700/900 Dials

[jonnyf90]

Bit of a geeky post here, so apologies in advance.
Why did Volvo drop 2 dials for the 900s from the 700s?
There’s nothing better than a binnacle full of gauges, so in my downtime at work, I’ve redesigned the 700/900 dials into a sort of hybrid design!

Adding in oil pressure and temperature, and retaining the under-rev counter boost gauge from 940 HPTs. Also added units to the 4 small gauges for a bit of 90s Vauxhall feel.

Finally, there’s a load of (I think) pointless/unused indicator lights, and some which are missing. Added in front fogs, traction control indicator and door open lights in place of the blank (USA service light?), gearbox malfunction (who wants an auto anyway!), and OD indicator (who wants an M47?!).

Thoughts would be great, cheers!

[loki_the_glt]

The main reason would, I suspect, have been cost. Vauxhall's early Mark 2 Cavalier had an oil pressure gauge and voltmeter on GL, GLS, CD and SRi models but the mild facelift saw them removed.

The manufacturers would have us believe that the ancillary gauges are superfluous but they perform a useful "early-warning" system of impending failure/doom in my opinion.

Your gauge set looks good but it would be nice to offer imperial readings as well as metric ones for us traditionalists (and residents of our Trans-Atlantic former colony) while the Dominion's subjects can stick with the metric measurements foisted upon them by the Quebecois.

As for the M47 box, it worked and could offer you 8 speeds if you judiciously re-jigged the wiring. (Ask me how I know this.)

[turboboy]

Not sure if I have understood what you are saying but I read it as you are asking why the 700 has less dials than the 900?

That would be because the 900 was developed from the 700 while the V70 was being developed to replace that line, so like most manufacturers they add all sorts of goodies to the last few vehicles to encourage sales and clear their stocks.

I once read that the best model to buy was either the basic, bottom of the range or the top one with all the bells and whistles because only the top one will have any greater used value than a basic specification.

I like lots of extras on my vehicles, even if I never use some of them. Once went to look at a motorbike and as soon as the salesman turned the key and the dash lit up on a self test with lots of flashing lights of various colours and the dials activated I just had to buy it, even before I had sat on it.

[Volvo_Utrecht]

The shape of the instrument panel is different between 700 and 900
So i assume you won’t be able to fit the top left and right gauges

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by loki_the_glt

...Your gauge set looks good but it would be nice to offer imperial readings as well as metric ones for us traditionalists (and residents of our Trans-Atlantic former colony) while the Dominion's subjects can stick with the metric measurements foisted upon them by the Quebecois.

Don't worry, I've made a matching imperial set too, with American "wordy" warnings rather than symbols too!

Cheers

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by turboboy

Not sure if I have understood what you are saying but I read it as you are asking why the 700 has less dials than the 900?

That would be because the 900 was developed from the 700 while the V70 was being developed to replace that line, so like most manufacturers they add all sorts of goodies to the last few vehicles to encourage sales and clear their stocks.

No, I said "dropped" 2 gauges FOR the 900 FROM the 700.
The 740/60 Turbo cluster is one of my favourites.

Cheers

[827Roverman]

Originally Posted by jonnyf90

bit of a geeky post here, so apologies in advance.
Why did volvo drop 2 dials for the 900s from the 700s?
There’s nothing better than a binnacle full of gauges, so in my downtime at work, i’ve redesigned the 700/900 dials into a sort of hybrid design!

Adding in oil pressure and temperature, and retaining the under-rev counter boost gauge from 940 hpts. Also added units to the 4 small gauges for a bit of 90s vauxhall feel.

Finally, there’s a load of (i think) pointless/unused indicator lights, and some which are missing. Added in front fogs, traction control indicator and door open lights in place of the blank (usa service light?), gearbox malfunction (who wants an auto anyway!), and od indicator (who wants an m47?!).

Thoughts would be great, cheers!

and what the hell's wrong with an auto ????

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by 827Roverman

and what the hell's wrong with an auto ????

Slushy gear changes, less mpg, more things to go wrong, more difficult to fix...

[360beast]

Originally Posted by jonnyf90

Slushy gear changes, less mpg, more things to go wrong, more difficult to fix...

Exactly why I can't wait to chuck mine out for the m90!

[turboboy]

Originally Posted by jonnyf90

No, I said "dropped" 2 gauges FOR the 900 FROM the 700.
The 740/60 Turbo cluster is one of my favourites.

Cheers

Yes, the 740 I had was a turbo so I didn't realise that the dash was "better" than the N/A version.

Just found some photographs of my old 740 and despite it reaching 200,000 miles it was always reliable and a great drive. Mechanic mate of my son said it drove and handled almost like new, despite the peeling paint and collapsing roof lining. Only sold it to get air-con and cruise control.