Im planning on driving the latest Panda (a Twin-Air), to Cape Town. Uprating the suspension by fitting diesel springs, or, springs for the 4x4, would be one way to beef up the suspension (with higher ground clearance that would follow hopefully, although taller profile tyres will also help with that), but this begs the question: whats the best Panda spring in the parts catalogue? There seems to be about 16 springs, including the van, available. The new model is already uprated to a degree, admittedly (rides very well). The plan is to fit Koni shocks.

Also, does anyone know the differences there are in metal work around the suspension areas as apparrently the Cross/4x4s have beefed up panels. There is a new version coming along later this year, apparently, that has more wheel-movement and various tweaks for off-road work, but, we can't wait that long - the car is to be partially stripped down and rebuilt. Any advice would be much appreciated...

Diesel springs are not the answer - the diesel engine weighs a lot more than the TwinAir (or 1.2) and you'll have the nose sticking up in the air whatever you do to the rear end. If the springs from the outgoing petrol 4x4 would fit I imagine they'd be the best bet, though the rear suspension is different. Note that the Konis are different for 2wd and 4x4 so the extension could be a limitation with the suspension set high

I would take a standard 1.2 petrol 4x4 old shape. Well proven, already toughened up and probably a bit more tolerant to the poorer fuel quality/hot ambients.

4x4 springs won't fit a standard car unless you are talking about running the same ride height which will need a load of new parts.

Best things to invest in is a sump guard, sat phone and an elephant gun.

Yes, take the old model.

A polish group did it in a cross. I'll find the link but you may already know this?

http://autopodroznicy.com/expedition_Fiat_Panda_Cross_around_Africa.html

Ah, but the idea is do it in a current-model, and Mellors of Wantage have found us a car, collect it in two weeks time. We need as much ground clearance as possible, even if it sacrifices handling etc. hence the idea of fitting diesel springs. The Twin-Air is listed in the spec list on the Fiat website as being actually heavier (slightly) than the four-cylinder model, which is a bit of surprise. With the right prep, (having driven the route twice in heavy boring 4x4s), I reckon this is just about on...

Wow just bloody wow. You are living my dream. Could you be so kind as to put your route, antisipated costs and time that it'll take you to complete this epic trip please please. Have you got any info on your previous journeys? Could you not get some springs custom made. Good luck.

It's going to be difficult for anyone on here to advise on the springs.
No one has a new panda yet, and we're all unsure of exactly what's carried over from the previous model.

Good luck with it though, and maybe start a blog of your mission?

Cheers

D

is this for charity?

Yes, there is a charity-link up.

The route is similar (minus the off-road loops) of the recent event, www.londoncapetownrally.com but starting off in Cape Town and driving home.

Two spare wheels, two blokes with minimal kit, more fuel, hefty sump guard and underbody protection, we are going to need an upgrade of suspension, even tho it is virtually all tarmac (but cut up here and there with potholes the size of dustbin lids).

Someone on here suggested (scrolling back over past pages) that the spring length of the 4x4 is the same as the 2wd, the extra ride-height of the 4x4 comes soley from the taller tyres (which we are also going to fit).

Even though it doesn't matter any more, I can inform you that if you put a spacer between the spring and the chassis you will get what you want. I did that on mine 4x4 and now I have 30 cm height. (measured between ground and chassis at the point where the jack is indicated to be placed)