VAZ Niva 2121 tuning recommendations

Niva 2121 from VAZ has become a cult car in the post-Soviet space and abroad.
Suffice it to say that the term “Niva” has long become a household name. It means respectable cross-country ability for relatively little money. Today these machines operate in more than a hundred countries, on all continents. The design itself has been produced without significant changes for more than forty years. The Niva 2121 from VAZ is the grandfather of modern SUVs. This passenger car is from the Volzhsky Automobile Plant. It was produced in the USSR since 1977 and became the world's first small-class all-wheel drive crossover.

Niva 2121 has serious drawbacks, such as extremely low safety. It’s better to say that it doesn’t exist at all. There is a problem of insufficient comfort relative to its closest competitors. But this is not why cars of this kind are purchased. In general, we will not go into the eternal discussion about the usefulness and uselessness of the Niva. Let's say that she is a legend, and not only in Russia. We will talk further about the reasons for such phenomenal popularity.

Photo of do-it-yourself Niva tuning

Initially, the Niva 2121 was created as a universal all-terrain vehicle that feels comfortable off-road and in the city.
Therefore, it is logical that off-road tuning of the Niva 2121 is especially popular. This is explained by its relative simplicity. To create, or rather, enhance the image of an SUV, you need to install on your car:

• Larger diameter wheels with tires designed for extreme off-road use. It should be recalled that low-profile tires are not relevant in this case. It is also necessary to take into account that installing large-diameter disks requires impressive torque figures. Ignoring this rule will lead to premature wear of the power unit
• Installing arch extensions on a Niva will solve several problems at once: get rid of splashes of dirt on the wings and doors, expand the possibilities in terms of choosing the diameter of the disks, and complement the tuning composition
• Power kit. It consists of a powerful kenguryatnik. It is easy to make it yourself from pipes. A structure is installed on the rear door, onto which the spare tire is attached. It will also perform a protection function. A winch must be installed. It will help off-road and give the car an aggressive, masculine look.

This is all that is needed to create a car designed for participation in sports competitions or outdoor activities. This external tuning of the Niva 2121 combines aesthetic and practical functions. Therefore, the efforts and resources invested in it will quickly pay off.

You can do an easy tuning of the Niva 2121 - install new wheels and tires and apply stylish airbrushing with a 3D effect. To carry out the last operation, it is necessary to attract specialists.

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.

We install new seats

The first thing you should do in your car so that daily trips in it within the city (and not only) do not lead you into a sad state of a squeezed lemon is to carry out comprehensive sound insulation of the interior.

Before disassembling the entire interior, find the front seats from a foreign car. Seats from Japanese cars have proven themselves well in domestic SUVs. The fact that you need to find rather rare seats from a coupe car should not confuse you.

Any front seats from a foreign car can be easily converted into folding angle grinders with a slight movement - you just need to cut off the stop that limits the forward movement of the backrest.

For safety, we strongly recommend that you do not weld new seats into the body of the Niva, but redesign the slide of the seat itself in order to integrate the lower rails from the original ones. Then the new comfortable chairs will become standard installation locations.

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.

Carburetor models also consume low-octane gasoline without much difficulty.

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.

Do-it-yourself Niva engine tuning should first begin with improving the characteristics of the carburetor.

The most correct and productive solution is to install a more modern model, which has a larger diffuser (or as it is also called a throttle).

When replacing this unit completely, the best option would be to install an electronic ignition system. It is both more convenient and more modern.

Replacing an old carburetor with a new one won't look as productive unless you also replace the camshaft. This is a very important point, since it is this combination that can give the car more power, and therefore more speed.

Of course, this will lead to strong heating of the parts, but this is not a problem either. A new radiator with a larger surface area and the problem is solved.

Correcting the engine geometry looks like an interesting approach. Indeed, on Niva it is quite voluminous. To perform this operation, it is necessary to increase the diameters of the valves.

Tuning the VAZ 2121 engine involves improving its parameters, in particular, increasing the power of the power plant.

There are two main ways to improve the unit:

1. Chip tuning.
2. Mechanical modification of the engine.

For injection engines, the first option is best suited. Reflashing the electronic control unit allows you to increase engine power by 8%, reduce fuel consumption and eliminate failures at low speeds. But this will require the help of specialists, because incorrect tuning can lead to a number of problems in engine operation. The second option is possible on any SUV, which determines its popularity.

Engine tuning using mechanical modification is carried out in several stages:

1. Carburetor modernization. Here it is necessary to replace the pump accelerator and old jets with an indicator of 2 kam.
2. Modification of the gas distribution system by increasing the diameter of the valves and sealing them.
3. Installation of a crankshaft with increased stroke.
4. Replacing the piston.
5. Increasing the cylinder diameter (boring).

A high-quality exhaust system can also increase the efficiency of the power plant by optimizing the process of air supply and exhaust gas removal. To do this, it is recommended to replace the intake and exhaust manifolds with more modern options.

Installing a turbine is the most common way to increase power. It has a fairly simple structure, and its installation does not cause much difficulty. Therefore, such a tuning solution is far from uncommon.

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.

Also interesting: Winch for Niva: electric, mechanical, hydraulic

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

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.

Useful 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.

• Automatic chain tensioner Pilot
• Nulevik

In the white light, like a pretty penny

Lighting devices are one of the weak points not only of the VAZ mini-SUV, but also of most domestic cars of that period in general. And many foreign models of that time also cannot boast of sufficiently good lighting devices.

In the case when tuning a VAZ 2121 Niva is carried out, the main problem in altering the lighting is the small internal volume of the “native” headlight. This often does not make it possible to improve the quality of road lighting with little expense by installing bi-xenon lamps - the lamps themselves, the starter and the corrector simply do not fit in the Niva’s miniature headlight.

There are two ways out of this situation. The first is the selection of the smallest possible devices that will fit into the limited space of a standard headlight. In addition to the difficulty of searching, this option is also fraught with problems during operation of the improved lighting device. The fact is that a small space will lead to significant heating of the device - excess heat will not have time to be removed. So it is possible that xenon lamps or the control unit will quickly fail.

A more complex, but also more reliable option is to completely replace the standard lighting fixtures with others - larger and more powerful. True, such work also requires preparing a seat for them, replacing the radiator grille and some work on connecting the electrical circuit of the headlights. However, as a result, having performed such tuning of the Niva 2121, the owner will receive fairly high-quality light - both low and high.

A common tuning option is also the installation of additional devices - on the bumper, or on a special ramp mounted on the roof. This solution allows you to improve the illumination of the front plane without completely changing the design of the standard headlights.

When choosing this type of tuning, two points must be taken into account. Firstly, the power of the new headlights should not create unnecessary load on the on-board electrical equipment. Secondly, we must not forget about the correct adjustment of the luminous flux of such devices. They should illuminate the space ahead, and not blind oncoming drivers like air defense searchlights.

Therefore, the presence of a corrector in their design is mandatory.

Improving the engine

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 lift - 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.

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.

And also interesting: stabilizer, pros and cons — Lada 4×4 3D, 3.4 liter, 1985 year on DRIVE2

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.

Most representatives of the domestic automobile industry require high-quality improvements, and Niva is no exception. Tuning can significantly improve many parameters of an SUV, from the interior to pumping the chassis.

Changing the suspension helps increase the vehicle's passing ability. You can also change the external design of the body, making it more modern and original. Many people try to increase the power of the power plant by tuning the engine.

Most often, supporters of updates turn to professionals for help, although tuning a Niva 4x4 with your own hands is quite possible. You just have to take into account that remodeling a car will require significant costs and certain skills.

The small SUV went into mass production in April 1977. Today the VAZ 2121 is a passenger car with increased cross-country ability. Available in two body types: a three-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon. It has permanent all-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission.

Two-stage transfer case with center differential lock. High cross-country ability of the car is ensured by significant ground clearance (220 mm). The wheelbase is 2.2 meters. Earlier modifications were equipped with engines based on the engine of the sixth VAZ model.

When new modifications were released, the previous engine was replaced with a more powerful four-cylinder unit producing 81.9 liters. s., having a working volume of 1.69 liters. Average fuel consumption in mixed mode is 10 l/100 km.

Engine VAZ 2121

As for the engines presented in different trim levels of the Niva 2121, the first model received a gasoline carburetor four-cylinder engine. Its volume is 1.5 liters and the power is 80 horsepower. With its help, the car could reach a speed of 132 km/h , reaching 100 km in 23 seconds.

Also interesting: Chevrolet Niva air conditioning - design and repair "

The VAZ 21213 model was equipped with a 1.6 liter engine with a power of 81 hp. This car reached a speed of 100 km in 19 seconds.

In the VAZ 21214 version, a modern injection engine with 1.6 and 1.7 liters and a power of 81 and 82 hp has already been installed. respectively.

One of the latest trim levels received 1.9 liter Peugeot diesel engine All trim levels are equipped with a four-speed manual transmission.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the modification of the VAZ 21213 - the VAZ 2131 car. It received an extended wheelbase and a five-door body (a pair of rear doors appeared). Sales of Niva cars of this model began in 1993, but they are produced in limited editions.

The all-wheel drive VAZ 2131 was equipped with a 1.7-liter injection engine with a capacity of 80.1 horsepower. five-speed manual transmission . Thanks to this engine, the car reaches a speed of 137 km/h. The average gasoline consumption in this car is 12 liters per 100 km.

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.

Of course, it won’t be possible to radically redesign the interior. A fairly short wheelbase, chosen for cross-country ability, significantly limits the scope for tuning. But some improvements can be made and, moreover, necessary.

First of all, you should take care of sound insulation. The laying of a special material, cut to the size of the bottom, significantly improves the sound comfort in the cabin, because the car shaft “sings” quite loudly when driving on asphalt roads.

By upgrading the interior, many car owners try not only to increase the level of comfort of the vehicle, but also to emphasize their individuality. There are many options for improving the interior of your car.

This is the easiest way to tune the interior of a Niva 4×4. With prolonged use of the car, the seat upholstery becomes dirty, wears out and loses its aesthetic appearance. Reupholstery requires a lot of time, certain skills and considerable costs. Today, car shops offer a wide range of car covers made from high-quality materials in various shades, which greatly simplifies the selection of the necessary accessories.

Design and exterior of Niva 2121

At this stage, the body became closed, and the design acquired an independent suspension at the front and a dependent suspension on springs at the rear. a center differential appeared , which divided the torque between the two axles. This made it possible to use the Zhiguli rear axle and gearbox, and also increased stability on slippery roads, handling and off-road performance.

The engine was taken from a VAZ-2106 (then the most powerful Tolyatti engine), which had a front axle gearbox located in the crankcase. Other technical solutions include a gearbox range, front disc brakes and separated transfer and main gearboxes. As a result, the transmission has two driveshafts . It was the complex transmission that caused the increased noise in the cabin, as well as the low service life of its rotating elements.

In total, the design was almost ready by 1974. Then Niva 2121 (the SUV received this name thanks to designer Valery Syomushkin) was undergoing its penultimate sea trials. They showed that future cars have practically no worthy competitors.

Then the familiar appearance and silhouette had almost taken shape. True, this is with the exception of optics and some other body elements. From off-road, the car now has large wheels with powerful tires that have an impressive tread. Short body overhangs, which, in combination with a short wheelbase, made it possible to climb almost any slides and hills.

Bumpers made of thick aluminum profiles appeared, which could be used to fell any young animals . Other interesting design “delights” include a spare wheel under the hood. Because of this, the engine compartment turned out to be tight. The headlights were located above the main beam headlights.

In the final versions of the Niva 2121’s appearance, it was almost completely unified with the “six” in terms of optics and interior. All this created that unforgettable image, which at the time of its appearance distinguished the Niva 2121 from its competitors.

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.

The next stage is finalizing the dashboard. The way to minimize costs is to improve the existing panel by installing new instrument sensors and installing a special trim on the center console. This relatively simple tuning of the Niva 2121 will make the panel more ergonomic and the instrument readings better readable.

The minimalist design of the Niva’s interior will also be refreshed by the installation of a front trauma panel equipped with a courtesy lamp. Such products are produced specifically for interior tuning; they can be offered by a Niva 4x4 tuning-oriented store or website. They are easy to install and connect, and they are not too expensive.

However, you can further reduce the cost of this stage of tuning and install a trauma panel, which is used on serial VAZ-2106. This option will be the most economical, but no less practical in terms of ensuring sufficient illumination of the interior if necessary.

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

Also interesting: Generator Niva 2121, 21213, 21214: which one is installed, replacement

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

Interior of Niva 2121

Niva 2121 received an interior from the VAZ 2106, created on the basis of Renault 5. The result is a small, comfortable and all-terrain vehicle. Sales of Niva cars in those days broke all records . And even now, as used cars, VAZ 2121s are bought quite often. Their price may vary depending on the year of manufacture.

Also interesting: Chevrolet Niva air conditioning - design and repair

Used cars from the 1980s cost about $2,500, and from the 1990s – $3,000. It is especially worth buying a Niva 2121 car for those who live in off-road conditions, for example, in rural areas. Those who did this are very pleased: the car is inexpensive and will go on almost any road.

Motorists note its original interior with conditions of increased comfort, stability on any type of road, and smooth ride. The more spacious luggage compartment was also the reason why this car became popular. It can carry up to 300 kilograms.

Trunk upgrade

The Niva's extensive luggage compartment is an advantage only at first glance. The large volume provides absolutely no functionality, and the rib at the bottom of the trunk is a completely unnecessary element that interferes with loading. On later modifications it is missing. Also in the way is the folding shelf, which divides the trunk into two parts in the transverse plane.

It is best to remove these disturbing elements and install a box with pockets, drawers, compartments, which will allow you to organize the loaded items. It can be made from wood and metal. Corners or tubes should be used as a frame; it is subsequently sheathed with plywood or other material and trimmed with fabric. Before installing the box, it would not hurt to install noise and thermal insulation on the body.

You can also go the standard route and install a speaker system, LCD monitor or other fashionable gadget in the trunk. The latter option is impractical if the car is being tuned for difficult off-road conditions.

An expeditionary trunk for the Niva wouldn't hurt. It will allow you to take a lot of things and save internal space. It will also be a harmonious addition to off-road style. An alternative would be to install an arc with headlights. This will increase the driver's visibility. It is a useful element when driving in bad weather conditions.

Tuning the Niva trunk with your own hands is also necessary. Despite the fact that the factory version of the trunk is quite spacious, the quality of workmanship is not entirely good.

This unpleasant moment occurred due to the fact that the trunk structure consists of a transverse rib and a folding shelf, which divide the opening in the car in half.

To overcome such a defect, it is best to make a special box and install it in the trunk. In addition to it, it will be possible to equip the trunk with:

• LED elements (bottom and top);
• A powerful subwoofer and a good music system (but this is only if the owner is a music lover, since such an installation reduces trunk space).

In the future, it will be possible to think about the placement of the organizer, because the luggage compartment is quite large, so no problems are foreseen.

A selection of photos “Niva in camouflage” for painting

If you decide to paint your Niva in camouflage, then you are probably faced with the question of what camouflage to paint it in, because there are a lot of options, both in color and in the shape of the camouflage pattern itself. I myself faced such a dilemma, before painting the Niva, I looked through a lot of photos on the Internet on the topic of painting a Niva in camouflage, but I never found a large selection of photos, but I would like to see photos of the painted Niva from different angles, so I decided to take such a selection of painted NIVasiks.

In this version of painting a field, ordinary leaves of vegetation are used as a stencil, in principle, cheap and cheerful

Just khaki paint, classic camouflage.

Next, a photo of the same type of camouflage, but made in three colors, looks more interesting.

Also, only this color option has torn edges.

Next, black and green camouflage on the field

With added sand color

This is not a standard Khokhloma camouflage

I would call this camouflage on the Niva a sea breeze, it is made with high quality, it will be a pity to climb through the forest on it.

Classic, nothing seemingly complicated, but it doesn’t look bad.

Kamyshin version of Niva camouflage

For me, this is one of the simplest options for applying camouflage coloring, angular pieces of white and yellow, according to the standard Niva color

Another option for “leaf-vegetal” application of camouflage paint on a car.

Probably the next option can be called “Snow Leopard”, made with long black and gray lines, with variable thickness, you can feel the hand of the master

In this photo, the finer details of the camouflage look completely different

In the next photo, the camouflage is painted using Raptor or Antigravity

Black and white camouflage, and white is the color of the car, I think they did it in 20 minutes, and spent at most a couple of cans of black paint, why not budget camouflage for the Niva?

On the next Niva, Leafy camouflage is also done, very well done

Very cool! The painting cost a lot of money!

The pixel version of the camouflage, in my opinion, was a little lazy, could have been made bigger and more rich

But this is where talent is needed! But this is hardly camouflage))

One of the most successful colors of Niva

Bold decision, looks great! Camouflage for an agronomist's field to hide in the fields)

This painting option evokes mixed emotions; it’s clear that a lot of work has been done, but the effect is a little different

It’s not a bad option, but I think it won’t be easy to do it yourself.

Simple and tasteful. Camouflage black and green

In the following photos, burgundy-black camouflage for Niva

I can’t even imagine how to make such a camouflage color, maybe it’s film.

The next option for painting the Niva tells us that before painting, it’s better to see how others do it, just take several cylinders with different colors, without thinking through the model and the main camouflage strokes, you can get THIS. Although some people might like it.

And again Kamyshin camouflage on Niva

Some people paint directly over the rust without putting putty, that’s also an option.

Not a bad option, but the pattern on the camouflage probably shouldn’t be repeated, you need to take this into account when painting

Another black and white option for painting a field

For driving through swamps and forests, this camouflage is suitable for hunters

Black and white version, although there are gray inclusions. In general, black+white+gray is not a bad option for painting a field in camouflage colors, and you can do it yourself

I don’t know if the fields are painted in camouflage at the factory, but if so, then it seems to me that this is the factory option

Here even the wheels are covered in camouflage colors; the paint is not bad!

The matte color of the entire body indicates that most likely this is a Raptor, while camouflage was made on it with very suitable colors for this.

Another camouflage, with smoothly shaped patterns, probably a classic one, so to speak. As far as I know, a smooth pattern is obtained by first gluing narrow masking tape, with smooth curves, because a wide one cannot be wrapped that way, and then gluing the wide one and newspapers.

Green-brown camouflage, the green color is a little bright, but not bad either

Another green color, painted according to the original color, painting the Niva this way is very cheap.

Another “Dalmatian”, good forms of the most camouflage colors, can transform your Niva even with the help of one canister with black enamel.

What else can I say, just awesome!

A very quick option for camouflaging a Niva, for the lazy in general))) The photo even shows traces of adhesive tape; the painter did not even cover the surface outside the adhesive tape.

What can I say, people know how to paint Niva beautifully

Well, some people don’t know how! Here I have combined two cars that seem to say “how not to paint a Niva in camouflage”

And finally, another Spotted Horse, successful painting, pleasing to the eye.

I think after you looked at this selection of Nivas painted in camouflage, you have a general idea of ​​what colors and shapes of camouflage spots there are, and how they combine with the car and other colored spots, I collected all this for the sole purpose of painting my Niva in camouflage, but I chose rectangular segments, like “Minecraft” or “Large Pixel”, also called urban camouflage. I was inspired to do this by this Niva, which I met on the road in the city, and at the same time managed to take a photo of it in a traffic jam.

After which I set about painting my own, I decided to paint it using spray cans, but the original was painted in a paint sprayer, so don’t judge too harshly.

I painted from balloons, used wide masking tape, and made shapes with 90-degree angles, in random order.

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.

Background of Niva 2121

When developing the VAZ 2121, the designers themselves did not expect the success that the Niva car began to enjoy among car enthusiasts. Every Soviet motorist dreamed of buying a Niva car. Conceived as an ordinary city car, the VAZ 2121 soon evolved into a compact jeep . Thanks to its small size, it felt easy and at ease in any driving situation. The considerable ground clearance contributed to good cross-country ability on any surface.

This entertaining story began in the summer of 1970. Then a delegation headed by the head of the Council of Ministers, A.N. Kosygin, arrived at the newly built Volzhsky Automobile Plant. It’s worth mentioning right away that if it weren’t for this man, the VAZ might simply never exist. Therefore, it was accepted accordingly. The tasks of his visit primarily included an analysis of how correct the multi-million dollar government injections .

The head of government was also shown promising developments. For example, the project of the future “troika” VAZ-2103, which ended the Soviet-Italian cooperation.

Alexey Nikolaevich liked everything. But, in his opinion, “Zhiguli” was more a car for city dwellers, and villagers remained “deprived”. At that time, one word from such a person was enough for three car factories (VAZ, Izhmash and AZLK) to begin designing such a car. The most successful project was the Volga engineers. And other developments went to the table.

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.

Helpful advice 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.

Development of Niva 2121

But before moving on to the description, it is necessary to say what cars of this class were then. The axiom was the use of continuous axles and dependent suspensions front and rear. And also the introduction of switchable all-wheel drive, an open body and an extremely ascetic interior . At the initial stage of choosing the concept of the future car, it was proposed to simply put the Zhiguli body on an all-wheel drive chassis. But common sense still prevailed. However, the opinions of designers were divided.

More conservative ones suggested choosing the scheme described above. The “progressives,” represented by the young part of the design team, saw the design as more “futuristic.” The point of view of the young engineers won, which was supported by the chief designer Soloviev, who saw their ideas as the most promising.

It was immediately decided to make maximum use of the already mastered nodes, which were placed on the so-called. "carrier of aggregates". The first prototypes were developed by the designers themselves. Therefore, their appearance turned out to be too “square” , for which they received the nickname “crocodiles”.

Sea trials have shown that the developers are moving in the right direction. Off-road performance was satisfactory. Then, one might say, a historic decision was born to combine the future SUV with passenger comfort.

Conclusion

In general, by spending fairly reasonable money, you can significantly improve the comfort indicators, increase the cross-country ability and power of the VAZ-2121. Of course, you can’t carry out a radical redesign of the car yourself, but every motorist is quite capable of making the Niva more friendly towards the driver and passengers.

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Production and achievements of Niva 2121

Production of the new SUV began in 1977, which continues to this day. Almost immediately after the launch, Niva exports began, which marked the beginning of its triumph. Exports have always dominated domestic sales. In Europe, Canada, America and even Japan (VAZ-2121 was the only Soviet car supplied to Japan), prices for the brand new Niva were lower than those of its competitors, and often offered more features and comfort.

The Soviet car, in fact, became the first car in its class that can be described as a “comfortable SUV.” Queues lined up for her, in the countries where she was supplied, entire clubs of worship were created in her honor, and they wrote about her in the press. That is why Niva 2121 immediately became an export “hit” , because almost 80% of its production was exported.

This car is also remembered for its achievements. Niva 2121 won gold medals at international exhibitions in Brno and Poznan. He twice climbed almost to the very top of Elbrus, reaching the maximum mark at 5.2 km, and the Himalayas, stopping at 5.726 km. Then it was a world record !

Niva 2121 climbed to the top of the sacred Mount Fuji, after which the Japanese fell in love with this car. And if you open the sports page of her biography, you simply cannot count the victories and records there! These are “Paris-Dakar”, and “Pharaoh Rally”, and “Paris-Tunisia”, and many, many others.