emprovements..
 

hello everyone, seems like sue best lad a forum so far.

Im thinking of buying one as getting a landi or cruiser cuts quite a big chunk out of my budget. Id rather spend the money on traveling as y don't mind braking down (as I have had only good experiences so far, lets hope they stay like this)

Well the thing is, I'm planing to travel central asia maybe even to mongolia, and i think getting spares in ex soviet countries should not be too hard, also i don't mind traveling slow and low un luggage. But a little increase from the 400kg wouldn't bee bad. (i think i have nearly put this much on my bike before)

does anyone have experience in this?
the diesel seems to be the best choice.. what do you guys think?

Vitara might be a better bet , less transmission problems , the lada was a bit beset by driveline vibrations , I used a vitara 1600 towing a camper trailer to cross Australia :thumbup1:

Niva is tough little vehicle, only minus is small fueltank.
And btw Vitara might be too complicated and less easy to find spareparts there (former soviet)...

yes i think the lada will be ok for eastern europe. Im thinking about the 1,9 diesel… for the small tank y can carry a few jerry cans, 2x 20litres will do the job i guess,central asia is not too bad i hope, only mongolia could be a problem.

Im interested in increasing the payload a bit. 400kg is quickly reached, especially with a roof tent.. what do you guys think!

We had a Niva Cossack for about 16 years , the Mk1 , have driven a Mk2 (1.7 engine, and deeper tailgate) and the drivetrain seemed a bit better (vibration wise) . From a practical point of view , it would be easy enough to increase payload , by fitting heavier duty rear coil springs . The problem would be that legally you would be overloaded anywhere in the EU , how big a factor this would be in Russia , cant advise on that . The diesel engine used is a 1.9 peugeot/citroen unit , good engine , need to change cam belt regularly , because if it goes , usually breaks cam , and caps, and means new cylinder head assy !! The biggest pain with them is usually wiring problems . The seats are a bit uncomfortable , but the ride is excellent . HTSH

very good availability for nivas in eastern europe, almost non existent for old suzis. I've spent quite a bit of time in Belarus, Ukraine and a bit in Russia and Nivas are quite prolific.

The UK importers did have to do quite a bit of work on them to make them fit for sale in the UK, so I wouldn't buy one from eastern europe!

I've never driven a niva (although I have driven quite a few suzukis) but have heard good things about them, very capable little trucks.

weight is your enemy in a small truck, beefing up the suspension just means something else will fail. treat the disease, not the symptoms. keep your weight down. why do you need a rooftent?