Do-it-yourself Niva tuning - 95 photos of new products with the best options!

The famous Soviet small SUV - VAZ 2121 - still enjoys some popularity today. The low cost of the car itself and its maintenance, along with the high cross-country ability of the car, which in this indicator leaves modern SUVs far behind, keep the demand for this car at a consistently high level.

At the same time, the design of the car, which turned forty this year, is naturally outdated. This is reflected, first of all, in the level of comfort that a car provides during a trip is insufficient for a modern person. Insufficient smoothness and clarity of steering, certain engine shortcomings, an uncomfortable interior, an almost complete lack of additional equipment and safety problems - this is not a complete list of the Niva’s shortcomings. Some of them are design features and nothing can be done about them. However, there are ways to significantly improve and modernize a car. The modified Niva will have significantly greater technical and aesthetic indicators, which affects both the comfort and impressions of the people around it. This is exactly what the Niva 2121 tuning is aimed at.

Do-it-yourself tuning

With your own hands, you can install a camp trunk and a ladder on the rear wall on the Niva so that you can easily access its contents in off-road conditions.
Such measures are determined by the fact that the luggage compartment on this car is small, and for a hike there are many things that you simply need to take with you. A good trunk is made of durable steel tubes, may have holes for installing headlights, has reliable fastenings and the ability to carry up to one and a half centners of weight. Some companies even offer samples for cars with a sunroof. Modifying a Niva for extreme conditions with your own hands often includes installing thresholds (in jacks), which allow you to get support when getting out of a car that has gotten into the mud. A guard is installed on the front (behind the bumper elements or on the side members) to protect the radiator, crankcase and headlights of the car. A winch is also installed there in order to pull out a stuck car if necessary. And you can put additional lighting on the roof (on the arc). The rear bumper is often equipped with a gate for an additional spare wheel. All work is quite simple and can be done independently based on the instructions for a particular element.

But not every car enthusiast will be able to correctly calculate and install the electrical system when preparing the Niva for off-road use. In this case, you need to take into account that additional spotlights (or a powerful audio system) will require replacing the standard generator (for example, with a hundred-ampere), and you may need to update the wiring.

With their own hands, garage craftsmen organize such improvements for the Niva as branch guards. In off-road conditions, almost every driver experienced impacts from branches on the windshield, which cannot always adequately withstand the forces of nature. The simplest method of protection is considered to be tension on both sides of the cables from the expeditionary trunk and fastening to the bumper. But such a design can lead to the bumper being torn off when a heavy branch falls. Therefore, craftsmen insert a metal screw pin into the hole next to the headlights under the hoods, drill through the hood above it, fasten the pin to the screws and then attach a metal cable to the top trunk. This design is considered reliable, but creates some inconvenience when opening the hood.

For difficult-to-reach terrain, Niva tires should be different from those used in urban environments. However, owners often choose brands that are suitable for any season and quality of roads. These include inexpensive samples from the Volzhsky Tire Plant (VL-5), which have increased dirt resistance. The Kama Flame option from the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant and I-511 tires with an aggressive tread pattern are considered good. The latter has proven itself in numerous tests as quite wear-resistant, all-season and all-terrain.

How to install a fan in practice.

First you need to purchase a “snail” (suitable from an eight). Then we get to work. You need to remove the top grille, cut off all the protruding parts on the “snail” (profiles, ears for fastening, and so on). In the car casing (top), you will need to make two vertical cuts using a sharp knife, and the “snail” should be lowered with the exhaust down, while the air intake cover should be open.

After slightly warming up the snail body with a hairdryer, you need to press it down so that the hood lid closes easily. In general, this will be enough for now. The control can be done through a relay, but the switch can be taken from the radio station with ten positions (miniature). As a result, the cabin will become much quieter; the stove can heat up constantly.

At the same time, there is also this option: on the radiator of the VAZ 2131 car heater you can place two fans like computer fans (one size larger), as a result, when the temperature is -10 -20, this will be enough.

In the photo (side view) you can see that the volume of the air intake casing is not enough to properly position the fan. Two slits were made on the plastic front wall of the casing and then bent forward.

In the photo you can see that after modification the air intake is carried out from the side.

To control the fan, you need to install an additional switch. In addition, simultaneous operation of fans is allowed. The air flow that occurs is sufficient to blow the windows and warm up the interior.

The figure below shows a radical modification method, in which the factory fan should be removed and a centrifugal one installed in its place. However, in this case it is necessary to make the lower casing again.

Illustrative examples

Do-it-yourself tuning of the VAZ 21099
There are a large number of Niva tuning videos, where you can get step-by-step instructions for performing the work. This will allow:

perform all planned work technically correctly;
avoid possible difficulties;
save significant money.

This opportunity to get a clear example will be of great help in planning appropriate improvements.

In some respects, this SUV outperforms renowned foreign cars of this class, while its cost is significantly lower. Experiment and enjoy the work done!

Chevrolet Niva power body kit

Off-road tuning of the Niva-Chevrolet also involves equipping it with a power body kit. This is one of the important and frequently used methods applicable to domestic and foreign cars. Preparation for the main work in this direction will take a little time; all manipulations can be carried out independently without any problems. The main thing is to remember some rules and have the right tool at hand.

First, the standard bumper is replaced with a reinforced version, if possible, with a built-in winch structure. The rear of the car is also reinforced with a powerful bumper. These elements will protect the body from possible collisions with natural obstacles (stumps, branches, flying stones, etc.). Additionally, reinforced sills are installed on the sides, which perform the same function as the updated bumpers.

Niva engine chip tuning

Tuning a UAZ 469 car with your own hands

Recently, chip tuning has become very popular, which allows you to significantly increase the power indicator in the shortest possible time. However, this tuning method should be treated with some caution, which we will discuss in more detail later.

Not all SUVs of domestic origin have an on-board computer. At the same time, we should not forget that some on-board computers are in poor condition and in fact do not affect the operation of the engine.

When considering this tuning method, we note the following points:

You can increase the power by about 10-30 hp. or more. It all depends on what parameters were set before tuning.
It is recommended to entrust this type of work to specialists who provide services in this field of activity. This is due to the fact that incorrectly carried out chip tuning can cause various problems with engine operation.
The technical condition of the internal combustion engine design largely determines whether chip tuning can be carried out. If the motor is in poor technical condition, then increasing the load causes rapid wear. Therefore, if the process in question is carried out correctly, a complete diagnosis is first performed.
As a rule, the automaker sets minimum power values, leaving a margin. If chip tuning has not been carried out previously, the programmer will be able to configure the engine to increase its power. If the modification in question has already been carried out previously, it will no longer be possible to carry it out again.

In general, we can say that chip tuning is carried out in many cases when it is necessary to increase engine power. However, in order to significantly increase traction, it is necessary to improve the geometry.

Rework/replacement of dashboard

Not so often, but still among Niv owners there are those who do not ignore such “noticeable parts of the interior” - such as the instrument panel, dashboard and the instruments themselves. Which, in turn, can either be slightly modified (for example, changing the color of the scales or the backlight of standard sensors), or completely replaced with others, both from domestic cars and parts from foreign cars.

How to make a dashboard with your own hands?

The process of making a homemade dashboard from plywood is literally “on the knee”.

This instrument panel can be purchased from sellers of tuning parts and accessories. It seems that the choice of alternative plastic dashboards for the VAZ-21214 in online and online stores is relatively large. And if you search, you can find some pretty decent panels.

Often, fans of tuning a domestic SUV decide to completely replace the dashboard or instrument panel with appropriately sized panels from foreign cars . And more often than not, such a replacement is completely justified. Since, in addition to a clear improvement in the visual perception of the interior, comfort and ergonomics are significantly improved.

Additional devices

Usually, when it comes to tuning the dashboard and dashboard , quite often the installation of additional auxiliary sensors and instruments takes place. Moreover, these can be not only purchased tuning devices, but also instrument indicators from other car models. And not necessarily foreign cars. Spare parts from domestic cars are often used.

You can read about what to choose and how to install it yourself correctly in articles on the topic Additional equipment.

Refinement of the instrument panel

Do-it-yourself tuning gas 24

Refinement of instrument panels is the second most difficult tuning of Niva 4x4. The Niva has always been considered, and is still considered, a workhorse, so there is no need to talk about a spectacular panel.

Modernization of the dashboard can be of two levels: in the first case, we modify the existing panel, and in the second, we completely change the panel to a qualitatively better one.

Installation of new devices

One of the best options may be a combination of Flash electronic devices. They not only have a bright futuristic look, but also differ in functional features. For example, instead of arrows, Flash instruments have LED arcs, fuel and oil levels are shown in digital values and on a special scale, and there is a built-in trip computer with a decent viewing angle.

At any time, you can check the operation of the devices in the Flash diagnostic center, where specialists will update all software without disassembling the panel.

Installation of the trauma panel

You can continue tuning the Niva-2121 by installing a trauma panel with a lampshade. Trauma panels are sold at any auto parts store, however, to save money, you can purchase this part by removing it from the VAZ-2106.

To do this kind of tuning of the Niva yourself, you will need a lampshade, tubes with diodes, wires, glue for acoustic fabric and the acoustic fabric itself.

First of all, we cut a hole in the trauma panel from the VAZ-2106, with a diameter slightly smaller than our ceiling. We try on the acoustic fabric to the Niva panel, and then cut out the material so that there is a margin of 1 cm at the edges.

We stretch the wires to the battery, connecting the lamp to them. We glue the lamp to the material. Next, we install the product on top of the existing instrument panel and fix it again with glue.

The final part of the panel tuning of the VAZ-2121 is the installation of the trauma panel on the fabric so that the lampshade fits into the previously made hole. Next, we just have to check the operation of the lamp. To get rid of small gaps along the edges of the resulting panel, use LED tubes that will easily close all the gaps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg12PVkfiEs

Replacing the standard beard

Another option for modifying the instrument panel is to replace the “beard” of the car. Thus, tuning a Niva 4x4 with your own hands allows you to modernize the space between the driver and front passenger seats.

In the Niva, this part is quite functional, since the design features of the “beard” allow the driver to place small objects that should always be at hand on a special pad. This is very convenient, but only until the driver begins to turn. At the time of a U-turn or any other sudden maneuvers, things can fly all over the cabin. Tuning a VAZ (Niva) allows you to solve this problem by installing a tunnel lining from a VAZ-21213 and a heating “beard” from the same.

Headlight modernization

Most often, Niva owners install bi-xenon lenses on their car. They have several advantages:

instant switching of low and high beam with curtain;
clear light border;
The lenses dazzle oncoming drivers less.

If you want a cut-in lens that is pure white and reviews say it rarely breaks, consider an option like the Philips Original Plus D2S 4300k.

If you decide to tune the Niva by improving the headlights, then it makes sense to get rid of the factory hydraulic corrector, which quite often freezes in winter and does not work well. Instead, it is worth installing an electric corrector.

So, the modification of the Niva begins with the acquisition of the following things:

selected lenses;
new electric corrector;
thin ignition blocks, which we will embed under the sidelights (it is better to choose the fifth generation);
the lamps themselves (the cheapest cost up to 1000 rubles).

After installing new lenses, we get better road illumination, height adjustment, low power consumption and a clear light boundary.

Tuning the Niva 4x4 continues with the removal of the original headlights - driving in the city with additional light is not very convenient.

The Niva's original headlight is small in depth, so in order to install lamps and blocks under it, you will have to redo the connector and abandon the auto-corrector wiring, otherwise the blocks risk not fitting inside the headlight.

After assembly, we get a sealed structure, which is a big plus. The headlights are difficult to fit into the body of the Niva due to the platforms for the standard units, but they can be safely removed and the problem will be solved. You can also get rid of the hydraulic corrector by attaching the headlight directly to the body. As a result of such useful modifications to the Niva, good bi-xenon optics were obtained.

Tuning Niva for off-road

Particular attention is drawn to Niva tuning for off-road use - the roads in our country have long left much to be desired, often ending at the most inopportune moment. This event can be very expensive, but on the contrary, it can be very economical

It all depends on your approach and the scale of the intended tuning.

Where to start tuning a car with which you are going to conquer endless spaces without looking for easy ways? You should determine for yourself what exactly you plan to achieve with tuning: just decorating the car or simultaneously improving its qualities and characteristics? If we are talking about enhancing driving characteristics that will help cope with off-road conditions, then the preparation will be quite long. The car cannot be prepared in one go, but you will feel the result as soon as you go “to the fields”.

We install a lift kit for Niva in order to lift the car. The low seating position turns driving into a real torture even in the city, not to mention traveling outside the city. When carrying out preparatory operations, it should be taken into account that changes need to be made to other car systems in order to get not just a high, but a functionally high car.

We will equip the Niva with larger wheels - this move will automatically make your car the most noticeable on the road and give an additional advantage off-road. In addition, it becomes possible to install mud tires.

We install an expeditionary trunk on the Niva. It is significantly different from the usual trunk of a Niva 2121 or a Chevrolet Niva and will allow you to take the essentials for your trip. For Niva, these improvements are especially relevant, because the car’s own trunk is not large

Expedition racks vary in size and load capacity; it is worth paying attention to the protection of the rack from corrosion.

The trunk on the Niva has a very convenient design, allowing you to transport all the necessary equipment for long off-road travel. Some models even suggest the presence of a sunroof in the car

The trunk must be made of durable steel tubes and can withstand a load weighing up to one hundred and fifty kg.

At the end of the tuning, your car will need to have underbody protection installed, because the standard protection is a purely nominal element and cannot cope with off-road conditions. The crankcase protection should not be made of plastic or thin metal; only durable steel is acceptable for it. Otherwise, you risk experiencing oil leakage from the engine when the sump splits.

From all of the above, we can conclude that it is possible to carry out a full-fledged tuning of a field with your own hands only if you have all the necessary skills and equipment.

By the way, Niva is not always tuned only for off-road use, sometimes just for beauty, as in this video:

New interior design

What is important in tuning the Niva’s interior with your own hands? That's right - this is installing sound insulation. To do this, you should buy special material (luckily you won’t have to search for a long time) and carefully cut the shape to the size of the bottom.

Such know-how will make it impossible to listen to the car’s camshaft, which loves to “sing” loudly while driving on the asphalt.

Replacing the decor inside the car should start with standard things. Of course, the door and seat trim should be reviewed first.

To do this, you can travel to shops and markets to choose the best option. In a more radical case, the old seats can be replaced with more modern types of seats (for example, a sports type).

You can, of course, upgrade the old version, but it will be more expensive financially and will take quite a long time.

And finally, you can replace the steering wheel. In addition, now you can find any model, even a Ferrari.

Tuning the suspension of Niva 2121

Since the Niva is an all-wheel drive SUV, when tuning it is necessary to pay attention to the suspension. The first step is the Niva elevator - increasing the ground clearance

This will create an impressive reserve for overcoming various obstacles. The concept of tuning the Niva 2121 chassis, as well as a suspension lift, includes:

Installation of spacers between suspension elements. You can make them yourself or buy them in stores.
Installation of shock absorbers "Rancho"
Installation of springs VAZ 2104
Strengthening the front and rear axles using steel boxes

The Niva 2121 suspension lift is a simple process from a technological point of view that can significantly increase the vehicle's cross-country ability. It must be remembered that lifting is directly dependent on the size of the wheels; the larger their diameter, the more significant modifications will be required. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a balance so that tuning the Niva 2121 suspension with your own hands does not turn into a headache.

Tuning of the Niva 2121 transfer case is also necessary, although this process is largely a refinement. The main problem is the backlash of the front and rear axle shafts. It can be eliminated by installing new components:

Bearings (it is better to install a double-row variety)
Lids
Valov
Flanges

A good solution would be to strengthen the shaft support. To do this, instead of the original flange, install a modernized one, which has an additional bearing and oil seal.

The second common problem with transfer case is leaking seals. The solution here is extremely simple, you should correctly install high-quality oil seals and the childhood disease of the unit will be eliminated.

The third problem is the correct alignment of the transfer case in the horizontal and vertical plane. This is necessary to reduce vibration and, accordingly, wear of the moving parts of the unit. You can do the alignment manually, but it takes a lot of time, requires patience and the result does not always meet expectations.

Lift options

How and where you will make a lift for your crossover, decide for yourself. I will try to tell you about all the nuances of this procedure so that you understand what to expect and what to prepare for.

I will say right away that a body lift lifts the entire body by using stands, modifying the hose and other parts. In theory, such tuning is very simple, but in the case of the Niva it is not used. And why all? Yes, because the Niva 2121 and other representatives of the series do not have a frame. If there was a frame, then there would be no questions.

From this we conclude that for our Niva the optimal solution would be suspension lifting. It provides the following benefits:

increases crossover cross-country ability;
lifts the entire machine;
allows you to install larger wheels without having to trim the arches;
provides the car with a more attractive appearance;
makes the Niva an ideal car for fishing, hunting and driving on the most difficult sections of roads and off-roads.

If you raise the car by about 45 mm, achieve a lift of 50 mm, or even take the height to a bold 60 mm, you can easily insert wheels with a diameter of up to 29 inches into the factory arches. Do not forget that installing large wheels affects fuel consumption.

Many people mistakenly believe that it is easier to cut out the arches, insert 33-inch tires there and thereby raise the car. In practice, with such solutions the machine rises slightly. Most importantly, this does not greatly affect the geometric cross-country ability. I would recommend installing 31-inch wheels and lifting at the same time. This combination will provide the best result. Just choose your car wheels wisely and don’t forget about the seasonal rules for storing tires.

I'll make one remark. When lifting the car, the service life of the internal CV joint and the factory boot is reduced. To fix the problem, try replacing the internal boots on the CV joint with external ones, and also lower the FRM (front axle gearbox) by 10 mm. This way it will be possible to reduce the angle of operation of the CV joint.

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Chassis tuning

The entire chassis has been rebuilt
Vacuum brake booster 21214m
New pedal assembly
Hydraulic handbrake
Clutch slave cylinder from 2123
Clutch VALEO
Gearbox link from Chevy Niva
Electric transfer case
2-row transfer case bearings
Stretcher
Uncoupling the front gearbox
Cardan shafts with CV joints
power steering
Rear disc brakes

Often, Niva-21214 owners perform wheel tuning. Standard wheels are only good for driving on dirt roads. Therefore, usually, wheels with an increased diameter are installed instead. For the work to be successful, it will also be necessary to lift the suspension and widen the wheel arches.

Another option for increasing ground clearance is installing Y-192 “mud” tires on standard wheels. As a result, the ground clearance of the Niva-21214 increases significantly, making it possible to drive on rough terrain. Finally, by lowering your tire pressure, you won't have to worry about your car accidentally getting stuck in deep sand.

Main characteristics of the VAZ 2107 torpedo

Before you find out which machine you can install the panel from, you should take into account the location and characteristics of the elements that make up the original design. The left part of the VAZ 2107 torpedo consists of the following elements.

Engine efficiency sensor, where the red sector indicates uneconomical mode, and the green sector indicates optimal engine performance.
Coolant temperature sensor, where the white sector is associated with a cold engine, and the green sector with the operating mode. If the engine boils, the red sector will light up.
Tachometer responsible for the crankshaft speed.

On the right side of the native instrument panel there are:

speedometer - shows the speed of the vehicle, while the counter at the bottom shows the total mileage of the car, and the top one is responsible for the local mileage (if necessary, the data is reset);
fuel sensor - presented in the form of a warning light that lights up when there is less than 5 liters of gasoline in the tank;
battery charge sensor, where the red sector indicates that the battery is discharged, green - normal, yellow - the power supply is being recharged.

It is impossible to determine which element of the above is the most important. Each unit plays its role in the safe movement of the vehicle. It should be noted that between the right and left parts of the original VAZ 2107 panel there are a direction indicator and a set of light bulbs.

Informs about the opening of the air damper.
Indicating that there is no battery charge.
Dimensional.
High beam.
Informs about lack of oil pressure.
Notifying when the parking brake is used.

Engine improvement

As in the case of the suspension, a radical improvement of the engine can only be achieved by changing the unit itself. The family of VAZ engines installed on the Niva is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, sufficient reliability and relatively moderate appetite.

The engine tuning available for the Niva 2121 should begin with replacing the ignition system with a modern electronic version. This will simplify starting the car and improve its performance, especially in cold weather.

A good option for tuning carburetor versions is also to install a modified carburetor with a larger diffuser, which will give a slight increase in power. In addition, it is justified to replace the manifolds with more modern options, and especially to improve the sealing of the cylinders.

The camshaft is also often replaced with an option that provides more power. True, such tuning should be carried out simultaneously with the installation of a new, more efficient cooling radiator and a fan with more blades. Such measures will avoid engine overheating.

If you have the means, you can also try installing an atmospheric supercharger. However, it is worth considering that on the VAZ-2121, due to the design features of the car, such measures do not seem justified.

Replacing the camshaft will increase the car's power, but will also increase the likelihood of overheating. To prevent this from happening, you can install a radiator with a larger working surface.

You can also increase the diameter of the valves and strengthen the sealing, which will give an additional 10% of power. Installing a turbine further increases the power of the power unit. Take the time to replace the standard intake and exhaust manifolds with advanced modifications.

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH99pQLDECA

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.

Helpful advice

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.

A little about the winch!

Don't touch the Chinese! Never! If you install it, then use a cool device or don’t install anything at all! This is auto law! Try ordering a mechanism from home-grown private owners whose hands grow in the right place and who know all the features of our roads, or rather the lack thereof. The metal must be of very high quality both for the mechanism itself and for the cable. The winch, like vodka, must be fearless and active, and not slow down. The winch should be just a real bodybuilder with a capacity of about three tons. The cable is at least 8 mm.

(23569)

Tuning the interior of Niva 2121

Tuning the interior of Niva 2121

is done according to an established and debugged system and is carried out in stages

First of all, all attention and effort should be directed to replacing the interior trim and doors, as well as reconstructing the seats. They can be remade in such a way that they become deeper and softer, or you can take them and completely change them to a sports model of “seats”

But it’s better to do the remodeling yourself and get it cheaply, angrily and with pleasure.

To remodel the interior, you can select your own materials or purchase branded kits, the range of which is quite wide. “Niva” really suits, or rather, it suits the interiors with a light color scheme. Upgrading the Niva's interior is best done with the participation of an experienced consultant. In any case, you need to be prepared and confident in your actions; you can go to YouTube and carefully study some video course on this topic.

An important element in transforming the Niva’s interior is the installation of a new steering wheel. You can remake the old factory one by re-upholstering it with a variety of materials and additional elements.

Large, extravagant wheels always look good on a Niva, and the car can also be painted. Airbrushing with a 3D effect is especially good on the eye. In this case, you are unlikely to cope on your own; you need the help of experts in this area of visual upgrade.

Or, to put it simply, making the necessary changes to a Niva is quite a popular phenomenon, since the car is ideal for traveling on vacation or to the countryside. It is the Niva, among other representatives of the VAZ, that has the largest selection in terms of adding various improvements and upgrades. Let's figure out what methods you can use to tune the VAZ 2121 Niva.

The following parts of the car can be improved:

housings;
salon;
chassis;
engine

If everything is done correctly, the VAZ 2121 can be transformed into an excellent SUV that will be somewhat similar to a jeep.

Let's take a closer look at improving car components.

Define priorities

In order to make improvements as efficiently as possible, you need to decide in which direction the tuning of the Niva 2121 will go. The following improvements are possible:

Improved lighting
Interior improvements
Suspension upgrade
Engine improvement
Enhanced off-road performance
Retrofitting the trunk

Tuning the VAZ 2121 Niva in accordance with each of the options has its own characteristics. Some improvements are quite simple to make, other modifications can only be done by an experienced motorist, and some are better left to the car service workers. It would be useful to find out what can be done during modernization in each area.

Suspension. not radically improve?

Since the Niva is an all-wheel drive SUV, when tuning it is necessary to pay attention to the suspension. The first step is the Niva elevator - increasing the ground clearance

This will create an impressive reserve for overcoming various obstacles. The concept of tuning the Niva 2121 chassis, as well as a suspension lift, includes:

Installation of spacers between suspension elements. You can make them yourself or buy them in stores.
Installation of shock absorbers "Rancho"
Installation of springs VAZ 2104
Strengthening the front and rear axles using steel boxes

Bearings (it is better to install a double-row variety)
Lids
Valov
Flanges

A good solution would be to strengthen the shaft support. To do this, instead of the original flange, install a modernized one, which has an additional bearing and oil seal.

The VAZ-2121 suspension was quite revolutionary for the seventies - before the Niva, such technical solutions were not used in off-road vehicles.

The front suspension is independent, on wishbones, equipped with springs working in pairs and hydraulic shock absorbers. The design includes a stability stabilizer.

The rear suspension is dependent, with mounting to the rear axle beam and a Panhard rod. The suspension is provided by hydraulic shock absorbers and springs similar to those used in the front suspension.

The simplest and very justified step for those wishing to tune the Niva 2121 is to replace sets of springs and shock absorbers. The latest devices are now gas-filled, they are more reliable and handle irregularities better.

You can also recommend strengthening the shaft supports and the front and rear axles by installing special steel inserts - boxes, as well as increasing the ground clearance by using special inserts between the suspension elements.

All these measures will somewhat reduce the discomfort of driving on a bad road, slightly improve the ride and off-road qualities of the car, but they will not be able to radically change anything.

If you need really serious changes, you should think about replacing the rear suspension of the outdated Panhard system with a more modern independent design. This will not only improve the smoothness of the ride, but also significantly improve the vehicle's handling characteristics, especially on hard road surfaces.

For greater cross-country ability

The features of the car body make the Niva a fairly good option for an off-road vehicle. A short wheelbase, small overhangs, increased ground clearance - all this helps to overcome even very serious obstacles. At the same time, the off-road qualities of the car can be improved somewhat without spending too much money.

A current improvement is the installation of a yoke - a bump stop, also called a “kenguryatnik”. This design serves not so much for beauty as to protect the units located in the front part of the engine compartment from damage. Therefore, an off-road yoke is usually a structure made of steel. True, there are lighter options made of special durable but elastic plastic, which also successfully serve as a buffer.

Another improvement that attracts attention in the Niva 2121 tuning photos is the expansion of the arches and the installation of large diameter wheels. Welded flares are used to make it possible to install wider rims. And large-diameter wheels with off-road tires can somewhat improve the vehicle's maneuverability, especially in mud and watery soils.

At the same time, thoughtless installation of such wheels can lead to engine overheating, because movement will require more power and higher torque. So, proper equipping of the Niva with off-road wheels should be carried out together with engine retuning by a competent specialist.

Retrofitting the trunk

The standard trunk of the pre-restyling Niva is quite spacious, but very inconvenient to use. This is due to the design features, including the presence of a transverse rib and a folding shelf, dividing the trunk in half and making loading and stowing luggage difficult. Therefore, it is worth getting rid of these elements by installing a special luggage compartment box. It makes the floor level and improves the ergonomics of the luggage compartment.

For its manufacture, metal tubes are used, welded or bolted together to form a frame according to the dimensions of the trunk. The frame is upholstered with fiberboard and covered with thick fabric.

Then the factory cover of the luggage compartment is removed, sound insulation is laid, and the frame is installed. After this, the trunk will become much more convenient.

Refinement of the “beard” in the VAZ 2121 interior

For those for whom installing a VAZ 2106 trauma panel is not enough, you can offer another option for tuning the Niva’s interior - replacing the car’s standard “beard”. This part of the instrument panel is located between the driver and front passenger seats. This design feature of the car interior is very convenient, because there is a special lining on it. It is designed so that the driver can put various small things on it - they will always be at hand.

However, everything will remain in place only until the car passes the first turn. Due to the lack of sides on the trim, all things will fly around the cabin of the VAZ 2121, which will spoil the mood of both the driver and passengers. Solving this problem is very simple. To do this, we will need to purchase a tunnel cover from a VAZ 21213, as well as a heating “beard” from the same car. The total cost of all elements for modernization fluctuates around 150–200 rubles.

Next, we proceed to tuning the interior. To begin with, we screw the trim into place, having previously installed the cigarette lighter on it. After this, we begin work with the “beard” for the VAZ 2121. We saw off all the unnecessary parts from it in the area of the lower wall of the recess. Next, cut off the protruding corners. We bend the resulting protrusions inward by 90˚.

After the panel has cooled, drill a hole in the body strut. At the same place we install a plate under the self-tapping screw. Then we take the “beard” from the VAZ 21213 and mount it on the Niva 2121 panel. This stage of installation must be carried out through a spacer bushing. At the end of tuning the interior, you should carefully check the condition of all elements: the ability to open the ashtray, the operation of the cigarette lighter, the position of the emergency light switch off button. If everything is in order, you can continue to use the Niva 2121 SUV without worrying that small things will fall out of the lining.

What can and should be done

Types of modernization work:

Make noise insulation of the interior;
Change seats;
Re-upholstery;
Install a “non-native” dashboard;
Remodel or replace appliances;
Cover with film (carbon, wood, aluminum);
Make neon interior lighting;
Install electric windows;
Replace the rear side windows with opening ones;
Install air conditioning;
Cover the floor with aluminum;
Carry out auto sound preparation;

You can read more about much of this list in the Interior Tuning section.

To imagine the entire scope of work on internal tuning and visualize the result of such changes, we recommend looking at the corresponding photos and videos at the bottom of the page.

Work on the suspension

Full tuning of the Niva-2121 is impossible without improving the properties of the suspension. Let's look at the most popular DIY Niva tuning. It includes:

Installation of spacers (store-bought or home-made) between suspension elements.
Replacing shock absorbers - for example, you can install Rancho shock absorbers.
Installing new springs.
Installation of steel boxes to strengthen the front and rear axles.

Refinement of the suspension lift during tuning of the Lada depends on the size and diameter of the wheels. The larger it is, the more significant modifications will be required.

Refinement of the Niva may also include tuning the transfer case. Problems with front and rear axle shaft play are solved by installing new components (that is, covers, bearings, flanges and shafts).

You can also strengthen the shaft supports by installing an upgraded flange with an additional oil seal and bearings in place of the factory ones. High-quality installation of the oil seal will reduce the risk of leakage.

To reduce vibration and wear of the suspension in its lower part, it is necessary to correctly align the transfer case in the horizontal and vertical plane. We perform alignment manually or use a subframe.

Tuning a VAZ-2121 with your own hands includes installing higher springs, which allows you to significantly increase ground clearance. However, in order for the ground clearance to be increased by as much as 10 cm, it is better to install a full lift kit.

In order to slightly increase the ground clearance, it is advisable to use a factory lift - a kit for Niva-2121, sold both in company stores and in car markets. Using the included instructions, you can carry out the desired tuning in just 1 day. However, there is one significant drawback: the suspension lift is produced exactly as much as the manufacturer considers necessary.

At the same time, if there is an urgent need to tailor the car to specific needs or the specifics of the road, you can make a lift kit for the Niva on your own.

You just need to prepare the following set of tools:

rear and front springs (the best parts on a Chevrolet Niva are 31.5 cm long and 1.57 cm thick, but these parameters can easily be changed according to the owner’s requirements);
rubber spacers for springs with special metal cups;
shock absorbers;
spacers for the upper ball joint (not sold in stores, so they can only be made to order);
brackets for rear shock absorbers;
washers for the Niva-21214 cup of an enlarged type with an internal diameter of 1 cm and an external diameter of 3 cm;
jack;
boards;
spring ties.

When choosing spacers for springs for rear shock absorbers, you don’t have to go too deep into the search and make them yourself from an ordinary metal corner. The internal diameter of the product is 13.2 mm, the external diameter is 32 mm.

In addition, during the work you must refer to the diagram (Fig. 1).

And, if all the subtleties of the technical stuffing of 2131, as well as 2121, are agreed upon and ordered, you can immediately get to work. Just a few hours of painstaking work, and the Niva tuning will be completed.

This car is distinguished by its simplicity of design, easy accessibility to all components and mechanisms, as well as its increased reliability.

If you wish, you can do the tuning of the Niva yourself. To do this you will need:

have your own garage for work;
purchase the necessary tools, become familiar with the production process that should be performed;
consult with specialists; advice from a highly qualified specialist can protect you from possible troubles.

By completing modifications to a car on their own, a person can verify the quality of the work performed, receive great pleasure from the achieved result, and save his money.

If you have insufficient experience, you can involve a master in performing important operations, and become his assistant yourself.

In this case, high-quality work will be done at minimal cost to the family budget.

1 Additional lighting for domestic jeep

Many consider poor lighting in the cabin to be one of the few disadvantages of the Russian Niva SUV. Even the VAZ automaker itself probably doesn’t know the reason for this shortcoming. However, the fact remains. In this regard, drivers are forced to install additional lighting devices themselves. Fortunately, even those who have no experience in installing car lamps can do this.

The most optimal solution when tuning the lighting in the Niva 2121 interior would be to install additional light bulbs in the doors, trunk and footwell. To do this, we will need 2 cartridges for license plate illumination from VAZ model 2107 cars. It is also worth buying 5 lampshades and edging for them. All these parts are available in almost every auto parts store.

After you have purchased all the parts, you can begin tuning the interior of the VAZ 2121. It is best to start by installing lighting in the trunk of the Niva. To do this, select the place where the lampshade should be installed and carefully cut it out. Next, we stretch the wires from the light bulb to the SUV battery. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the wipers. If you make a mistake, you will have to reinstall the wiper blades. Then we connect the stretched wires to the light bulb. We insert the latter into the hole obtained earlier, having previously wrapped its inner side with foil.

It is best to treat the sides of the lampshade with glue. After the glue has dried, you can begin to install lighting fixtures in other parts of the interior. The algorithm for performing operations for installing lampshades is the same as for the trunk. Tuning the lighting in the Niva’s cabin itself can take a maximum of 8–10 hours at a monetary cost of no more than 800 rubles. However, the time spent is worth it, because operating an SUV at night will become much more comfortable.

Changing the torpedo

Which carburetor to put on Niva 21213

Some drivers are not satisfied with the appearance of the torpedo on the VAZ 2107. Sometimes this element from the “five” may be installed on the car. In this case, a purely practical inconvenience is added to the unpleasant appearance. You have to close the glove compartment with a universal “lock”, or rather, seal it with tape. Otherwise it will constantly open. Therefore, you can change the torpedo.

Of our models, the best fit is a spare part from a VAZ 2115. You just have to use polyurethane foam to seal small non-joints. Of the foreign cars, the best fit here is a torpedo from a BMW E30

. She will look much more advantageous.

There is another option, install a torpedo from a Toyota Camry

It is slightly wider than the standard part. Therefore, for a more accurate installation, you will have to trim the torpedo a little from the bottom on the sides. But even in this case, it will interfere with the window regulators. So get ready to install electric lifts right away. This will be the best option. You will also have to struggle with installing the steering wheel cover.

The standard cover will not fit into the steering wheel opening on the BMW dashboard. Therefore, craftsmen usually perform adjustments. Some people cut the panel, but it is much easier to cut off the excess from the casing. It is better to use standard mounts from the original torpedo, only they are slightly bent. Often the torpedo can sag downwards, so it is advisable to immediately provide support.

Connecting the stove

. Many drivers cannot connect the stove. The problem is that the air ducts do not match. Therefore, you will have to make special adapters. To do this, you can use air ducts from the Gazelle. All that remains is to adjust them a little and secure them. It is best to use a cable from the heater from BMW. It is much easier to connect it to the stove than a native Zhiguli to a new torpedo.

Which torpedo is suitable for the VAZ 2107? When you want comfort

Many owners wonder which torpedo is suitable for the VAZ 2107. This is not an idle question. After all, the driver spends most of the time on the road looking at the dashboard. The “seven” torpedo was developed more than 30 years ago. In this regard, its angular shape hurts the eye. Also, the devices are quite faintly visible. After all, their scales are simply painted on plastic with white and sometimes red paint. This reduces the ability to see instrument readings in the dark. Also, this appearance has no attractiveness. Therefore, many drivers replace dashboards. Panel or torpedo? Which torpedo is suitable for a VAZ 2107? The issue is complex, but completely solvable. Just to begin with, you should determine how radical the alterations will need to be made. Such tuning can be done in two ways:

Replacing the dashboard;
Replacement of the entire torpedo.

The first option will allow you to get by with little expense and replace the panel with another one that suits you more. You just have to adjust the socket a little in size. It is somewhat more difficult to install a new panel. At the same time, it must be suitable in size and provide the ability to connect all vehicle systems. The final choice depends on your final goals and capabilities. Dashboard Let's start with the simplest tuning option. A donor will have to be found for a replacement. The simplest option would be to install a panel from a VAZ 2110. There will be a minimum of problems with this work, and the resulting design will look much more advantageous. You will have almost no problems connecting wires. Here they are almost identical. All main devices are also connected in the same way. Tools you will need are a soldering iron and scissors. In order for the devices to work better, you need to install fluid reservoirs from 2110 under the hood. Another equally common option is to install a dashboard from GAZ 3110. It also looks much better. The installation itself is practically no different from similar work with a panel from a VAZ 2110; it can also be adjusted to size using a soldering iron and scissors. But here you will have to tinker with connecting devices. For example, you purchase a tee from a “six”, and use it to connect an econometer and an oil pressure sensor. It is recommended to install a speed measurement sensor used in the tenth family of VAZs. These are the easiest panels to install. But you can use this part from other foreign cars. Just be sure to take into account the compliance of the VAZ 2107 devices with the chosen foreign car. The easiest way is to find a similar set of sensor readings displayed on the panel in foreign-made cars produced in the late 80s and early 90s. Changing the torpedo Some drivers are not satisfied with the appearance of the torpedo on the VAZ 2107. Sometimes this element from the “five” may be installed on the car. In this case, a purely practical inconvenience is added to the unpleasant appearance. You have to close the glove compartment with a universal “lock”, or rather, seal it with tape. Otherwise it will constantly open. Therefore, you can change the torpedo. Of our models, the best fit is a spare part from a VAZ 2115. You just have to use polyurethane foam to seal small non-joints. Of the foreign cars, the best fit here is a torpedo from a BMW E30. She will look much more advantageous. There is another option, to install a torpedo from a Toyota Camry. It is slightly wider than the standard part. Therefore, for a more accurate installation, you will have to trim the torpedo a little from the bottom on the sides. But even in this case, it will interfere with the window regulators. So get ready to install electric lifts right away. This will be the best option. You will also have to struggle with installing the steering wheel cover. The standard cover will not fit into the steering wheel opening on the BMW dashboard. Therefore, craftsmen usually perform adjustments. Some people cut the panel, but it is much easier to cut off the excess from the casing. It is better to use standard mounts from the original torpedo, only they are slightly bent. Often the torpedo can sag downwards, so it is advisable to immediately provide support. Connecting the stove. Many drivers cannot connect the stove. The problem is that the air ducts do not match. Therefore, you will have to make special adapters. To do this, you can use air ducts from the Gazelle. All that remains is to adjust them a little and secure them. It is best to use a cable from the heater from BMW. It is much easier to connect it to the stove than the original Zhiguli one to a new torpedo. By the way, according to