my cd player is currently infront of the shifter, in the lowest place on my center console... All the other volvos in the world seem to have the radio right up at the top of the console, so what WAS at the bottom of my console before the cd player was moved there? currently at the top is just a storage bin, did that go in the bottom before this senseless mod?

Also id like some opinions, what do you think of the prev. owner moving the radio from top to bottom? doesnt make sense to reroute all those wires for no reason... it may soon help me as i hope to add a voltmeter, oil pressure, and all those great things... just wondering why.

ThankS!

1988 240 DL

When volvo changed the dash to this design in 81, the radio went on the bottom. The top was a storage bin. Starting in 85, they offered a top mount radio, and the bottom was a storage bin. For a while they offered a graphic equalizer that mounted in the bottom, but it didn't sell well and was discontinued. Bottom mount is best for keeping things cooler and out of sight, but a bitch to operate the unit. Radios used to be simpler and the brail method worked. Now you need a magnifying glass to find the control you need, so top mount is my choice.

My 1990 245 has the open slot in front of the stick also. As far as I know nothing went there. Great storage for cd's, glass's etc.

Marc:

Your post brings up a question I've had in the back of my mind for awhile. Isn't the top mouting position (for the radio/CD player) right up against some heater hoses? Wouldn't it make sense to get sensitive electronics as far away from this source of heat at possible? Or is it just as hot at the bottom console position? Inquiring minds want to know!

I've heard this before, and I do think the top spot gets really hot. I've had my Pioneer head unit in the top spot for almost 2 years and it works fine. I've got a warranty that covers 4 years, so I won't mind if it dies, but I don't think it's a big concearn. After all, there are still 240s with original radios that are 10+ years old.

For the longevity of the unit, yes, it does make sense to mount it at the bottom. For ergonomics sake, no, as it's a reach for any control located in the right 2/3rds.

Best workaround ... buy a head unit from Sears with their instant replacement warranty. When it goes buh-bye in a year from frying atop the heater, get a new unit.

-- Kane ... who's taken advantage of it once already.

"...cd player is currently infront of the shifter, in the lowest place on my center console..."

That was the standard configuration up to '84 or '85. On a turbo car (last year was '85) the upper spot was used by the extra gauges.

"...so what WAS at the bottom of my console..."

Probably the storage bin.

"...what do you think of the prev. owner moving the radio from top to bottom?"

What's to think? He did it, you'll benefit from it. Consider that your cd player is slightly less visible to theives.

"...hope to add a voltmeter, oil pressure, and all those great things..."

Yes, you can exploit the 3-gauge panel from an earlier turbo model, and you can install 2 more gauges in the blank spaces just right od the instrument cluster. So, in addition to a small clock, you can have four gauges.

My Swedish-made, Australian spec 1988 240GL has the radio in the bottom position, with a bin in the top one.

George Antony

George --

Did you buy it new that way? Perhaps it was a dealer-specified option.

My swedish made Australian spec is the same. In the 240 gle's up until 85 or 86, they had the same guages as the turbo, but an econ guage instead of the boost. I haven't seen inside any late 240's but i think all of ours had the radio down below. The later digital radios i've seen at the wrecker have all been the shape to fit in the lower spot.

I just rang a wrecker in Brisbane who said that all 240s were delivered with low-slung radios in Oz.

George Antony