Tuning Raised springs for Panda?

[VmanC]

Vern, are these the tyres you had on the white 4x4 you've just released?

Yes they are. They did have the Lancia alloys with normal tyres too so can be 100% legal if they choose, although like me, Bob preferred the knobblies.

They went through two mot's, and a couple of policeman at a show really liked them without suggesting there was a problem. I know if it was still mine I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[JamieK]

Maybe your tyres being 2 years old were E marked and it's something they've changed since? Sounds like the new owner will be mainly offroading anyway..

 

[VmanC]

Ah yes, that'll be it, I was legal after all.

I got the impression that they felt it was too precious to take off road, I did too at first but the temptation to give it a go was too strong :devil:

 

[Bartpanda]

If skoda favorit or felicia has been sold in UK you can use REAR{ not front} springs from it, { again not from picup or combi they're far too stiff, just from hatchback}

I've tried rear springs from favorit, but seller cheated on me and sold me new pair from combi, not hatchback. The result was terrible, like welding your susp solid only tires worked as source of amortisation. But some guys are using softer springs from hatchback and praise them, I'll have to try.

Remember though that 4x2 panda has about 2-3cm shorter front shock absorber than 4x4 and skoda spring is another two rolls longer!

here are some picts from my "experiments"

blue one is favorit{combi, as far as I am concerned it is the same length as hatchback, but thicker rod}
red is stock panda 4x4:

favorit:

panda 4x4 plus 18mm nylon spacers{ tyres 155/80-13}:

panda stock with spacers:

Raising your susp. brings camber problems, here you have picture of stock 4x4 plus 18mm spacers, and the same setup after changing the camber to about 0 degrees.{ by shifting by 4mm the upper shock absorber mounting hole}

and after changing camber:

 

[Jumpinjacks]

Very helpful post, thanks Bartpanda. Gives me something to think about

 

[Dragon Man]

thats some good info there mate, thanks.will come in most helpful when i get my next panda 4x4 project on the go.

i cant help but ask though. if you were to do a lift on a 4x4, would the drive shafts be fine? or would you have to see about getting longer ones?
with the panda being the same width as a cinquecento would drive shafts from a winder fiat fit?... like a punto.

i think its be covered somewhere on the forum but i cant find where, even with the search :/

 

[Bartpanda]

if you were to do a lift on a 4x4, would the drive shafts be fine?

I did just about 2cm and the long shaft ,when car is jacked{ wheel in the air} is just touching exhaust pipe{ but I have 1242ccm engine with longer stroke= bit higher engine block, therefore the exhaust is also closer to the shaft and oil sump}.What I have read{ italian forum} is, that at stock panda with 1.0 engine lift by 3cm is max when no other mods are planned to be made{ like lowering the whole engine and transmision on its rubber mounts, or straightening the front wishbone etc} When doing max 3cm shafts should be fine, but the camber would be far to positive= bad handling on corners, { on the wet road even worse than bad , tested }

 

[Jumpinjacks]

Well, I won the auction for the panda 4x4 setup. Now for a 700 mile round trip and loads of work putting it together. I might start a project thread for this one on here

 

[panda1408]

Excellent Are you going to be doing a full 4x4 conversion or just fitting the front suspension?

 

[VmanC]

Well, I won the auction for the panda 4x4 setup. Now for a 700 mile round trip and loads of work putting it together. I might start a project thread for this one on here

MIGHT!!! I think you'd better.

 

[Jumpinjacks]

Excellent Are you going to be doing a full 4x4 conversion or just fitting the front suspension?

Full 4x4 conversion definitely, apparently the floor pans are the same through out the classic panda range, so it should be easier than I first thought.
Just the rear mounts for the leaf springs and the centre mount for the prop shaft are the main problems.
Hope everything is alright aswell, as its been stood for 20 years

 

[panda1408]

I have spent lots of time under both and I think the biggest issue will be removing the 2WD trailing arm mounts and welding in the front leaf spring lugs as there is very little room around them without cutting out lots of the surrounding bodywork. The centre mount for the prop will be easy as it is just 4 plates with captive bolts welded to the crossmembers. You will also have to change the fuel tank location as it is in the centre on a 2WD and on the drivers side on a 4x4.

Any Seat Marbellas for sale near to you? 4x4 running gear should pretty much bolt straight onto one of those.

 

[Jumpinjacks]

Thanks for the heads up. You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of the underneath would you?
I guess I'm just going to have to have a good look when I get it all here.
Want to keep it panda rather than get the Seat

 

[Jumpinjacks]

The other thing I was thinking about is the fuel pump, will my injection pump fit in the new tank?

 

[panda1408]

Nope, you'll have to use an inline one, unless you can get hold of a tank from a later 4x4 fitted with injection, not sold in the UK though. Sorry I don't have any photos to hand.

 

[Jumpinjacks]

Ah right, any idea where I could get an inline one from that would work? Ebay I guess?

 

[VmanC]

Demon Tweeks will do them.

 

[Jumpinjacks]

£100+ there though, if it's going to cost that much I might just swap it to carb.