'98 AWD transmissions are hard to come by and the car's not worth a rebuild. Can I swap a FWD (w/ shafts) instead of AWD? Or perhaps the question is what would it take to replace the AWD w/ FWD transmission?

 

It's funny that you ask this question since I was thinking of the same question. I just finished swapping my 2000 XC70 with a 50-42LE AWD transmission. I know the FWD transmission is the same 50-42LE case but the AWD transmission has the connection for the transfer case (output shaft) and the FWD transmission does not. I'm wondering if you use the FWD transmission in conjunction with an axle shaft from a V70 on the passenger side could this possibly work? The only issue I could see that would be a problem is the computer (TCU) might be expecting the AWD transmission. With the 1998 cars I know there are less electronics so you might be okay but the 1999 and 2000 cars have more electronics on the engine and transmission so it might not work. This would be a very inexpensive way to fix a car with a bad transmission and remove the the rear drive components.

 

I had the same thoughts about the electronics. I think it would work for the '98.

However, I found an AWD transmission with 140k miles on it for $375 that I'll be picking up later in the week. Timing is everything.

 

How do manage eight Volvo's? I'm constantly juggling repairs on three. That's a decent deal on that trans. I got a used AWD transmission for my car for a little more with 110k miles. You never know with used and it's a major pain to swap the transmissions on those cars.