Not long ago we were thinking about the UAZ and the nuances of its selection and acquisition. Now we will discuss the next stage - modification for off-road use. After all, proper preparation will significantly increase cross-country ability, while incorrect preparation will only waste money.
UAZ - preparation for off-road.
How to properly modify the “goat” for off-road use.
Before you start preparing the UAZ, you should decide on the concept. Because it’s impossible to build an expedition vehicle, a “rogue” and a racing car at the same time. Different brands and models are suitable for certain conditions to a greater or lesser extent. UAZ 469 and its modifications are vehicles for heavy off-roading, their element is minimum asphalt, maximum dirt. In this article I will give some tips on which modifications should be made and in what order. According to the degree of importance, we will divide them into several groups.
Something you can't do without
The first thing you need to install on your SUV are mud wheels and a winch. If you travel a lot with one car, and there is no opportunity to immediately buy both wheels and a winch, it is better to start with a winch, because it is the one that is able to remove a stuck SUV, while wheels help to get stuck less, but do not exclude this possibility; rather, on the contrary, they provoke you to drive along a dirtier path, which, as a rule, leads to the need to use a winch.
But in the final version, both a winch and wheels are needed. With a winch, everything is simple - the optimal one for the UAZ will be an electric motor with a traction force of 9500 lbr. With wheels it’s a little more complicated, but there are also ready-made recipes. For conventional axles (spicer, “collective farm”), the maximum wheel size that they can easily spin is 33 inches; When installing a lowering kit, wheels up to 36 inches can be installed in the transmission. Military axles can easily cope with 36 wheels in stock, and with a lowering row they can easily turn wheels up to 38 inches in size and even larger.
33-inch tires can be installed without cutting the body; a 6 cm body lift or similar suspension lift is sufficient. To install larger wheels, in addition to the lift, you will also need to cut the arches. You can not limit yourself to this and also trim the sills (by half the height of the step), and dismantle the standard fuel tanks, replacing them with one of increased volume installed in the rear of the SUV.
The list of necessary equipment also includes a snorkel (extracted air intake) - without it there can be no talk of even more serious driving. You can read more about choosing and installing a snorkel in the gear and equipment section.
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It would be nice to do
Using an electric winch will entail additional electricity costs, so it is advisable to install a second battery on the car. The UAZ has enough space under the hood, so by making simple fasteners, the second battery can be placed next to the standard one.
To prevent water from entering the transmission when driving through fords, it is better to move the breathers upstairs (into the engine compartment or body cavities).
The standard UAZ light does not stand up to criticism, and when driving off-road in the dark without good lighting equipment, everything can end badly. Therefore, it is worth considering installing additional headlights and (or) upgrading existing ones.
To protect the windshield from branches and twigs that tend to break it when driving through the forest, between the fenders and the roof or, if a power body kit is planned, rails (branch guards) made of a metal cable can be pulled between the kengurin and the upper trunk. If the car initially does not have power steering, then it must be installed when switching to larger wheels, because turning mud tires deflated to minimum pressure on off-road conditions may not be enough with normal physical strength. A steering damper would also help. On the ceiling of the car, you can make several mesh pockets for equipment that is afraid of moisture, to ensure its safety when passing through deep fords. (If you think that the UAZ is sealed enough to prevent water from entering the cabin, then you are fatally mistaken.)
And of course, a touring car would benefit from radio communication and a navigation system.
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Another useful modification is the outlet of the exhaust tract to the roof. The bottom of the UAZ has many technical holes and simply cracks through which carbon monoxide enters the vehicle interior, which can lead to fatal consequences. A roof-mounted muffler and sealed exhaust system will protect you from poisoning.
Useful excesses
If you have set yourself the task of turning your UAZ not only into a super-passable vehicle, but also into a mega-comfortable SUV and are ready to put significant money on the altar of this goal, then here is a list of additional modifications that will certainly not be superfluous in the fight against off-road conditions.
Remove the brake drums and replace them with disc brakes - this will help maintain the effectiveness of the braking system after passing through water obstacles and eliminate the need for constant liner pads. Replace the standard seats with sports ones with moderate lateral and lower support, cover the floor and sides of the boat body with aluminum sheets through noise and heat insulation. This way it will be much more comfortable to be in the cabin and, moreover, you won’t have to spend money on a vacuum cleaner and dry cleaning of the interior; the floor can easily be washed with a Karcher after traveling through mud. The machine can be equipped with a pneumatic system with wheel inflation and the ability to use pneumatic tools. Convert the rear lights and side lights to diode ones - this will help avoid constant shaking of the bulbs and loss of contact - a disease of UAZs.
There’s so much you can do, it’s mind boggling, but don’t rush into construction, start driving a standard car. Firstly, this will allow you to hone your off-road piloting skills, and secondly, you will be able to make decisions about the need for certain modifications based on your own experience.
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"UAZ-Patriot", no matter how hard marketers try to present it as urban, is a real peasant. Of course, if you replace the front axle with an independent suspension, like the “Disco-4” or the new “Patrol”, then you can comfortably rush along Kutuzovsky, but where is the off-road? By the way, these foreign cars, having lost their masculinity, can only amuse themselves with memories of past victories on the roads; a smart person will not bother with them even in a MAZ rut. The maximum they are capable of is to impudently walk along the side of the road: they say, how cool I am!
UAZ IS NOT LIKE THIS
The Patriot's off-road qualities are no worse than those of real all-terrain vehicles - Land Rover Defender, Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 70 series. But it’s still better not to drive the Patriot into the real wilds. Its main disadvantage is design flaws and low quality components. They break... How could it be otherwise! For example, the clutch migrated without changes from a one and a half ton 75 horsepower car to a 130 horsepower car weighing 2.5 tons! True, from 2003 to 2009 they installed a LuK clutch. But during the crisis they returned the “tested” stuff.
The axle shafts are welded to the gearbox housings at several points. Welded poorly - the stockings fly out. And sometimes they bend: the old supports are poorly placed. The shock absorbers don't hold up, the transfer case is falling apart, the engine is boiling due to the poor layout and design of the radiator. Engine pistons burn out or fall apart due to the poor quality of the material. The fan drive fluid coupling is unreliable.
Do you think UAZ doesn’t know about this? According to rumors, they have collected 300 proposals for fine-tuning the machine; the implementation of hundreds of the most urgent ones requires 30 million rubles. But Sollers doesn’t care about the peasants’ worries. He has tasks on a global scale, and therefore will not waste money on nonsense - after all, they charge anyway.
LET'S TAKE BY FORCE
We'll finish the Patriot ourselves. It is not difficult and, in addition, very pleasant. A real pioneer awaits us at the exit.
First of all, we increase the ground clearance by 25 mm, replacing the standard 225/75R16 tires with the best off-road tires BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 LT235/85R16. At the same time, the ride is smoother. What are the side lugs and the reinforced frame of the sidewalls? Even the sharp stones of mountains or deserts are not afraid of such people.
The drive axles have pneumatically controlled locking differentials. We attach a mini-compressor with a receiver in the trunk or, like ours, in the back. Control - on the dashboard. The axles of the “tank” are blocked instantly!
In the gearboxes, we weld the places where the stockings are sealed in a circle - and strengthen them with reinforcements: the rear axle - with a simple box, the front axle - on the left and right with gussets.
Instead of pivot assemblies with liquid plastic liners, which require replacement at almost every maintenance, we install modernized Ulyanovsk ones - with tapered support bearings. The design is durable, reliable and simple.
Which winch should you choose? We reject inexpensive Chinese ones: they are unreliable. American ones are designed for a very high current, for which the UAZ generator is rather weak. Therefore, we install a Ulyanovsk 4-ton “Sprut” winch with low current and a large gear ratio along with a safety-certified bumper (otherwise you won’t pass inspection).
In the suspension we change the shock absorbers to imported ones. Jeepers appreciate European products: Koni, Ohlins - and American Rancho. With comparable characteristics, overseas ones are cheaper. We chose them. In the rear suspension, the shock absorber mounts were changed and two were placed on each side, vertically. The travel and energy consumption of the suspension have increased. The front travel was increased to a record 22 cm. Soft, long rear springs from the Niva and Rancho shock absorbers were installed. Instead of rubber bumpers, the front and rear are hydraulic. Now the car is not afraid of jumping.
In the ZMZ-409 engine, weak pistons with recesses for valves were replaced with forged ones with a flat bottom. In the photo: as soon as the engine strained in the heavy sand, the standard pistons fell apart.
Modified units receive modern oil. We pour synthetic Castrol Edge Sport 10W-60 into the engine, Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 into the gearbox and transfer case, and Castrol Syntrax Limited Slip 75W-140 into the axles. The units are lubricated with Castrol LMX Li-Komрlexfett 2 grease and molybdenum-containing Castrol Moly Grease. According to trophy raiders, Castrol products are most suitable for working in difficult conditions. Even water that gets into the oil does not turn it into an emulsion that requires replacement. The units do not jam and continue to work.
Little things: we strengthened the steering rod with an angle, strengthened the suspension of the power unit, and returned, as if on a “goat,” a pair of cushions for attaching the body to the frame. We installed an efficient copper radiator instead of an aluminum one. And they didn’t forget about the eyes on the front and rear for the Jeep hi-jack. Without such a jack there is nothing to do off-road.
An important detail in the cabin is a household fan: in hot weather we rely on it. The air conditioner was excluded: it takes on a lot.
HE'S WORTH IT
Off-road tests have shown that the Patriot can now cope with heavy tracks, loose sand, and fording along the windshield frame! Of course, foreign cars, if they are properly equipped, will turn out to be no worse. But how much money will it cost? It took about 230 thousand rubles to prepare our UAZ; a foreign car would have required many times more. At the same time, if you select only the most necessary ones from our list of alterations, and do something with your own hands, the costs will be significantly reduced. In general, “Patriot” deserves to invest in it - and then rush off to a rally raid!
The production of the modern UAZ Patriot SUV began at the beginning of the 21st century, and it was then that this car gained wide popularity both among the population of Russia and among many other countries. The main advantage of this vehicle is its high ground clearance and all-wheel drive, which allows the vehicle to be used in various off-road conditions. But this car has become so popular that people buy it not only for the purpose of operating in harsh off-road conditions, but also on city asphalt roads. This car stands out among thousands of passenger cars, which allows owners to feel more comfortable on the road.
In order to use the UAZ Patriot according to its main purpose, that is, for expeditions and travel, some modification of the SUV will be required. What kind of modification is this that the UAZ Patriot SUV needs, we will consider further.
Technical improvements
Before you start modifying your SUV, you should decide what major obstacles the car may encounter. Often, trips and expeditions using this vehicle are made in harsh off-road conditions, which additionally allows you to get adrenaline. Therefore, to operate this model off-road, such modifications should be provided.
- From the factory, the UAZ Patriot SUV comes with plastic bumpers that are not at all designed for off-road use. The first obstacle in the form of tall grass or branches can damage the bumper. This will not affect the performance of the car, but the external design will be spoiled. Therefore, if you are planning to move over rough terrain, then it is better to replace the plastic bumper with a steel one. But the steel bumper also has its drawbacks, which is primarily due to the large mass of the unit. As a result, a decrease in the vehicle's cross-country ability cannot be ruled out, so here it is necessary to decide whether it is necessary to replace the plastic bumper with a steel one, or whether it is enough to install a guardrail.
- Wheels. From the factory, the SUV is equipped with 30-diameter wheels, which sometimes even looks funny. But such wheels are sufficient for asphalt surfaces, which cannot be said for rough terrain. Replacing wheels with 33 or even 35 diameter will increase the vehicle's cross-country ability and will allow you to move not only on land, but also to ford rivers. In addition to the wheel diameter, you also need to pay attention to the tread. The best tire models for SUVs at the moment are products from BF Goodrich.
- When operating an SUV on water, precautions should be taken. The snorkel is a device for supplying air to the engine. It is a snorkel tube connected to the roof of the car with an air intake at the end. This design allows you not to flood the engine if you have to move across a body of water and not stall at the wrong moment. You can make a snorkel yourself or purchase a ready-made version. These devices are not installed from the factory.
- Suspension. The standard suspension on this car is intended only for fishing or hunting trips. Harsh off-road conditions will require some work on the suspension. First of all, you should work on the rear suspension, replacing the 3-plate springs with 5- or even 6-plate springs. This will make it possible to make not only a stronger suspension, but also the ability to transport various heavy loads. You can also strengthen the suspension by additionally installing springs and replacing the standard shock absorbers with reinforced ones. Comfort in off-road conditions is not so important, the main thing is that the car can withstand all the loads acting on it. Refinement of the suspension, both rear and front, involves the installation of spacers under the frame. This will allow you to carry out a body lift of the car. Standard springs and shock absorbers can be replaced with products manufactured by Ironman. With such a kit, the suspension is automatically lifted, as a result of which our SUV will get a truly brutal look, but this will allow it to be a real off-road rogue.
- Installation It is recommended to install an automatic differential lock in the rear axle, as well as a forced differential lock in the front axle. Thanks to the presence of differential locks in both axles of the SUV, the likelihood of climbing a steep slope is greatly increased, which cannot be done without this unit. When one of the wheels slips, the lock is automatically activated, which allows all wheels to rotate continuously.
- If you plan to operate an SUV in off-road conditions, then it is better to choose a unit with an Iveco diesel engine, which has a larger traction reserve on visas compared to the ZMZ-409 gasoline engine. Preparing a car for an expedition is an important step, which is important to take seriously, taking into account all aspects.
- An additional car will allow you to illuminate not only the road, but also the area around you. A wide view is of great importance if you have to move around in a dark, dense forest.
- A winch must be placed on the steel bumper, which will allow you to get out of the most impassable off-road areas. The winch can be equipped with either a steel or fabric cable, which is in no way inferior to the previous option.
- Installation . Additional space on the roof will allow you to place a trunk in which you can transport not only things, but also a spare tire, as well as bicycles for a hike. The trunk can be made independently, or purchased from a factory. You can even sleep on the trunk, or set up a specially prepared tent if the expedition is planned for the summer.
- . On a UAZ Patriot car, you can install a compressor, with which you can quickly inflate wheels or carry out other activities; this element is very important, as it facilitates human labor.
Interior improvements
The interior of the UAZ Patriot also needs improvement; in particular, it is recommended to first darken the windows. In hot weather, this modification will be very useful, even if the car has climate control.
If there is one heater in the interior of the UAZ Patriot, then driving the car in 40 degree Siberian frost is not recommended. Complementing the interior of an SUV is not particularly difficult.
The navigator on the instrument panel will play an important role when setting off on an expedition. A navigator with built-in maps will not allow you to go astray or get lost in the forest. It is better to give preference to such types of navigators that operate without the mandatory presence of wireless Internet, that is, they have a direct connection with the satellite. This model is not very expensive, but very necessary.
If the expedition is planned to be long, it is recommended to replace the standard seats with foreign-made models. The standard seats are not intended for long-term travel, so it is better to replace them with models from a foreign SUV.
You can’t get by in a UAZ Patriot without a walkie-talkie, especially if a large expedition is planned. It is best to place the radio on an SUV by making a shelf yourself.
In the luggage compartment of a UAZ Patriot SUV, you should provide a place for an overnight stay. Equipping a luggage compartment is not difficult; all you need is plywood and beams. Additionally, the luggage compartment can be equipped with shelves in which it is imperative to place all the tools, instruments and other parts necessary for the expedition.
A prepared UAZ Patriot SUV is a house on wheels that can sometimes accommodate up to four people. When going on an expedition, it is important to provide for even the smallest modifications, for example, a fuel supply. After all, even having two tanks on a car does not guarantee that there will be enough fuel to get to the next gas station.
To summarize, it is important to note that only through a responsible approach to preparing an SUV for an expedition can one really achieve positive emotions from a future trip.
You can check your BMR and if you need to reduce it!
Tuning the UAZ Hunter off-road allows you to improve the driving and other characteristics of the vehicle. This vehicle is made on the basis of the military series 469. The SUV is distinguished by high cross-country ability due to its versatility, specific wheel formula and special body geometry. This technique is a real treasure for modernization lovers.
Wheel improvement
At the first stage of tuning the UAZ Hunter for off-road use, it is reasonable to replace the wheels. This operation is not cheap, but without it further alterations do not make much sense. As an alternative to the original wheels, enlarged mud counterparts are used. In the standard version, the car in question is equipped with “shoes” type 235/70 R-16. In addition, a larger wheel diameter will increase ground clearance and cross-country ability, making it possible to safely overcome the most difficult areas. It is best to take 35-inch tires (315/75).
The rubber modification and tread pattern completely depend on the intended use of the future all-terrain vehicle. It is advisable to install smaller disks (for example, 15 inches), due to their availability and low cost. The cost of this stage depends on the tire and wheel manufacturer.
Body and suspension unit
It is logical that the tuning of the UAZ Hunter for off-road use continues by preparing the arches for the updated wheels. First you need to raise the body above the frame. At this stage, it is planned to install special layers between the body and frame parts. If necessary, trim the wing arches. Carrying out such play helps to overcome areas with boulders and other significant obstacles.
You will also need to upgrade the car's suspension. The updated unit helps improve the interaction between the larger wheels and the raised body, further improving off-road ability. The standard elements are replaced with shock absorbers enlarged along the way and additional spring leaves are added.
Winch installation
This design will allow your all-terrain vehicle to get out of the most difficult situations. Therefore, when tuning the UAZ Hunter off-road with your own hands, do not ignore this element. And if you make two options, front and rear, then it will be possible to force areas that even a tank cannot do.
A hydraulic or electric winch is suitable for mounting on an SUV. The choice must be approached responsibly and seriously. Electric lift models are more common as they fit all jeeps. They are easy to install and maintain, have good power, reasonable cost, and operate autonomously. The disadvantages of such modifications include high energy consumption, which requires the installation of an additional battery.
Power body kit
Further tuning of the UAZ Hunter for off-road use continues by installing an updated body kit. They mount a powerful bumper; you can purchase it in a store or weld it yourself. In the second case, the element will be more powerful and cheaper, and after contact with an obstacle, repairing it will not be difficult.
The SUV is protected from side impacts with the help of power thresholds, which at the same time serve as a stop for the hi-jack. They also put protection on fuel tanks. To overcome off-road conditions, it is necessary to protect the engine part and steering rods. Special bumpers will protect the body, windshield and lighting elements from impacts from branches.
Bridge blocking, ELMO system, snorkel, sealing
We continue further tuning of the UAZ “Hunter” for off-road use with our own hands. The photo below displays almost all of the previously mentioned operations. The next steps look something like this:
Additional tuning of the UAZ “Hunter” for off-road use
The photo at the beginning of the article shows what a beauty you can make with your own hands from the standard version of the “Hunter”. An important part of converting a car into an all-terrain vehicle will be the improvement of the braking system. It is also advisable to install disc elements in front, which will make it possible to improve movement not only off-road, but also on regular roads. In addition, the discs are self-cleaning, unlike their drum counterparts.
The additional trunk, although it does not affect the cross-country ability, will nevertheless allow you to transport all the necessary cargo and equipment. Also, additional spotlights are often placed on it. It is worth considering that the installation of a ladder will be required to get to the specified element.
Minor improvements
How to tune a UAZ Hunter for off-road use is discussed above. Additionally, you can modernize the exterior, interior and accessories, which will add comfort and originality. The following work is being carried out in this direction:
Bottom line
Modernizing the UAZ Hunter to improve cross-country ability requires compliance with three main stages: replacing wheels, transforming the body and strengthening the suspension. If all operations are performed correctly, the car’s parameters will significantly improve. However, if you want to make a real and unique all-terrain vehicle, you will need to carry out a number of additional manipulations. In any case, do-it-yourself tuning is more profitable than purchasing an expensive imported SUV.
UAZ cars have long been famous for their cross-country ability and unpretentiousness to the quality of the road. One could even argue that they calmly tolerate its complete absence. However, if you buy a UAZ car for off-road use, it is better to modernize the main elements of its design. Of course, off-road is already a natural element for UAZ vehicles, but additional features will only improve the characteristics of the SUV.
What does tuning involve?
Tuned model
Amateurs and tuning professionals have come up with and implemented many different features for this popular favorite, nicknamed the “goat” because of its rigid suspension. All of them can be divided into two categories:
- mandatory - replacement or alteration of those components of the car that directly affect its driving performance: wheels, suspension, etc.;
- additional ones are an upgrade that has a greater impact on increasing ride comfort than on the process of movement itself.
It’s worth noting right away that the tuning procedure is lengthy and requires various tools and certain skills. Therefore, it is better if the work is carried out in a special service center. Of course, if you wish, you can upgrade the car yourself. If everything is done correctly, the result will meet expectations; the car owner will even be able to take part in off-road UAZ races. Tuned cars perform just fine.
Preparing the UAZ to conquer the mud begins with replacing standard elements such as wheels and suspension. Further modifications are mainly associated with the installation of more or less necessary units for off-road driving, such as a winch.
Required elements
At the first stage, the car body must be raised on the frame so that in the future it will be possible to install special mud tires that have a larger diameter than standard wheels. To do this, a body lift is carried out: special gaskets are placed between it and the frame. This operation is easy to perform with your own hands.
The material for gaskets is usually either aluminum (as a budget option) or caprolon - these are more expensive gaskets, no less durable than metal ones, and have a number of advantages. For example, they do not create a galvanic couple like aluminum, which can lead to increased oxidation processes. And when preparing a UAZ for off-road use, every little detail is important.
Increased ground clearance
This UAZ tuning allows you to increase the distance between the body and frame by 50-80 mm. At the same time, the car’s center of gravity practically does not shift, and the car’s stability on the road is maintained when turning and rolling. The main thing is to use sufficiently strong fasteners for fastening at the joints. We are talking about bolts with a strength class of at least 8.8 and nuts with Teflon coating, which prevents spontaneous unscrewing while driving off-road.
It must be taken into account that such alterations require modernization of other elements: handbrake cables, speedometer, shock absorbers, fenders, arches. Only an integrated approach to tuning allows you to achieve decent results when driving off-road. Prepared UAZ vehicles allow you to overcome areas of any complexity.
The shock absorbers are replaced with ones that have more travel than the standard ones. This can be done with your own hands, without the involvement of specialists. The part is selected depending on the lifting height, that is, the size of the gaskets.
All further changes to the body are made depending on what tires will be installed. If the choice fell on the size 285x75 (that is, 33 inches), it is necessary to make arch extensions. With a diameter of 315x75 (35 inches), you will have to trim the wings a little, and for the UAZ 452 model, you will also have to trim the doors. This is necessary so that during large rolls, high loads and dynamic driving, the body does not cling to the rubber and damage it.
If you install wheels with a diameter greater than 37 inches, serious modifications to all arches and fenders will be required. It will be difficult to cope with such work on your own; special equipment will be required, so it is better to seek help from experienced specialists.
