Wife and I are giving my 89 740 to daughter after graduation from college. Now we want a small pick-up to haul our Kayaks to the Gulf of Mexico for paddling (me for fishing).
Any ideas on which brand of small 4 cyl pickup would be almost as reliable as the 740? I know it's an oxymoron, but give it a try anyway.
gracias,
el raidman

You can't beat the reliability of a Toyota. The I-4 engine is at least as durable as a B230 -- they've been making it for decades. If you're talking sea kayaks, then the truck may not be the best option. A 12' boat wouldn't fit well in the 6' bed of a pickup.

But I agree with previous posts. A Volvo wagon with a Thule roof rack and kayak attachments (like these: http://search.freefind.com/find.html?query=kayak&id=21802795&pageid=r&mode=ALL&n=0 ) would give you a much more versatile vehicle.

Besides, you already know these cars, so you know what to look for in a new one and you know how to fix it. It's nice to not have to go through the "learning curve" when servicing a new make of vehicle.

Just my 2 cents... arguably worth that.

Jeff Pierce
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'93 945 Turbo ( one kickass family car ! ), '92 Mercedes 190E (my daily driver), '53 Willys-Overland Pickup (my snow-plow truck/conversation piece -- sold to a loving home), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow

Hi el,

How about a newer 745 or 945 (wagon) with a nice set of roof racks? That's what I'd go for. Probably the most desirable would be a '93+ 945. Oh, did you know that a 700/900 has a towing capacity of 3000 or 3300 lbs (can't remamber exactly)? That's more then some small trucks! As for a good small truck; Generally Toyota and Nissan make the most reliable 1/4 tons as far as I can tell.
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 290K km and '91 745 NA, 376K km.

The towing capacity that you mention. I wonder if that is with higher rate springs?

My 745 (92) really gets low to the frame with a fairly good load. I would like to haul heavier loads - but may need different springs.

What do you think?
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'94 940T (160K) , '92 745T (200K+)

Hi Andrew,

Well, I don't believe the Volvo owners manual mentions anything about stronger rear springs when towing. Remember, trailers don't put a lot of weight on the hitch (rear suspension) if the trailer is properly weighted. It's when you put weight in the rear of the car there is more of a direct effect on the rear suspension. I'd suggest a set of overload springs like the ones that IPD offers (http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=209&NodeID=1163&RootID=629). If I was doing any serious towing with one of my 745s, I'd have a set of these fitted. If I towed a lot, I'd probably convert to Nivomats (http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=1390&NodeID=4340&RootID=629) which were standard on the 760, 940SE, and some 960/S/V90s. I suggest that unless you carry heavy loads virtually all the time then I'd suggest you try the overload springs and a set of these: http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=15&NodeID=1178&RootID=629 or these http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=1389&NodeID=4337&RootID=629 in the rear. I hope this helps!
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 290K km and '91 745 NA, 376K km.

Forget the pickup, find another 740/940 with a roof rack. You will have much more room for "stuff", like paddles and life jackets, that can be locked up. Just don't buy one from board member Nathan Courtright - he doesn't sell cars that work.
Get a white one with tinted windows. Great for southern Texas.
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95 854T, 88 780, 88 245

between the the 2 nissan p/u trucks ive owned in the last 16 years the only thing i ever worried about was tires , and fuel, put over 300k between the 2 of them, the only part that stopped me was an occaisional battery, or a starter relay on the fenderwell that went from 12$ fist time i bought one to 19-20$ for the last one i purchased. and as i recall i think i only purchased 3 in that time span, the contacts burn, took the last one apart and emory boarded the contacts epoxy'ed it back to gether and kept it as a spare, that i never had to use. if i didn't love bricks i'de have a nissan p/u truck. never a drop of oil on the groung from either of them.
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mike jasmin, 1988 Volvo 240DL 114k , , previous 79 & 81 Volvo 244s

Ummm...
Pickups don't haul kayaks.
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Jim McDonald