This is a follow-up post to Neos (Andrew in AL) posts about 940 front ends.

To Andrew: I owe you an apology for getting impatient about your question with regard to 940 hoods.

Since the time of that post, I've had a chance to check the body parts catalogs.

As it turns out, the hood is THE SAME HOOD for both models, foglights or NO foglights. My confusion started because one never really orders JUST a hood. It's always accompanied by some of the front end plastic, unless a brick fell on the hood and left everything else untouched. You get the point.

The deal is this: The hood from ANY 940 from 1991-1995 will fit your car, with the EXCEPTION of the 940SE hood. That, sir, is REGARDLESS of whether or not it has foglights.

The hood from ANY 740 from 1990-1992 will fit your car. With the exception of the 760.

NOW we should be clear on that. I have listed some parts prices for your reference. These are brand new parts, probably Korean manufacture. (E-Z dent) The prices are very good.


Hood $160
Grille w/fog $50
Grille (turbo) $77
Bumper cover no foglights $107
Bumper cover with foglights $52
Spoiler (front) $41
radiator support $46
frt qtr panel $98


Again, my apologies. I try not to disseminate inaccurate information, but in this case I was clearly mistaken.






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Chris Herbst
1992 745, 68k

And others:
93 944, 150k
90 245, 110k
88 744, 160k
87 245, 185k

Thanks, Chris.
Can you tell me where those parts can be purchased? I found the hood from the 93 close by, and all the front pieces in GA, but a lot higher.

The man at the yard here said that it would fit, but I just needed more confirmation.

Thing is he wanted 300.00 for the hood, and it has a dent in it, so 160 for a new hood sounds much better ...also the other parts interest me.

Thanks again for taking the time.

Andrew

Beware of aftermarket Volvo bodyparts.In case of a accident they do not protect as well as the Volvo made parts.It is just a safety issue to consider.I have seen Volvos fixed with Korean/Chinese front end replacement parts and the same car in a serious front end collision was a mess.E.g. the front doors could not be opened as it would have been the case with Volvo parts.Also the hood went through the windshield.Safety costs but pays for itself in case one needs it.Most if not all Volvos "repaired" this way (cheapo) will be sold to unaware customers.

You imply inaccurately that Korean parts cause more damage because they're inferior, which is merely anecdotal.

What you've apparently ignored is the fact that every single hit is different. Two seemingly identical accidents can cause vastly different amounts of damage, in totally different ways. Hoods flying through windshields can happen with Volvo parts too. Quarter panels are almost ALWAYS jammed against the doors, in a front end collision of even moderate proportions. A lot of them have the "VOLVO" stamp on the upper lip, indicating original pieces. The quarters can come in and block the doors in even minor collisions. You never open doors on a wrecked car without watching the edges for signs of binding or blockage. You never open the hood on a front end wreck without seeing if it will damage the cowl or the windshield. Korean parts or not, a wreck is a wreck. If you get hit by a truck, all the original sheet metal on the planet won't save your day.

Furthermore, sheet metal does not make protection from a collision. It's just window dressing, put there to look nice. If you hit a car directly on the quarter panel, it will hardly move until the quarter is depressed all the way to the frame rail, the wheel, strut, or something else that is structural. The quarter itself doesn't make or break a wreck.

Ditto for hoods. Rear end another Volvo bumper-to-bumper, and you'll probably have intact quarters, despite the frame rails being folded up. Rear end a Grand Cherokee and your hood will be folded all the way to the windshield, but the bumper might still be perfect. Likewise for the frame rails.

Also, pay attention to the severity of an accident. I read from your post, "...the same car [that had been repaired with Korean parts] in a serious front end collision was a mess".

A serious collision caused a mess. That much is easy to establish. All serious collisions cause a mess. To imply that it was somehow worsened by thinner sheet metal is thoroughly inaccurate. The visible damage might have appeared somewhat worse, but the Korean stuff is still made to distort the same way as the original parts. Just not as strong.

While I don't really recommend Korean parts, they do serve a purpose, and that purpose is being cost effective. Sometimes cost is an issue, especially when safety isn't being sacrificed--which it isn't. We're not talking about frame rails or roof structures here. You SHOULD use the original parts especially when the car is a few years old or less, but the assertion that sheet metal makes a difference in a "serious collision" is a weak assertion, and from what I can determine, is based upon the casual observation of one wrecked car.


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Chris Herbst
1992 745, 68k

And others:
93 944, 150k
90 245, 110k
88 744, 160k
87 245, 185k

You might have to dig into the marketplace to find the parts at decent prices. Sometimes body shops will sell you parts, if you find a friendly one. The wholesale prices are lower than the list that I included. List price is what they base estimates and repair orders on. Since Volvo lists the same hood new at something like $600 or so (more than $700 depending on the dealer) the used parts prices are often 1/2 of new retail.

Unfortunately, 1/2 of new retail can be FAR more than the cost of a brand new part. This is why people often get seriously stung by buying used parts where new parts can be even cheaper.

Recently we went to order a used part for something. Used price was $140. Then we called the dealer, and RETAIL price on the part (no wholesale discount yet) was $79. Almost half as expensive for a brand new part, vs. a junkyard part for TWICE the price, and reportedly it had some scratches.

That doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But it's something you have to keep your eyes peeled for. The $300 used price is way too high especially for a dented one, and they're all dented. The 700/900 hoods aren't very strong. I'd first try a few aftermarket suppliers, or look under automotive body parts & supplies in the yellow pages. SOmetimes you have to dig for a while, but believe me, if you're going to order a few parts from the same place, they'll start to open up to you if there's a chance of getting your order. I'd say you would do fine if you got a new Chinese/Korean hood for around $200. Less is really good. most of the stuff comes pre-primed with PPG rust inhibiting primer. Even if you paid $250, you'd be getting a new hood, whereas you couldn't buy the used one for that price.

It might take a few calls to figure out who will sell to you at what price. Sometimes wholesalers have policies that prohibit shops selling to customers on the retail level, or online. But you'll find one of the places that will sell to you if you look around and ask questions. if you can find a shop that does Volvo work, they might be a good resource, especially if they know you don't believe every price that you hear...

Good luck!



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Chris Herbst
1992 745, 68k

And others:
93 944, 150k
90 245, 110k
88 744, 160k
87 245, 185k

He is in Al. all he has to do tell them he works for Billy Bob's Body Shop.
Andrew what part of Al are you in. I live in Mobile.
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90 744ti, airbox, K/N, manual boost, VDO, modified exhaust.

I agree. We have so many places in the woods that work on cars ...along with tractors & haybailers & stills (thats a joke, folks).

Actually, I did send mail to one spot, and said 'Smith's Body & Paint'. We will see.

I live in Trussville, just outside of B'ham.

Andrew