Niva swamp vehicle (all-terrain vehicle, snow and swamp vehicle, karakat) on large wheels: how to make it yourself, on the Niva base, remake it yourself off-road, all-terrain tires, wheels, tires, drawings and dimensions, t

The Niva swamp vehicle is very popular in the Far North. Such a unit is capable of driving through any off-road terrain, through muddy soil or spring tundra with numerous clearings. The ground pressure is minimal, which enhances the vehicle's high maneuverability. A snow and swamp-going vehicle based on the Niva is a reliable vehicle. Making it is technically simple and inexpensive.

How tires operate at low pressure

The formation of low pressure in tires makes them somewhat flattened. Thus, upon contact with the surface, a large area is formed, which ensures the tightest possible adhesion to the surface, which makes the machine an all-terrain vehicle. The main thing is to maintain the rigidity of the entire structure and reduce the specific weight on the wheelbase. Otherwise, the car may simply fall apart when passing through difficult sections.

Please note that operating such machines requires some skill. “Niva” on low-pressure tires is not intended for driving at high speed, especially when cornering.

What are caterpillars for? Pros and cons of the design

The majority of the audience of drivers who install tracks on their cars consists of extreme sports enthusiasts, hunters and fishermen, who, in pursuit of pristine beauty and maximum comfort, do not skimp on elements of car modernization. Considering the purpose of using your own car and the size of your wallet, you will have to choose between buying tracks and making them yourself. If you go off-road extremely rarely, and most often your Niva only sees the highway, there is no point in buying it.

If you are interested in fishing and hunting, then increasing the cross-country ability of the vehicle due to such a modification is vital in order to master new cordons, as well as safely, quickly and comfortably get to the so-called fishing spots. After installation, you can notice the following positive changes:

The level of comfort when driving off-road increases significantly; the difference between wheels and caterpillar tracks is felt immediately.
The speed of the car increases when moving through snowy, swampy or sandy terrain. Indicators reach 80 km/h.
The cross-country ability of the vehicle also increases and this parameter can be compared with the cross-country ability of the Belarus tractor. The only limitation is the ground clearance, which for the Niva is 30 cm.

This is interesting: Internal CV joint diagram for Ford Connect, Scorpio, Mondeo

The first tracks on cars appeared about 100 years ago, and during this time car enthusiasts fully appreciated their advantages, but there are also disadvantages:

A set of tracks is expensive, and when making a homemade structure, you cannot do without basic skills and additional equipment.
Slopes, hills and terrain with sudden elevation changes can pose a challenge to the suspension and drivetrain systems as a vehicle of this size requires more track area.
It is also not always possible to move over a fallen tree trunk or similar obstacle.

Instructions for creating a tracked model

Schemes for creating all-terrain vehicles that are built independently are generally very similar. However, the creation of a tracked model has its own specifics. Its main aspects are listed in the following instructions.

In order to create an all-terrain vehicle with a caterpillar undercarriage, you need to start by installing the body: it must have high strength and water resistance. To create a rigid base during its installation, steel pipes are used - they can withstand high stress.
Then you need to install the tracks themselves. For this, sheet rubber is used, from which ring-type rubber is made. Aluminum blades are attached to its outer side. The limiters are mounted on the reverse side: it is important that their pitch width is no more than the wheel pitch width. Axles are pulled out through holes in the body, using special rubber couplings for protection. The tape is attached so that both the front and rear wheels are located between the stops.
In order to support the belt, additional wheels are installed between the main wheels. It is worth noting that after completing all the work done, you need to install heavy-duty glass that will prevent dirt from getting inside the vehicle.

Niva design

Niva is a non-standard Russian-made car. It has a lot of advantages.

However, there are also disadvantages, the most important of which, using the example of the VAZ-2121:

narrow tires;
small wheel size;
insufficient clearance;
engine power - only 75 hp. (this is often not enough);
the transmission is not securely attached;
body is too heavy.

How to choose new tires

Large, low-pressure wheels are ideal for the swamp vehicle. They do not sink into soft soil, while maintaining the necessary adhesion to the soil.

Types of tires for swamp vehicles:

Arched.
Toroidal.
Wide-profile.

The tires have the required pattern. They are distinguished by their long service life and high strength coefficient. Some models are equipped with systems that provide operational pumping. The driver has the ability to adjust tire pressure depending on the quality of the road.

Without cutting arches

If you install wheels with a diameter of 29 inches on a Chevrolet Niva, then there is no need to cut the arches. In rare cases, the corners on the bumper (front) are processed. A few years ago, special “Lapter” extensions were made for the pre-restyling Chevrolet Niva, but then their production was curtailed.

With the need for cutting

To install low-pressure wheels, a large amount of work must be carried out:

lifting suspensions or body;
cutting arches;
removal outside the body.

It is necessary to cut the arches of the Niva in order to install elements with a diameter of 28-30 inches. This requires a special tool, as well as experience in performing such work.

The front arch is redesigned relatively simply, but with the aft block the situation is somewhat more complicated. The arch is formed from 2 elements (internal and external). After trimming, the 2 parts need to be brought together and bent correctly.

Advantages:

The strength factor is high.
Looks aesthetically attractive.
The straightening and cutting of the arches is done together with the installation of the Lapter extensions.

The difficulty of the work lies in the fact that the strength and rigidity of the body material must remain practically unchanged.

For snow and swamp vehicle

The best tires for swamp vehicles have the following characteristics: VID 20, dimension 1300 x 530-330, can operate at pressures up to 0.5 atm. Sometimes they make tires for Niva with their own hands.

Karakat is also equipped using a similar algorithm. Used sources are taken from trucks, helicopters or airplanes; standard car tires are used.

The process of remaking a car with your own hands

To make an all-terrain vehicle from the Niva, they often take components from other vehicles. Thus, the chassis elements are borrowed from the UAZ (distinctive features: good quality and low prices). Sheet metal and disks are used for cladding.

To create an all-terrain vehicle based on the Niva, it will be necessary to reduce the weight of the vehicle. To do this you need to cut off some elements. It is important to consider that the main strength indicators should not decrease.

Supporting Drawings

Before starting work, it is necessary to draw up drawings and sketches and calculate dimensions. The easiest way is to take the drawings of a working model of a swamp vehicle as a base.

External changes

External changes can be dramatic. There are often cases when you need to make an all-terrain vehicle out of a Niva that can easily pass through deep snow or wetlands. Then the wheelbase is equipped with wide tracks.

The process of installing tracks is labor-intensive and quite difficult. This increases the coefficient of adhesion to the surface. The speed of such a vehicle will be a priori low, and driving on a normal highway will be extremely difficult.

The swamp vehicle has the following parameters:

Length - 4881 mm.
Width - 2622 mm.
Height - 2352 mm.

Replacement and addition of mechanics

To convert the Niva into an all-terrain vehicle, a three-door version of the car is used. There are several reasons:

The car weighs less.
The body has good characteristics (for example, a high coefficient of bending and fracture).
It is not necessary to change the power plant.

The engine of this model has good traction at low speeds. Such a unit must be equipped with a five-speed gearbox (an acceptable option from the VAZ-2110). The transfer case will fit from an UAZ. In a swamp vehicle, the wheel sizes correspond to the parameters of the axle and frame. You can take elements from a military UAZ (with final drives) or a KrAZ. Excess tread is often removed to further reduce weight.

The frame is the basic unit for the unit. They mount it with their own hands:

body;
suspension bridges;
various equipment;
power plant.

The ground clearance of such a vehicle is about 500 mm, the body becomes longer by 0.3 meters, and the doorway widens by a similar amount. A hydraulic booster is also installed, without it it will be difficult to drive the car.

As for the cooling system, an additional radiator and fan are installed.

This helps reduce the temperature of the power plant, which mainly operates at low speeds, which leads to excessive heating.

The BA3-21213 engine is fixed at 4 points on the supports. A BA3-21083 gearbox is installed, the main gear is 3.9. The torque is quadrupled, it is transmitted using an “eighth” wheel drive, which is transmitted to the transfer unit from the Niva.

Unit characteristics:

Fixation is carried out at 3 points.
Additionally, a power bandage is attached (made using a steel angle).

You can also make additional reinforcement using angles, gear ratios 23.984 (top row) and 42.432 (bottom row). In this case, the CP rows are not taken into account.

All this will be provided by the main pairs of the “eighth” gearbox and VAZ axles, together with the Niva’s range multiplier. The machine is able to move smoothly and confidently at low speeds without slipping. Any off-road is not a problem for her.

Interior remodel

The following changes take place in the cabin:

The gearshift lever becomes shorter.
The rear seat from the VAZ-2107 extends out of the wheel arches. It can comfortably accommodate 3 people.
The luggage compartment is extended by 10 cm.

brief information

People who are passionate about fishing, hunting, off-road driving, and workers in remote areas buy a Niva Lynx car. It is made on the basis of the Lada 4x4 and is a small-scale model of the PSA Bronto company.

The model is designed to make life comfortable for ordinary citizens and various enterprises operating in areas where asphalt roads can only be dreamed of. For quite a long time, fans of popular SUVs believed that the famous Niva would pave the way wherever its owner wanted. But as practice has shown, there are still shortcomings. Therefore, the main emphasis of this car is based on improving all-terrain properties.

By intelligently refining the suspension elements and some parts of the car body, the developers installed specialized wheels and extra-dimension off-road tires that lifted the car. In addition, the rear axle has been strengthened, so that its geometry is not destroyed in difficult driving conditions.

Tuning the Niva 2121 engine

Traditionally, upgrading the power unit of a domestic SUV should begin with reworking the carburetor. A simple solution would be to install an advanced modification with an enlarged diffuser, also called a throttle. This spare part can also be replaced on a standard injector model. If you completely change this unit, it is recommended to install an electronic ignition system.

Tuning the Niva 2121 carburetor will be most effective together with replacing the camshaft. This gives an impressive increase in power. And here, to avoid overheating, it is necessary to install a radiator with a larger surface area.

Tuning the Niva 2121 engine also includes correcting the engine geometry. This is done by increasing the diameter of the valves. About 10% of the power comes from sealing them. It wouldn't hurt to do the same with the intake and exhaust manifold pushers. To increase the power of the power unit at high speeds, a turbine should be installed. At the same time, it is advisable to replace the intake and exhaust manifolds with advanced modifications.

If the car will be used in extreme off-road conditions, it is necessary to install a snorkel. It will allow you to overcome water obstacles without consequences for the engine.

Chip tuning of the Niva 2121 is ineffective, since the car is equipped with an atmospheric engine. There is no need to waste money on purchasing equipment or time on re-flashing. This will only give small improvements to the driving characteristics of the SUV.

Beginning of work

As a basis for the manufacture of low-pressure tires, you can take rubber from large special vehicles. Material from agricultural, industrial or aviation transport is best suited. It is also possible to use tires from large trucks.

Before you start working on the wheel, you should thoroughly wash and dry the wheel. Next, the rubber gets rid of everything unnecessary - it needs to be made as light as possible, but without losing strength.

You can make rubber lighter in this way:

remove the cores inside;
cut off excess rubber on the sides and from the tread;
dismantle part of the cord.

Making a low-pressure tire
Please note that the area from which the rubber was removed must be thoroughly cleaned with fine-caliber sandpaper.

After the rubber itself is ready, you should assemble the base for it - the disc. This should be done as follows:

a regular disk is cut in half;
the surface is carefully polished.

You can weld the disk yourself if you select the required size of pipes and weld them together correctly. The surface must be sanded very well so as not to damage the camera later.

At the final stage, the finished tire is stretched onto the disk and secured with a belt. If you don't have a belt, you can use a regular fire hose. Next, the finished wheel is checked and inflated. After that, it is suitable for installation on your car. As you can see, making such low-pressure tires with your own hands is not particularly difficult.

Tuning the instrument panel of Niva 2121

Traditionally, domestic designers developed the Niva not as a luxury, but as a means of transportation, and equipped it with an instrument panel that looks dull and sad. There are many tips on how to bring it to mind with your own hands. In this case, it will be transformed, but its functionality will remain at the same level. Therefore, the best tuning of the Niva 2121 panel is its complete replacement.

A good option would be to install a Flash electronic instrument cluster. This is a futuristic design, complemented by a number of functional features:

Arrows replaced with LED arcs
Oil and fuel level indications via scales and digital values
Built-in trip computer with excellent viewing angle
Availability of diagnostic service
Ability to update software versions by simply uploading a new assembly in place of the old one without dismantling the panel

Tuning the Niva 2121 torpedo is often due to the need to install a new modification. Standard minimalism is quite difficult to modernize. The only effective option is to cover the torpedo with various materials or cover it with carbon film.

Timber truck made from “kopek”

This is one of the most unusual homemade designs I have seen. Here is a homemade timber truck with a two-axle all-wheel drive tractor and a single-axle trailer. The body is taken from a VAZ-2101, but now it does not have a hood or trunk. The driver sits directly above the front axle.

It must be said that this arrangement hardly provides good comfort inside, but it allows you to transport not only an armful of logs, but also several passengers in the cabin. The engine is apparently hidden under the body.

Tuning Niva 2121 doors

In addition to replacing the door trim, you can enhance the interior lighting, in particular the thresholds. To do this, it is necessary to install lamps. They will become a useful element and emphasize the high level of comfort of the tuning car. To make this improvement you will need:

Ceiling lamps
Edging for lampshades
Switches, sensors
Light bulbs. They can be of bright colors, which will make the car bright and respectable
Wires
Isolation

Installing additional lighting will not take much time, but it will become a useful and stylish element of the interior.

Important points before starting work

Before starting assembly, you should make drawings, sketches, calculate the loads, and determine the sequence of work.

There are many successful models created long ago; the easiest way is to borrow some functioning example of a swamp vehicle made on the basis of the Niva.

To work you will need tools and an equipped garage. It will be necessary to raise the bottom of the car, additionally weld assemblies from channels and pipes, install large-diameter wheels, remove the wings, placing mudguards in their place.

Manufacturers

To be fair, it is worth noting that they were developed in the USA, and only after that they were distributed throughout the world. Now several dozen, and maybe hundreds of companies around the world, including Russia, are doing this.

If we take imported options, then the most famous of all is the company – Mattracks, this is one of the founders of the production of such “skating rinks”. True, their prices are steep; for the price of a set you can buy a Russian car.

If we take domestic manufacturers, then here we can highlight Chelyabinsk, it is there that rollers for NIVU, UAZ, etc. are produced. The cost is several times lower than that of foreign analogues.

Tuning headlights of Niva 2121

Tuning the optics of the Niva 2121 sets the tone for the overall modernization concept. For example, installing headlights from Mercedes Gelandewagen will create the ambience of a powerful, aggressive SUV. Sports modifications of the headlights will add dynamics to the appearance and emphasize the streamlined shape. High power LED headlights can be installed to increase visibility. Another good option is to install lensed, crystal or bi-xenon headlights.

The standard models have virtually no potential for modernization, so it is better to replace them with new ones.

Tuning the rear lights of the Niva 2121 is carried out according to the same scheme as upgrading the optics. It is easier and more efficient to replace standard lights with new modifications.

First, you need to decide what type of lighting source will be used for the underbody of the car. At the dawn of domestic tuning, do-it-yourself fluorescent lamps with an operating voltage of 12 volts were usually installed as such.

Don't panic

What we wrote above is by no means the ultimate truth. If you would like to simply “pump up” your Niva in order to drive on dirt roads without problems, then all these deep alterations do not concern you. At the same time, it is necessary to mention how Niva-based all-terrain vehicles are made without the hassle of replacing the gearbox: the original transmission is not so bad on moderately bad roads and its replacement is only necessary when, due to the replacement of the transfer case, both the gear ratios and the set of gears need to be replaced The gearbox will no longer be enough. Please note that the swamp vehicle also requires air cylinders in case of immersion in water, so that dirty water does not get into the engine. Homemade all-terrain vehicles based on the Niva usually do not have documents and are made for yourself, so you won’t be able to buy a fully “charged” SUV for the price of a regular car. They are assembled with manic attention to every detail, weighing the pros and cons, but nevertheless carefully. After all, you won’t be able to drive such a car both in the city and outside the city at the same time. And outside the city, we don’t have such road conditions everywhere that we really need an all-terrain vehicle. Theoretically, every car enthusiast can make such a car with his own hands, but not everyone needs it. Those who fall into this category will look for spare parts from army vehicles, from UAZs and Nivas, combine them, conduct tests, specifically going to places where no one else in their right mind would go on foot. And such a person is ready to make sacrifices. For example, the fuel consumption of such a car will be simply astronomical: as we have already said, the engine will mainly work under load, turning huge wheels through a non-original gearbox, transfer case and axles. It is clear that 10 liters per hundred will only be a dream. On the other hand, you are unlikely to entrust your Frankenstein to some car service center. You will have to repair it yourself or with the same friends who are passionate about building all-terrain vehicles.

Conclusion

This hobby is clearly not for everyone. The resulting monsters have, of course, applications, but if someone needs to plow off-road professionally, then he is very unlikely to engage in such tuning. An all-terrain vehicle based on the Niva can become an outlet for a car enthusiast when he assembles it piece by piece in the garage, so that he can eventually go out into nature and be proud, driving past overseas jeeps and causing puzzled looks. This is a hobby, this is original engineering, which has always been inherent in our drivers, who are accustomed to “sunbathing” under the car and are even slightly proud of it.

New everywhere based on LADA x

Self-locking cross-axle differentials installed on the axles prevented wheel slipping when driving on rough off-road conditions.

The gear ratio of the main drive axle gearboxes has been rebuilt to 4.1, which gives the vehicle off-road auxiliary potential.

For off-road use, tires with increased load capacity 235/75 R15 are installed. This technical solution provided the car with additional clearance of 12 mm. The wide tread provided better ride smoothness and traction with the road surface.

Chassis:

The ground clearance of the front suspension has been increased by 25 mm with the help of larger shock absorbers.
The rear clearance has been increased by 50 mm by installing shock absorbers and an axle with a U-shaped box.
The rear suspension has been strengthened and the support has been raised by 40 mm.
An adjustable panhard rod is installed.
Shock loads are reduced with reinforced springs.
Helical self-locking differentials with a preload of 4.5 kg are installed in the front and rear axles.
The breathers have been removed.

Body:

The edges were trimmed to accommodate the large wheels in the arches.
Rubber extensions are attached to protect the body from rising splashes.
The mirrors are installed with an increased rear viewing area.

Individual assembly of the car with the installation of any additional equipment is possible.

Niva Bronto Lynx 1	3-doors, 1.7l engine, all-terrain power steering, increased. travel in front and rear suspension, differential self-locking, tires 235.75R15 with lugs, modified wheel arches, air conditioning	670000
Niva Bronto Lynx 2	5-doors, 1.7l engine, all-terrain power steering, increased. travel in front and rear suspension, differential self-locking, tires 235.75R15 with lugs, modified wheel arches, air conditioning	In stock
Sales department phone number: 8(8482)615-675 8(9278)915-675

Additional equipment
Snorkel	12000
Air conditioner	33000
Expeditionary roof rack	from 16000
Towbar	5000
Reinforced bumpers	11000
Winch	9000
Railings	5500
Threshold protection	from 3500
Anatomical heated chairs	7000
Tinted glass	3000
Anticorrosive with liquid lockers	4500
Music	from 7000
Signaling	from 6500
Noise and vibration insulation	from 15000
Camouflage coloring	68000

Power unit and transmission for tractor from Niva

The basis of the future homemade product will be the engine removed from the old VAZ.

To do this it:

We remove the engine from the car and place it on a subframe. We give it a low landing, so that the front axle is between the engine and the gearbox;
Fix with ties;
We calculate the gear ratio, which should not exceed 2 thousand rpm for operation in 2nd gear - the main one used for plowing;
To divide the torque between the axles, we limit ourselves to the transfer case from the Niva. It is needed in order to: increase the tractor’s cross-country ability on country roads; the drive wheels were subjected to greater rolling; the tractor moved confidently and stably regardless of the mode and power.
We also take the clutch and gearbox from Niva;
We connect the crankshaft to the PTO, which is best purchased ready-made;
We connect the gearbox secondary shaft hub to the gearbox, which will transfer torque forward. The revolutions to the rear half-frame will be supplied through the fracture joints and the driveshaft.

Wheelbase and steering wheel for a tractor from Niva

For a homemade tractor, 12-14 inch wheels from an old car (Niva, Oka), which are equipped with tires with a rough tread pattern, are suitable;
The steering column is taken from the VAZ and placed on a plate welded into the front half-frame. It is important to correctly determine the height of the steering wheel: its smooth movement should not be interfered with by the tractor driver’s knees;
We change the worm gear, for which we make a gap in the bearing adjusting nut and in the oil tank cap;
It is almost impossible to assemble a full-fledged hydraulic unit with your own hands. Therefore, it is easier to buy it or take it from an old tractor;
We fit the hydraulic pump and lubricant reservoir next to the engine, making a hydraulic outlet in front and rear for multi-position installation of attachments;
We install a power cylinder that will control the adapters.

Tuning the interior of Niva 2121

Tuning the interior of the Niva 2121 is carried out according to the standard scheme. It is necessary to replace the interior trim and doors, as well as upgrade the seats. They can be replaced with new sports ones or improved upon the original ones. The second option is expensive and takes a lot of time, so a complete replacement of the seats would be a rational alternative.

To reupholster the interior, you can use your own materials or buy ready-made specialized kits. The interior of the SUV, made in light colors, looks great. It is recommended to do it yourself under the guidance of an experienced specialist. As a last resort, you should study some course or master class on this process.

Also an integral part of interior modernization is the installation of a new steering wheel. It is possible to improve the original one by reupholstering it with various materials and installing additional elements.

Making a real SUV out of Niva (from our own experience)