Domestic cars have always been popular among fans of tuning and modifications. And if the owner is very passionate about such modifications, then the car can radically change inside and out. Here is one example, a Lada 4×4 manufactured in 2004, which was purchased in Yerevan in 2014. The owner just wanted to modify it a little, but got too carried away with it.
Model description
"Lada 4X4" is a kind of jeep designed for off-road conditions. The long-wheelbase configuration rolled off the assembly line in 2013.
The car has not very functional factory door locks. The battery does not last long, which is caused by problems with the cigarette lighter. You can eliminate them yourself.
You may be interested in: Tuning VAZ-2104: options for improving the model
Five-door models have an immobilizer. The rear door handle in the trunk is acting up due to the lock being misaligned. It is noteworthy that there is a spacious space: the backrest folds flush with the floor to form one common lounge. But while driving, the rear parcel shelf rattles, which creates additional noise.
The model is equipped with a child seat anchorage system, as specified in the owner's manual. But in reality, such devices are quite difficult to find. There are also problems with lowering the glass on the doors. The cable breaks. Not everything is smooth with the air filter mounts. It may break off because it was originally installed poorly. There is a gap in the generator area, which should not be there. The injectors are installed in different positions. The tension level of the straps is not very good.
Niva suspension lift yourself drawing
We will tell you how to properly perform tuning modifications in this material.
Do-it-yourself elevator - drawings, diagrams, sizes, types of kits. Lifting varies in the degree of intervention in the standard structure. For some, it is enough to raise the SUV by a few centimeters, and for others by as much as 20.
Extreme tuning – maximizing cross-country ability for traveling on severe off-road conditions.
- Regular jack
- Hijack jack
- Spring puller
- Balloon wrench
- Ratchet socket set
- Set of open-end wrenches
- Mount
- Wooden deck (stump)
It is advisable to perform such work with a partner. First of all, it's safer. Secondly, some lifting work is performed with four hands. Let's take the front suspension as an example.
Raise the front end. You can safely cling to the standard bumper, only the jack is installed under the pipe securing it. By removing the wheel, we get full access to the lever and spring. The front suspension 21214 is made using a double wishbone design, which simplifies the task.
The lever travel is limited by the shock absorber. Unscrew its fastening and move it to the side. Next you need to free the suspension from the anti-roll bar. The mounting bolts may become stuck due to corrosion, so we will use a penetrating liquid (such as WD-40). The stabilizer silent block clamp can be pryed off with a pry bar.
Then disconnect the hub from the lower arm. To do this, you need to jack up the suspension and fix the steering knuckle of the wheel. You can tie it with wire. Then unscrew the 3 mounting bolts and release the ball joint.
We fix the spring with ties and lower the jack. We remove the old elastic element. In some cases, it is enough to simply lower the lever with your foot, and the spring will come out without the use of ties.
Remove the upper support rings from the old springs. With their help, the elastic element is centered in the cups.
They come together easily with a hammer and screwdriver. We install the rings on new, longer springs. We put the elastic elements in their regular places and jack up the lower arm until it is completely aligned with the lower cup. At the same time, an assistant centers the shock absorber eye and moves the steering knuckle to the mounting location of the lower ball joint. We tighten the ball “triangle” and attach the shock absorber mounting axis.
By manipulating the jack, we “catch” the mounting holes for the stabilizer bar clamp. With its bolts it should get into the normal place without distortion. After such modernization, the clearance increases by 30-50 mm. This is enough to install wheels of larger diameter, and the bottom will still rise above the ground.
The rear axle of the Niva can be lifted by installing spacer supports of increased height. When using a size of up to 50 mm (according to changes in front end height), no modifications to the rear axle are required. By lifting the rear axle, maintenance can be carried out on the axle and brake system.
The handbrake cable may need to be replaced. It is lengthened by a couple of centimeters. Otherwise, the Niva lift will lead to increased wear of the brake pads in the rear drums. Disconnect the lower shock absorber mounts and lower them until the springs stretch.
We take out the elastic elements and knock off the support rings from them. We clean the upper cup and carry out anticorrosive treatment. We install new supports of increased size and seat the springs using a jack. We fasten the shock absorbers, assemble the axle, and mount the wheels.
Such a lift will not arouse suspicion among traffic police inspectors, and the cross-country ability of your NIVA 2121 will improve. No drawings, much less homemade parts, are required. You buy new springs and about the rates, the rest is a matter of technology. Labor costs for an elevator of one NIVA are two people/one day off.
For lovers of hunting, fishing and country travel, as well as those eager to try themselves and their own “Niva” in driving a vehicle in difficult-to-pass places, we have the opportunity to offer an increase in ground clearance, which increases the cross-country ability of your car.
Niva tuning – suspension lifting.
At the moment, there are at least 6 types of suspension lifting for Niva and Sh/Niva, each is interesting in its own right and is negotiated during the preparation of the car for “off-road” at the request of the visitor, taking into account the distinctive features of the operation of his car and the sizes of wheels and tires he uses wants to put it on his car.
We often use a kit from the Russian club 'Korovka' as a base. This lift kit was made at the factory and was tested at competitions in Russia. The ground clearance increases by 5 centimeters, which actually makes it possible to install R15 235/75 or R16 235/70 tires (on the right wheels). In addition, this will provide a rise of another 4 centimeters.
In total, the increase in ground clearance will be 9-10 cm! In this version, “NIVA”, without loss of comfortable qualities, has the ability to be used both on paved highways and off-road, being in no way inferior to foreign-made SUVs.
Consequently, at the lower point of the RZM the clearance is 25 cm, and at the cut of the threshold - 44.5 cm.
Front suspension lift.
The lift is performed by installing targeted washers under the lower spring pad (they create a sufficient angle for the front spring). Under the upper arm (between it and the ball) another spacer washer is placed (i.e., we unload the arm).
The levers of the steering knuckles are swapped and the tips of the control rods already go from top to bottom (since subsequently the work done before, when the rod is fully turned, they will rest against the stabilizer, although at the request of the visitor it is possible to leave it as it was by changing the fastening of the stabilizer).
During lifting work, it is often necessary to change shock absorbers, springs, and resins on request. spacers, internal CV joint boots on tuning suspensions modified for this type of lift and create adjustments. spring bumpers.
Also interesting: Niva shock absorbers
Lifting the Niva suspension at the rear.
The lift is carried out by installing new rear spring cups, which are bolted on top of the standard ones, and brackets for moving the mounting points of the rear shock absorbers up 5 centimeters (bolted).
The short upper rods of the rear axle are lengthened or made adjustable (for easy rotation of the shank, so as not to bite the crosspiece), the reaction rods of the rear axle are either reinforced with an angle or installed double; at the request of the visitor, a rear axle stabilizer “Tehnomaster” (Tolyatti) is added, although it will be needed adjust to the elevator machine, digest.
Similarly, it is preferable, on lifted cars, to use a rear CV joint. Those who begin to lift old or worn-out cars need to remember about the internal CV joints (the balls leave their place) and will need to prepare for their replacement. The solution to this difficulty is quite possible by reducing the drive angle by untying the front axle.
The outer CV joints are too little susceptible to this, it will be worse for them if the wheel becomes larger in offset, width and weight, and then they can “crunch”. Although even then the hub bearing has a hard time, especially if it had play before.
Although we have avoided this problem, since we install steering knuckles with 2 ball bearings (from the rear axle shaft), they do not need to be adjusted; they are tightened all the way, although it is much better with a torque wrench. The unit comes out maintenance-free, the hub is unloaded, rolling is easier and the dynamics of the car are much better. Steering knuckles are naturally of domestic production and with a guarantee.
When installing wide wheels after a lift, you will need to keep in mind the ball ones (when the weak ones “fly”), the pendulum will also be able to fly, and the installation of the latest gas shock absorbers results in a stiffening of the upper bracket of the lane. shock absorber (otherwise it tears, especially when the front end is heavier), the mounting of the rear shock absorbers can also be strengthened. It is preferable when lifting, replace the suspension with p/urethane instead of rubber.
Economical Niva suspension lift of 1.5-2 centimeters. In such a situation, we resort to replacing the rubber spacers for the springs with tuning ones (of greater thickness), installing washers, spacers for the upper ball joints and adjusting the spring bumpers (at the visitor’s request). In this implementation, the Niva gets wheels (correct) in size R15 215/75.
The domestic SUV VAZ Niva is an excellent analogue to modern imported SUVs and even some all-wheel drive jeeps. This machine was initially distinguished by its light weight, high ground clearance and high maintainability. However, for more confident off-road driving, some car owners make their own suspension lift. “Niva” then rises another ten centimeters and is able to overcome a lot of obstacles.
Handsome
Tuning the Niva-2131 began with a complete painting of the body using high-quality material. The result was a rather brutal appearance. The openings were also painted. All vehicle optics were replaced with diode ones. Roof rails are installed. The running lights of the headlights and turn signals are also diode: low and high beam. “Fog lights” are built into the bumpers; these devices are also painted.
The most interesting thing is that the “turn signals” have become similar to “Audi” ones; they look very cool and unusual for this vehicle.
External tuning of the field
At this point we finished all the stuffing and moved on to external tuning.
Here, first of all, we installed the body kit. It is, of course, plastic, and it took quite a long time to install and was difficult (its adjustment turned out to be very difficult), but nevertheless this innovation had a significant impact on the general appearance of the field. We decorated the front of the VAZ 2121 with the help of a “kenguryatnik”, and at the back we installed a gate for the spare tire, which best matches the design and construction of the body kit. We also installed other doors, from 21214, and also replaced the side mirrors: we installed a model with turn signals and chameleon coating. The appearance was effectively complemented by American camouflage film, which, in addition to purely decorative purposes, is also resistant to mechanical damage.
When finishing work on the Niva, we paid attention to the lighting elements by installing new headlights equipped with hydraulic compensators. And 4 halogen spotlights were installed on the roof.
What happened in the end? Well, the Niva has noticeably increased its power without losing its high levels of comfort and cross-country ability. Judge for yourself: off-road the car is now capable of accelerating up to 80 km/h, easily overcoming almost all obstacles.
Review of results
Tuning "Niva-2131" allows the installation of a radiator grille from "Turbo". From the side, modifications to the car involve cutting off the arches to accommodate larger wheels. There are Euro pens. To extend the wheelbase, spacers are installed.
There is a reinforced tow bar at the rear; for the rear view headlight to work more efficiently, it is additionally equipped with a “fog light”. Tuning the Niva-2131 in the five-door model version boasts a large, roomy trunk of 420 liters. If you fold the rear seats, you can get as much as 780 liters.
Tuning the interior of a VAZ-2131-Niva involves installing additional speakers to improve the sound system. The front side members in the car are welded to prevent the car from breaking, which is typical for five-door models.
Technical tuning of the field
First of all, we started work with the technical part. To begin with, we increased the flow areas of the valve seats, replaced the original valves with lightweight ones, and installed new valve guides. It was also decided to increase the cross-sections of the intake and exhaust channels of the manifold and the block head. This was done in such a way as to ensure mating of the collector and head.
Next, we decided to install a new carburetor: Solex, which has 24-26 diffusers, was perfect for these purposes. Instead of the factory ignition system, we installed an electronic one equipped with a Hall sensor.
Then a different camshaft was installed in the head, which allows for traction at low as well as medium speeds. Only the crankshaft, rings and pistons were left from the original ones for the Niva. Since the power eventually increased significantly, a different radiator was required, with a larger cooling area. True, in the end we had to remove the standard cooling fan by as much as 20 mm.
Also interesting: Services @ Niva 4×4
Since it was necessary to get an SUV for hunting and fishing, the suspension was also affected. So, the front travel was increased by 45 mm. The result was an approximately 35mm suspension lift, which made it possible to install 205/70 R15 tires. The wheels were installed with ET-40, but we still recommend installing wheels with ET-20: in this case, the chassis bearings will last much longer, and the body kits will be easier to install. Springs from a Chevy Niva were also installed in front.
Long-travel shock absorbers from Rancho were installed at the rear (by the way, shock absorbers from the same manufacturer were also installed in the front). And to provide the necessary lift, they installed springs from the “four”.
It was also necessary to ensure stable and normal rebound operation and maintain the viability of the shock absorbers, so we welded a glass inside the lower spring support (its height was 45 mm).
We also trimmed the front arches in various places in order to provide the front wheels with sufficient turning, and also install body kits later.
We also worked on the brakes: they installed a vacuum booster. To do this, it was necessary to lengthen the master cylinder rod, and attach the amplifier itself to the bracket.
Don't forget that we are talking about preparing a real SUV. Therefore, among other things, the car needed to be strengthened. Thus, additional metal boxes were placed on the rear axle (metal thickness was 3 mm)
We also installed a disk lock in the gearbox with a tension of 3.5 kg.
As part of the strengthening, the following work was also carried out:
- a metal stiffener and a lower metal semicircular box were welded onto the upper rods;
- 3 mm metal was applied to the front spar up to the place where the seats (front) were attached;
- the most problematic areas of the body - the joints of parts - were thoroughly welded;
- Finally, the entire front shock absorber bracket was made of metal.
Also interesting: Relays and fuses for Lada 4×4 (VAZ 21214, 21314) » Lada.Online
During the technical tuning, we also installed another mechanical box - taken from the “six”, replaced its mount and installed a longer and curved lever.
Let's look down
The entire bottom is treated with anti-corrosion liquid. The suspension has been changed, there are reinforced shock absorbers and traction control. The brakes can also be converted.
Under the hood, little VAZ-2131-Niva tuning is used. There is a chipped 1.7-liter engine with a responsive gas pedal. A heater motor and power steering were installed, which are already provided in all modern vehicles.
Salon
The changes also affected the interior. What catches your eye here is the powerful radio, which displays a view of the rear camera. In off-road conditions this system is not very reliable and may fall off. Also inside the car there is:
- rear fog lights;
- additional buttons to turn on the chandelier;
- non-standard “beard” with two cup holders;
- two front power windows;
- locking the rear differential so that the car feels confident off-road.
The “cool” advanced instrument panel displays information in digital form, which is quite unusual for the Niva. Photos of the VAZ-2131-Niva tuning can be seen below.
A black ceiling trim, black visors and a LED lamp are installed. Podiums have appeared on the door cards, which look just as harmonious as the factory version.
An installed car alarm allows you to protect your vehicle. This measure is a necessity.
Electrics
- Instrument panel GAMMA GF826
- Seat heating from Priora
- Lighting control unit from UAZ Patriot, with electrically adjustable headlight range
- Window and mirror control unit from Datsun On-Do
- Steering column switches from 2123, casing from 2112
- Alarm with PKE and engine start button
- Oil pressure and temperature sensors
Currently, this tuned Lada 4×4 SUV with a mileage of 80,000 km is sold at a price of $10,000 (560,000 rubles). If we assume that the average price of a regular VAZ 2121 produced in 2004 is 150-200 thousand rubles, then the owner estimated tuning and work at about 400 thousand rubles.
Let us remind you that this is not the only case when the Lada 4×4 undergoes significant modifications. For example, earlier we told how a LADA 4×4 was made into a quad car (extreme SUV). And in Germany, a Lada 4x4 pickup with modifications is sold for 1.6 million rubles. See also “Photo of VAZ 2131 after external tuning.”
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Let's sum it up
Tuning the Niva showed excellent results in the achieved configuration. This was confirmed by the test drive results. In off-road conditions, the vehicle lacks a rear differential lock. When it comes to road handling, the car behaves predictably, with no surprises. Due to the large wheels, it “walks” a little on the road. Such wheels are not suitable for use on urban roads.
Half a million rubles were invested in the tested car. The result is worthy of the attention of car enthusiasts.
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