Volvo C303 - The Basics

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The Basics

The Volvo C303 is an all terrain vehicle used by Utility Companies and the Military in Sweden and Switzerland as well in the far east.  They are Forward Control ( i.e. the pedals and steering are in front of the axle) with portal axles and differential locks on all axles.

 

Nomenclature

The model range is officially called the C - series and comes in a large number of military and commercial formats. All the military models are prefixed by TGB although the body ID plates still carry the C series coding.

The military models available are as follows

TGB 11   - Command Cab 4x4
TGB1111- Anti-Tank canvas top 4x4
TGB 13   - Command Cab 6x6
TGB1312 - radio box 6x6
TGB1314 - Ambulance body 6x6
TGB 20   - Troop Transport 6x6 (canvas top, cab and box)
 

Also available in 6x6
ambulance body (cab and box)
Fitted For Radio (cab and box)
Commercial (12V) Fire trucks in 4x4, 6x6 and LWB 6x6 (proverbial hen's teeth)
 

The Volvo C303 was built between 1974 - 1982. It came in different forms including a soft top and hard top 4x4, a 6x6 in various forms in military and civilian 4x4 version. The C303 has leaf springs with straight, portal axles, approx. 380mm of clearance at the lowest point. High and low range transfer case, a 6 cylinder Volvo B-30 engine and a 4 speed transmission (5 speed available in some later models). They come with fully selectable vacuum operated diff. lockers on the front and rear. 

 

Top speed: 70mph (4x4) 60mph (6x6) 50mph (troop carrier 6x6)
Power: 125hp at 4200 RPM  - Civilian model only, military power unknown but thought to be ~110bhp
Torque: 165 Ft.lbs. at 2500 RPM 
Dimensions: 4240mm, width: 1930mm, height: 2130mm
Turning radius: 5m
Weight: 2400kg (unladen); GVM 3450kg (4x4)  2800kg (6x6)
Engine: Volvo B30A, 2982cc, petrol, 6-cyls, Twin Stromberg carb fed, 2-valves/cyl, ohv. Bore: 88.9mm, stroke: 80mm, CR: 9.3:1 (civ)
Transmission: 4sp, part-time 4WD (6WD), 2-speed transfer case, portal axles with 2:1 hub reduction gears, front and rear diff locks


Suspension: Live-leaf/live-leaf
Brakes: Drum/drum (as from a Landrover 109 V8)
Tyres: 9x16"
Fuel tank: 85L