Volvo 740 vs 240 wagons

Can some give me a run down of the differences between the 240 and 740? 

Do they share suspension pieces? 

I am going to be looking for a European wagon in the next couple months for challenge purposes and the Volvos seem like the most likely things to find.

They share engine and trans, but all the bolt on's are different, or mounted in a different location.  The diff has the same internal parts, but mounting points and axles are different.  Wheels are interchangeable.  Rear pads on the stick axles are generally the same.  There might be the odd relay or switch that interchanges.

The two cars are pretty much complete individuals other than that list.

740s are much better to drive, more refined. 240s look cooler and cost more because of it.

A couple weeks ago i would have sold you a cheap 240 wagon, now it's not really a wagon anymore...

I dont hate the 740 looks. I prefer the four headlight ones to the later ones on the 740. Do those parts swap between 740s or is that like the 240 were lots of parts have to be swapped to go to an earlier headlight setup? 

You need this!  You're the first person I thought of.  

https://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1977-peugeot-504-turbo-diesel/6501789645.html  

Not sure if the earlier headlights swap easily. I much prefer the look of the later ones so I've never even considered it. 

racerdave600 said:

You need this!  You're the first person I thought of.  

https://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1977-peugeot-504-turbo-diesel/6501789645.html  

That's not a wagon!

But you should definitely find a 504 wagon for the challenge, that would be awesome. Or even a 505.

I just never could fall in love with the 7/9 series. I think it was more of the angular dash pieces than anything. I do envy them for the turbo engines the 2 series didn't have after 85. 

My 1990 745T was my only former car that I missed.  Right up until I bought my e46 325iT.

93EXCivic said:

I dont hate the 740 looks. I prefer the four headlight ones to the later ones on the 740. Do those parts swap between 740s or is that like the 240 were lots of parts have to be swapped to go to an earlier headlight setup? 

The headlights do swap. I think the grill is different? So you'll need to grab a few extra parts if you want to do the swap. For me looks wise #1 is the big square glass European E-code headlights on the 740. Those aren't cheap. #2 are the 85? And older 4 square headlights. #3 are the stock plastic big headlights.

In reply to Stampie :

Said turbo setups are very easy to put on the long block from a late 240.  You can build an almost complete kit if you find a turbo 7/940 in the junkyard.

I've owned both. As others have said above, parts sharing is pretty minimal outside of drivetrain. I enjoyed the 240 wagon when I was a college kid, but they do have a propensity for rust, and mine was one of the years that had the degrading engine wire harness, which was until 87 if I remember right. It was fun in a simple tractor-like way if that makes sense. My 740 is a luxury car in comparison, but still has all the things that made the 240 wonderful - excellent heater, tight turning radius, tons of interior space, and a very durable powertrain.

I prefer the looks of the 240, but the price and ride of the 740/940 cars wins every day for me. 

In reply to Matthew Kennedy :

Yeah a +T 245 is on my list of before I die cars.

I forgot about the availability of a manual trans. If that’s important you’ll want a 240. 

EvanB said:

racerdave600 said:

You need this!  You're the first person I thought of.  

https://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1977-peugeot-504-turbo-diesel/6501789645.html  

That's not a wagon!

But you should definitely find a 504 wagon for the challenge, that would be awesome. Or even a 505.

I saw that 504 but it is over challenge budget, automatic and a diesel. If I could find a Pug wagon for challenge money that wasn't a diesel and was a manual, I would be on that like white on rice.

Stampie said:

In reply to Matthew Kennedy :

Yeah a +T 245 is on my list of before I die cars.

 

I forgot about the availability of a manual trans. If that’s important you’ll want a 240. 

Are 740s hard to find in manual? A manual is a must for this one.

The 740s aren't really harder to find in manual than the 240s in my experience. Neither is easy to find. The 240s are more common but more expensive, you are more likely to find a manual 740 in challenge budget. 

EvanB said:

The 740s aren't really harder to find in manual than the 240s in my experience. Neither is easy to find. The 240s are more common but more expensive, you are more likely to find a manual 740 in challenge budget. 

There is a manual 740 sedan on the local autocross board for sale for $800. One blown up transmission and a spare that is missing 5th gear(?). No title. I thought that would be a good parts car because it has a number of new suspension parts on it and a turbo setup but it sounds like if I grabbed it I am limiting myself to find a 740 more or less.