I've currently got a '90 Tipo 1.4 Formula, shortly to acquire another Tipo of unknown origin (but in better nick/lower mileage than mine!). And by the looks of it, we're going to be driving from London to Mongolia in the new one (using mine as a donor). That's 8,000-odd miles with some hard-going terrain. So, I'd like some advice on rally-prepping the car!

1) Suspension. Raising it a couple of inches would be useful to gain ride height. Is this just a case of changing the springs, or would the shocks need changing out as well. If the prior, can anyone suggest a car we could nick longer springs from that might be compatible sizes? If the latter, ditto. :yum: [edit] I've since read that just boosting the suspension doesn't actually raise the ride height due to the axels still being the lowest thing! Having things a bit bouncier may still be useful tho, and may think about slightly bigger wheels/tyres?

2) Fuel tank: I'm considering roof-mounting it, again for ride height and to avoid damage. thoughts on this? is it just a case of mounting a tank on the roof (which is also going to have a lot of spare wheels/tyres on it) and attaching a hose, or are there more complex things to think about? [edit] Another thought might be to have twin tanks, one in the usual place, and one from the donor car on the roof, with a simple swith between the two. Double the range without stopping!

3) Sump guard: Is going to be in the form of scaffolding planks mounted in a removeable bracket underneath. Is there anything else in the liable to be damaged? I'm not a mechanic, and don't have access to a car lift to have a good look underneath.

Anything else we should be thinking about?

thanks in advance!

Oli

if you arent going off road then there is no need to do any of it. if you are going off road, shouldnt you get a 4wd?

This sounds like a fabulous idea, sounds like Long Way Round after 25 pints of red bull and no sleep. This is well outside my experience. The only thought I can add I'm afraid is a negative one. If you put a 10 gallon tank on the roof then at about 10lbs per gallon, that's 100lbs at the highest point of the car and a vulnerable pipe running down the outside of the car. If you then put spare wheels on top, there's the potential to make the car unstable. If you want to carry extra fuel I'd suggest using a couple of ex-army (or some such source) 5 gallon jerri-cans and put one in the boot & the other on the roof and use the one on the roof first. Sorry I can't be more help, but the VERY best of luck bud.

if you are going to put wheels on the roof, and a fuel tank.. that might be a bit much for it to support.. combine that with jacking the height up and a bit and it might make for some interesting body roll.

move the fuel and brake lines inside the car.

Good point about the extra weight up top, should have thought about that. I'd still like to try and protect the tank (as well as the pipes) somehow though. Had already thought of moving the pipes inside the car.

As for the first post, it's on-road, for varying values of road. A lot of the Kazak/Mongolian roads are little more than dirt tracks. Ideally we'd like a 4x4, but realistically if we could afford a 4x4 I wouldn't be thinking about taking a Fiat!!!

Sticking the fuel tank on the roof might contravene constructions and use regulations in force in many of the countries you will drive through. You might get stopped and charged with driving an unsafe vehicle! Best way to protect the tank is to move it inside the car, and the space you lose inside will have to be made up with a roof rack/ box.

Is this a charity run by the way? Are you bringing the car back or donating it to the Mongolians at the end of the trip? If you aren't bringing it back then I wouldn't go out of your way to make lots of modifications, just drive carefully on your journey instead

suzuki sj!

1986Uno45S said:

Sticking the fuel tank on the roof might contravene constructions and use regulations in force in many of the countries you will drive through. You might get stopped and charged with driving an unsafe vehicle! Best way to protect the tank is to move it inside the car, and the space you lose inside will have to be made up with a roof rack/ box.

Is this a charity run by the way? Are you bringing the car back or donating it to the Mongolians at the end of the trip? If you aren't bringing it back then I wouldn't go out of your way to make lots of modifications, just drive carefully on your journey instead

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Good points. I'm thinking of putting it in the boot. It *is* a charity run, and we *are* donating it at the end. But I want to get there, and a hole in the petrol tank is a good way of getting to know the Ghobi REALLY REALLY well! And I'm virtually incapable of driving carefully!

arc said:

suzuki sj!

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Very funny. I know the fiat isn't the *best* choice, but I do want at least a chance of getting there in one piece!!!

the tipo 1.4 is a solid engine just keep an eye on the electrics and everything else. on mine the engine will probably keep going longer than anything else! though is getting close to needing a cambelt change why didn't they use chains like the alfa twincam/twinspark!