1982 Lada Niva

I've been working hard on the little niva last few days, i'm trying to get the more difficult things done so i can focus on the fun stuff. I needed to measure and decade in which position i'll install the engine, peugeot originally set the engine at 30 degrees, but there oil pan is at 20 degrees, i have a spare oil pump which i also measured and got 18 degrees, then i remembered that they installed those engines on 15 degrees on smaller, so the angle of the oil pan is a compromas. That said i set my engine at 25 degrees, this way i'll have some more room at the back for a turbocharger. After getting those measurements, i set the gearbox straight, measures 25 degrees and marked the gearbox side, then i cut the outside and inside to size, i'll need to add a bit more at one off the bolt holes to have more stability but it fits pretty nicely. Now comes the hard part, cutting it from some 15-20mm steel with hand tools, i lay couple of 16mm thick pieces i had on top and i've seen it's much easier if i make it from couple of pieces that i can weld together, so that is the plan.
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As 2020 is ending the little niva hasn't gotten anything done on it. I've been very busy its turn in to a shelf for parts temporarily. But in the new years spirit and the promotion now stores are giving i bought one more set of new tires for the little niva. I was impressed with the quality of the mud tire set i bought form Nanking so i bought now A/T tires in the stok niva size wich is 175 80 R16. Now i bought me 5 tires so i'll have a spare, i made that mistake first time i only bought a set of 4. I need to clean up the garage and start working on it, spending some money should give me an incentive to get it back on the road quicker
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You've seen the deal too cheap to be truth, this wasn't that, but was a bit cheaper than the others and the seller seem truthful. I've seen a newer niva for parts advert, and i called to ask about its gearbox, they are hard to come by in 5 speed, everything went smooth it arrived, but when i unpacked it my eye seen the part where the castings are bolted together have been cleaned, also there is no gasket or silicone. try shifting it all the gears click, but when turning the shafts there is no 5th and reverse, took a closer look and bolts were missing from the bottom cover, took it off no gasket and there is fingerprints and dirt in it. Took the 3 bolt and pull off the shifter, no gasket also and could see its missing the 5th gear layshaft, which is also for the reverse gear. Talk to the seller and he is not planning to do nothing about it, this confirm it, it impossible to find an honest used parts seller for lada parts. Disappointment but could be worse.
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Today looks like proper winter too cold to work outside i decided to take the time to go and buy some more car parts. So i went to Skopje and bought me some more parts for the little niva. I need to replace the front end bushings and front brake pads also the heater valve was leaking so i bought a new. I also bought me some engine parts, i bought the soft parts, gaskets oil seals, valve seals timing chain guides and a new oil pump for the original lada engine. I may need to have it in to pass the safety inspection before i can get the diesel converted engine certified. Parts for the little niva (lada parts) are very cheap.
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Bought me couple of lada spec tire valves, they have 16mm hole instead of 11.5mm like all other cars. I've put a standard one on the right for cooperation.
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One thing i was missing was oil for the gearbox, the russians have specific specs that isn't very common. I had to go to skopje to buy it but i managed to find, i had to buy 10L because they had only in that package, now i need to start working on it.
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A friend of my sent me this link, its in french but with google translate i could read it, there is more Niva's in the USA.
www.histo-auto.com

Designer chez RAM à Detroit, il roule en Lada Niva aux USA

Adam est Designer extérieur chez RAM Trucks à Detroit. Mais c’est aussi un vrai passionné et un fin connaisseur de la chose automobile. La preuve? Il roule en Lada Niva aux USA ! Il nous a raconté sa p
www.histo-auto.com www.histo-auto.com
 
The little Niva reminds me of the Suzuki Sidekick and Chevrolet Tracker that we owned as a second car.
We really enjoyed the concept but not the lack of reliability. Really fun car for running about in the snow (but not on the highway). Rust did the Sidekick in long before the mechanics wore out.
I guess the crash tests and other 'modern' regulations here in N.A. make it difficult to market a Niva sized simple, reliable 4x4.
 
From what i've heard, back in the day suzuki copied the lada niva to make suzuki samurai, i know that the headlights are interchangeable and few other parts, the other newer models from suszuki still have some of that DNA.
 
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