Will 240 doors fit later 140s? One for the brains trust

carnut222

Question came up on FB. A guy has a 74 145 and was looking for replacement doors. I suggested that early (75-77) 240 doors might fit the late 140s (ones with recessed door handles and no vent windows)...but he seemed to think there was some sort of mismatch at the trim line between door and fender? Anyone know definitively? I’ve seen 164 front ends mated up to late 240 rear ends, so I assume the body shape at the fender to door interface is identical on all 140 and 240, or at least late 140/164 and early 240.

carnut222

I do know the early 140s had the bolt-in extruded aluminium upper door frames and vent windows, whereas late 140s and all 240s had a welded steel upper door frame with a stainless steel capping. I also know the earlier 140s had a different separate door check link/hold-open device (whereas the 240s had the integral hold-open in the lower hinges). I also know the door latch changed in about 1978 so later doors wouldn’t easily mate up to a pre-78 240...so that’s what I know so far.

Spac

I looked into this a while ago. Everyone identified the same changes 73->74 and 77->78, and everyone said it would work.

I didn’t do it to prove it.

Angus242164

The panels should be identical for '74-'77, after that the door locks were redesigned, so there were changes in that area.

Angus242164

Actually, one difference just came to mind: The separate check strap was used in '74 and '75. It is entirely possible to fit the '74-'75 doors to a '76-'77 body, using the body's hinges, and also possible to fit the '76+ hinges to a '74-'75 body and delete the separate strap, this I have done.

Using a '76-'77 door on a '74-'75 body and retaining the strap would require modification to the doors to accept the strap.

VolvoHordz

Angus242164
Actually, one difference just came to mind: The separate check strap was used in '74 and '75. It is entirely possible to fit the '74-'75 doors to a '76-'77 body, using the body's hinges, and also possible to fit the '76+ hinges to a '74-'75 body and delete the separate strap, this I have done.
Using a '76-'77 door on a '74-'75 body and retaining the strap would require modification to the doors to accept the strap.

My memory is hazy but back in the day we did the swap on my brothers 144. We used the original 144 strap style which involved cutting a rectangular hole and a couple screw holes in the appropriate location. Pretty straight forward.

carnut222

Thanks guys. I asked the person what style check strap he had (separate or integral to the lower hinge like 240s). I’ve told him now the doors probably are not direct fit unless he’s willing to use the 240 lower hinge check strap or modify the 240 door to accept the separate check strap.

Major Ledfoot

The locks are more of an issue.

Below are B pillar and door on a 145 1974 -

... and the door and B pillar of a 1978 240 -

Besides the obvious differences, note how the B pillar on the 240 doesn't have a plate for the hook, while the B pillar on the 145 does, on which the door catch is mounted.

carnut222

Major Ledfoot
The locks are more of an issue.
Below are B pillar and door on a 145 1974 -
... and the door and B pillar of a 1978 240 -
Besides the obvious differences, note how the B pillar on the 240 doesn't have a plate for the hook, while the B pillar on the 145 does, on which the door catch is mounted.

Yes, that’s known and why we were suggesting that a 1977 or earlier 240 door would be more suitable as it has the same type door locks and pillar as the 140s. Apparently during the later years Volvo offered a retrofit kit to fit later doors onto an earlier 240 body (something to do with some extra brackets and revisions to the lock & latch). Interesting how they changed things (not much) over the years, but this change is fairly significant in terms of engineering.

1971_144GL

I have an excellent set of 1974 145 doors in Melbourne that are probably going to make the upcoming cull list. I don't Facebook, but can be put in contact via here.

carnut222

1971_144GL
I have an excellent set of 1974 145 doors in Melbourne that are probably going to make the upcoming cull list. I don't Facebook, but can be put in contact via here.

Unfortunately the guy asking the question on FB was from Minnesota USA...

Major Ledfoot

1971_144GL
I have an excellent set of 1974 145 doors in Melbourne that are probably going to make the upcoming cull list. I don't Facebook, but can be put in contact via here.

They can find a home on my 145.... and I will swap you the four 78+ doors I have.

1971_144GL

Cheers. That would be even more expensive shipping than the m41 I am trying to get a quote on!

carnut222

1971_144GL
Cheers. That would be even more expensive shipping than the m41 I am trying to get a quote on!

Yes, I can imagine! My dad has a spare M41 that I want for my 145, but being in the USA, unless I bring it back in bits in my luggage next time I go over, the shipping is pretty crazy.

1971_144GL

I don't know why I didn't think of that .... but I don't think I want any more doors. The only 74 I have is 142.

I might be taking the ute over in a couple of weeks. Need to clear the shed a bit.