hi all,

I'm a proud owner of a 2005 red panda 4x4. I'm looking to make it as rugged terrain worthy as possible. Does anyone know what are my options for suspension and springs? I've done some internet searching and haven't seen anything. Lots of lowering springs, which is the wrong way for me. =]

I know I'll be doing some river crossings and many miles of dirt roads so clearance is good. Most likely the clearance I gain from suspension will be lost back to stock height. We will be 3 guys, and 3 guy's worth of camping stuff for about 6 weeks.

I'm in Harlow and will be leaving in end of July.

I'm planning to do a major tune up on it before I leave. Does anyone have recommended Fiat parts dealers, or Fiat dealerships?

thanks
lex

get some decent shock absorbers, good tyres and off you go, have a good trip

The Panda 4x4 is really in a niche market when it comes to 4x4s, so there's virtually nothing available in terms of modification or tuning.
Modern engines do not allow much scope for tuning anyhow. I would suggest that you change the oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs and, if the engine is running well, leave it at that.
As panda4x4x4x4 says, choice of tyres is where there is a bit of scope for modification. However, as you are not tackling a lot of mud or snow, some quality all-season tyres rated for mud and snow should suffice. There are really no 4x4 tyres made in the size required by the Panda 4x4.
In my experience, the brakes, especially the all-round discs on the Panda 4x4, are the weak spot on the car and I would suggest that you ensure that the pads and discs are in top condition. Even if they are, it would do no harm to take the pads out, clean out the callipers and replace the pads with a tiny amount of copper grease applied in the right places.
My experience of the Panda 4x4 is that the gearbox oil level can fall, so I would also check that and top up if necessary.
If it has not been done on the car you own, replacing the brake fluid and coolant would be wise.
I cannot recommend a Fiat garage as I live a long way from Harlow. The work I describe can be performed by any competent garage so try asking people in your area who they trust.
Your trip sounds a lot of fun. Please let us know where you are going and, on your return, let us know how it went.

decent shock absorbers means stock? or do you have a specific brand in mind?

thanks doctorchris for the information. My other car is a Subaru Justy awd so i'm familiar with the lack of aftermarket parts.

are most people just getting their parts from dealership directly? In the states I've been able to source oem parts for discount rates through various contacts.

For tyres, maybe check this French website: http://www.pneu-4x4.fr/pneus-panda-4x4.htm (someone here has fitted them - I'll search in a tick)

[later - search works -- here's the MZ Mud Power , used in snow... https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/255809-my-4x4-its-new-tyres-snow.html ]

Pete

lexinator said:

decent shock absorbers means stock? or do you have a specific brand in mind?

thanks doctorchris for the information. My other car is a Subaru Justy awd so i'm familiar with the lack of aftermarket parts.

are most people just getting their parts from dealership directly? In the states I've been able to source oem parts for discount rates through various contacts.

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do you get 'Koni' shocks over there?

panda4x4x4x4 said:

do you get 'Koni' shocks over there?

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we do.

lexinator said:

we do.

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see if they do a set for the 4X4 Panda, they should do the job

not sure I follow. what did you mean by "there?" The car is in UK.

I've done some searching online and the only Koni that seem to fit the panda are lowering ones, and even those ones say "excludes 4x4." You can see it on koni's suspension

So I think Koni cannot be used.

lexinator said:

not sure I follow. what did you mean by "there?" The car is in UK.

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my mistake, thought you were in Harlow, Wisconsin and the three passengers would be Americans,

your Panda will be fine as it is

have a nice day!

Best colour for the 4x4! Where are you going with it?

yes three Americas, but starting in Harlow, uk. the fiat panda never made it to the states. the new fiat 500 is finally here.

we are driving through Europe and central Asia. I've read online the roads are non existent with huge potholes in central Asia. I'm looking gain as much height as I could.

at this point it sounds like stock suspension and biggest tires that can fit.

thanks for all your help.

"......river crossings and many miles of dirt roads so clearance is good. Most likely the clearance I gain from suspension will be lost back to stock height. We will be 3 guys, and 3 guy's worth of camping stuff for about 6 weeks......" And Central Asia? Ever crossed your mind you might have the wrong car?

lexinator said:

I've read online the roads are non existent with huge potholes in central Asia. I'm looking gain as much height as I could.

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Sounds like many of the roads around here - you'll be fine!

That's some road trip.... Looking forward to the pictures!

Hi,
Your easiest option is to fit higher profile tyres. I've done this on a Suzuki Grand Vitara but not the Panda yet. There's lots of options on Camskill's web site. The standard tyre is a 185/65 x 14. They advertise a 70 and an 80. 70s will give you 10 extra millimetres. 80s will give you 30 but you're bound to have to modify the bodywork. Check they don't hit the bodywork on full lock. You might also try a thinner (175) tyre if it does. Of course you need a friendly shop with these in stock. That's the tricky bit.

The limit with a Panda is the sump clearance, which is protected by a decent guard. This is where the extra height tyres make a difference. Your extra weight in the back won't reduce your ground clearance much as there's loads at the back. After that, you've just got to place the car very carefully on the track...

Steve.

Just been reading about the 4x4 on Italiaspeed's web site. It says the 4x4 Climbing has 65 section tyres but the ordinary 4x4 has 70s, so either fit. Don't know about 80s.

Steve.

Rutherford said:

Hi,
Your easiest option is to fit higher profile tyres. I've done this on a Suzuki Grand Vitara

Steve.

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what tyres have you fitted to your g.v?

I put Kumho tyres on. Not the agressive pattern ones, maybe 798s, can't remember and have recently thrown all the old paperwork away for it. I put 70 section ones on instead of the 65 section OE tyres. This gave a noticeable height gain. I combined it with 30mm spring spacers from Bits4Vits. These needed the anti-roll bar taking off and throwing away and it needed camber adjustment bolts as well to get the front wheels looking normal again. But it all worked a treat, great ground clearance, still a great car on the road.

Steve.

Rutherford said:

Just been reading about the 4x4 on Italiaspeed's web site. It says the 4x4 Climbing has 65 section tyres but the ordinary 4x4 has 70s, so either fit. Don't know about 80s.

Steve.

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You have to remember that the figures 60, 70 and 80 are a percentage -- the percentage of height of the sidewall relative to the width of the tread. So varying one affects the other without necessarily gaining height.

I can tell you that the standard 185/65 x 14 are very close to touching the main 'rails' under the engine on full lock, and in the offside rear wheel arch there is hardly a gap at all between the inside edge of the tyre and the black plastic housing that's part of the fuel filler plumbing...

A quick check here http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html shows that in fact the 185/65s fitted in the UK offer 9mm more diameter than the 165/70s fitted on the steel wheels on the continent, so 4.5mm more ride height...