Volvo C303

[thermidorthelobster]

I've noticed a few people selling Volvo C303s (including 6x6s, ffffff) for what seems to me to be pretty reasonable prices - like, £3-5K for a good-nick 6x6 vehicle with portal axles and locking diffs.

I've heard the transmissions are bombproof.  Anybody run one?  What are they like?  What's the catch?

If it weren't for the fact that it'd lead to divorce, I'd love to convert one for overlanding...

[isle of man]

no catch, great vehicles..............i purchased this from sweden last year with the intention (slowly) to convert into expedition camper.





if you would like to view it or have a drive off road your welcome.




peter henry

[L90OOK]

Dave...do it  :D
They are amazing vehicles...I too wouldn't mind converting one for overlanding.
The portal axles are bomb proof & have looking diffs as standard.
You could always just put the axles on the Disco  :twisted:

[doug]

check this out

http://www.volvoc303.co.uk/

if you pop over to difflock.com you should find loads of info.

[thermidorthelobster]

I'm liking the look of the troop carrier.  When we move house...  :twisted:

[tarcus]

About the only thing against the C303 and variants is the size and the mechanical interest angle.  I bought a pinzgauer instead because the 6x6 is about the same size as a Defender 110 so very suitable for laning.  The C303 is quite wide, especially the weapon-carrier variant, so can be hard to fit down a lane.  The 6x6 variant is large too, can be hard to go laning in.  A friend bought a C303 and was going to sell his Suzukis but when we go laning he tends to take the suzukis because the C303 is too big.

Think of something between the size of a Defender and a Unimog, with an ambulance body then much closer to the unimog.

Nice vehicles, and about the best value for money you can get off-road wise but the Pinzgauer 6x6 is smaller, about as good off-road, and for me, has the mechanical interest that the C303 lacks.  The C303 is like a series landy with portal axles, the pinz is an odd beast that appeals to me a lot, but it is three times the price but not three times the off-roader so you make your choice.

[Snooky]

The guy in Scotland is a friend of a friend and have heard good things about him and his company and have seen some good Youtubes of him and his wagons, will see if I can find some

[Xtremeteam]

The guy in Scotland is a friend of a friend and have heard good things about him and his company and have seen some good Youtubes of him and his wagons, will see if I can find some

the guy in scotland is richard dover & one o my mates

Still owes me a shot though  :twisted:

[Eeyore]

Aha, a friend of mine has just collected his and will be converting to a more overland type spec.

The first task will be to replace the 6 cyl petrol with a 300tdi and R380 box. Whilst it's a sweet engine and box thats fitted, it's hopeless in terms of output and speed (and fuel economy), so it's up for replacement.

I'll try and keep abreast of whats happening and fill in when I can!

[Bush Tucker Man]

There's 2 of the Weapons platforms up here

Surprisingly they're located roughly 3 miles apart 'as the crow flies'.

For quite a while the owner of this one never knew of the existance of the other one!

[Eeyore]

Further update on the engine swap.

In standard trim there isn't enough room between the chassis rails for the 300tdi. It also sits too far foward with the standard R380 box.

So, the solution so far is to strip the ancilleries off the left hand side of the engine and remote mount them. The gearbox can be shortened by a cunning trick. Early R380 gearboxes were fitted to 200tdi Defenders. Not many, but a very short R380 bell housing exists - and are generally only available from Ashcrofts. Ouch!

The engine is being stripped and the parts currently sourced for the engine ancillieries. A new gearbox with a short bell-housing is now sat on the floor of RHEL, awaiting mating to the engine.

The work continues!

[isle of man]

have you considered the SMT conversion?

http://www.smt.nu/


keep us informed i'm contemplating the very same thing........

[Eeyore]

have you considered the SMT conversion?

http://www.smt.nu/


keep us informed i'm contemplating the very same thing........

Now that might have solved a couple of problems!

Not my truck, but I will pass the info on! Them engines aren't particularly expensive, either!

[isle of man]

look at the daewoo musso for the engine.....

[christyler]

i am selling my C303, at the moment, it is fully preped. email me for the info christyler@eircom.net