Model Luaz 969m can be called the first successful SUV Soviet-made even despite the fact that the concept of a highly passable and maneuverable car, laid down during production, failed due to the installation of a Zaporozhye engine. In general, this car, the beginning of the production of which dates back to 1967, showed itself on the good side, let's see what else can be done with it.
1 Tuning the Luaz 969 m model - new frontiers of the possible
In Soviet times, this light SUV with a small engine was distinguished primarily by a tough independent suspension, small mass, front-wheel drive and low vehicle center of gravity. However, over time, all these advantages have become disadvantages, as time does not stand still, the automotive industry develops, technologies grow - driving a Luase 969m with normal characteristics in modern conditions is quite difficult.
Today, competent tuning of this model begins with an engine update. The regular unit, which was already outdated even in the 70s of the last century, is most often replaced with a more powerful and suitable one. Depending on financial capabilities, this can be either a new unit from one of the VAZ models, or a foreign analogue, for example, from Isuzu or Toyota cars. In the first case ideal option will install 1.2 liter engine from the "penny" VAZ 2101, however, it is very problematic to make a replacement with your own hands. It is also necessary to replace the transmission of the car, you will also have to perform welding work, because the VAZ engine does not fit perfectly into the body of the Luaz. You will have to grind the pulleys, change the engine protection and install a new generator, since the standard 40-amp version is completely unsuitable even if a VAZ engine is installed. Chip tuning in this case is not possible due to the lack of an ECU on the Luaz 969 model.
After replacing the engine, it is necessary to replace the clutch, redo the suspension, install a differential lock, power steering, etc.
If you decide to replace the engine with a more powerful foreign-made analogue, there will be much more changes. Some owners prefer to install diesel version engines from old Toyota SUVs along with the replacement of steering with power steering from the same models. To increase the cross-country ability, it will be useful to replace the bottom of the car and strengthen the roof structure. The bottom is made of strong steel plates, and the roof is either completely cut off or an additional support is installed. Lifting will increase the clearance of the car, for it it is enough to purchase a ready-made lift kit. However, it is better to entrust such serious tuning changes to specialists in this field, this will save you time, nerves and money.
2 Changes in the appearance of Luaz 969m - there is no limit to fantasy
An angular body, somewhat reminiscent of a box of matches, two protruding headlights - this car is practically devoid of aesthetics. No wonder, because it was created primarily for military purposes. But nothing prevents the owners this vehicle show your imagination and convert Luaz into a more "serious" city car, or an SUV with a high degree of cross-country ability.
In the first case, you can contact a tuning studio, but you can also use special ones, with which there is a chance to create really unique look car. If you decide to make this car more passable, then the first thing to do is to increase the ground clearance, replace the standard wheels and install an off-road tuning kit, which includes a standard set of external equipment.
With your own hands, using special tools, you can install a winch in the front bumper, a kenguryatnik (you need to take care of the correct fastening so as not to increase the load on the front of the body), a roof rack, protective thresholds, additional optics on the roof and reinforced bumpers in the front and rear . All these changes, along with a new body color, will significantly improve the aesthetic appearance of the car and increase its off-road capabilities.
Without becoming massive, LuAZ nevertheless gained popularity, becoming the only possible mode of transport for a whole cohort of hunters, mushroom pickers, fishermen and other “wrong” people who like to interfere with life more often so that it does not turn sour.
In addition, the popularity of this mini-all-terrain vehicle is such that today many owners of more thoroughbred trotters have LuAZ in their “stables” and trust only him in “serious” matters. Yes, and that the city is work, and real life is in full swing here, where it is difficult and impossible to get through, but it is necessary. And they have a smile from ear to ear not when they are in a business suit, but when they are covered with clay, like their reliable horse after overcoming another trap.
But first, let's get acquainted with the original Luaz.
Birth certificate
Name - LuAZ. Date of birth - 1967. Parents - Lutsk Automobile and Melitopol Motor Plants. Birth weight - 1360 kg, length - 3390 mm, height - 1770 mm and bust - 1610 mm, base - 1800 mm. Ground clearance 280 mm. Wheel formula - 4x4. Heart - power 40hp. Food - gasoline A76, appetite -10l / 100 km at a speed of 60 km / h. For normal life, LuAZ tuning is urgently required.
Appearance - ugly duckling. Exterior features - in their absence. Apparently, the flight of design ideas was interrupted or did not take place, which actually gave a certain touch of brutality to the born and moved many owners to tune LuAZ with their own hands.
With its unsightly appearance and engine from the "Zaporozhets", LuAZ does not inspire any confidence at the first meeting, except that it has a high ground clearance. But, where is he, even with all-wheel drive off-road, and even with such and such wheels. But, the patency of LuAZ, even in factory equipment, is simply amazing and puzzling, and the ability of the “air vent” to withstand such loads is genuine respect.
The design of LuAz is simple, but not entirely reliable. LuAZ, despite all its advantages, also has its drawbacks, which a handy owner will surely turn into advantages or at least increase the reliability of a weak node. The design of the car gives their owners a lot of room for tuning.
External tuning
There are no comrades for taste and color, but most, despite all the advantages of the LuAZ convertible top, prefer to install a metal roof. In many ways, it is warmer, more solid and more reliable. You can see similar LuAZ tuning options in the photos presented on this site. After replacing the roof with a metal one, it is important to change rear suspension regular torsion bars on more rigid from the front end. At the same time, it should be ensured that they retain the direction of twisting under the load. The replacement compensates for the “fat” that has appeared from the weight of the roof and at the same time will affect better handling. At the same time, the suspension stiffness of an unloaded car remains quite acceptable.
Interior tuning
The interior of LuAZ can be compared to a monk's cell, where you only have what you need and no velvet or precious woods. Yes, and these guys are not very supportive of such sentiments, for which "bog" boots are often ordinary everyday shoes. Although the question is whether to do the tuning of the LuAZ salon, here again, for an amateur. To increase comfort, many install sports seats with well-defined lateral support, a stylish instrument panel, reupholster the cabin, install a high-quality audio system with a subwoofer, and other interior elements.
Nevertheless, the main thing in this car is practicality, versatility and unpretentiousness.
Chassis
The first thing that all LuAZ owners immediately note is the ultra-short base and large steering gear ratio. These factors in extreme driving conditions make it too "nimble", prone to skidding and generally difficult to control. The presence all-wheel drive when using it, it only aggravates the situation and therefore it is included when it is really needed. Plus 13” wheels and drum brakes.
To better use the potential of the SUV, the owners perform LuAZ tuning by installing 14-15 ”wheels, integrating either steering rack, or power steering to the factory circuit.
In terms of tuning the chassis, LuAZ owners amaze with their invention and imagination, the decisions they make are so diverse.
So, in the equipment of the chassis there may be a steering gear with power steering Mersedes 124, steering column Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sunny pedal assembly and hydraulic vacuum, VAZ-Mazda disc brakes (VAZ 2108 caliper, rear brake disc/Mazda 626). Drives from Mazda require a little refinement of the outlet on the jig boring machine. This allows you to install 14 ”wheels and “serious” tires, more suitable for off-road.
Installing disc brakes has its pros and cons. The increased efficiency of the brakes is overshadowed by the rapid wear of the brake discs with constant contact with the dirt that is present on our off-road.
Refinement of the factory engine
The power of the factory engine is clearly low even for a city car, not to mention an all-wheel drive car designed for off-road conditions. In addition, the engine power is fully manifested before the first overheating, which in most cases “pulls” the broken head studs behind it. This immediately affects the start, malfunctions and a drop in engine power. Along the way, you can see that this malfunction with skillful hands can be fixed on the spot, which cannot be repeated in other cars.
So, experienced drivers who know about this “sore” of the Melitopol “air vents” carry with them a home-made long tap (device for threading) and several spare studs with an increased diameter of the lower threaded part. If, in case of overheating, the stud “fired”, then it is removed, the thread is cut directly through the head of the block and a repair stud is installed.
Everyone decides to replace the factory engine with a more powerful one in his own way, using domestic samples or looking for foreign analogues. So, the carburetor installed by the factory is being replaced with its analogue from the VAZ 2105 (DAAZ2105-20), which makes it possible to ensure a stable start of the engine and improve its driving performance. High voltage silicone wires are installed to relieve problems with movement in wet weather. obsolete contact ignition replaced by contactless. A Hall sensor is installed in the standard distributor, a VAZ ignition coil and a switch from 2108 are installed. The 40 ampere factory generator is replaced with an 85 ampere analogue of the VAZ, and the standard optics are replaced with halogen ones with the installation of additional relays.
The proven VAZ engine from classic models and the most suitable of them, the 21011 engine, also proved to be a good substitute. It successfully combines with the factory set gear ratios LuAZ transmissions on 14" wheels. The main gear (in the amount of 5.33) makes it possible to use the engine power already from the bottom, showing enviable dynamics from the moment of starting.
Did not bypass engine tuning and diesel engines, which perfectly meet the needs of an all-wheel drive vehicle. Organically fit into the engine compartment (good place allows) atmospheric 1.5-liter Toyota diesel 1N, 54 HP, 2.0L Volkswagen B-2, Daihatsu Charada 1.0L, 1.3L with Fiat Uno (45HP) and many other options.
When tuning the engine, it is necessary to take into account the increased power and torque relative to clutch elements and transmissions that are not designed for high power. Therefore, the replacement of the engine is usually also accompanied by the strengthening of these nodes. A more powerful clutch is installed and the ratio in the main pair, as well as the base of the axle shafts, changes.
Adding air to the engine
Do not forget that the engine is still cooled by air, and the task of tuning is to give it to the motor to the fullest. So, if in a water-cooled engine the coolant is forcibly circulated between the engine cylinders, then in the case of LuAZ, there is clearly not enough room for oncoming air flow.
An excellent example for capturing air and directing it exactly to the engine cylinders is the previously produced ZAZ 968 A, where huge air intakes (ears) on the rear wings were used for these purposes. Many owners of LuAZs follow this principle, making air intakes on the hood with its internal distribution along the collapse of the cylinder block. At the same time, “gills” are also installed on the wings to remove hot air.
You also need to constantly monitor the serviceability of the air thermostats that open the covers from the bottom of the cylinders for the effective exit of heated air.
centrifuge and oil radiator are also responsible for the temperature regime of the engine and they need to pay their share of attention when servicing the engine.
The forced oil filter is located in the crankshaft pulley cover and its cleaning is necessary after a run of 7000-8000 kilometers. The oil cooler is located in the collapse of the cylinder block and also requires a systematic inspection and external cleaning. Many install an additional oil cooler and a forced camber cooling fan.
Noise isolation of the engine compartment
Install soundproofing engine compartment useful in any case, whichever engine is installed. "Shumka" raises comfort when driving by an order of magnitude and allows you to more fully enjoy a good audio system.
Engine protection
Using the car mostly off-road, it is impossible to do without protection, as it is always full of surprises. LuAZ owners have come up with many options for protecting the engine, and one should still be described.
The defense structure is as follows:
The frame is welded from a 50 mm galvanized pipe, and as rear supports a rectangular profile. The bottom (ski) is made of 4 mm steel, the sidewalls are made of 1.5 mm steel. The protection turns out to be quite powerful and weighs about 35 kg, but justifies itself in any situation. From below it turns out like the nose of an icebreaker.
In general, any re-equipment of a car with changes in its design that affects its safety, as well as the replacement of a motor from another brand of car, requires the expertise of NAMI. The institute must issue a positive opinion, otherwise, the car may not be allowed by the traffic police to operate on our roads.
The birth of an idea
There is an interesting dependence that gives rise to a new element of tuning when it gets into a difficult situation, and the steeper it is, the more original the technical solution.
So, LuAZ was captured by clay because of “I can’t do it myself” and release was possible only in the form of a tractor or an all-terrain vehicle, which are problematic to find in the taiga wilderness. A young aspen helped to get out of the situation, which had to be sacrificed for the sake of its own survival. Having hooked it under the threshold of the LuAZ and, having found a good deadwood, the car was successfully “pulled out” from the clay mouth, but the threshold was thoroughly bent. The idea came instantly - power thresholds. But not like on “real” jeeps, which are still better not to join, but made of good steel and with powerful amplifiers mounted on transverse spars. It is also thought out that they do not go beyond the dimensions of the wheels, without interfering with moving in a rut. Beautiful, functional and reliable.
In this article we will talk about such a car as the LuAZ-969m. This is a light SUV, the production of which began in the very distant 1975. Then it was a really good acquisition, especially for a rural resident, because, despite its awkward appearance, the car decently copes with all bumps and obstacles. In addition, the car is unpretentious to either fuel or oil, absolutely nothing. At the moment, it is almost impossible to meet this “jeep” on the roads, however, tuning the LuAZ 969m, like any other SUV, has become very widespread. To begin with, let's see what the standard equipment does not suit the owners.
Disadvantages of Luaz
Most people think that any soviet car- this is an evil that needs to be feared and bypassed. In fact, a small, well, sometimes a little more than a small, list of improvements can make a worthy car out of this creation. Let's see what became the reasons for such a "biased attitude".
Engine
- He is very greedy. In order to drive a hundred kilometers on a perfectly flat track, you will have to burn at least 14 liters of gasoline, and this is with a volume of 1.2 liters.
- Air cooling. Because of this, he is very noisy, and also does not tolerate high revs which have to be maintained while overcoming the obstacle. As a result, overheating, however, is a rather rare occurrence.
- Low power. Even with such characteristics, 40 horsepower for a 1.2 liter engine is simply ridiculous, hence such an expense, we will consider fixing this problem a little later.
- A carburetor that constantly just pours fuel into the cylinders. This negatively affects both the operation and the start of the engine, especially when it is cold.
- Let's attribute this to power plant, since the gearboxes on each wheel are the transmission. To be honest, it’s hard to come up with something more unreliable, because the resource of this node does not exceed 80,000 kilometers.
Suspension, steering
- High-profile rubber, which contributes to the sway on the road, handling suffers greatly from this. This also includes the width of the tires 16.5 cm, which is very small. Naturally, it is almost impossible to overcome some kind of dirt or snow on it. Yes, another point is the diameter of the rims is 15 inches. On bumps, I have to say thank you for this, but overclocking is not very happy.
- Huge steering wheel play. A worm gear is installed here. Sometimes there is a feeling that it was collected from what was at the factory at that moment.
- Difficulty in steering. In total, there are 8 rods, each of which has 2 ball tips, in total - a huge backlash, as well as constant maintenance, the solution to the problem is only high-quality parts, or independently manufacturing ball bearings on a lathe.
- Small wheel arches and low suspension travel, since it is made on the levers.
Salon
- Small seats, low, which do not allow you to look at the road next to the car, unless you are about 2 meters tall, but then there will be problems with the ceiling.
- Petrol stove. Some people like this moment, but most don't.
- Low Shumka and thermal insulation, which is practically non-existent.
Perhaps that's all. There are still minor shortcomings, but we will write them down to the fact that the perfect car did not exist, and it never will exist.
Engine tuning
Let's start with the fact that it is necessary to modify the engine. The reasons are named, it remains to eliminate them. Let's run a little ahead and say that someone is modifying a regular engine, and someone is changing it to a VAZ engine. We will consider each of the options separately.
Refinement of the standard motor
The tuning of the LuAZ 969m engine is primarily aimed at improving reliability and reducing fuel consumption. Therefore, there is a clear list of measures applicable not only to this motor, but also to any other.
- Installing another carburetor. Adapters for DAAZ 2105 are on sale. This will not only help increase engine reliability during cold starts, but also reduce fuel consumption, but not much. In addition, in the event of a breakdown, spare parts for it will not be difficult to find.
- Installing another air filter. Perhaps, the “filter pan”, like the VAZs, does not cope with its duties. And the engine needs to "breathe deeply."
- Grinding cylinder heads. As you know, MeMZ 968M has a V-shaped engine, so the actions will have to be carried out with both heads. To do this, it is necessary to grind off the landing plate by 1-2 millimeters. Due to this, the combustion chambers will be reduced, which means that the compression ratio will increase, which, in turn, will lead to a significant reduction in fuel consumption.
Do not be too zealous, because practice has shown that grinding more than 2.5 mm leads to breakage of the head mounting studs, the explosion becomes so strong. The standard compression ratio is 7.4, while after grinding it rises to 9. this is a critical value, exceeding which will damage the engine, possibly even burning the pistons.
- After grinding, the use of 92nd gasoline is mandatory, which means that it is necessary to replace the piston rings with better ones. In addition, the temperature regime of operation will also increase, so you need to think about forced cooling.
- Some craftsmen bore cylinders for a piston of 79 mm, from 2106, therefore, the volume increases to 1.3 liters. The power in this case increases up to 60 Horse power.
- It is advisable to dilute the exhaust system by 2 exhaust pipes, which will allow you to fine-tune the operation of the engine. Since the ventilation of the cylinders will be significantly improved
Perhaps this is all with the engine, more, and nothing can be achieved. In addition, all these works are fraught with overheating at the most inopportune moment.
Installing the VAZ engine
So, let's see what is needed in order to install a power unit from the classics under the hood. First of all, you need to understand that it must be installed exactly horizontally, because otherwise the gearbox will not fall into place, and the input shaft will bite, which will lead to its cutting.
In general, there are few of those who really did such alterations. However, those who did this unanimously say that it is necessary to install an engine from the Niva, that is, 1.7 liters. Yes, 80 horsepower is good, but the mass of the engine and attachments passes over 150 kilograms.
One craftsman, so to speak, Kulibin, found a solution in the engine from 21083, which solved the problem of outweighing. In addition, a volume of 1.5 liters is the most optimal for such light car. It should also be noted the comparative compactness of 21083 relative to Nivovsky power unit. Yes, there are some prejudices about the timing belt, but this is all gossip and lies, if everything is changed in a timely manner, then nothing happens.
In addition to all this, let's not forget about the transmission. The standard gearbox from 2108 is perfectly friendly with the razdatka from LuAZ. Another advantage is a very small engine crankcase, which greatly affects the cross-country ability.
suspension tuning
As mentioned above, the car's suspension is completely independent, which significantly reduces its travel. There is one cardinal solution here - the installation of bridges, continuous bridges. Most will think that this is impossible, however, there are a lot of precedents. In this case, it is not advisable to move the main drive back, because the front drive, as you know, is several times higher.
Many make a suspension lift, but this is unnecessary, because the ground clearance already exceeds 28 centimeters, especially with the 21083 engine.
Salon tuning
Inside, everything will have to be peeled off, cleaned of mastic and re-layed insulation. It is better to use a metallized material because it is significantly more resistant to corrosion. After that, it is necessary to carefully re-lubricate all joints with mastic, such as "Cordon".
The above mentioned uncomfortable seats. Which, in principle, can be replaced with absolutely any, you just have to digest the mounts. It is advisable to raise them by 10-15 centimeters, then the landing will be just perfect.
A mandatory measure is the strengthening of the roof guides. Otherwise, the car runs the risk of folding in half on potholes. It is also desirable to replace the steering wheel, because the regular one has a too thin rim, which is fraught with slippage of the fingers. And in general, if a VAZ engine is installed, then this will radically change the interior decoration, but also the decision with the stove. Why? Because this engine is water-cooled, which means that the heater radiator can be installed in the passenger compartment, a fan can be installed nearby, after which it will be warm in the passenger compartment.
In the same case, it is desirable to install a panel from the classics, or from 2108. This will allow you to place a tachometer, which, I must say, is very important. In addition, the temperature sensor is a novelty for LuAZ owners, so to speak, a curiosity that you have to get used to.
Conclusion
Let's summarize. So, this is a car that causes conflicting feelings. On the one hand, this is really an SUV that deserves more. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to make something worthwhile out of it without replacing the power unit. In addition, it is almost impossible to find spare parts for such a unit, not to mention gearboxes. Tuning LuAZ 969M photos show something that cannot be expressed in words. After all, you must tell the world about your creation.
It can be called with absolute certainty the first SUV of domestic production. Despite the fact that the concept of the car was to make a high-speed car with good cross-country ability, failed due to the Zaporozhye engine, the car came out pretty good for a domestic SUV.
The unique features of LUAZ for that time were:
- rigid independent suspension
- front-wheel drive
- low center of gravity
- relatively small mass
But no matter how successful the car is, over time it is hopelessly aging and LUAZ is no exception - since 1967 (it was then that the first LUAZ rolled off the assembly line) everything has changed radically in the automotive industry and now this car can at least be called obsolete.
There is only one thing left - to hold it with your own hands, thereby transferring it from the last century to this one. At first, this activity seems reckless, but you can look at the photos of already completed LUAZ tuning projects and change your mind:
Refinement of units and tuning of the LUAZ engine
If the standard engine is fully operational and there are no complaints about it, there is enough power and fuel consumption has not yet increased over the years of operation, then it is quite possible to get by with the native power unit. But if this is not the case, which is quite likely, then you can use a donor, because. it is pointless to resort to repairing such an old engine.
The so-called "heart" of the car even then was not quite suitable for this car, to say nothing of now. No improvements and upgrades will help here, the only correct solution would be to completely replace the power unit with another one, for example, from the VAZ family. For many fans of this brand, it was successful to “make friends” with a 1200 cc engine from LUAZ.
Of course, you need to sweat a little, because. it’s easy to install an engine from a penny, but it’s quite difficult to coordinate its operation with other systems. The problem begins with the fact that the oil pan from the Zhiguli is not included in the standard LUAZ protection due to convex shapes.
This problem is solved by saving the configuration of the standard security plate, for which the oil pump on the donor engine is first changed. As a result of this, the pump, namely, its oil receiver, when compared with the classic one, is decently raised.
It remains only to fit the pallet. This protection involves the replacement of at least two more parts, because. the diameter of the pulleys on the crankshaft and pump will be too large. Therefore, the pulleys will have to be machined from scratch. A regular generator with its 40 amps does not fit at all into the current idea of \u200b\u200bthe energy consumption of a car.
To do this, you need to use at least a unit from an engine with 85 amperes from the same VAZ 2101. There may be slight difficulties with connecting the transmission and engine, as a result of which you will have to adjust the shape of the bell to match its retractors. It will not be superfluous to install a clutch from an inexpensive foreign car as a result.
You can’t do without inter-wheel blocking either. A rear diff is badly needed and is fairly easy to fit into the front main pair . In this case, with a hard connection of the stern, the transmission is blocked completely. Both drives can be modified in the same way.
Before removing and upgrading the panel, you can start replacing the stove - the old one often fails and does not justify its purpose at all. But do not be zealous with tuning the panel - the maximum that can be done with it to maintain ergonomics is to cover it with leather or chrome.
The motivation for interior tuning should be safety first. It is worth paying attention to the installation of comfortable seats. The rear seats can be sacrificed in favor of a roll cage. Although the car seems small, there is a lot of space inside the cabin and there is plenty of room for fantasy. It all depends on the operating conditions in which you will use the car and, of course, on your ingenuity and creativity.
You can certainly find more information at
If you really want to have some kind of non-existent car, you just need to take it and make it. For military engineer Igor Sukhobrus, this is not a problem at all. It would seem that market times are in the yard - everything can be bought for money, but you go, and today there are segments that are completely not covered by the offer of automakers. For example, have you tried to find a compact SUV in a car dealership that is both high-speed and “all-passable” at the same time - small, light, unpretentious? Some dealers will offer you something stylish, fast and comfortable, but absolutely helpless in the mud and snow. Other sellers will quickly pick up a couple of real "rogues" for you, but they will be heavy and bulky, out of place both on the highway and on mountain trails. But the need for such a versatile baby is entirely justified: for example, you want to climb into the very jungle of the Carpathian forest for the weekend, but before that you need to make a forced march of five hundred kilometers ...
And the author of a brilliant idea, the embodiment of which is reflected on these pages, equipped the note "rogue" - the baby LuAZ-969 - with a powerful engine and reliable units. And the plumage from the “cube” of Mercedes G is not a claim for show-off, but a subtly beaten external similarity of two utilitarian cars.
The legacy of Volynyanka: because of the low-lying seats, the landing resembles the ergonomics of the old Willis - the knees of the front riders are raised higher than usual.
A serious merit of the designer is in the longitudinal placement of the in-line "four" without an ugly increase in the front overhang.
Wide thresholds are raised high and do not reduce ground clearance, that is, they do not interfere with serious off-road.
The ability to see how their own wheels flounder in the mud is hard to overestimate for a jeeper. In case of bad weather, there is a removable hard top.
The front axle is protected by a reliable beam, which, if necessary, can be covered with a solid screen.
The body kit parts from the Mercedes G-Class are in amazing harmony with the LuAZ body.
New bridges and wheels increased the ground clearance of the LuAZik over the standard 280 mm.
Specification
Engine replaced by a VAZ-21083 engine with a volume of 1.5 liters and a power of 69 liters. from. A radiator of the cooling system also fit under the hood (the standard V4 Volynyanka was air-cooled). The new unit allows the car to easily maintain a cruising speed of 130 km / h.
Transmission redesigned based on the characteristics of the new engine. The main type of drive is now not front, but rear. The longitudinally mounted gearbox was borrowed from the Togliatti “classics”, the transfer case was borrowed from the legendary all-terrain vehicle GAZ-69. The plug-in front axle, as well as the constantly involved rear axle, are “military” geared ones, from the UAZ-469.
Chassis has become simpler and more reliable, the suspension is now dependent: continuous axles are suspended on longitudinal springs. Steering gear - Toyota, steering column - BMW. The characteristics of the chassis make it easy to overcome off-road and confidently move at high speed on asphalt.
Instead of native short-lived gearboxes, there are now durable bridges on springs.
Exterior modified using body parts from Mercedes G-Class. Some German parts (wings and hood) were reduced in the right places, the radiator grille and wheel arch flanging were used without significant alterations. Wide footrests make it easy to get into the cabin.
Interior has the ergonomics of a quite high-speed car, taking into account the peculiarities of off-road operation. The front seats are from BMW, the rear sofa is a folding seat from the trunk of the Volga station wagon GAZ-2402. The hard metal top is assembled from parts of Peugeot and YerAZ minibuses; in dry weather it can be removed.
Photo: Igorevich (Public domain)
Cars of the 60s of production have long become a rarity and have grown significantly in price. True, the number of copies of such equipment has decreased significantly. Because the LuAZ SUV can be considered unique vehicle. Today, the owners of this car have to take serious measures to keep the car in working condition. And the most outcast drivers decide on a serious change in the technical base and the transformation of a rare SUV into a modern crossover.
Engine
The Ukrainian-made MeMZ engine was installed on factory cars. Its rated power reached an incredible 40 horsepower at that time, but for the current SUV, this indicator does not add pride. Therefore, engine tuning is the main task for turning Volynyanka, as this car is popularly called, into a passable off-road cruiser.
It does not make sense to change something in the design of the engine. The motor has a lot of disadvantages:
- inefficient air cooling system;
- unprotected crankcase;
- huge consumption (over 15 liters per 100 kilometers);
- extremely poor interaction with a no better gearbox.
Given all these cons, the engine is easier to replace. Judging by the reviews of the owners of such cars, you can use engines with low mileage from Tavria (1.2 liters, 60 horsepower), 1.6-liter VAZ units, as well as not too bulky engines from foreign cars. But in this case, be prepared for problems with the legal registration of the car.
The gearbox will also have to be put in the appropriate engine. Given the lightness and small size of the LuAZ body, engine tuning will make it a perky crossover.
Chassis and wheels
Problems with undercarriage cars are associated with the poor quality of spare parts, as well as their complete absence in the car markets. A trip to the disassembly can bring results, but the quality of the purchased components will not differ from the previous parts.
Therefore, it is necessary to tune the LuAZ suspension so that the car does not fail with a wheel turned inside out on off-road. The following parts must be replaced:
- struts and shock absorbers - worth installing modern options component data;
- steering mechanisms, CV joints, knuckles and other parts that improve the safety and reliability of the car;
- the wheels will also have to be replaced, because it is impossible to find rubber on native wheels.
Usually, when tuning LuAZ, they install 15-inch alloy wheels and select tires with high profile and protector. This will not be a problem for the budget, but will significantly improve the visual performance of the car.
You will also have to work with the steering. The standard LuAZ system has huge backlashes, which makes driving uncomfortable and unsafe in today's active traffic. It is better to install completely new steering from Toyota cars 90s release. These components can be purchased at the nearest disassembly for little money.
Salon - driver's space
During the production of LuAZ, engineers and designers did not really think about the beauty of the interior and the comfort of the driver. Therefore, you will have to actively work with the interior to make it usable.
Here, the unpretentiousness of the interior forms will play in favor of the inventive owner of Volynyanka. With a strong desire, you can install swivel front seats and organize a mini-room in the car. When traveling on a fishing trip, for example, such an arrangement of seats can help everyone sit out the bad weather or comfortably settle down for an overnight stay.
It is also necessary to tune the following interior elements:
- the dashboard needs to be replaced - the factory one is not at all informative;
- the steering wheel can be found more comfortable and beautiful;
- with the help of high-quality materials, many interior elements can be sheathed, reducing vibration during the trip;
- a variety of little things, like the gearshift lever knob will also play a role.
Do not forget about the beautiful floor mats, the new headlining and other visual details that give the car comfort. Interior tuning is a creative task. Its implementation entirely depends on the preferences of the car owner.
Body - opinions differ
Regarding the tuning of the LuAZ body, the opinions of motorists are ambiguous. Many believe that changing the headlights, grille and adding all sorts of body kits makes the car more modern. But the vast majority of connoisseurs of automotive technology believe that LuAZ is colorful and interesting car. Installing beautiful alloy wheels is a sufficient measure to improve appearance auto.
Although, if you have the financial ability, you can do a few interesting touches:
- repaint LuAZ in a bright and defiant color;
- add a few chrome elements to the body trim;
- make light tinted interior windows;
- install a chrome bumper on the front of the car;
- sew a stylized spare wheel kung on the back door.
Such measures will definitely give individuality and uniqueness to your future car. But at external changes car, remember that LuAZ is a real legend of the domestic auto industry, which will become more and more valuable over the years. And the value is recognized in the authentic design created by the plant decades ago.
Summing up
In order to tune LuAZ, a modest budget is enough. The main points that will require big investments, are engine replacement and body painting. All tuning parts can be found at the showrooms, and most of the installation of new equipment is done in the garage with the help of friends.
As a result of high-quality tuning, you will receive not only a unique car, but also a very comfortable and original vehicle that can overcome serious road obstacles.