I've been contemplating this project for a long time and now have the two vehicles necessary. I have a '98 V70 5 speed with less than 140k on it. I just bought a '98 Ford Ranger that will give the back of the cab.

There is another one here https://volvoforums.com/forum/genera...o-pickup-3574/ that has the Ranger back wall. I like the way it fits, but not the bed top rails because the body lines are lost.

I have two directions. 1) Do it similar to the one above, but preserving the body lines. The problem is I need a rack with a decent rail to take my garbage cans to the dump. If I go this way, I still need to build a rack.
2) Leave the V70 top rail and end rail for an integrated rack.

I've been sketching both up with "paint," but it's pretty crude so far. I'll work on the interior and when I do cut, I'll leave the V70 rails intact and go from there.

What do people think about the integrated rack idea?

 

I usually don't like hack-and-slash projects but this one would be cool IMO!!

If it were me I'd like a removable rack but that's for you to figure out. Pics are a must for the project thread.

 

I definitely don't like "hack and slash" projects either. There's plenty of examples I found google searching "Volvo pickup."

I will spend a lot of time getting the body lines right before cutting anything! I can see even using black paint to simulate the lines and proportions full-size on the car. Since the glass will be removed and the car will be painted, a few extra layers of paint won't matter at all. In fact, I have two sides to experiment with!

If I have a dilemma, I'll post and ask for input as to which way to go. I'll try to post photos of the two vehicles in the next few days to establish the baseline.

 

Working on proportions and lines using Paint.

 

Donor vehicles

 

Lots of decisions to make in here.

1. How to access the shocks and fuel pump.
2. How high to build the bed rail and integrate a straight rail to a curved body.
3. How to build a proper working tailgate.
4. How to integrate mounts for an easily removable bed rack.

I've got a few ideas for all of the above, but readers feel free to make suggestions.

It looks like the rust spots are superficial.

 

I cannot wait to see this on the road!

 

A very nice and informative topic i like it very much i love this post thanks for this. I will tell my all friends such a good site.

 

Currently looking at different bed lines using black and gray duct tape. I hope to have something definite this weekend. I'm getting anxious to make some cuts, but I need to do it right (at least leave material) the first time.

 

I think I've decided on the lines. I'm going with the bed side profile in the paint photo above and the basic cab angle, too. Maybe this weekend I can put in a few hours on it.

 

You should make the back half top removable

 

I'm not sure what you mean. The best description is that it will look like a slightly larger version of the old VW pickup. There will be no top on the back of the wagon, but I will have mount features in either the gate or sides for a rack at the tailgate.

 

Finally an update. I've spent LOTS of time and gotten lots done. I hope it shows in these photos. The door skins are welded shut. I welded panels on the front edges to close the jambs. I added a triple section beam across the door openings to give rigidity and crash protection. I lowered the tail lights to work with the body lines. Today I welded the first side rail top section.

Next up will be making a form to mold covers for the top of the taillights. I've decided against using the Ford pickup cab rear and will locate and integrate a 740 wagon tailgate instead. I think it will work better - besides the Ford passed inspection, so I could have another year for the beater!

Sorry some of the photos are sideways. They were all oriented fine in preview, and I'd rather post and be done than delay.

 

Man you must like to weld and do fab work! This is pretty cool; are you going to paint it yourself or farm that out?

 

Wow, this is neat.

Volvo actually has some XC90 and P3 XC70 pickups. Can't wait to see yours finished.

 

If you do a google image search for "volvo pickup" you'll come up with lots of examples.

I kicked the idea around for a while, but other things got in the way. I had planned on using the rear hatch glass for the rear window, with the upper sections of the tail lights on the corners of what would become the cab.

Like this --> Southern California Volvo Sports America » Search Results » pickup

It's about halfway down the page

This is gonna be fun to watch

 

I googled and searched to see what others had done too. The Socal pickup looks good, but it doesn't look factory.

The hip line does not continue to the tail light. The fabricator simply cut across and left the edge that swoops up toward the old C pillar. I lowered the taillights and welded sections in to continue the line through.

The re-use of the hatchback and upper taillights is clever, but wrong, too. The body section is considerably wider and requires the B pillar fabrication to sweep outward in a wide, ugly section. I think the photo angle minimizes this and another angle would be upleasant to look at.

I am using a 740 window and upper gate. The lines perfectly follow on the V70. The roof curve is identical. I am adding a compound section to maintain the shape of the B-pillar to span the gap between 740 frame and V70 width.

The lower section of the cab rear is from a ford pickup tailgate. I discovered the 740 is aluminum so I can't weld it! Perhaps that's why others didn't use it. But I've got a workaround that should get the job done. The tailgate skin will come up to the window and curve into the groove where the old trim is. I will be using the 740 B pillar frame and trim on the sides. On the top I will fasten using auto body adhesive. No one will ever know...except now I've told everyone so they do.

Anyhow - I'm uploading today's work on my computer (this on my ipad), so I will post the photos in the next post. I'm having a lot of fun on this - my first ever - project car, er, truck.

 

Today's progress was fitting the cab back wall together with the upper 740 gate and F150 tailgate skin.