As the final half of our binary blog covering the modifications to the Nissan Ariya AT39 which were completed by our Arctic Trucks Polar and Arctic Trucks engineering teams for the successful PoleToPole EV expedition, we show the vehicle on the shop floor as body and suspension modifications are progressing.
There have been various crucial bodywork alterations necessitated by the overall scope of the engineering work in altering the vehicle. The original wheels and tyres temporarily remain in situ, so the car can be moved around on the shop floor. Detail items such as the steering knuckles have been machined and tie rods swapped out to alter the steering geometry for functionality under all conditions, including normal road use.
Many other detail changes are complete, these necessitated by (amongst other factors) the extreme suspension lift / travel and increased tyre size. At the same time the main brake - and some suspension - components have, with other ancillary work on these systems, been machined and relocated to accept 17" wheels which will carry the new, very considerably larger, rubber.
Also pictured is the vehicle in our workshop as it approaches the final stages of completion.
By this point much of our conversion work is done. The comparison between the first blog post and this final one, where the custom-made 17x10 Arctic Trucks wheels and BF Goodrich 39x13.5 R17 All-Terrain T/A KO2 flotation tyres are in place, is extreme to say the least!
Overall, the extensive detail fabrication and re-engineering that has been required to facilitate the major suspension lift, allow clearance for the bigger tyres (whilst maintaining a workable and lowest-possible centre of gravity) and give the Nissan Ariya AT39 the ability to be safely driven over such a uniquely wide variety of terrain, ranging from the super-rugged, no-road, environment of the far north to normal roads and the unique conditions of Antarctica, is more than evident!
We hope you've enjoyed these blogs which show, in preparing a vehicle for a specific project, another side to the versatility of our operation.
