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Post by danie on Dec 22, 2010 13:51:21 GMT 2
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Hercules
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Lada - your peace of mind to take on the world's vast landscapes.
Posts: 785
Location: Gauteng
Town: Benoni
Registered: Oct 2, 2009 11:55:41 GMT 2
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Post by Hercules on Dec 22, 2010 21:04:12 GMT 2
Thanks Danie and John.
The mod look good.
John, how is the vibration on the vehicle with the straight u/j between the transfer and gearbox.
Regards.
Hercules
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Post by hotstuff on Dec 23, 2010 11:40:50 GMT 2
that would be an interesting mod to do seems like alot of work well difficult to see actually but would give it a go
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Post by Charles on Dec 23, 2010 13:16:15 GMT 2
Only problem is because toyotas dont need regular services you will forget about the rest of the car.
Charles
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Post by hotstuff on Dec 23, 2010 16:47:39 GMT 2
lol charles so true good one
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Post by ronnie on Dec 23, 2010 21:19:20 GMT 2
Hi Charles
Don`t think Toyota`s are all good as we bought 4 TUV`s all new the same day and they were the worst vehicles I have ever had the misfortune to drive. Toyota were not in the slightest bit interested in our problems which were dangerous as when you pressed the brake pedal the brakes came on and locked on. God forbid if you were going at any speed as you can imagine what it was like to have 4 wheels locked and no way to release them. Toyota were the losers as we only bought ford Couriers and Defenders after that. Obviously I hate Toyota's and will NEVER own one again.
Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Dec 23, 2010 22:48:34 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Those TUV's are pieces of sh!t. My conquest are on 280 000km without any problems. I believe some cars are just plain duds. Or friday cars like we call them at work. I have seen brand new cars that gives problems from day one and then one exactly the same nevergives a single problem.
Charles
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Post by danie on Dec 24, 2010 7:11:25 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
I do not have any knowledge about TUV's or most of the Toyota products, but I have owned a Toyota 2.4 Diesel LDV for 13 years - and apart from a starter motor replacement (at about 180 000 km), it never let me down.
It has been a real workhorse, and I have sold the bakkie at about 245 000 km. At that stage it was still in good condition, and I did not have to add any engine oil between oil changes.
Regards
Danie
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spikes
Moderator
Posts: 3,689
Location: Mpumalanga
Town: Nelspruit
Registered: Apr 19, 2010 19:39:51 GMT 2
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Post by spikes on Dec 24, 2010 8:16:51 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie The TUV's had a bad reputation for rolling on gravel, much worse than today's Fortuner ;D ;D ;D. While still with the old Department of Forestry, the Lebowa Government Garage purchased the TUV in bulk. They soon got the nickname of Gollowane (wheel barrow) Braking with no load on the back on loose gravel was experience that tested driving skills and praying The foresters overturned 4 in two months. Leb GG withdrew them from Forestry work and placed them in the Agricultural sector regards all Spikes
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Post by ronnie on Dec 24, 2010 9:14:10 GMT 2
Hi Danie
Now it would not matter to me what anyone said I don`t like Toyota. For the record more than one of our Couriers had done in excess of one million kms with few repairs, so I would have no hesitation in recomending them.
Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Dec 24, 2010 9:17:20 GMT 2
Hi Spikes
The TUV`s were dangerous and if ours were anything to go by a lot of the problems and accidents were NOT driver related. The only decent thing in them was the motor which you had to rev the shit out of to make any progress.
Ronnie
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woody
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 6
Registered: Oct 26, 2010 10:51:18 GMT 2
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Post by woody on Dec 28, 2010 11:57:24 GMT 2
HI Danie, Thanks for posting my pics! Saw your email, it looks to me as tho the transfer box was moved back around 6-7cm, I tried the car off road just a couple weeks ago on a small track in Walkerville, was very wet, actually was raining on us while we were playing around, & my friends with a selection of Landrovers were well impressed with my Lada's performance, especially when I stalled the car in about 50-60cm of water, started it up again and drove straight out up a +/-35 degree incline without reversing & only about a meter run up! I got stuck & was towed only once for the day which was less than all the Landy's, If I was running on some brand of mud terrains instead of the wrangler tyres I think the car would be virtually unstoppable! Thanks again & Beat Wishes for New Year, John
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woody
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 6
Registered: Oct 26, 2010 10:51:18 GMT 2
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Post by woody on Dec 28, 2010 12:05:10 GMT 2
Hi Hercules.! There is quite a bit of vibration from the transfer box when driving on the road a certain speeds, this is something I would like to try and remedy if I do not sell the vehicle.! Cheers John
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Post by ronnie on Dec 28, 2010 18:11:57 GMT 2
Hi John
I have vibration all through the speed range and also want to get rid of it. This is the next project.
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Dec 28, 2010 21:15:52 GMT 2
Hi John
I recently measured of one of the Chinese built Toyota 5 speed gearboxes at Autozone - the length of the bellhousing plus gearbox is 7 cm longer than the Lada gearbox, bolted to the bellhousing.
By the way, Autozone currently sell new 4Y engines (2200cc) at about R8000, and suitable 5 speed gearboxes for R4500 . These engines and gearboxes are built in China, and I am not sure about quality.
Midas also sell these Chinese engines and gearboxes, but their prices seem to be slightly higher.
As far as I know the same engines are used in the GWM Ldv's which get sold locally.
Regards
Danie
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Post by Charles on Dec 28, 2010 21:31:08 GMT 2
Hi Danie
Those engines are suprisingly good quality. We have a couple if Siyaya ambulances that has those engines fitted at about 300 000km after the factory 4y has been driven into the ground. Those engines just need a 1800 vw carb. Then they will return 10km/l and perform nicely. I still think a 2l opel engine would be a better option.
Charles
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Post by danie on Dec 29, 2010 7:32:01 GMT 2
Hi Charles
If these engines and gearboxes are good, I think it might be worthwhile to have a closer look at conversions like this.
If one can only get 150 000 troublefree kms on these engines an gearboxes, it still means one can drive around for about six years without worrying about the engine and gearbox. Spare parts will also be freely available all over the country for many years ahead. And apart from that, there are many mechanics countrywide who are able to work on these components.
I just wonder whether the engine sumps have to be modified to mount the engines on a Lada ? Maybe John would be able to tell whether the sump has been modified close to the Transfer Box ?
Regards
Danie
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Post by danie on Jan 1, 2011 18:13:21 GMT 2
More info regarding the Toyota 5 speed Gearboxes:
The measurements which I took at Autozone a while ago was from a High Ace gearbox - which has a "steering shift" gearlever. Autozone did not have a "floor shift" Gearbox in stock, but one of the salesmen assured me that the length of the "steering shift" and "floor shift" Gearboxes are exactly the same.
Well, the day before yesterday I drove past another local engine importer (Dave's) and I decided to make 100% sure about the length of the Toyota "floor shift" gearboxes...........I discovered that it is definately longer than the "column shift" Gearboxes, and that the Gearbox + Bellhousing are 19.5 cm longer than the Lada Gearbox + Bellhousing...
Danie
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Post by Charles on Jan 1, 2011 18:42:09 GMT 2
Hi Danie
One can get 300 000km trouble free from these engines and gearboxes. 21R toyota gearboxes are some of the strongest in the world.
I have also considered a Nissan petrol engine and 4wd gearbox. The front propshart is also on the left like the Niva. We get 400 000km on unopened engines. Both 2.0l and 2.4l. The KA series. The 2.0l doesnt have that much less power than the 2.4l but is a bit lighter on fuel. If it can pull a 3ton mobile clinic a lada should be a piece of cake. These engines are cheap to but. Thing is they are Fi. That again has pros and cons. If you want carb you can always go the NA series engines. They are 12v and carb. Also very reliable. Making up a gearbox mount wouldn't be too difficult. Would make a intresting conversion. When I pull a box again I will take some pics and measurements.
Charles
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Post by ronnie on Jan 1, 2011 19:28:16 GMT 2
Hi All I can`t see the point in taking out a good petrol engine (Lada) to put in another petrol engine . If you really must change a motor for the sake of change why not do an improvement and fit a diesel motor. Most motors if looked after and serviced regularly will give you a long life. At least with an original motor you know exactly what spares are required from the parts catalog. This is my opinion for what it is worth. Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Jan 1, 2011 19:40:02 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
I agree with you. Some people just want more power. I wouldnt do a engine conversion. Whatever you budget for the conversion it will cost 3x that. Most of the parts are custom made so if and when you break something away from home, you cant even phone a friend to courier you the part. Conversions are intresting to look at but thats it.
if I ever do a conversion i will go balls to the wall. Buy a lada without a drivetrain. Then put it on a modified Toyota or Nissan chassis. Ones again more money than what a mint condition Lada would cost you.
I dont think in the end it will be worth it.
Charles
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Post by danie on Jan 2, 2011 8:34:43 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie / Charles
I agree - it would not make sense to replace a Lada engine and gearbox (in good condition) with any other engine and gearbox as replacement.
On the other hand, if a Lada engine and gearbox need a proper rebuilt, I think it might make sense to try and find a engine / gearbox combination which are freely available locally. Lada engine and gearbox spare part prices are a lot more expensive than the Toyota spare parts - which are freely available countrywide. I am quite convinced that the total cost of a complete Lada engine and gearbox rebuilt will easily exceed the purchase price of a complete Toyota unit.
Also, if an engine / bellhousing / gearbox (straight bolt on) combination can be used, I cannot see how the complete installation (including exhaust, driveshaft, engine mounting, radiator , etc. ) would cost 3 times more than the purchase price of the engine (i.e. Toyota) and gearbox combination.
About 15 ears ago I did an V8 Chevy engine / gearbox transplant on a Jaguar XJ6 myself, and it was definitely not that expensive. I have made the engine and gearbox mounting brackets myself, and only the propshaft and exhaust system have been professionally modified elsewhere.
Regards
Danie
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Post by Charles on Jan 2, 2011 10:45:09 GMT 2
Hi Danie
One again there is pros and cons. If you can do most of the work yourself then it should keep costes down quite a bit. I agree with what you say about replacing it if the engine and gearbox is shot. Then even I would consider it, but if the Lada engine is still in good condition then I cant see any reason to even touch it.
Charles
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Post by Charles on Jan 2, 2011 10:46:51 GMT 2
Danie something to remember, on a conversion the thing that is most expensive is the labour.
Charles
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Post by marius on Jan 2, 2011 14:15:47 GMT 2
Like Ronnie - if I ever had to replace the Niva's engine - I would consider a diesel conversion and hopefully something very close to the 1.9 currently fitted.
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Post by Charles on Jan 2, 2011 14:54:01 GMT 2
Hi Marius
What about a Fiat 1.7d. Lazy but will never die. Just dont skip replacing the cambelt. It will snap! I have had to repair one in the past.
Charles
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