simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
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Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 7, 2011 14:17:44 GMT 2
i guys, Never knew about this forum before! My name is Simon and I'm from telford in the UK. Thought I would show you my niva... specs: 2.9 v6 ford 160bhp engine auto box 60mm cross member lift steel front diff casing 6000lb champion winch sparco bucket seats 750/16 tyres on offset suzuki wheels currently fitting a suzuki jimny power steering box couple of pics: and here is a link to an article that was written about it for 4x4i magazine: nnoc.co.uk/web/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=28&Itemid=37 ;D
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Post by ronnie on Jan 7, 2011 14:44:53 GMT 2
Hi Simon
Welcome to the Forum. You will have some very jealous Niva owners here when they see the specs of you Niva. We look forward to hearing from you re all the mods you have carried out. There is a lot of discussion here at the moment as to what motor to use to replace the original. I personally am in favor of a turbo diesel.
Ronnie
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simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 20
Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 7, 2011 15:16:07 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie, I think I saw the thread in technical. A td engine is a lot easier to fit than what I had to go through with this one. I have a friend with a 1.9td peugeot engine in his, and although things are tight around the steering box on a RHD it's a well worthwhile mod if you have the patience to srt the million and one little things that come up when doing something like this. I would have done diesel, but at the time I built mine I was recovering from a big accident and didnt think i would ever drive a manual again, and diesels don't work well in front of an auto in my experience.
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spikes
Moderator
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Post by spikes on Jan 7, 2011 15:57:26 GMT 2
Hi Simon Warm welcome to the forum! Your mods will have tongues wagging for sure Regards Spikes
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Post by Charles on Jan 7, 2011 16:06:20 GMT 2
Hi Simon
Welcome to our forum. That 2nd last picture of your Niva is actually the background on my pc at home. You niva looks fantastic. That crossmember lift looks like it was alot of work, and you doing it while you were in a wheelchair makes it even more amazing. Really great to have you on the forum.
How is your wheelbearing holding up with the big wheels?
Regards Charles
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Post by ronnie on Jan 7, 2011 18:09:17 GMT 2
Hi Simon I am not one for changing the original motor, but the turbo diesel is another matter. Unfortunately since I retired I don`t have the money to spare. I can always dream . Ronnie
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simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 20
Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 7, 2011 18:34:17 GMT 2
Hi Simon That 2nd last picture of your Niva is actually the background on my pc at home. How is your wheelbearing holding up with the big wheels? Hi Charles, It was my desktop picture for a while too I take it as a compliment that somebody else likes it too! The wheel bearings have been fine. I've covered 25k miles in it since the v6 conversion, most with those wheels on and apart from me killing one bearing (I snapped the spline off the end of the outer cv joint and the whole thing came apart) on the front drivers side no other noticeable side effects. I have noticed it doesn't track as nice down the road with the big wheels/tyres on as it does with 215/15's on the standard wheels, but it's a price you pay I guess. The only possible side effect I HAVE had with the offset wheels, is that I cracked the chassis by the steering box mount, and had both front wheels jammed in the \----/ position toeing out. This was after a hard drop into a rather large hole though, and I think that after 3 years of hard off roading that's not too bad. I generally drive it hard, but not with a heavy right foot. I have no doubt in my mind that if I cut loose with it in the wrong places it would eat itself alive. I tore the rear axle off all of it's mounts climbing a steep bank out of some water ;D was at less than 4krpm as well. Other than that all I've broken is two outer front cv's. And I pulled the transfer box off the floor doing donuts on tarmac... but I just replaced the four m8 bolts that hold it on with m10's and it seems to hold up to the donuts fine now lol. Here's the vid for me breaking the axle off: I'm next out in it in february providing I can finish the power steering, I'll get some more videos then hopefully. I haven't filmed much of it Got plenty of pics though in various places. And thanks for the warm welcome and compliments feel free to ask questions if you want to know stuff, cos I'll ask you guys if I need to know anything
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Post by danie on Jan 7, 2011 18:52:56 GMT 2
Hi Simon
Welcome to the forum !
The mods to your Lada are indeed very interesting - and more info about the automatic gearbox, as well as more pics, would also be very interesting.
Is the total length of the gearbox + bellhousing longer or shorter than the Lada gearbox + bellhousing ?
The info some side effects are very helpful - If owners are more aware of possible "weak links" on the Lada, they could just take care and then there should be no need to be worried about mods to their Ladas....
Regards
Danie
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simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 20
Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 7, 2011 19:22:46 GMT 2
the engine and box are MUCH longer than the standard setup.... I now run a front prop shaft on the rear, and the longer rear one on the front. I do have issues with my rear prop vibrating, as it works at quite a high angle, but I think it is more to do with the output flange of the transfer box, and the input flange of the rear diff being out of line with each onther on acceleration. My rear axle twists quite a bit when I accelerate, which lifts the diff nose up abnd causes the vibes. I plan on remedying this by adding more vertical seperation of the suspension links at the axle end, so there is less leverage there. I seem to remeber the gearbox being 13.5 inches longer than the standard lada one, and I have done away with the rubber donut to absorb some of this length, so that I can still use standard prop shafts. My photobucket account seems to have lost the photos I put on there of my gearbox etc But basically, I had to cut the complete gearbox tunnel out, and fabricate a new one from scratch to house the gearbox and transfer box. The thing is huge, and means I don't even have space for a heater in the niva, it's really that tight. In hindsight, I should have used the vauxhall 2.5 engine, as the auto box is a lot smaller than the ford unit I am running (mine is an a4ld box - gets a lot of bad rep online, but mine's been completeley submerged, on its side, and generally abused and I've not had any issues other than a leaking front seal). I'll snap some photos this weekend and take some measurements, but alas I think there is a reason it's not been done before, and I doubt it will ever be done again it's quite un nerving sitting inside the vehicle with hardly any floor pan in there...
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Post by hotstuff on Jan 7, 2011 19:35:13 GMT 2
very awsome looks like fun
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Post by danie on Jan 7, 2011 19:39:08 GMT 2
Thanks for the info Simon - the photos will be appreciated.
Danie
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Post by Kobus on Jan 7, 2011 19:52:38 GMT 2
Welcome to the forum Simon. I hope that you enjoy it here. I read the article and must say that you are truly an inspiration to everyone. Thank you for sharing.
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Post by Charles on Jan 7, 2011 21:35:12 GMT 2
Hi guys Lots of work went into Simon's Niva. Can you please post pics of your seat brackets? Charles Attachments:
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simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
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Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 7, 2011 23:54:53 GMT 2
I'll try and take pics of them, but they are quite close to the seats themselves, although a quick sketch in cad to show you what I did is attatched, not sure how it comes up on here - If i need to I'll put it on photobucket. The vertical face, is my gearbox tunnel, it's all made from 2.5mm steel plate (I like overkill ) so it's plenty strong enough to take the weight ad has shown no signs of letting go until now. I also used two plates on the floor to spread the load there as well. The rest is just 25mm box section with a 3mm wall. Trouble with photos at the moment is that the niva is on axle stands with no brake master cylinder or steering on it while I do the power steering mod, and it's too dark in the shed for photos on my phone really. I would hate to add up all the hours I have in this thing. And all because somebody told me it wasn't possible Attachments:
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Post by danie on Jan 8, 2011 7:31:48 GMT 2
.......... all because somebody told me it wasn't possible We seem to have the same problem - I got a feeling that some peeps reckon a Lada cannot be improved by doing an engine and gearbox conversion . Danie
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Post by marius on Jan 8, 2011 8:34:36 GMT 2
Hi Simon Great to have you on our forum. I actually saw your conversion some months ago and I was amazed to see that you are in a wheelchair but that is obviously not an obstical for you One thing that would interest me is your current jobbie - the Jimmy power steering box. It would be great if you can post some pics. Is that a fairly straightforward replacement? Regards Marius PS - do you source your parts from Allen or the EU?
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simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 20
Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 8, 2011 9:33:44 GMT 2
Hi marius, I'm not in the wheelchair so much nowadays, but do still have to use it for any kind of distances, as I can't walk for too long. I put my recovery down to working on the niva, and cars in general. I think that if I was to go to a gym and "try" to get better/stronger then it would take me a lot longer, as with working on the car I'm not concentrating on it so I've got better without noticing The jimny box isn't "simple" no. I need to relocate my brake master cylinder/servo (But I beleive some niva models already have the master cylinder spaced away from the bulkhead - so you wouldn't need to then), I need to get the lada pitman arm re-splined to fit the suzuki box and I may run into problems with the steering stops, I'm not sure yet. Mounting is done by a simple adapter plate from 5mm steel, but it's necessary to open the hole out in the bulkhead so that the end of the box can fit through. This is the only picture I have so far, as this is as far as I have got, there should be more progress today I hope, if my wife to be will let me play yes, I know, it needs a wash
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Post by marius on Jan 8, 2011 9:47:19 GMT 2
Good luck with your recovery Simon.
Would be great if you can post some pics as you go with the steering box.
Regards Marius
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Post by ronnie on Jan 8, 2011 18:20:05 GMT 2
Hi Simon
I see from your post you are "working" your way out of your problem. I wish you well and know you have the will and the determination to succeed. What you have done to your Niva would be difficult even for someone who is "fit as a fiddle"
Ronnie
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spikes
Moderator
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Post by spikes on Jan 8, 2011 19:05:13 GMT 2
Hi Simon Best wishes with your road to recovery. You are an inspiration!!
Spikes
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Post by Charles on Jan 8, 2011 22:52:16 GMT 2
Hi Simon
Did you drill holes thru the chassis to bolt the box in or just bolt it to the plate and then the plate to the chassis?
Charles
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simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 20
Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 9, 2011 12:53:04 GMT 2
It's all welded. I'm not much of a fan of bolting things if they are going to be there permanently - just one more thing to come loose. And I don't have the seat mounts nearest the gearbox tunnel any more - as the new one is too wide to let me keep the standard mounts else I would have just made standard subframes to go in it. No updates this weekend guys I'm afraid I'm getting married next saterday, so last night was a pretty big drinking session, and I'm not feeling as awesome now as I was before I went to bed...
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Post by ronnie on Jan 9, 2011 13:06:04 GMT 2
Hi Simon
Congratulations for your wedding next week. I hope your wife is as keen on Niva`s as you are. That way there are fewer problems ;D
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Jan 9, 2011 15:02:38 GMT 2
Hi Simon
Congrats and best wishes on your wedding next week !
Danie
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simonallen
New Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 20
Registered: Dec 29, 2010 23:45:05 GMT 2
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Post by simonallen on Jan 9, 2011 15:28:39 GMT 2
Thanks guys. Unfotunately the wife to be doesn't share my passion, or even understand it. It doesn't bother me though, as it means that she never wants a go more seat time for me!
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Post by ronnie on Jan 9, 2011 18:27:41 GMT 2
Hi Simon If you can get your wife to be interested you would then have an excuse to buy a second Niva Ronnie
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Post by danie on Jan 9, 2011 20:09:15 GMT 2
Hi Simon My wife also did not show any interest in Nivas until she saw Ronnie's Niva . So if you are thinking of converting your wife to be in a huge Niva fan, just visit South Africa and show her Ronnie's Niva . Danie
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