to cut it out and weld in a new one. However, I’m hoping I can possibly source an aftermarket reproduction, ifI knew the correct term to look for.

In addition to these questions if anyone happens to have any of my needed parts, and they would like to sell, please let me know! Primarily, that little plastic piece under the headlight covering the wiper motor. I’m worried I may not find another slimmer ‘93 one too easily.

Thanks again for any information anyone may be able to provide!

Post by **misha** » 02 Sep 2020, 15:00

1.Headlights are interchangeable with newer model headlights as long as you use thicker headlight trim from newer model.In addition to that...you will also need side lights from newer model.
Hoods and fenders are the same for all model years,except that fenders from '95-'97 have wider plastic trim.

2.Radiator and condenser are interchangeable across all years...so i don't think that there will be problems here.

3.Headlight plastic trim

4.What do you mean by core support?
The part onto which radiator and condenser are laying and where headlights are mounted to?
This:
https://www.google.com/search?q=volvo+8 ... p4t08_CX-M

...or you mean on subframe:
https://www.google.com/search?q=volvo+8 ... gDfGJ0ioCM

Volvebaker · Post by **Volvebaker** » 02 Sep 2020, 17:51

misha wrote: ↑02 Sep 2020, 15:00 1.Headlights are interchangeable with newer model headlights as long as you use thicker headlight trim from newer model.In addition to that...you will also need side lights from newer model.
Hoods and fenders are the same for all model years,except that fenders from '95-'97 have wider plastic trim.

2.Radiator and condenser are interchangeable across all years...so i don't think that there will be problems here.

3.Headlight plastic trim

4.What do you mean by core support?
The part onto which radiator and condenser are laying and where headlights are mounted to?
This:

...or you mean on subframe:

Thanks for the response!

I really prefer my ‘93 style taller headlights, so I’m ideally going to keep it original if I can. Which I believe I will be able to as I can source a replacement ‘93 headlight online and so long as the only difference is that thicker headlight trim then shouldn’t be a problem as they will fit inside whatever year hood/fender I yank at salvage, which you confirmed, thanks!

The core support I’m referring to is the fiberglass piece on the front end. The headlights mount into it as well as holds those relays above fan etc. On my ‘93 it has a split down the middle and the later ones are solid. I believe the later ones may fit, however. Here’s a straight on pic of the core support. I’m referring to:

The horns are also mounted to it. '93 has that split down the middle in the center of the core support but that is the only difference I am able to tell from looking at images of the later years (which are solid in the middle). Even the headlight mount holes (thought headlights are slimmer on later years) still appear to be the same size as my '93. If this is the case I can easily simply yank one of these at salvage as well as opposed to buying a high price 1993-only reproduction online.

This Fiberglass piece (what I understand to be the “core support) then mounts to a metal piece below it:

It is not the subframe or cross member. It’s (comparatively) fairly thin metal. I may just honestly bang it out if I can’t find a reproduction. But, being thin, tack welded in, and in the front end I would imagine someone reproduced them at some point for repairs.

Thanks again!

P.S. I don't know why I didn't think "headlight trim"

seems so obvious to me now lol. Have already sourced a slimmer '93 piece immediately after searching with correct term! Thanks!

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 03 Sep 2020, 02:10

The metal piece is the crash bar. The fibreglass part is called also called slam panel in other parts of the world.

I cant comment on the core support query, though maybe you can get some measurements from someone with a 94-97 one.

Post by **misha** » 03 Sep 2020, 05:23

'95-'97 one.

Volvebaker · Post by **Volvebaker** » 03 Sep 2020, 13:53

Cookeh wrote: ↑03 Sep 2020, 02:10 The metal piece is the crash bar. The fibreglass part is called also called slam panel in other parts of the world.

I cant comment on the core support query, though maybe you can get some measurements from someone with a 94-97 one.

Thanks to both of you! Can’t find anything online so looks like it’ll be either banging this one straight enough or cutting one out at the salvage yard—likely the former.

Yeah, I was gonna take some measurements before I went to the yard but was hoping perhaps someone had the knowledge already.

My insurance declared it a total loss so looks like I’ll be unfortunately figuring out how to fund this repair on my own. Also will be removing comprehensive coverage...

Volvebaker · Post by **Volvebaker** » 05 Sep 2020, 01:51

One more quick question:

Let’s say I decide to just switch over to the later style headlight. Would this be possible? My first guess is no as they are dual bulb and ‘93 are single bulb. Would there be any way to make them work?

Thanks friends!

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 05 Sep 2020, 02:06

Theres always a way to make something work. In this case you'd just need to create a wiring harness.

Volvebaker · Post by **Volvebaker** » 11 Sep 2020, 05:31

Hello again, friends!

Well, I’m now in the process of ripping into her and plan to hit salvage yard this weekend. I have ran into a new issue, though.

It appears I’ll need to replace radiator and condenser. I assumed these were the same through all 850 years however, listings I’m seeing online appear that 1993 may be a year in itself for condenser and radiator.

Can anyone shed more light on this? Is this true, are 1993 radiator and a/c condenser 1-year only? What are the differences, if you may know?

Thanks!

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 11 Sep 2020, 05:52

If the core support is different then that might explain the different rad set-up. Did you manage to clarify if there was a difference in the core support?