"Chevrolet Niva" is a well-designed car for driving in conditions of absent or bad roads. The car coming off the assembly line will already have a short wheelbase, small overhangs, a classic front suspension, a continuous rear axle and permanent all-wheel drive, which is already a huge advantage when overcoming off-road obstacles. The disadvantages (for off-road food) include the lack of a frame and a weak engine. A weak power plant can be compensated for by a lower gearbox row, but the absence of a frame negatively affects the durability of body parts. Therefore, after each off-road trip, it is necessary to check the condition of the bottom and fastening of body parts and, if necessary, make repairs.
Aleks6705 › Blog › All about mud tires on Chevrolet Niva - detailed analysis of the manufacturer
Road tires, which are standard equipment on the Chevrolet Niva, provide good grip on asphalt.
However, their tread prevents the car from revealing its off-road capabilities. To drive through mud or sand you need special tires with powerful lugs. From the article you will learn what mud tires are and in what cases their installation on a car is justified. Features and purpose of mud tires The main thing that distinguishes tires for driving on mud is a special pattern with large, deep lugs. Similar wheels can be seen on a tractor. Thanks to the large distance between the tread elements, the tires are independently cleaned of dirt. Mud tires are made of harder rubber. This provides them with high off-road durability. Unlike standard ones, they do not tear when exposed to stones and other hard elements. Typically, mud tires are higher than standard tires. They provide greater ground clearance and make it easier to overcome high obstacles. With off-road tires you can easily get out of a muddy rut. However, they are not intended for permanent use on asphalt. Mud tires on hard surfaces have three serious disadvantages: High noise level. Poor handling. Accelerated tread wear. Therefore, installing such tires on a Chevrolet Niva only makes sense for those who constantly have to drive off-road. For use in urban conditions, it is better to buy road tires.
Types of mud tires
Depending on the type of tread and purpose, tires for SUVs are divided into 3 classes: HT (short for Highway terrain or Half Terrain - tires for highways and asphalt roads of poor quality. It can be used on dirt roads, but it will be difficult to overcome off-road conditions on it. But such tires do not make noise and have a speed limit of 180 km/h. Therefore, these tires are bought by those who drive mainly on asphalt. AT (short for All Terrain) - tires designed for asphalt, dirt road and light off-road. Manufacturers recommend different mileage ratios on hard and unpaved surfaces: 60/40, 50/50, 40/60. This is a good tire for those who have to drive in rural areas. The tread of AT tires provides average off-road capability. MT (short for Mud Terrain) - rubber with aggressive profile, which is designed exclusively for driving on dirt roads and off-road.Although you can find MT tires with a speed rating of R (160 km/h), their use on asphalt is not recommended. These tires are designed to take you off-road and reveal the potential of your car there. The most famous domestic company that produces MT tires for the Chevrolet Niva is “Bear”. This brand offers mud tires made of high-strength rubber, which are not inferior to many foreign analogues.
Sizes with disks of 15 and 16 diameters Depending on the diameter of the “native” disks of the Chevrolet Niva, you can install R15 and R16 tires on the car. It should be taken into account that the height of mud tires is higher than standard ones. You won't find tires lower than 225/75 R15. However, the space under the Niva's wings is not designed to accommodate nineteen-inch wheels. Therefore, you will have to raise the car a little by doing a “lifting”. For this purpose, special kits are sold, including some suspension parts and special spacers for springs. As a result, you will get an SUV with increased cross-country ability and increased ground clearance.
The following models are most in demand for the Chevrolet Niva: Medved I-569 - budget mud tires, the installation of which does not require modification of the wheel arches. Before installing Medved 235/75 R15, it is enough to do a light lifting. This soft rubber performs well in mud and snow. However, on summer asphalt or ice the car becomes almost uncontrollable. The price starts from 3700 rubles. Cordiant off Road is another Russian-made mud tire. Unlike the Bear, these tires perform well on asphalt. Its size (225/75 R16) allows it to be used on a Chevrolet Niva after a light lift. Price - from 4000 rubles. Hankook Dynapro are optimal tires that wear out slowly on asphalt and are capable of pulling a car out of muddy clay or black soil. Installation of these tires (235/75R 15) requires only a small lift. Hankook price - 4500 rubles. The tires are equipped with holes for studs. Kumho Road Venture is a tire with an aggressive tread designed for professional off-road racing. The side lugs grip the dirt securely. However, on asphalt these tires wear out very quickly. Size 235/75 R15 does not require modification of the Niva's wheel arches. The price of one tire is 5800 rubles. The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain is a true mud tire that wears slowly on asphalt. For a lifted Niva, size 215/75 R15 is suitable. After reworking the arches, you can install 240/80 R15. The price of one tire is 7,100 rubles.
You should not ride on off-road tires on asphalt. The coefficient of adhesion to asphalt of all off-road tires, regardless of price and manufacturer, is inferior to road tires. As a result, the braking distance increases, the risk of skidding increases and controllability deteriorates. These factors must be taken into account when driving into the city on mud tires. Another reason why you should not use mud tires on the track is purely economic. Off-road tires are much more expensive than traditional tires and wear out quickly on asphalt. Therefore, before trips to the city and, especially, long trips along the highway, it is advisable to “change” the car to road tires that correspond to the season.
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Choosing mud tires for a Chevrolet Niva
Mud tires for the Chevrolet Niva are one of the many tire offers for this SUV. There are five types in total:
The purpose of each can be determined by its name. The mud tires we are considering are necessary when the car owner plans to operate his Chevy in off-road conditions, when the road surface turns into one continuous mud.
In some cases, replacing standard wheels with mud wheels will require re-equipping the car - lifting. This is due to the fact that a number of models have a particularly large radius, allowing them to pass not only through mud, but also to be used in particularly extreme conditions.
Changing the suspension
Replacing suspension parts with more efficient, reliable and resistant to the climate of northern latitudes will help make a 4 x 4 Niva a real tank.
Rubber bushings can be forgotten like a bad dream. Instead, it is necessary to install polyurethane ones, which can last three to four times longer. Their main advantage is their amazing resistance to temperature changes and increased compressive and tensile strength. It is better to use dual models as shock absorbers. They better withstand dynamic loads and allow you to cope with driving at high speeds in low-traffic conditions. For those who like drastic measures, gas shock absorbers are suitable. This type will allow you to move over rough terrain without any problems. However, it is worth remembering that even high-quality tuning, the use of silicone seals and lubricants do not make the Niva an amphibian. Water getting into the engine compartment can have serious consequences.
Which mud tires are best for a Chevrolet Niva in size?
When selecting suitable mud wheels, even if conversion is planned, Chevrolet owners need to focus on the car parameters that were initially set at the factory. The stock equipment is standard and it is this that determines the possible choice of tire sizes.
The manufacturer equips the car with wheels (alloys are no exception) capable of supporting wheels of a slightly larger diameter than those installed at the factory. And no lifting is required. The standard solution for a crossover is sizes 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15. Any tire with a 16-inch diameter is suitable, of which there are more than fifteen-inch versions on the market.
Large inch tires easily fit both steel and alloy wheels. In this case, the wheels can reach a height of 26 to 28 inches. Wheels of similar sizes are good for moderate off-road conditions and standard dirt roads in the rural areas of the Middle Zone or the South. And, as noted above, they do not require additional manipulations from the owner in the form of lifting.
Operation in more extreme conditions will require mounting the wheels higher. Most often, tires are installed with a height of up to 29.5 inches, capable of overcoming most types of dirt, but they already require lifting the car. The offset of such wheels reaches 35 millimeters, and as for the diameter, it can equally be either 15 or 16.
Radius 15
R15 mud tires are the most common family. Almost all manufacturers of tires for SUVs can boast of models for wheels with this diameter. It is among such modifications that you can find inexpensive foreign models, like HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT and BF Goodrich Mud Terrain. As well as the domestic “bison” I-569 “Bear”. All of them are presented in the most popular sizes 205/75/R15, 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15.
Radius 16
Unfortunately, the list of mud tire models with a diameter of R16 offered by manufacturers is not that large. The most popular wheels for such rims are, of course, made by the Cordiant brand. But, there are also such high-class foreign tires: Mud Terrain, Kumho Road Venture, Michelin Latitude, Lassa Competus. The last two models belong to the standard size 215 65 p16. You can find out how such tires behave on a Niva Chevy from the video.
Which mud tires to put on a Chevrolet Niva according to model
The question of choosing the right model of mud tires on a Chevrolet is one of the most pressing for any owner of such a car. First you need to determine whether the desired model is really suitable for off-road travel. This is evidenced by correct labeling. There are wheels on the market marked as follows:
The peculiarity of the latter type of tires is that they are used strictly off-road, since due to the characteristics of the material they quickly wear out when driving on asphalt. In addition, the owner in such a case will have to deal with increased noise and problems with controlling the road surface.
When choosing between specific models, you should pay special attention to:
Cordiant today is one of the most popular brands of mud tires for the Niva Chevy. This is due to the combination of normal quality and affordability provided by the Russian origin of the brand. The manufacturer's mud wheels are of the A/T type. The disadvantage can be considered a slightly deteriorated handling on asphalt, which is fully compensated by good off-road performance. The tires make it quite easy to overcome most common driving obstacles in the countryside.
Ya-569 “Bear” wheels are still very popular, despite the fact that they are no longer in production. Car owners believe that they have better cross-country ability compared to Cordiants. In addition, they are able to maintain good crossover controllability on hard road surfaces. Tires are classified as all-season tires, which means they are suitable for driving on snow or ice. As for the diameter, the Bears were produced for both 15 and 16-inch wheels.
The Road Venture model is one of the most profitable offers from foreign manufacturers. The cost of tires is only slightly higher than Cordiant, but it is significantly ahead in its performance of its domestic competitor, especially on the highway. The best traction performance is provided by a tread made of modern material with a herringbone pattern. This pattern also ensures effective self-cleaning. Kumho is an M/T type and is installed on both 15 and 16 inch wheels.
A distinctive feature of another foreign model, the Federal Couragia M/T, is its extremely toothy tread, which ensures an increased service life of this rubber. It behaves best at a pressure of 0.8 atmospheres, easily overcoming any off-road conditions. Despite all the power of the tread, the model is quiet and soft. And its design is distinguished by a style that emphasizes the appearance of the car.
Mud Terrain is an A/T type. But these legendary wheels have often beaten M/T models in the most extreme conditions. They are produced for wheels with a diameter of 15 inches and are more expensive than most of the other modifications considered. But this price is justified by the high quality of production. Since we are talking about all-terrain tires, BF Goodrich can also be used on hard surfaces, although they show their main advantages precisely off-road. The design of the tires is thought out in such a way that the car on which they are installed looks as solid as possible.
No elevator
Selecting good mud tires for the Niva Chevy without the need for any modifications to the car is quite possible. The wheels just have to fit into the standard size parameters set by the manufacturer. Namely: their diameter should be R15 or R16, width between 204 and 240 millimeters, and height - from 70 to 80 mm. The best tire that meets these requirements is BF Goodrich Mud Terrain, which is sold in sizes 235/75/R15. The Kumho Road Venture is available in sizes 235/75/R15 and 235/70/R16. Cordiants will not require lifting either.
With elevator
To install large tires on a Niva Chevrolet, its owner will have to resort to modifications. There are several conversion options, used either individually or in combination. This is about:
Lifting kits cost several thousand rubles and most car owners can lift their Chevy by 5 centimeters with their own hands. Major changes will require a professional approach, but they are rarely necessary. The most common options for extreme mud tires fit well into these parameters. We are talking about BF Goodrich Mud Terrain of large sizes, and MAXXIS MT-762 235/75/R15 or 235/85/R16, and HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT.
As is the case with standard mud tires, larger models are more often found with 15-inch wheel diameters than R16.
Tuning options
If you look at the Drive 2 website, read various reviews, look at pictures and photos of Niva modernization, most car owners get a very decent result.
It all depends on what your goal is and how much money you are willing to spend on improving your domestic crossover. Some are quite happy with the factory version of MD (with single-wheel drive) or 4x4 without any improvements. Others definitely want to make a real candy out of an ordinary crossover, which everyone will turn around and look at with a hint of envy.
I will say right away that the Chevrolet Niva is not a car that is used for racing or some kind of exquisite tuning exhibitions. This is a workhorse. Therefore, tuning has several goals:
- make the car more attractive;
- give it more practicality;
- increase cross-country ability;
- improve comfort inside the car for the driver and passengers;
- improve technical specifications.
All modification activities can be divided into several types of tuning:
- external;
- internal (applies to the interior and trunk);
- technical (including engine chip tuning).
I suggest considering the following options:
- off-road modifications;
- engine;
- salon;
- external improvements.
Each item includes several subcategories. But we’ll figure this out as we go along. So get ready. Feel free to grab something tasty to munch on while you read. And I'll start. Bon appetit, if anything.
How much do mud tires cost on a Chevrolet Niva?
Off-road tires for a Chevrolet Niva may well be inexpensive. But you shouldn’t count on a low price when it comes to extreme wheels. Of course, domestic models are mostly cheaper than foreign ones, but this difference is not always great.
| Tire | Cost per unit, rub. |
| Cordiant Off-Road | 4500-5500 |
| I-569 "Bear" | 3000-5000 |
| Kumho Road Venture | 6000-6500 |
| Federal Couragia M/T | 6700-8700 |
| HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT | 7000-10000 |
| MAXXIS MT-762 | 10000-11000 |
| Cooper Discoverer S/T | 8000-10000 |
| Yokohama Geolandar MT | 5500-7000 |
| Forward Safari 500 | 7000-8000 |
| Simex Extreme Trekker | 11000-13000 |
Photos of the protectors of each model can be found on the sellers’ websites.
Reviews
I installed Simex Extreme Trekker extreme wheels. Of course, they are expensive and I had to redo the car a little, but they are worth it. I do extreme off-roading and the tires cope with it completely.
Vadim, 29 years old:
I spent a long time choosing between Cordiant and “Bear”. In the end, I chose the second option and have never regretted it - truly legendary tires! The price is the same.
Specialization : Graduated from the State Automobile University, worked for 20 years at GAZ-56, now I drive a Zhiguli.
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Tuning the chip and transmission
Due to the fact that the engine has undergone significant changes, the software installed on the car is unlikely to cope with its tasks. Until recently, it was believed that only specialists could change the firmware of a chip. This is true for Bosch models 7.9.0, M7.9.7 and M7.9.7+, however, in electronic control units of the January 7.2 type this deficiency has been corrected. They can be calibrated and configured for a modernized car. At the same time, there is a high probability of achieving an increase in power by an additional 10-15%.
Wheels for Niva off-road
Cars that feel equally comfortable both on city asphalt and in its complete absence have always been popular in our country. The reason for this, to put it mildly, is the unsatisfactory condition of roads even in large cities - let alone the provinces.
Even though our market is simply flooded with foreign-made SUVs, Russian Nivas (together with UAZs) create worthy competition for them. They themselves are cheaper, and spare parts are easier to buy and replace.
As for cross-country ability, in this they are not inferior to polished “foreigners” at all - they only need the right tires.
Let's look at how to choose wheels for an off-road Niva, but first let's look at their sizes.
Results
All of the above methods regulating the tuning of the Niva for off-road use certainly contribute to sharpening the popular domestic SUV for Russian off-road conditions, rural and forest mud roads, where even a front-wheel drive SUV is unlikely to be able to slip through. They give the car greater stability and controllability. It does not get stuck in mud and does not allow liquid to pass through. And most importantly, they can be done gradually, step by step, without causing much damage to the family or bachelor budget.
Tire sizes for Niva (VAZ) of different models
Despite the fact that the Niva does not have a reinforced frame or a solid front axle, it still belongs to the category of SUVs, not SUVs, and copes well even with complete off-road conditions.
Although this concept can be completely different: a dirt village road without covering; mountainous terrain; deep ruts that become impassable after rain; a swamp where the soil is peaty and quite loose.
Car enthusiasts are faced with all these options:
When purchasing a car, which is designed to help overcome all the hardships of active recreation, the owner first of all strives to test it in the harsh realities of the local terrain.
To avoid disappointment at the very first difficulties, it is advisable to immediately take care of choosing good tires after purchasing a car. The one that is produced in Russia, unlike the Niva itself, does not belong to this category, and cannot compete with imported ones at all.
First, let's find out which wheels can be installed on a Niva without cutting the arches in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and then we'll go through the tire models.
VAZ-21214 (LADA 4×4)
This model is one of the few that was produced for export. It was also supplied to Japan, which is why it is right-hand drive. And this is the only Russian car allowed into the country, which is the queen of the global automobile industry.
For reference: On a Niva 4x4, regardless of the model and restyling, all four wheels are driven and must have the same profile.
That is, the car has all-wheel drive. Which wheels are suitable:
Factory parameters are 175/80 R16.
VAZ-21213
The name Taiga, which this model initially received, never caught on. Although the car itself is quite popular, it has been produced since 1994, and became the prototype for many export models. The wheels on Niva 21213 are the same as those on the previous model.
VAZ-21215
This car with a diesel engine from Peugeot was produced only until 2007. It was also exported, so small batches were produced and better assembled than for the domestic market. Nevertheless, such Nivas also run along our roads.
Factory dimensions: 175/80 R16.
Niva 2121
This Niva model went into mass production back in the late 70s, and over such a long period of time it has proven its right to life. No matter how much motorists scold AvtoVAZ assemblers, many people drive exactly this version. Tires for Niva 2121 will have the same dimensions.
From the factory: 175/80 R16.
VAZ-212180 “Fora”
This Niva model was called Fora for its body lengthened by 30 cm, increased width of door openings and a wider rear seat than other models. Among other things, the “handicap” also affected the size of the wheels - 15-inch ones are no longer installed here.
Factory tires: 175/80/R16, 205/75 R16.
Tires with dimensions 215/70 R16 are suitable for replacement.
Niva 2131
Another extended model, but with 5 doors. Its popularity, judging by the copies sold, has not yet surpassed the VAZ-2121, but is already close to it.
Factory tire size is 175/80R16.
Niva 2123
The production of a pilot batch of this car was carried out in 2002. However, it ended up in the series when, due to financial difficulties, the production license was sold to General Motors.
As a result, a Chevrolet badge began to appear on the car’s bumper. This also affected the size of the wheels.
Chevrolet Niva
Later, the Americans made some changes to the design of the VAZ-2123, due to which it began to be considered a different model and received the proud prefix Chevrolet to the name Niva.
Chevrolet Niva FAM-1 (VAZ-21236)
In 2006, a new Chevrolet Niva model was released, now with an Opel engine. However, after a couple of years it was discontinued. What wheels should I put on the Niva Chevrolet FAM-1? The same as the predecessor.
The factory installs tires with the following dimensions:
Replacement tire sizes:
Chevrolet Niva Trophy
Previous Chevy Niva models were not adapted to off-road conditions in the same way as the Trophy model.
There are many features used here that help you drive on bad roads: a snorkel that protects the car from water hammer when driving through water, a chain tensioner that has become mechanical (it was hydraulic), transmission breathers under the hood and much more.
Chevrolet Niva after restyling
In 2009, the Chevrolet Niva was updated, which was worked on by Italian designers. This mainly affected the appearance - the car began to look the way it is customary in the orderly ranks of General Motors. The wheels for the Chevrolet Niva remain the same.
Some readers are interested in what large wheels can be installed on a Niva? If you cut the bridge and remove the arches, you can get such a miracle of technology as in the photo. But first, think carefully: is this necessary, and how much will it cost?
Some people believe that the best wheels on a Niva can be removed from a tractor
see also
Comments 23
Sorry I didn’t read everything, it turns out the rear bumper was changed and they lost weight. Well, what’s the next diet, (plastic)?
And, of course, then it would be worth changing the bumpers, to a 47mm pipe, front and rear, you can lose another 10 kg
