What tires can be installed on the field. What wheels can be installed on a Niva? Remember and choose

What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing wide tires on the VAZ-21213 Niva? Does this improve driving performance and worsen cross-country ability?

Plohotnyuk A., Odessa region.

Initially, the VAZ-2121 was equipped with tires measuring 175/80 R16, which had an off-road tread pattern with large lugs. Such high-profile tires mounted on 16-inch wheels provided the Togliatti SUV with high ground clearance - 22 mm when fully loaded. This ratio turned out to be so successful for off-road use that the Niva, thanks to its cross-country ability, very quickly gained popularity among residents of rural areas, as well as among hunters and fishermen. But on asphalt concrete road surfaces, the “behavior” of the Niva with such wheels is not impressive in many respects. First of all, the noise that comes from the off-road tread gets annoying very quickly. Secondly, in the case of sharp maneuvers in extreme situations, due to the deformation of the high sidewall of the tire, the car does not listen well to the steering wheel. Thirdly, a car with standard narrow and high tires does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

Many Niva owners who are not satisfied with the “original” wheels try to replace them with others - with a wider tread, low profile and smaller radius. During such modernization, some characteristics improve, but others may deteriorate. The “disadvantages” appear mainly due to changes in the running shoulder, which increases or decreases when installing disks with a different offset (see figure). Due to the fact that it is impossible to install wide tires on standard narrow wheels, there is a need to replace them. Let us recall that the wheel offset (ET) is the distance from the landing plane of the disk to its transverse axis. Standard Nivov wheels have a fairly large offset - 58 mm.

When installing discs with a shorter offset, the running-in shoulder increases. In this case, the wheels protrude more outward from the wheel arches, which has its disadvantages while driving. Firstly, a “dragging” effect occurs: when the wheels on one side get into sticky mud or snow, the car is “pulled” in the same direction. To keep the car on a given trajectory, it is necessary to exert significant effort on the steering wheel.

Secondly, the proportion between the turning angles of the wheels is violated. Because of this, handling deteriorates when cornering, and large lateral forces act on the tire - a source of accelerated wear of the tread and hub bearings. This drawback can be eliminated only by changing the geometry of the “trapezoid” steering. In practice, this is quite difficult to do, moreover, according to the requirements of the traffic rules, it is prohibited to do this.

Thirdly, an increased break-in shoulder negatively affects the vehicle's stability during braking when the left and right wheels are on different road surfaces. The car is pulled more strongly in the direction where the wheel has a greater coefficient of adhesion. To avoid slipping in this case, it is necessary to reduce the force on the brake pedal, which increases the length of the stopping distance. And during emergency braking, even a complete loss of directional stability with the car skidding is possible.

Fourthly, due to the larger running-in shoulder and the larger contact patch between the tread of wide rubber and the road, much greater effort must be applied to rotate the steering wheel. So, if you plan to install wide tires along with new wheels, when purchasing the latter you should carefully determine the wheel offset. To avoid affecting handling and stability, 16-radius wheels should be selected based on the above wheel offset value (58 mm), and 15-inch wheels should be selected according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

According to the results of factory tests, modifications of VAZ-2121 models allow the use of tires of the following sizes - 185 R16, 195/65 R15, 195/80 R15, 205/75 R15, 205/75 R15, 215/75 R15 and other “close” sizes . In this case, 15-inch tires must be mounted on 5jx15 wheels with a 45 mm offset or 6jx15 wheels with a 35 mm offset (5 and 6 are the width of the rims in inches).

It is worth noting that the handling and stability of the car after installing wide low-profile tires (205/55...70) while maintaining the required wheel offset is noticeably better than with standard tires. In addition, smaller, lighter wheels mean less weight of unsprung parts, lower inertia forces, and increased traction on the wheels. All this helps to improve the driving and dynamic characteristics of the machine. True, with such modernization, large shock loads from road unevenness are transferred to the body, and due to the reduction in ground clearance and highway tread pattern, the Niva’s cross-country ability worsens.

Installing discs with a smaller radius (13, 14), accompanied by an increase in tire width, can lead to the rim scratching on the upper steering knuckle arm. 14-inch common Volga wheels have zero offset (ET=0), so their installation causes a significant change in the running-in distance, which has a particularly negative effect on the car’s handling.

Prepared by Yuri Datsyk
Photo by Andrey Yatsulyak

The Russian SUV Niva is very popular among Russian car enthusiasts. All models of this machine are constantly exported abroad. Its positive qualities have long been appreciated by European countries.

The cars are equipped at the factory with a variety of wheels and rims. For each model, you can choose the right size depending on the operating conditions.

Niva 2121

The standard wheel size is R16. The rim offset does not exceed 58 millimeters. You can also install other models with a smaller size – R15 – on the car. They are in great demand in mountainous areas.

The rubber is thick, so there is no damage to the disc. The tires provide excellent shock absorption when the car moves over large potholes or pits.

On the Niva 2121 you can install wheels from the Chevrolet Niva, without any additional work. You can also install high profile wheels, size 215 R15. The tire offset should not exceed 40 millimeters.

You can install wheels with a large radius, but to avoid touching the fender liners, you need to choose the right size of the disk and tire. Typically, such work is performed during tuning operations.

Niva Urban 2121

A new model, available in several versions. The dimensions remained unchanged. Exactly the same as a regular Niva, R16 wheels are used. The main one is 185 / 75 / R16.

To make it easier to choose the wheel size for Niva Urban, we provide a summary table of popular parameters.

Niva 21214

In the factory configuration, the car is equipped with disks, which are fastened with five bolts.

• Circle diameter – 139.7 mm;
• Bolts M12x1.25 mm;
• Departure ET58;
• The diameter of the hub hole is 98.5 mm.

Of course, other models can be installed on the car, but only with a certain standard size:

Niva Chevrolet

The standard wheel size for this car is R15. Mostly they install alloy wheels, which have gained great popularity. But if the car is used in Russian off-road conditions, it is more promising to install wheels of larger diameter - 16-17.

It must be said that their installation will require additional work. To increase the ground clearance, you will have to install special spacers. It will also be necessary to slightly change the design of the chassis.

Wheel markings may have several letters and numbers. In order to choose the right wheel for a Chevrolet Niva, you need to clearly understand the meaning of all the parameters indicated on it. Take, for example, the marking 6.5Jx16H2 PCD5x139.7 ET48 DIA98.6.

J – rim type and profile type,

6.5 – its height,

16Н2 – mounting diameter equal to 16 inches,

Н2 – number of protrusions preventing rubber from slipping,

PCD – English designation for dimensions of attachment to the surface of the hub,

5 – number of mounting holes,

139.7 – diameter of their location,

ET – indicator of the disc extending beyond the plane of the car,

DIA – centering hole parameter.

Cars of the VAZ family have not ceased to please domestic car enthusiasts for about fifty years, and no matter what words they remember our assemblers, the majority continue to drive these unpretentious cars. Affordable price and good maintainability are the main arguments in favor of the Russian automobile industry.

The VAZ-2121 SUV and its modifications are in considerable demand. International success in motorsport, world records and exports to many foreign countries - these achievements speak for themselves. Inexperienced owners often face the problem of determining the tire size on a Niva car when replacing them, let's try to figure it out.

Standard tires for VAZ-2121

The base body is considered to be one that has not been subjected to lifting and has standard wheel arches. At the factory, the cars are equipped with VLI-5 tires with indicators of 175/80 R16. It must be said that this is not a very good option and it has very conflicting reviews:

• increased noise when driving on a hard surface at speeds over 60 km/h;
• at low temperatures loses elasticity;
• the big drawback is the presence of a camera;
• poor handling on clean asphalt.

Its high ability to overcome wet off-road conditions, especially on clay soils, is also noted. Another plus is the low price. The number of disadvantages of rubber outweighs its positive qualities. This is why most owners decide to use alternative options, especially since the possibilities for this exist.

Possible versions of tire sizes for the VAZ-2121 Niva car

The above options are suitable for model 2121 and the entire model range - VAZ-21213 and 21214.

215/75 R15

Without any modifications, but provided that the disc is selected correctly, it is recommended to install tires with a diameter of 27-28 inches and an offset of 35-58 mm. In some cases, wheels may touch the fender liners:

• when the machine is overloaded;
• at the extreme points of the suspension travel;
• when driving over bumps.

But these disadvantages associated with the 215/75 R15 size are not critical compared to the advantages that the driver receives:

• better maneuverability;
• fuel economy;
• no need for lifting.

• Dunlop Grandtrek AT3;
• Yokohama Geolandar;
• Cordiant Off Road;
• Kumho Road Venture;
• Nokian Hakkapeliitta SUV 7;
• Michelin Latitude X-ice North.

The first two samples are all-season tires and their size corresponds to the wheel arches of the Niva, as well as the design features of the suspension. The Kumho and Cordiant brands belong to the off-road class, their element is dirt and potholes. The last pair are winter wheels for driving in deep snow and ice.

235/75 R15 and 240/80 R15

For those who intend to further increase the cross-country ability of their “jeep” for fishing or hunting, we can recommend these particular sizes. But the car will have to be slightly altered, namely, lifting the suspension and widening the wheel arches.

The Togliatti plant produces special lifting kits that allow you to lower the wheel axle by 40 mm. This will be enough to install and operate 235/75 R15. The kit includes:

• spring spacers;
• spacers for ball joint;
• upgraded spring cups;
• reinforced longitudinal rods;
• cross rod.

The process leaves the factory shock absorbers and springs in place. But the work of adjusting the size of the required tire on the Niva cannot yet be considered completed. The updated design will not allow you to achieve full power and acceleration dynamics.

The solution to the problem lies on the surface: you need to change the main pairs of the rear and front gearboxes from the factory number 3.9 to 4.44. As a result, in addition to increasing dynamics, excess load is removed from the engine and clutch.

Another important point. Do not forget about such a parameter as wheel offset. To increase it, craftsmen use special spacers made of light and durable aluminum alloy. The part is mounted directly onto a standard hub.

With such modernization, the hub assembly experiences increased loads, so experts recommend installing hubs with double-row bearings in the steering knuckle. Despite the simplicity of modernization, it requires a certain investment of money to purchase not only rubber, but also the necessary parts.

Summary

As can be seen from the description, it is quite possible to install similar products instead of factory tires. This modernization will bring more comfort to driving and also optimize the driving performance of the car. Fans of extreme drive will have to work a little to improve off-road qualities.

The legendary first all-wheel drive domestic SUV "Niva" won the hearts of fans of outdoor activities, and just car enthusiasts who often encounter problems on Russian roads, back in 1970. The monocoque body and comfortable interior, all-wheel drive, and independent suspension were a breakthrough not only in the domestic automobile industry. At that time, only the Jeep Wagoneer and Range Rover had such parameters - cars of a different class and for a completely different price. Subsequent modifications only increased the popularity of the model. Unpretentiousness in repair and operation distinguishes Niva favorably in the modern Russian car market, with an abundance of SUVs of other brands.

In the beginning, to reduce the cost of production, a prerequisite for putting a car on the assembly line was the use of units from VAZ passenger cars and, accordingly, VAZ wheels. With good cross-country ability on soggy loam and a relatively low price, this equipment has serious disadvantages:

• Poor handling on asphalt, even sideways drifts, which is inconvenient when operating in the city;
• Average cross-country ability for rough roads

Without any modifications, the Niva can be fitted with 27-28-inch tires with an offset of 35-48 mm. But even in this case, it is possible for the wheels to touch the fender liners up to the point of pinching the wheel in the arch in the following cases:

• Off-road driving with strong rolls;
• Overloading the car.

As a method of combating this phenomenon, VAZ offers special lifting kits that allow the wheel axle to be lowered to 40 mm. The kit includes:

• Reinforced longitudinal and transverse rods;
• Upgraded spring cups and spring spacers;
• Spacers for ball joint.

A radical method of significantly improving cross-country ability, saving fuel, and what to hide, raising the prestige of a car and specific “aggressive” tuning is the transition to 29-inch tires.

This method requires reworking the arches and, in some cases, lifting the suspension.

Let's take a closer look at the description of this process.

To make a final decision on a global change in Niva’s capabilities, let’s take a look at the constructive changes that are to be made.

Regardless of whether the process is performed independently or ordered from a service station, you need to realize that such tuning is quite expensive, especially for older cars with body metal problems.

To ensure free rotation of the wheel in the arch at any angle of rotation, it is best to use a comprehensive solution that involves:

• Body lift;
• Increased wheel offset
• Forming the radius of the arch again.

Changing and adjusting the shape of arches

Body work begins with a selection of the necessary tools.

Required:

• Hammer for at least 1, kg;
• Pliers (grips);
• Brush for metal work for cleaning for welding;
• Electric jigsaw for metal;
• Welder (preferably semi-automatic);
• Angle grinder (grinder) with saw and cleaning discs;
• Abrasive (emery) with P-80 grain;

Subsequent operations look like this:

1. Cleaning the arch from dirt, degreasing. Removing arch extensions and fender liners;
2. Removing the wheel using a jack;

1. Dismantling the rear part of the cabin with removal of the seat and side trims;

1. Stripping the body of the paintwork along the protruding part of the wing with an allowance of 4-5 cm;

1. Cutting the outer edge of the arch;

1. Bend the flap with pliers, followed by the formation of a plane;

1. Forming a new arch edge by welding. More often it is done pointwise, with separate tacks or with a continuous seam. Experts have different opinions on which type of welding to choose, since a continuous weld is not elastic, and spot tack welding is unreliable if the metal is insufficiently welded. For Niva, the body is a load-bearing structural element;
2. The weld seam is carefully cleaned by trimming the inside of the bend located behind the weld seam. After completing the welding work, the arch opening is carefully leveled and rolled out with a hammer.

1. The new radius of the front arches is also formed, but without welding; the bend made is sufficient to ensure normal rigidity and install the expander;

1. After completion of work on the formation of new arch radii, the damaged anti-corrosion coating is restored with anti-gravel;

The result is correctly formed arches that do not interfere with the movement of wheels with 29-inch tires

Detailed video instructions for changing the shape of the arches for the Niva can be found here

Lifting for Niva for 29 tires. Is it worth doing?

With the development of tuning, the opinion has become established that to install 29 tires on a Niva, it is enough to only trim the arches. The rationale for this decision is the fact that lifting has a negative impact on the main components of the car and reduces their service life, namely:

• Car drive – due to changes in the bend angle;
• Front suspension – due to the small stroke inherent in the design, the upper arm rests against the bump stop and limits the downward stroke of the suspension, which indirectly affects the camber of the wheels. A spacer for the upper ball joint further distorts the suspension geometry
• Rear suspension - due to the fact that spacers or larger springs change the position of the front axle.

Whether it is worth lifting, thereby reducing the life of the car, you have to decide for yourself. The reason for carrying out such an operation is the ground clearance, which is critical for operating conditions; lifting will give an additional 3 cm, for example, for the Niva Urban or Niva Chevrolet with a ground clearance of 190 and 205 mm, respectively.

In addition to mechanical changes, in order to achieve improved dynamics, especially during acceleration, it is advisable to raise the gear ratio from the standard 3.9 to 4.44. This is possible as a result of replacing gearboxes. The procedure is not mandatory, but desirable, as it will also reduce the load on the engine and clutch

Advantages and disadvantages of Niva as a result of installing 29 tires

Undoubtedly, the majority of car owners, in their desire to tune the Niva, want to achieve increased cross-country ability, because most often these are people who lead an active lifestyle, are fond of hunting or fishing, or simply live in a completely off-road situation, for example, farmers or rural residents.

The main parameters for assessing cross-country ability are:

• Clearance value;
• Overhang angles;
• Angles of roll and longitudinal passability;
• Angle of transverse static stability.

Installing 29-inch wheels will increase the ground clearance from the existing 228 mm to 232 mm, which is especially important for the Niva Urban with a low ground clearance of 190 mm. This is especially noticeable if you compare the location of the bumper

The difference in ground clearance is a result of switching to 29 tires.

The overhang angle is the maximum slope angle at which a car can move or drive on its own without the body touching. For Niva this is 32° on the way up and 37° on the way out. A larger wheel diameter improves the lift angle to 35, but due to a shift in the center of gravity, it reduces the departure angle to 33°. And the losses and achievements are not so significant as to seriously increase the level of cross-country ability.

The longitudinal flotation angle is the maximum possible angle that a car can overcome when moving from a slope to a horizontal surface. The roll angle reflects the opposite situation, leaving a horizontal plane with a downward slope. These figures are mainly affected by the wheelbase distance. But Niva drivers noted an improvement in driving down an inclined plane due to an increase in ground clearance as a result of replacing it with 29 tires.

The angle of lateral static stability determines the maximum trim of the vehicle from the central axis, which will be followed by a rollover on its side.

For Niva, this angle is 6.5°. The wheel diameter increased to 29 inches, on the one hand, should theoretically worsen stability indicators due to a shift in the center of gravity of the car; on the other hand, a larger wheel offset and wider tires compensate for this, especially on straight sections. In areas with a large curvature of the trajectory, the Niva loses its dynamics. Reduces the dynamics and deterioration of the parameters of the body's streamlining by wind flows when driving, by increasing the ground clearance.

The negative consequences of installing 29-gauge tires also include an increase in the load on the hub units due to spacers to increase the offset of the wheel rims. In order to slightly relieve the unit, double-row bearings are used in the steering knuckle. Such modernization increases the cost of the entire tuning.

The improved exterior of the body, increased cross-country ability with a general improvement in driving performance, exceeds the negative aspects of increasing the wheel diameter to 29 inches. Installing 31-inch wheels is undesirable, as it will require mandatory modifications to the suspension components.

Trimming the arches of a Chevrolet Niva has a similar algorithm.

Legal consequences of changing wheels or what the traffic police think

Driving a car with large wheels can be divided into two situations:

• Traffic on the motorway. Rules of traffic regulations in the “Basic provisions for the approval of vehicles for operation” Section 5 “Wheels and tires” clause 5.4. The admission of vehicles with tires that do not match the vehicle model in size or permissible load is limited. As a result, the car owner may receive a warning or a fine of 500 rubles in accordance with Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, Part 1. Also, enlarging the wheels will lead to distortion of the speedometer, since the tachometer is structurally designed for a different diameter. This can lead to unknowing speeding and a fine of 500 to 2,500 rubles;
• Passing maintenance. A twofold situation is possible, but numerous Niva owners, when replacing the wheel diameter from standard to 29, usually do not experience difficulties during passage, with rare exceptions, which can be circumvented by returning standard tires for the duration of the passage.

As the diameter of the wheels increases, the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle, the load on the suspension and beams will also change. The nature and length of the braking distance has changed. All this together, in a critical situation, can lead to loss of insurance as a result of an accident or traffic accident. If, during the investigation of an accident, it is established that it was the change of tires that prevented the driver from preventing the accident, the fact that non-standard wheels were installed will be considered an aggravating circumstance.

The tire size for Niva, Niva Chevrolet, Niva Urban, Niva Fora is always a compromise between the on-road and off-road capabilities of the car. Therefore, the final choice is always up to the owner.

Before the first long-distance test run, we decided to take the Niva for diagnostics and maintenance, and at the same time give it a slight lift and install 29-inch wheels

IN Azov equipment, although it is unconditionally repairable in the yard and without a lift, still requires time and experience. Both were not enough. And I wanted to see how things are going with servicing domestic brands in the era of global import substitution.

One terrible day, right in the very heat of June, the Niva stopped starting. I stopped and that’s it! Even the starter relay didn't click. Diagnostics using the Chinese ELM327 did not clarify the situation. With each turn of the key to the “start” position, the car silently, one volt at a time, digested the battery. This is where it’s time to wander through the nivovod forums, studying the “service stations” section with the hope of finding the best service. I won't say it was difficult. Three out of four online communities recommended the specialized center Niva777, which is headed by Viktor Glu Gluzdovsky, widely known in nivodnikov circles. In general, if you have a Chevy Niva and have not heard anything about the Glu-mobile, consider that you have not heard anything at all. The proportion of positive to negative reviews and the general delight of respondents from visiting the above-mentioned station aroused my professional interest, and here our Niva started up as if nothing had happened. Even on the eighteenth attempt. Taking a fancy elevator kit and a list of complaints, I went to Lyublinskaya Street.

After the elevator, it is useful to drive the car on a lift

THE ETERNAL QUESTION

For any driver who has decided to off-road car tuning, the question of “lift or cut” is the most painful. As a rule, tourists like us are limited to 29-inch wheels, more often choosing 235/75 R15, of which there are a lot on the market. Both domestic and imported. Some prefer 225/75 R16, remembering that wider is not always better; others are looking for exotic 205/80 R16. We settled on 225/75 R16. There were no problems with the brand and model either. I've been eyeing the very interesting Contyre Expedition tires for a long time - partly, of course, because of the name, but more because of the interesting tread pattern and rave reviews from users. Price, of course, was no less important! As for the choice between an elevator and cutting arches, it was decided to start with a reversible, that is, a moderate elevator. To do this, with the help of the Lada-Master online store, a lift kit was ordered from Trophy Trade, an increasingly popular manufacturer from Nizhny Novgorod. By the way, I would like to express my respect to the store management. I have not seen such clear and friendly work for a long time! The set attracted interest because of its originality and relative cheapness - eleven thousand versus the standard fifteen. The front suspension was lifted by the usual raising of the support pads and spacers for the balls. But the rear one has cunning linings on the axle, which act as amplifiers, change the angle of the levers and raise the springs. In theory, all this gives a lift of 40 mm. In reality, taking into account tired springs, it turns out to be about 30. The use of standard springs is another advantage of the kit. By the way, this is an advantage only if you have not decided to hang the Niva with iron and winches, otherwise the springs will also have to be changed. Although, according to Viktor Gluzdovsky, a touring car does not need wheels larger than the standard ones (provided that they are muddy). And if you still need an elevator, then the minimum possible. Our kit caused him distrust due to the complexity of installation and adjustment, and, unfortunately, his fears were later confirmed. The upper longitudinal rods turned out to be so long that when the bridge was lowered, it turned the cardan cross to a completely non-working angle. I had to replace some of the parts with already tested ones.

The rear suspension lift is made traditionally - with spacers and replacement of levers

The Contyre Expedition pattern is moderately aggressive and perfect for touring.

TOOTHED EXPEDITION

Contyre tires are produced at the Kirov Tire Plant, and their line includes several standard sizes suitable for domestic vehicles.

Our choice fell on the most toothy tire in the Expedition series, measuring, as we said, 225/75 R16. To be honest, if we had a short-wheelbase car, I might have limited myself to the standard size or 215/65 R16. In principle, the clearance under the axle and suspension is enough for me. But the long wheelbase and the constant clinging of the bottom to the kinks of the relief were quite boring. The elevator was precisely intended to improve matters a little, but together with the wheels, it did nothing at all. Kirov rubber turned out to be relatively soft and not at all heavy. Weight without a disk is 14.7 kg, with a Chinese cast iFree - a little more than 22 kg. Not bad, considering that the standard Kama-232 weighs a little less when stamped. A small mass indirectly indicates that the tire will flatten perfectly, and at the same time that you will have to pay special attention to the sidewalls - there is clearly no excess thickness there. The tread width and diameter exactly match the 225 and 728 mm dimensions. The tread depth in the center is almost 15 mm. I liked the fact that the central blocks of the treadmill are strongly rotated in the longitudinal direction - this means less noise and better braking. And they should also be cleaned better. At the tire fitting, the tires showed themselves to be excellent. The “worst” wheel required 70 and 105 grams when balancing, the rest were within 50-70. By the way, take care in advance about the nuts for alloy wheels and be careful when choosing them - they should be longer than the standard ones, and the thread, don’t forget, is 12× 1.25. As it turns out, not all sellers know about this.

DOCTOR SAID

I arrived at Niva777 with two-line complaints, and left with a three-page list of “completed work.” By the way, I had to change the starter, and later the battery, which had shorted out. These were the reasons for the reluctance to start. Steering rods and lever bushings, clutch master cylinder and upper ball cylinders, pendulum and handbrake, shaft and rear universal joint with outboard, brakes completely along with the “sorcerer”... Not cheap, but necessary! Some operations I could easily do myself. Same brakes... But time is more valuable! In general, he agreed to work on all identified deficiencies. And, you know, I was not mistaken. After all, masters are masters! Some unforeseen items were added to the list, such as rear shock absorbers from the Gazelle, and as a bonus - chip tuning. I’ve been skeptical about the latter, since Euro-3, but this time I have to admit: I was wrong - it works! And before, the Niva wasn’t too disappointing with its dynamics, but here it just, as they say, flew! And don't laugh, it's just a long Niva, not a Grand Cherokee SRT. I will say more - there is no need to install other main pairs, which is usually offered to everyone who bought 29-inch wheels, they say, they will not cope. It pulls great! Particularly good in the operating range, from approximately 1800 to 3500 rpm. Of course, you have to move the gear lever much more actively. And in general, for the first time I became completely satisfied with the car. I really can’t wait to go somewhere to the mountains, and closer to the sea. To Adygea, for example!

EXPERT OPINION NIVA777

Victor told us what problems “field lifters” inevitably face. CV joints suffer the most, especially internal ones. The hinge balls roll out new tracks for themselves, and for some time the “grenades” can crunch. If the elevator is not too large, the operation is gentle and they are not worn out initially, then it is worth waiting five to six thousand kilometers. Usually the crunching stops, and then the chassis works normally. You should not install the once popular tripod joints, which are not designed to work at large angles. If you install wheels with a diameter of 29 inches, then on a classic Niva you will have to cut the arches or at least trim the front corner of the wing. There is enough elevator at Shniva. In general, for initial off-road tuning of a non-sports type, the recommendations are as follows: a light lift, knuckles with non-adjustable double-row bearings, a winch, a snorkel if there is a possibility of fords and very dusty roads, a trunk. It is advisable to do chip tuning. Even better is to install a turbine, which, in terms of dynamics, will turn the Niva into a normal modern car with virtually no increase in fuel consumption. By the way, then it will be possible to painlessly install an air conditioner, which will add a little comfort when traveling, especially in a southern direction. It would be a good idea to change the main pairs and install self-blocks, or “forced” ones. If funds allow, you can paint the car with “Raptor” or another similar composition so as not to be afraid of scratches.

In my opinion, among autotourists driving around Russia and neighboring countries, more than half drive Nivas and Chevy Nivas. And, judging by the signs of recent years, this trend will only increase...

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