To build a real SUV from a standard model, compare your financial capabilities and the amount of work required. If you do not need to participate in competitions, do not consider serious sports options, as they will force you to compromise the minimum requirements for comfort. Make sure that your qualifications and tools are sufficient to carry out all the work.
Instructions
Step 1
When building an SUV, be guided by the requirements developed over the years by fans of extreme tourism. A real SUV must have: high ground clearance (at least 220 mm), a high-torque engine (better diesel) with water hammer protection, power steering, a shock absorber on the steering linkage, wheels 31 or 33 inches, differential locks, powerful power sills and bumpers, powerful tow hooks, winch, underbody protection, large roof rack, radio and navigation.
Step 2
Start with the wheels. 70% of a car's off-road performance is dependent on tire size and tread pattern. In addition, large wheels save the suspension from heavy shocks, allow you to get out of the truck or tractor tracks, and increase the ground clearance. When choosing tires according to the tread pattern, be guided by the size of the lugs. In most cases, when installing large wheels on an SUV, a body lift will be required.
Step 3
Lift the suspension. If the SUV is a frame vehicle, raise the body above the frame by installing oversized spacers. Ordinary hockey pucks can be used as spacers. At the same time, geometric passability will improve and it will be possible to install large wheels. Do not forget that this will also increase the center of gravity.
Step 4
Perform hydraulic protection on the engine. This is necessary not only for a gasoline engine, but also for a diesel engine. For a diesel engine, the procedure is reduced to installing a snorkel - a pipe for air intake at roof level. For a gasoline engine, additionally protect the ignition system and spark plugs from water. If you don't want to mess around, get ready-made kits. When making your own snorkel, try to use the highest quality materials possible. In this case, the pipe must have a sufficiently large cross-section and have no more than 2-3 bends. Its fastening must withstand blows from oncoming tree branches.
Step 5
In addition, protect the transmission from water: repair the breather valves in the axles, transfer case and gearbox in good condition and bring them out with plastic pipes as high as possible. Seal the fuel filler neck and engine. Protect the underbody under the engine, gearbox, gas tank, steering racks. Take aluminum or steel as the material.
Step 6
The steering damper (damper), which protects the steering wheel from shocks transmitted from the wheels, is standardly installed on SUVs such as Defender or Mercedes G-Class. For self-installation of such, purchase a double-acting shock absorber, calculate the attachment points on the steering linkage and secure it with high quality.
Step 7
Power bumpers and thresholds that can withstand jacking up an SUV from any position, purchase from firms engaged in OFF-ROAD tuning, or make it yourself. In the manufacture of such products, it is important to observe certain subtleties. Therefore, if you want to make these parts yourself, be sure to consult with professionals. Power bumpers must have powerful towing hooks (eyes) and be welded directly to the frame. The front bumper must be sized to accommodate the winch.
Step 8
Install the mechanisms for locking the interaxle and interwheel differentials. They are sold as ready-to-use kits and are designed to be fitted to the differential housing. Proprietary mechanisms work more reliably and more accurately than standard ones. The main disadvantage of locks is the ability to damage the transmission if you forget to turn them off after overcoming off-road conditions.
Step 9
Place an expedition roof rack on your roof. It is an indispensable item for off-road travel. The trunk can be welded independently from pipes of the desired size. Also install a GPS navigation system in your car so you don't get lost in the terrain. If you plan to travel not alone, but as part of several cars, put a CB radio station on 27 MHz
