ZIS-151: the Soviet 6×6 truck of the post-war army

The ZIS-151 was a general-purpose truck produced by the Stalin works from 1948 until 1958. It was the first major Soviet military all-wheel-drive truck built after the Second World War and replaced the Lend-Lease Studebaker US6 and GMC CCKW.

ZIS-151 at a glance

Based on one source (English Wikipedia).

History of the ZIS-151

The ZIS-151 was produced by the Automotive Factory No. 2 Zavod imeni Stalina for ten years, from 1948 until 1958. In 1956 the factory was renamed Zavod imeni Likhacheva, and the new trucks were called the ZIL-151. It replaced the Lend-Lease Studebaker US6 and GMC CCKW 2½-ton 6×6 trucks, as well as the earlier Soviet ZIS-6.

In early 1948 the cabs were made of wood, but they were soon replaced with steel cabs. Tens of thousands were produced, including specialised versions for hauling different types of cargo. The Soviets also found the trucks an ideal platform for the BM-13 Katyusha rocket launcher. The most famous developments of the ZIS-151 were the BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier and the BAV 485 amphibious vehicle.

In 1958 an improved model, the ZIL-157, was introduced and replaced the ZIS-151. It differed outwardly by its grille and by having single rear tyres instead of the ZIS-151’s dual tyres. In 1956 the Chinese began building the ZIS-151 under licence as the Jiefang CA-30 at First Automobile Works, with slightly more power and angular front fenders; the improved single-tyre CA-30, introduced in 1958, remained in production until 1986.

Engine and driveline

The ZIS-151 engine was a 5.55-litre unit based on the Hercules JXD engine used in the Studebaker US6. The Soviet-built L-head inline six-cylinder petrol engine developed 92 hp (69 kW) at 2600 rpm. The transmission was a five-speed with a direct fourth gear and an overdrive fifth; the transfer case had high and low ranges and selectively engaged the front axle. Both front and rear axles were of the split type. The differential and rear axle housing were the same as on the GAZ-51, and the front axle was similar to, and used parts from, the GAZ-63.

Chassis

The chassis was 6×6 with three live beam axles, adapted and strengthened for conditions in the USSR. It had a reinforced ladder frame, the front axle on semi-elliptical leaf springs and the rear tandem on quarter-elliptical leaf springs with locating arms. The wheelbase was 4,225 mm to the centre of the rear bogey and 4,785 mm to the centre of the rear axle. The tyres had a larger cross-section than those of the US6, 8.25 by 20 inches against 7.50 by 20 inches, and both trucks had dual rear tyres; the wider tyres spread the load over a wider area and allowed the truck to operate on softer surfaces. The drive shafts were laid out like the US6 but as a mirror image, with the front axle differential offset to the left. Air brakes were used.

Design and features

• Six-wheel drive: three live beam axles and a two-speed transfer case with a selectable front axle.
• Military standard: it replaced the Studebaker US6 and GMC CCKW and became the standard Soviet army truck of the early post-war years.
• Katyusha platform: the ZIS-151 carried the BM-13 multiple rocket launcher and other specialised military bodies.
• Armoured derivatives: the BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier and the BAV 485 amphibious vehicle were developed from it.

ZIS-151 versions

• ZIS-151 (1947–1958): original production version.
• ZIS-151D (1955–1958): version with shielded electrical equipment.
• ZIS-151E and ZIS-151U: export versions, the U for tropical climates.
• ZIS-151P (1951–1956): cab-chassis version for the PMZM-3 fire truck.
• ZIS-121B and ZIS-121D: tractor-trailer versions.
• BTR-152 and BAV 485: armoured personnel carrier and amphibious military version.

The ZIS-151 replaced the ZIS-6 and was itself succeeded by the ZIL-157. Its stablemate in production was the ZIS-150. More trucks are in the ZIS collection.

Video: Soviet ZiS-151 truck

Video on YouTube.

Sources

• ZIS-151, English Wikipedia: history, engine, chassis, specifications and variants