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Wild Panda, modifying a Fiat Panda 4X4

Here at the Fiat workshop we have decided to embark on project Panda. We are starting with the third series Panda (319 series) 4x4 rather than a Cross only because that is what we happened to have at the workshop. We bought the car running but with a faulty clutch and no propshaft so before we even started we had to repair both of those. The easiest way to replace the clutch is to remove the engine and transmission in its entirety and then split them out of the vehicle so that was done. The car was then thoroughly road tested to make sure everything worked before we started the modifications.

The plan is to make what is already a very competent off roader and take it to the next level. To achieve this we are going to raise the suspension, widen the track, fit a winch, add a snorkel, fit some decent mud flaps and mud plugging tyres and lastly give it a new look. This is going to be a fun project!

So we need to start somewhere and rather randomly I have decided to start with the winch as all proper off roaders seem to have a winch! The first job was to remove the bumper and decide where to fit it. There are two crash bars behind the bumper and they seemed to offer the perfect place to fit it. However neither of them is strong enough to take the power of a winch. In order to get around his the winch is attached to both of them and the lower cross member has been reinforced.