I wanted to share a word of encouragement to all of you that may be having second thoughts about your Volvos. We recently made the 25 hour move from Lafayette, TN to Odessa, TX in our 97 960 and the old 86 245 (300k+ miles). I towed a very heavy Uhaul trailer with the 245 and both cars were loaded so that we couldn't get another sock in either of them. :)

The trip was made over two days at speeds of 70mph. The 97 averaged 32mpg and the 245 squeaked 22mpg with the tow. Except for a tank of water that I picked up in Earl, Arkansas (a place to be avoided at all costs!), the trip went smoothly in spite of the 245 shutting down about 6 times with the water issue. It finally straightened out after 3 fill ups of hi octane and is running smoothly now.

I didn't do anything special to prepare the 960 for the trip, but I put a set of the largest 70 series Hankook truck tires on the 245 that would fit under the spring seat on the front shocks. I believe that they are 205/70-15s. These are really a blessing out here where the roads are beaten out by the oil field traffic. Of course, this is the same 245 that I've taken so much flak for over the years because of the modifications that I've made to make it tow worthy. These include a Hayden trans cooler(I run the trans fluid totally outside of the radiator), IPD springs, and bypassing the OD solenoid ten years ago before it was popular. I've also rewired the engine compartment and changed the brake lights so that they can actually be seen from the rear. The radiator is out of one of the turbo equipped 88 745s that I salvaged.

I would also like to report that the J-B Weld repair to the leaking fuel rail on the 97 960 has been holding up beautifully with over 30K miles.

Regards,