Holy place is empty
In the car market of the post-Soviet space, after the VAZ 2102 left the stage, a vacuum was formed. There were simply no station wagons, except for the Moskvich 434 and Volga 24-02, which were quite rare. The four appeared as a modification of 2105, completely based on it, with its engines, but with reinforced rear suspension and a reduced gear ratio in the main gearbox.
Simple in design, fairly reliable, inexpensive to operate, it still remains the cheapest station wagon you can buy. Moreover, you can buy the four in still very tolerable condition, since the last copy left the gates of the plant in Izhevsk in 2012. Although, no. If you really want, you can bring four from Egypt, where they are collected, it seems, to this day. Only with customs clearance and all taxes it will cost no less than a decent station wagon from Volvo. Therefore, the only option to cheaply get a good VAZ 2104 is tuning and fine-tuning a car with decent mileage.
VAZ 2104
First among equals. History and tuning of the VAZ 2104
Story
Logically, a station wagon based on the rear-wheel drive VAZ 2105 should have become the sixth model in a row. And in place of the “four” there will be a five-door modification of the VAZ 2103. But it turned out that the station wagon from the seemingly successful third model of the “Zhiguli” did not justify itself, so such a car did not enter the series. The fourth place on the list remained vacant, which the car we are presenting did not fail to take advantage of, ahead of all the new generation VAZ cars on the list.
VAZ 2104 is a modification of the VAZ 2105 with a station wagon body type. We will tell you how the “five” was created in another article, but the stories of these two cars are very intertwined.
The history of the VAZ 2104 began in 1984. Then there was an urgent need to create a car designed for consumer needs. Previously, the VAZ 2102 coped with this, but this model gradually became obsolete. The Soviet automobile industry was in dire need of a new “station wagon.”
The VAZ 2104, already quite divorced from its Italian roots, was called upon to fill the resulting vacuum. The new model received a five-door body and a reinforced rear suspension. The first VAZ 2104 cars were equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a power of 50 hp. Subsequently, these characteristics changed several times.
The Soviet driver rightfully appreciated the spacious trunk. Like the “deuce”, it was possible to recline the rear seat backs. With this step, it was possible to arrange an entire cargo platform behind the driver's seat. The carrying capacity of the VAZ 2104 was 455 kg.
Since 1984, the Volzhsky Automobile Plant has produced a number of modified models. The most successful of them, surpassing even the original “four” in popularity, was the VAZ 21043. Amateur tuning of the VAZ 2104 has also become widespread.
VAZ 2104 received simply popular recognition. Soviet, and subsequently Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian summer residents actively got behind the wheel of new Zhiguli cars. The car wonderfully demonstrated itself on the domestic road and proved to be resistant to many of the hardships of serving as a family vehicle. And a clear proof of this is the fact that, despite its retirement age, the VAZ 2104 continues to remain a popular car. After all, the car is still produced to this day. True, today it is being assembled. Previously, the assembly of the VAZ 2104 and its modifications was carried out by RosLADA enterprises in the city of Syzran, Lutsk Automobile Plant (Ukraine) and Suzuki Egypt (Egypt). This car survived the VAZ 2105 and VAZ 2107.
Interesting Facts
The Four became a popular car not only in the USSR and the CIS, but also beyond their borders. Until recently, the VAZ 2104 could often be seen in the service of the Slovak police. The car was also supplied to third world countries, where it can often be found on city roads. This “station wagon” has long had a reputation as a reliable “workhorse” that can sometimes withstand extreme operating conditions.
If we talk about the role of the VAZ 2104 in cinema, then it suffered a fate similar to the “two”. You can see a car in the comedy series “Matchmakers”, “Truckers”. The car was also featured in the foreign films “The Bourne Supremacy” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Tuning VAZ 2104
In terms of modernization, a car is like a piece of damp clay. In its original design, it is more suitable for economic purposes. But well-executed tuning of the VAZ 2104, which includes improvements to the brake system, engine and other components, styling, and interior tuning, allows you to turn it into something more. Tuned “fours” are often used in many sports disciplines, such as drifting, drag racing, etc. Tuning the VAZ 2104 engine will allow you to achieve better speed performance, regardless of whether you leave the original engine, subjecting it to minor modifications, such as boring cylinders, or completely change it to another (for example, with a cylinder block from a VAZ 2112).
First of all, you should pay attention to the technical tuning of the VAZ 2104. It traditionally includes modification of the engine, brake system and suspension.
Tuning the VAZ 2104 engine may differ depending on what results you want to get. Most often, many stop at making partial changes to the original engine of the car by increasing the volume of the cylinders. VAZ 2104 owners who want drastic changes can install an engine based on the cylinder block from Niva, etc.
Tuning the VAZ 2104 transmission often includes installing a driveshaft on CV joints and using a gearbox with a modified row.
But a sports car must also have the appropriate appearance. Therefore, a set of measures for styling the VAZ 2104 will complete the created image. Here, as they say, who knows what. Vinyl stickers, cast and forged wheels, installation of a sports muffler, body shaving, etc. are used. External tuning of the VAZ 2104 involves the installation of body kits that give the hard-working car an aggressive, sporty look.
Tuning the interior of a VAZ 2104 is not limited to just reupholstering the interior with leather. Here you often see the use of a dashboard from BMW, tuning the gearshift knob. Installing electric windows will also be useful.
In short, don't work according to a template, be creative. If you have difficulty making some decisions, our specialists will help you with this. They will give practical advice on what is best to use in a given situation.
Consult and sign up for tuning by phone: +7(903) 124 78 25, (Monday to Friday from 11-00 to 20-00, Moscow)
Modifications and factory tuning 2104
VAZ 2104 is a rather rare VAZ model in terms of the number of trim levels. At different times you could find four with the following indexes, gearboxes, interiors and engines:
- regular 2104, engine 2105, carburetor, four-speed gearbox, base;
- 21043, a more powerful version of the car with a troika engine, among them there were options with the interior and electrical equipment from 2107, and for the first time a 5-speed gearbox could be installed on it;
- 21044 - a car with a 1700 cc injection seven engine and a 5-speed gearbox;
- 21045 - a rare diesel modification with a VAZ 341 engine, it was produced only for six years, until 2006;
- 21041i - 1.6-liter six engine with injection, interior and electrical equipment from 2107, front seats from Izh 2126.
Otherwise, except for the rear part of the cabin, the seat back and the luggage compartment, the 2104 was no different from the five.
Introduction
Tuning the interior of a VAZ-2104 is a labor-intensive, but very effective modernization of a domestic vehicle, which is in many ways inferior in its characteristics and interior to similar foreign versions. In fact, for a person who is just thinking about ways to improve the properties and abilities of the VAZ-2104, there are many different ways that, as a result, will radically transform the boring car. It is worth noting that due to the relative low cost of components for the VAZ-2104, which has long been removed from the manufacturer’s tape, a motorist has the opportunity to tune almost all parts of the device for modest funds. In particular, a powerful power unit and a more refined body can be installed on a VAZ-2104 car. In addition, interior tuning can be an important modification of movable property. Let's consider the methods and methods of refining the internal space of the domestic “four”.
The VAZ 2104 interior is not distinguished by any special aesthetics, so many motorists want to improve their interior
External and interior tuning
First, about useful improvements that also affect the appearance of the four. Everyone knows the problem with constant splashing on the back door. When driving at high speed, a vacuum is created in the area of the trunk door, where dust particles are drawn in along with a water suspension. This problem can be solved in two ways:
- Installing a deflector on the rear edge of the roof. This will help to obtain additional airflow into the vacuum zone with clean air, so you can avoid contamination of the rear door, if not completely, then the rear window will definitely be clean.
- A more inconspicuous method, but also very effective. The lower part of the rear bumper is bent inward, and a plastic plate measuring 1100x150 mm is attached to it close to the edge of the body.
Tuning the interior is a creative flight for the car owner. Good tools here are those that make the station wagon more functional and comfortable.
Upholstering the seats with leather or expensive materials is unlikely to be the best solution for a utilitarian station wagon, although if the VAZ 2104 is the only car in the family, then it would be appropriate to install high-quality sound, a front panel from foreign cars or a console from the 2107 model. Love your car and let it serve for a long time , reliably, in heat and cold.
Good luck to everyone and smooth roads!
Instructions
Initially, you will need to remove the seals before tinting. All car windows to which tinting will be applied must be thoroughly washed with a specialized detergent. You should also rinse all corners very thoroughly. Next, tinting car windows with your own hands (VAZ 2109, 2110, 2107, etc.) is carried out as follows:
- A soap solution is prepared, which is a standard detergent or shampoo mixed with warm water, after which it is poured into the prepared spray bottle.
- The outer side of the glass that has been washed is thoroughly sprayed with a soap solution, after which a tint film is immediately applied, which is cut according to the required dimensions. It is worth noting the fact that the dark layer should be directed inward, while the transparent layer should be directed outward. Here you should be extremely careful, because the parties must never be confused. If you cannot decide which side is dark, then you should split your film very slightly from one corner. After the film is applied to the glass, careful alignment and cutting is carried out. It is best to leave a margin of one centimeter on each edge.
- Now the inner surface of the glass is covered with soap solution. After this, you should act extremely quickly, because the glass should not have time to dry. Carefully separate the dark layer of the film, and at the same time moisten it with the solution with which the spray bottle is filled. In this case, the work of an assistant is very important, because you will be able to perform all procedures much more carefully. In this case, one person will have to hold the clear layer of film, while the other will pull it and spray the dark layer.
- A dark layer is applied to the inside of the car glass. As mentioned above, while tinting car windows with your own hands (VAZ 2106, 2107, 2110 and all others), the glass must remain wet. It is also mandatory to carry out treatment with a spray gun, after which a transparent layer is applied, since the film must have effective protection from any damage. After carrying out all these procedures, you should immediately smooth the film using a rubber spatula, moving from the center to the edges. In this case, you should be especially careful, because any sudden movements are extremely undesirable. You should also completely get rid of any air bubbles.
The film should be smoothed until the transparent part falls off on its own, after which the dried transparent film can be completely removed. Now you can trim the protruding edges by running a knife along the edge of the car glass, but in this case it is extremely important to act without any haste.
If you have a hair dryer, then you can thoroughly dry the car glass along its perimeter, but if you don’t have a hair dryer, then just close the door and start working on the next glass. It is advisable that over the next two days you do not insert any seals into the doors or open tinted windows.
