Tuning the Niva 2121 interior with your own hands: video instructions

"VAZ-2121" has very good driving characteristics in off-road conditions. A short wheelbase and small overhangs, combined with all-wheel drive and a low range of gears, expand the range of obstacles to overcome. The Niva from the factory can overcome serious off-road conditions that are beyond the capabilities of any other stock SUV. But all successful engineering solutions concern only the chassis and body. When you get into the cabin, it becomes noticeable that the engineers here did not care much about the driver and his passengers. Lack of sound insulation, poor ergonomics and low-quality materials spoil the impression of the entire car as a whole.

Another example of cool tuning of a VAZ 2121 on your own

The Niva's seats are not intended for long trips and do not have sufficient lateral support.
To eliminate this drawback, you can replace the existing version with seats from another car that have all the additional options. To install them, you will need to do some minor metalworking and welding work with fasteners. If you do not have such skills or do not have the necessary equipment, then you should contact a workshop. There is also an option to redo the stock seats, replace the padding and reupholster them. For such work, the studio charges a decent amount, but for this you get your own unique design and no need to redo the fasteners.

Among the happy owners of the popular Russian SUV VAZ 2121 (Niva) and its modifications 21213, 21214 (Taiga, 4x4), 2131 (five-door), there are hardly those who ignored even minor alterations and changes in the interior of their car. Therefore, internal tuning (modernization of the interior, or individual interior elements) can rightfully be considered one of the most popular areas of modernization in order to increase the level of comfort, both among amateurs and professional tuners.

To improve comfort and taking into account the characteristics of operation (urban conditions, hunting / fishing / active recreation, sports), work has to be carried out in many directions and of varying degrees of complexity. Starting from the elementary replacement of gear shift levers, pedal pads, window lifter handles and ending with the reupholstery of interior elements (ceilings, door panels, trunk shelves) with the replacement of seats with seats from foreign cars.

On this page we will try to consider all possible alterations and improvements in the interior of the classic Niva using various materials and modern technologies, which you can do yourself or order from specialists from tuning studios. By the way, there are many companies on the automotive services market that professionally deal with Niv showrooms.

Considering the relative austerity and simplicity of the standard seats, the idea of ​​replacing them with seats from a foreign car comes to mind for many VAZ-2121 owners. Of course, taking into account the two-door layout, it is necessary to focus on the appropriate type of donor. But most often, it is possible to make a reclining mechanism with your own hands and on the front seats, which were not originally designed for this. You will also have to tinker with the back of the rear sofa (given the characteristic shape of the plastic trim on the wheel arches).

Installing seats from a foreign car instead of standard ones is one of the best options for significantly increasing the level of comfort. At the same time, the complexity of the work is often at a relatively low level, and the price of used seats is also often relatively low, and the result can exceed the best expectations. In addition to frankly budget options (donors are inexpensive Japanese or Europeans), sometimes the VAZ 2121 is even equipped with leather seats from luxury foreign cars (Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, etc.). You can see similar installations in the photographs below.

Note to Nivavodam!

Initially, this is a Niva 21213 from 2001, purchased by the current owner in 2013 in the usually ten-year-old Niva condition “in the bag and ready for ferrous metal”

A little with rottenness, a little with rust, a little with straightening after the “ears”, but on casting, goodrich and with UNP seats.

I think this is what captivated the current owner; he didn’t yet know what he was getting into when dealing with Rosavtoprom, which in practice turns out to be a dummy car(

And then the work was divided into stages and, in the intervals between daily use, brought to the state in the photo, the car was given a second life, much more interesting than the first.

This is not a complete list of work on cars that have been installed and “pumped up” (you can’t remember everything), almost everything is budgetary and, if possible, with a minimum of costs

And the view before being given to the owner for “combat” use

In general, it turned out to be a good city car that is quiet, warm, has good urban dynamics and has excellent off-road potential for driving with friends on the weekends; on weekdays, the car takes the owner to and from work, without straining the wallet with the cost of its maintenance.

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

For the owner, tuning Niva 21213 is a manifestation of his affection and love for this model. In our article we will look at changes that will make the car more modern and comfortable.

Any car can be not only refreshed through tuning, but also radically changed, achieving a significant improvement in technical performance. Niva is no exception in this regard. Thus, tuning a VAZ 2121 with your own hands allows you to transform the legendary SUV into any form.

Today we will talk about how to get a car from a VAZ 2121 that is ready for the toughest off-road conditions. As a result of the tuning, the Niva became an excellent companion for trips to the mountains and for hunting and fishing. To achieve this, a considerable amount of work was carried out.

Chassis tuning

The modernization of the VAZ 2121 chassis is aimed at improving the vehicle's cross-country ability in difficult rough terrain. Tuning the Niva for off-road use is carried out by lifting the suspension - increasing the ground clearance, which allows you to equip the car with larger wheels (when lifting by 60 mm, the Niva gets 29 wheels, 31 wheels require additional trimming of the arches).

Lifting Niva 2121 involves the use of special lift kits, the cost of which varies between 10-15 tr. The products are guaranteed for 2-3 years.

With the help of a lift, you can adapt your car to off-road driving.

The lift kit consists of:

• Spacer for shock absorbers;
• Upgraded brake rod;
• Reinforced transverse and upper rear suspension rod;
• Brackets for shifting shock absorber fixation units;
• Blocking the travel of shock absorbers;
• Spacers for suspension cups and ball joints.

Lifting involves a serious rework of the VAZ 2121 chassis - it is rational to trust this modernization to professionals, since if done incorrectly, the center of gravity of the car may shift, which threatens to reduce controllability and accelerated wear of the suspension components.

In addition to lifting and increasing the diameter of the wheels, it makes sense to replace the rubber parts of the suspension (silent blocks, stops and bushings) with similar polyurethane products. This material, unlike rubber, does not harden at sub-zero temperatures and does not impair the functionality of the suspension.

An increase in the mechanical strength of the chassis is achieved through the installation of reinforced steering knuckles, rear axle and front beam, and a double-row hub.

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.

Also interesting: Chevrolet Niva central locking – Auto workshop online

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_JAK8-_lAA

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.

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.

What can and should be done

Types of modernization work:

1. Make noise insulation of the interior;
2. Change seats;
3. Re-upholstery;
4. Install a “non-native” dashboard;
5. Remodel or replace appliances;
6. Cover with film (carbon, wood, aluminum);
7. Make neon interior lighting;
8. Install electric windows;
9. Replace the rear side windows with opening ones;
10. Install air conditioning;
11. Cover the floor with aluminum;
12. 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.

We drag complex elements using glue (doors, panels, etc.)

1. Initially, you need to prepare the surface; to do this, you need to rinse it well, sand it and degrease it. Sanding should be done carefully to avoid leaving scratches.

It is best to degrease with products specially designed for this purpose, such as Supercolle or at least gasoline.

1. Then glue is applied to the entire surface and material, uneven areas are coated with a brush. Use a hair dryer to heat and smooth the material.

If you can’t glue the material to some areas of the surface, then they need to be filled with automotive putty and the re-upholstery must be repeated again.

Engine modification

During the modernization process, it is also advisable to either install a new dashboard or improve the old one. We will tell you how to do this in the step-by-step instructions below:

• We disassemble the old panel, after which we replace the standard incandescent lamps with modern LEDs. You can use color filters to make the lighting as aesthetically pleasing as possible;
• We replace the instrument scales with new ones, preferably in light colors. To do this, you will first need to carefully remove the arrows and disconnect the wiring from the sensors. Upon completion of the work, assembly is performed in the reverse order;
• installing a trauma panel. It is best to use a part from the VAZ-2106, which is ideal for the Niva and allows you to expand the functionality of the interior. Before installation, a hole for the lampshade is prepared in the product, after which it is completely covered with a special acoustic fabric. Then all we have to do is connect the lamp and install the new panel in place;
• We are finalizing such a detail of the instrument panel as the “beard”. It plays a very important role, as it allows you to keep all the necessary items at hand. For modification, you can use an overlay from a VAZ-21213 car, which fits perfectly on the dashboard. During the modernization process, you first need to mount the cigarette lighter on the new “beard”, and then slightly heat the part and bend it at the desired angle, screw it into place.

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.

Instead of the factory carburetor, you can install a modification of it with an enlarged diffuser called a throttle. You can also install an injection model. It is worth considering installing a new electronic ignition system.

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.

Thus, with the help of modifications and tuning, a Niva can be made into a car that fully meets the requirements of its owner.

When carrying out noise insulation and anti-corrosion work, you will have to dismantle, among other things, the dashboard. And you can take advantage of this moment to modify the torpedo, or find a replacement for it from other cars with similar parameters. Modernization can only consist of reupholstering the instrument panel or changing its shape followed by reupholstery.

If the vehicle will not be used to force deep fords, then it can be equipped with a modern multimedia system by integrating a tablet into the torpedo. For those cars that are occasionally used to overcome water obstacles, it is necessary to think over a scheme for easy and quick dismantling of multimedia before overcoming water obstacles.

Lighting

The stock interior is very dark at night. And if the front row is still at least somehow illuminated, then the back row does not have any lighting device. For illumination, you can use an LED strip; it is easy to install and does not consume a lot of electricity. Tuning light can be selected in any shade and installed almost anywhere. With it, the car gains more coziness and comfort. When installing additional lighting, you must remember safety and install fuses on all lighting devices.

"Niva 4x4" is a good car with a high degree of cross-country ability. But a car is not judged only by its exterior interior and driving characteristics. A big role in the evaluation of a car is played by its interior and the amenities of the driver and his passengers. Having an inexpensive (compared to competitors) and passable car, all that remains is to add convenience for passengers and your own design so that it will delight you and create a cozy atmosphere. All of the above measures will help transform the car and make its design unique.

Niva interior reupholstery

With a more or less serious approach and expectations of better results from “internal tuning”, it is difficult to do without partial or complete replacement of the upholstery of some interior elements - including the ceiling, side panels and doors (sometimes the dashboard and steering wheel). In this case, various modern and classic materials are used for upholstery: fabric, Alcantara or leather, flocking.

We recommend reading more about the intricacies and details of this type of work in the section Reupholstering the interior.

External tuning of Niva

At this point we finished all the stuffing and moved on to external tuning. Here, first of all, we installed the body kit. It is, of course, plastic, and it took quite a long time to install and was difficult (its adjustment turned out to be very difficult), but nevertheless this innovation had a significant impact on the general appearance of the field. We decorated the front of the VAZ 2121 with the help of a “kenguryatnik”, and at the back we installed a gate for the spare tire, which best matches the design and construction of the body kit. We also installed other doors, from 21214, and also replaced the side mirrors: we installed a model with turn signals and chameleon coating.

The appearance was effectively complemented by American camouflage film, which, in addition to purely decorative purposes, is also resistant to mechanical damage.

When finishing work on the Niva, we paid attention to the lighting elements by installing new headlights equipped with hydraulic compensators. And 4 halogen spotlights were installed on the roof.

How to improve the trunk

Improvements to the Niva-2121 include improvements to the luggage compartment. The trunk has a large volume, which can be considered an advantage, but the technical performance of this part of the car leaves much to be desired. Most often, complaints are caused by two disadvantages of the trunk:

1. A rib at the bottom of the trunk that interferes with loading things.
2. A folding shelf that divides the trunk crosswise into two parts.

Also interesting: Changing the oil in the transfer case of a Niva Chevrolet: which transmission oil is better to pour into the box and axles, volume in the gearbox, do-it-yourself replacement

A tuned Niva, at a minimum, should be rid of these unnecessary elements. By the way, they are absent in the latest models - the technicians took into account the numerous complaints of Niva lovers.

Instead of a rib and a partition, it is worth installing a box in the trunk. It can have any shelves, dividers, pockets that allow you to organize the things you transport. You can do it in the following way:

1. We make the frame of the box from tubes or corners.
2. We cover it with plywood, thick fabric, cardboard or other suitable material.
3. We attach partitions or pockets to it according to our taste.

In addition, the trunk can be improved by covering it with thermal insulation, sound insulation and waterproofing film.

Some people install a TV, speaker system or other gadgets in the trunk, but this is not very functional if the car is often driven off-road. When shaking, the contacts fly off, and the equipment quickly fails.

Upholstery of seats and other interior parts

If you want to radically change the appearance of the interior and ensure the most comfortable use of the Niva 2121 car, you can also follow these steps:

• install wider seats;
• We completely replace the upholstery of the seats and the ceiling. For this purpose, it makes sense to use either natural leather or thick fabric. The choice of color scheme depends solely on your taste preferences;
• We install metal sheets in the trunk of a Niva car, which will serve as additional reinforcement of the bottom and protection from mechanical damage;
• we carry out the covering of the gear shift lever.

Replacement of seats (chairs) VAZ 2121

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.

For high-quality sound insulation, you will also need to remove the front panel. Here you will find another key point included in high-quality tuning for Niva 21213 - the dashboard. It can be replaced with a more modern version. A radical solution to changing the appearance of the interior would be to completely replace the front panel with another one.

There is a “comfort” version of the front panel on sale. Its advantages are that there is no need to redo the fasteners, adjust them to size, etc. It has space for both an on-board computer and a tape recorder. The new dashboard and steering wheel will create the complete feeling that you are driving another car. Moreover, every car enthusiast can do such tuning of Niva 21213 with his own hands (photo above).

Making the salon more comfortable

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.

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:

1. Installation of spacers (store-bought or home-made) between suspension elements.
2. Replacing shock absorbers - for example, you can install Rancho shock absorbers.
3. Installing new springs.
4. 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.

Dashboard for Niva 2121: dashboard tuning.

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.

Accessories for interior tuning

Steering wheels, pedal covers, non-standard transfer and gearbox shift knobs, as well as other controls. This is only part of the list of accessories to improve the interior, the installation of which instead of standard ones already transforms the interior, and sometimes makes the operation of the car more ergonomic and comfortable.

The sports steering wheel is an excellent replacement for the standard one. Metal pedals with rubber inserts. A set of knobs for the gearshift lever and transfer case.

In addition, the list of accessories can be supplemented with door sill covers, all kinds of shelves, fasteners, bottle holders and other small things, sometimes useful.

Engine tuning

Chip tuning of the Niva, with the aim of reflashing the “brains” to change the dynamic modes of the car, is not feasible due to the fact that the smart filling of the VAZ-2121 is represented exclusively by an electronic ignition unit. Tuning the Niva engine is carried out mechanically; it allows you to actually increase the power of the power unit, the vehicle’s high-torque performance and reduce fuel losses in the supply path.

During a “deep” modernization, the cylinder inlet channels are bored and the standard valves are replaced with lightweight ones, due to this, the filling and purging of the combustion chambers is increased and, as a result, the engine power is increased.

The acceleration dynamics of the Niva are improved by replacing the stock crankshaft flywheel with a lightweight one (weight difference is 2 kg). As a result of the replacement, the smoothness of the acceleration somewhat deteriorates, but the engine itself becomes playful and the car's response to opening the throttle improves.

An increase in engine power at high speeds can be achieved by installing a long-stroke camshaft, but when operating the Niva in rough terrain, this is not recommended, since the sports camshaft impairs engine performance in low-speed mode.

About 10% of the loss of potential power of the power unit occurs due to the carburetor; the situation can be improved by replacing the standard carburetor filter with an air analogue of zero resistance, which will increase the combustion efficiency of a standard volume of the fuel mixture. Replacing small-section pipes in the exhaust manifold with “spider 4-1” allows you to increase the traction force of the engine when operating at high and medium speeds by 5%.

Engine tuning, due to which an increase in engine torque is achieved, should be complemented by upgrading the clutch - replacing the standard disc and basket with a set of reinforced analogues.

SUV from Niva

Tuning the VAZ-2121 allows you to turn the car into a real modern SUV. To do this you need:

1. Install larger diameter wheels covered in off-road tires.
2. Install arch extensions.
3. Install a power kit.

However, for such tuning you need to have a very good understanding of what you are going to do. For example, you should take into account that low-profile tires will be irrelevant, and installing wheels with a large diameter will require high torque performance. The power unit will fail very quickly if you do not take all these points into account.

Installing arch extensions will expand the options for choosing wheels, and will also solve the problem of dirt flying onto the doors from under the wheels. The work on the power body kit primarily includes the installation of a kenguryatnik, made from metal pipes independently. The kenguryatnik not only enhances the protection of the car, but also gives it a more aggressive look.

Also interesting: The principle of operation of the air conditioner of a Niva Chevrolet car

We eliminate the problem with poor lighting in the cabin

Many owners of the Niva 2121 consider the very low quality of lighting in the cabin to be a very significant flaw. Today you can easily cope with this problem using the most modern technological solutions. For this purpose we will need:

• a few extra light bulbs. You can purchase both conventional light sources and LEDs, which are energy efficient and provide effective interior lighting;
• car lamps;
• lamp sockets;
• wiring.

Internal upholstery

Tuning the interior of a VAZ-2121 will be incomplete if you do not transform the door cards and the headliner. From the factory they do not differ in particular aesthetics and are made of inexpensive materials. These elements can be upholstered with a material that suits you (in color and structure). This is a simple job, and you can do it yourself. You can also change the shape and material of the door handles, making them suitable for the design of other elements.

In addition to the materials that are used for upholstering seats, ceilings, door panels and, in some cases, dashboards - fabrics, leather, Alcantara, etc., other upholstery materials are also used for internal “upgrades”. For example, carpet (with a higher pile than the pile laid at the factory) or corrugated aluminum are chosen to cover the floor.

At the same time, the carpet covering, in addition to improving the appearance, also provides additional sound insulation, and the aluminum covering makes the interior more suitable for cleaning, which is very important and practical in case of off-road use. Also, it will not be superfluous to have plastic trunk upholstery with a rear parcel shelf, upholstered in carpet (fleecy material), which will also make the interior more comfortable, quieter and more attractive.

Noise insulation

Refinement of the Niva's interior should begin with protecting all people in the car from noise made when driving. This procedure involves dismantling most of the interior. Therefore, it is advisable to combine such a procedure with anti-corrosion treatment. It is better to dismantle parts in the warm season (or in a warm room), since plastic parts are made of low-quality plastic and become brittle in the cold, and are easily damaged during disassembly. There are a large number of materials for sound insulation and anti-corrosion treatment, so everyone can choose the one that suits them.

Installing and connecting music in the cabin

To one degree or another, it is difficult to do without this with any approach to improving the interior (starting from ascetic options and even more so in the case of serious alterations). Car audio and multimedia in Niva are real, although in some cases it is extremely irrelevant, taking into account the peculiarities of off-road operation.

Therefore, during internal tuning, in any case, you will have to deal with the installation of music. Moreover, not only the head unit of the system itself, but also all the accompanying car audio components - amplifiers, acoustics, subwoofers and other “bells and whistles”. Usually a simple Niva gets by with a minimum of such equipment, but there are exceptions that amaze with the originality and power of the equipment.

Amateur and professional approach to car audio installation.

Various aspects of this type of modification can be found in the Car Audio section of our article catalog.

Other improvements and changes

• Sliding or lifting sunroof;
• Opening side windows;
• Electric windows;
• Air conditioner;
• Neon lights;

You can read about all these areas in the following materials. .

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.

Taiga base

VAZ 21213 “Niva” is a classic representative of a bygone era of the Soviet automobile industry. The main difference from earlier versions of the SUV is the rear brake lights and the design of the third door. Everything else in the car is an echo from the past. It is not surprising that many owners, instead of buying a more “dressy” Niva Urban car, prefer to tune the Niva. 21213 is the model that replaced the first version of the domestic SUV.

“Niva Taiga” (this is the additional name the car received) had a number of advantages that distinguished it from its predecessor:

• new engine and transmission;
• efficiency.

All the beneficial aspects of the car immediately catch the eye where the road ends. On rough terrain, it is capable of performing miracles of maneuverability, limited only by the courage of its driver.

But as soon as you go on a long road trip on the highway, within an hour you will understand that you simply need to do tuning of the Niva 21213. You will be annoyed by the noise of the interior, the constant creaking of various decorative trims, and the not-so-comfortable driver’s seat. It's not easy for the rear passengers either - they feel all the unevenness of the road, and the inability to stretch their legs even a little leads to rapid fatigue.

Do-it-yourself Chevrolet Niva tuning

Tuning a Chevy Niva may include a power body kit - installing a front bumper with a platform for a winch and a rear power bumper to protect the body when driving through the forest. It is also worth increasing the protection of the engine compartment , thanks to which such a vehicle will have significant advantages over other off-road vehicles.

Metal sheets will also help protect the engine from water, because off-road driving involves crossing not only deep puddles, but also fording small rivers. Additional thresholds would also be an excellent solution . They will serve as a support when getting out of a car that has landed in the mud.

Tuning a Chevrolet Niva, the photo of which is presented below, also includes special cables stretched from the front bumper to the roof. These are trophy rails that will protect the windshield from damage from tree branches while driving through the forest. You can make them yourself or purchase a ready-made kit.

If your car is equipped with a special platform for a winch, then don’t spare money on it yourself. When traveling off-road, the winch is very convenient and almost indispensable if the car gets stuck in impassable mud. It will be much more convenient to free the car using a winch than manually.

You can learn how to choose a winch from this video:

How to draw up a car purchase and sale agreement? Read the special guide and download the car purchase and sale agreement form on our website.

Modern technologies amaze even experts. Find out everything about liquid rubber coating.

Proper polishing does not leave scratches. Here /tehobsluzhivanie/uhod/polirovka-svoimi-rukami.html tells how to polish a car without special equipment.

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.

Read news about the new Niva

• The modernized Lada Niva Legend (4x4) 2021 was shown on the Internet
• Lada 4×4 Bronto - sales stopped, new details » Lada.Online - all the most interesting and useful about LADA cars
• Description of the instrument panel Lada 4×4 (VAZ 2121, 2131) » Lada.Online - all the most interesting and useful about LADA cars
• Chevrolet Niva gasoline consumption per 100 km
• Buy LADA (VAZ) 2131 (4×4) 2022 in Rostov-on-Don, low price for Lada 2131 (4×4) 2022 on the Avto.ru website
• Fuses Niva 21214 injector «
• The new large Lada 4×4 Niva “Bigster” 2021-2022 based on the Dacia Bigster was shown for the first time. The SUV has changed beyond recognition
• New Niva Chevrolet Lux 2022 - review of GLC equipment

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.

Tuning the interior of a VAZ 21214 – the comfort of the Niva’s interior with your own hands

The history of the VAZ 21214 begins with the reincarnation of the VAZ 21213. Both cars were remade almost simultaneously with the old Niva, so some of their characteristics are the same.

Probably not a single domestic car can compare with the cross-country ability and powerful technical characteristics of the Niva. The car can rightfully be considered a Russian SUV and a mountain patron.

Car enthusiasts are so accustomed to the VAZ 2121 that, despite the new products in the world of cars, it did not leave the Russian market for a long time. However, the internal characteristics of the car began to age, so drivers and designers found a way out - to tune the VAZ 21214 Niva .

The new car called VAZ 21214 Niva Taiga has undergone major changes. Particular attention should be paid to the car’s engine, in which a fuel injection engine with distributor injection was installed, with a volume of 1.7 liters and a power of 81.8 horsepower. Now the engine torque has increased significantly and is 127.5 Nm. To increase driving power, a drive supercharger is added to the car. The modernization of the propulsion system meets the standard for the domestic market and for export supplies.

Tuning the VAZ 21214 Niva includes the installation of a long-stroke crankshaft, which increases engine displacement from 84 to 92 mm, an offset piston pin to reduce piston knocking, and a throttle valve to adjust the fuel mixture.

New fog lights are installed on the car and rear lights are changed, which are similar to the “six” lights. For the beauty and aerodynamics of the Niva Taiga engine, body kits are tuned. This part will save fuel in the system, and also give an aggressive and sporty look to the car.

For styling and ease of travel, roof rails are installed. They help transport excess cargo economically.

During the tuning process, do not forget to upgrade the transmission. A driveshaft with a constant velocity joint is installed in the car. Often tuning a VAZ 21214 after such changes is called “Lada 4X4”. Using a gas-oil shock absorber and high-stiffness springs, the Niva Taiga is truly considered an SUV, and it’s not for nothing that it can often be found on the rally track.

If desired, you can tune the steering, the front axle disconnect mechanism, which saves fuel, and improve the braking equipment.

Tuning VAZ 21214 photo

Tuning the interior of the VAZ 21214 made the car comfortable to drive. Euro-style handles are installed in the interior, the doors are upholstered in plastic, and additional lighting is installed. Take care to install sound insulation in the cabin; it will reduce squeaks, vibrations and noises outside the car. Also, tuning the interior of the VAZ 21214 Niva includes replacing the dashboard (similar to the VAZ 2108) and electronic devices: installing power steering, alarm, MP3 player, acoustics with a subwoofer, on-board computer with route indicator.

Tuning VAZ 21214 interior photo

So, you already have some experience in upgrading your favorite car. As you can see, it all depends on your imagination and tuning the VAZ 21214 with your own hands can be done without any problems. First deal with the external tuning of the car, as this is the main attribute that attracts prying eyes. Make your trunk huge and strong, install powerful front protection, a streamlined beautiful body kit and everything that speaks of a real SUV. Experiment, and you will get an individual car with good external characteristics that is not afraid of any weather conditions.

For the VAZ 21214 body kit, a pipe structure (kengurin) is installed in the front and rear of the car. However, prepare responsibly for installing the body kit, since the unit is mounted on the bumper. Make sure that the car's bumper has thick walls and is securely fastened, then install a winch on it, like a real jeep. You can experiment, raise the car and install a lift for better road mobility. Go for big wheels and alloy wheels that will really make your car stand out. It is better to entrust this part of the work to a master, since he knows all the intricacies of this process, and you will save a lot of time.

Tuning VAZ 21214 Niva changes the main pair for higher speed and power of the car. So, if the Niva had a 4.1 main pair, then the upgrade goes to 3.9 (the lower the numbers, the better for the engine).

Make sure you have good lighting and install a chandelier in your car. The light makes visibility possible from all sides, and the work light will make visibility much brighter and better.

The appearance of “Niva Taiga” is finished, all that remains is to take care of its inner world. The interior can be insulated, which is indispensable in the cold season, and a reliable navigation system can be installed to help you navigate the area, no matter where you are. Interior tuning will make your trip comfortable and safe.

Now there are many video lessons from specialists who will not only tell you how to tune a car, but also show the sequence of all actions. Here, for example, is one of them: