ZIS-151. The ZIS-151 () was a general-purpose truck produced by the Soviet car manufacturer Automotive Factory No. 2 Zavod imeni Stalina in 1948–1958. In 1956, the factory was renamed to Zavod imeni Likhacheva, and new trucks were called ZIL-151 ().

The ZIS-151 was the first major Soviet military all-wheel-drive truck built following World War II, replacing the imported U.S. Studebaker US6 and the earlier Soviet ZIS-6. In early 1948, the cabs were made of wood, soon replaced with a steel cab.  Tens of thousands were produced, including specialized versions for hauling different types of cargo. The Soviets also found the trucks an ideal platform for BM-13 Katyusha rocket launchers.

The most famous developments of ZIS-151 were the BTR-152 armored personnel carrier and the BAV 485 amphibious vehicle. Due to de-Stalinization the ZIS-151 was renamed in 1956 to ZIL-151.

In 1958, an improved model, the ZIL-157, was introduced and replaced the ZIS-151. It differed outwardly by its grille and having single rear tires, instead of the ZIL-151's dual tires.

In 1956, the Chinese began building the ZIS-151 under license as the Jiefang CA-30 at First Automobile Works, with slightly more power and angular front fenders. The improved single tire CA-30, introduced in 1958, remained in production until 1986.

Engine and driveline 
The ZIS-151 engine, a  L-head inline 6 cylinder gasoline engine developing  at 2600 rpm.

The transmission was a 5 speed with a direct 4th gear and overdrive 5th. The transfer case had high and low ranges, and selectively engaged the front axle. Both front and rear axles were a split type.

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 with three live beam axles, the front on semi elliptical leaf springs, the rear tandem on quarter elliptical leaf springs with locating arms.

Wheelbase was  to the center of the rear bogey and  to the center of the rear axle.

ZIS-151’s tires have a larger cross section,  versus the US6’s . Both had dual rear tires. The wider tires spread the load over a wider area. This allows the truck to be operated on softer surfaces.

The ZIL-157 has much wider  single rear tires. To further increase the footprint, a centralized inflation system allows the tire pressure to be reduced from the cab for soft surfaces, then re-inflated for road use.

The drive shafts were laid out like the US6, but as a mirror image, the front axle differential was offset to the left, while American trucks were offset to the right. Air brakes were used, on the ZIL-157 the air system also supplied the centralized inflation system.

Specifications 
6×6  ZIS-150 based truck
Engine: ZIS-121 6-cyl,  at 2600 rpm, 
Bore/stroke:  × 
Compression ratio: 6.0
Clutch: dry twin plate
Gearbox: 5×2 speeds
Length: 
Width: 
Height: 
Wheelbase: , rear axis clearance: 
Front wheel track: 
Rear track: 
Turning radius on front outer wheel: 
Weight (without load): 
Maximal speed (loaded, highway): 
Tyres: 
Fuel tank capacity: 2× 
Fuel consumption:

Variants
ZIS-151: Original production version. Produced 1947-1958.
ZIS-151D: As ZIS-151 except with shielded electrical equipment. Produced 1955-1958.
ZIS-151E: Export version of ZIS-151. Produced 1949-1958.
ZIS-151P: Cab-chassis version (for PMZM-3 fire truck). Produced 1951-1956.
ZIS-151U: Export version of ZIS-151 for tropical climates. Produced 1956-1958.
ZIS-121B: Tractor-trailer version. Produced 1954-1958.
ZIS-121D: As ZIS-121B, except powered by a ZIS-121D engine. Produced 1955-1958.
ZIS-151A (ZIS-121G): Prototype modernized version of ZIS-151. Produced in 1953; entered production as the ZIL-157.
ZIS-151B: Prototype version with single rear wheels and a new frame designed by NAMI. Produced in 1955.
ZIS-151G (ZIL-E157): Prototype for ZIL-157.
ZIS-151V (ZIL-157A): Prototype modernized version of the ZIS-151. Produced in 1955.
ZIS-121V: Prototype for BTR-152.
ZIS-153: Prototype halftrack version. Produced in 1952.
BTR-152: Armoured personnel carrier.
BAV 485: Amphibious military version.

Operators

References

External links

ZiL vehicles
Trucks of the Soviet Union
Military vehicles introduced from 1945 to 1949