Volvo 240 Stereo system install upgrade, speakers, photos, diagrams.

This install on my YOUTUBE channel.

Volvo harness wiring detail

Pioneer speakers 5 1/2 inch

Pioneer speakers

Stereo On

Stereo head unit installed in upper dash location

Dash speaker access grill in place over antenna

Powered antenna from Autozone - connected

Closer view of grounding bracket with stereo fitted

View through glove compartment at ground bracket behind stereo

Harnesses soldered together

Factory unit removed - harness and antenna wires visible

Wiring harness to Pioneer

Wiring harness adapter to Volvo

Contents from Crutchfield

Added a new Pioneer DEH-3300UB stereo reciever head unit to my car.
Ordered it online from Crutchfield. Requested the wiring harness adapter and plastic dash insert for aftermarket radios. Installation was easy.
I found excellent instructions online and also included in the box from Crutchfield. Here are some photos from the recent installation. Hope this helps other 240 owners who are planning to make this upgrade. The photos show the install work in reverse. Scroll to bottom to see beginning.
The new system sounds seriously improved. It’s louder, cleaner, more punch, more radio stations are being received more clearly, and now I can play CDs, MP3s, USB, Ipod.

Volvo 240 Dash removal detail at Cleanflametrap
Aftermarket radio install 87 Volvo 240
Volvo 240 stereo wiring colors and details

Old and New ball joints. Aftermarket vs. OEM.

Had to change out the ball joints again on the Volvo. Used Genuine OEM TRW/Moog parts this time. Made in Germany. Cost $35 for each OEM, compared to $18 for each aftermarket part. The old ones lasted less than a year. I purchased them new in a suspension kit that included other front end components. The other components were OEM quality. Don’t know why these ball joints were not. You get what you pay for.

I changed out the tie rod ends as well. Much improvement with all this done.
Time for a road trip, Woo Hoo!

Here are pics of the old and new ball joints that were swapped out today.
New one is on the right side in the photo.

left old, new right

old on left, new on right

bottom of strut beside control arm / ball joint mount points

Woodgrain interior kits for Volvo 240 sedans and wagons.

I am tooling with the idea of creating woodgrain veneer and/or vinyl overlays for the dash and interiors of the Volvo 240 series vehicles. These would be do-it-yourself style. Only one such kit is available commercially and it only includes 9 short trim pieces for the middle strip across the dash and around the instrument cluster. That kit is also a bit pricey considering what it includes. There are about 20 other locations throughout the car that could accept the wood-look.
I’m interested to know what you, fellow 240 series owners, want in such a kit. What grain choices? Preference of veneer or vinyl? Price you’d expect to pay? Your ideas and suggestions are very welcome.

I have sourced two suppliers thus far for the veneers and two for the vinyls.
They offer rolls and also mixed piece lots in a variety of sizes.

I will make a master template set to be printed on the backing of the vinyl or cut-out to be placed over the veneers.

Here are some pics of woodgrains that I think would look great. What are your thoughts?

Pics are property of EXOTIC WOOD VENEERS PLUS / inventorswife, of ebay.

TASMANIAN BLACK WOOD

OAK

MOTTLED SAPELE

MAPLE BURL

HONDURAS MAHOGANY POMMELE

ETIMOE

EASTERN BLACK WALNUT

CEYLON SATINWOOD

BEESWING EUCALYPTUS

AMBOYNA BURL