ZIL-4331: description and technical characteristics

During the existence of the USSR, the Likhachev plant produced luxury cars. During Stalin's leadership, these were heavy and armored ZiS limousines, created on the basis of American Packard vehicles.

In Khrushchev's times, a lighter and more modern limousine ZIL-111 appeared, made in the then popular “aerostyle”. With Brezhnev coming to power, several more ZIL models appeared in the government fleet, the distinctive feature of which was a more strict “angular” design. And the top of this line was the hero of this article - ZIL-4104, which in 1978 replaced the previous models.

Car history

Since 1962, the Likhachev Plant in Moscow has produced a truck for the national economy under the ZIL-130 brand. The truck was extremely popular and practical, but was inferior to its classmates due to high fuel consumption. At the end of the seventies, the plant began developing a more economical model with a diesel engine. Namely, in the 70s, the designers of the Likhachev plant received the task of developing two advanced trucks with different load capacities.

The models were supposed to run on diesel fuel. Initially, the car was designed by ZIL specialists, but after the design was created, the documentation was transferred to Naberezhnye Chelny. In 1986, the first ZIL-4331 began to roll off the assembly line. It was this model that was intended to replace the ZIL-130. Shortly after the launch of the project, the debut version of this model with a double cab was presented, as well as a chassis designed for special vehicles. Later, specialists from the Likhachev plant created a racing version of the truck, which resembled the original only in appearance.

Features and operation

The popularity of ZIL-4331 is largely due to its high reliability and simplicity of design. Even in the first models, the car received a spacious, sprung cabin with good visibility. Initially, the radiator grille, fenders and hood were raised at the same time, providing access to engine components and systems. However, in the event of a frame distortion or an accident, it became impossible to open the hood. This forced the designers to change the location of the engine attachments, and return to the more familiar design of the so-called “alligator” hood opening.

A distinctive feature of the ZIL-4331 is the headlights, side lights and direction indicators mounted in the bumper. The front part of the cab received a radiator grille made of plastic, which was a new solution for ZIL trucks. The cabin's finishing is far from outstanding, but in general, when driving inside, a low level of noise is created, allowing the driver and passenger to communicate without raising their voices.

The car is designed for operation in domestic conditions, so there are no problems with fuel and lubricants and consumables. In addition, you can use both domestic rubber and foreign-made tires of appropriate sizes.

Cabin and body

First of all, the appearance of the cabin has changed. It acquired angular, clearly defined outlines without smooth transitions. The body is made entirely of metal and has a common base. However, its layout is not entirely standard. The main difference is that the fenders, hood and front grille are made from one rigid piece.

Access to the engine is provided by lifting this structure up and forward on hinges that are attached to the front bumper on the vehicle's power frame. At the same time, it has become very convenient to repair the engine; access to all engine systems is available. Over time, this method was abolished due to some inconveniences in operation.

In subsequent versions of the model, the hood opens in the usual “alligator” way. At the front of the ZIL-4331 truck, a new front bumper is installed, into which headlights and turn signals are mounted. Moreover, they are structurally located in such a way that there is the least danger of damage in the event of an accidental collision. Inside, the cabin has become more comfortable.

The comfortable driver's seat is sprung and adjustable in all directions. Two passengers can sit side by side. The middle seat lifts up to create a table. The large glass area of ​​the cabin and side mirrors allow you to fully control the road situation.

The ZIL cabin of the “4331” model is equipped with excellent heat and sound insulation, which allows you to talk inside the truck without raising your voice, and also not experience inconvenience due to cold weather. There are three seats, one of them is the driver's seat. One of the most popular was the modification with a berth, which appeared in the early 90s.

The model received a universal bumper “skirt”, fairings on the sides of the body and a drag foiler installed on the roof. ZIL-4331, in comparison with foreign analogues, stood out for its significantly lower cost. In addition to the cabin designed for three people, versions with a 2-row cabin version with 7 seats were also produced.

The ZIL-4331 flatbed body is a wooden platform with metal transverse base bars, with folding rear and side sides. The body design provides for the possibility of installing extension sides and an awning with a frame.

ZIL-4972 1992

ZIL-132

ZIL-132R

ZIL-132P

ZIL-E167

photo ZIL-4972

In 1992, AMO ZIL, and subsequently JSC Vezdekhod-GVA, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia was tasked with creating special vehicles (ASM-emergency rescue vehicles) to equip emergency rescue units of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. JSC "Vezdekhod-GVA" has been developing ultra-high cross-country vehicles since 1995 at the Pravdinsky Radio Relay Equipment Plant. Previous experience in eliminating the consequences of man-made and natural accidents has shown that the areas where emergency rescue operations are carried out are mostly characterized by the complete or partial absence of roads to get to the scene of the incident. Therefore, the use of multi-purpose army all-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles (hereinafter referred to as AVPs) as emergency rescue vehicles cannot be effective due to their insufficient cross-country ability. There is a need for new technical means of high cross-country ability as a basis for the creation of AFM.

photo ZIL-4972

We decided to use the developments of SKB AMO ZIL in terms of creating search and recovery vehicles to support space flights. By this time, the “490” search and recovery vehicle complex had already been successfully used for several years in the aviation search and rescue service of the Air Force of the Moscow Region. ZIL-4972 and ZIL-497205, both SUVs have a unified engine and hood, as well as a chassis, which is in many ways similar to the Blue Bird chassis: the transmission is made according to the scheme with on-board power distribution, the force is transmitted to the wheels of each side, which have rigid kinematic connection with each other. The suspension of all wheels ZIL-4972 and ZIL-497205 is independent torsion bar, the first and third pairs of wheels are made rotary. Tire air pressure can be adjusted from 0.3 to 3.0 kg/cm2. The minimum specific tire pressure on the soil is 0.4 kg/cm2 at the minimum tire pressure. Electrical equipment - combined 12 V and 24 V. The main difference between the two modifications is the length of the cabin, borrowed from the ZIL-4331. On the ZIL-4972 it is installed without changes, and on the ZIL-497205 - in an extended form, with a second row of seats for four people.

photo ZIL-4972

Specifications

Engine

It is ZIL-4331 that is considered the founder of the first Russian line of trucks with diesel power plants. Fuel consumption of ZIL 4331 is from 18 l/100 kilometers. If we talk about a road train, then its consumption already starts from 25 liters per hundred.

It is extremely rare, but still, you can find gasoline engines on trucks of the “4331” model.
When operating a car with gasoline engines, consumption is approximately 30-36 liters per 100 km at a speed of 90-95 km/h and may vary depending on the load. Specifications

Transmission

The truck is equipped with rear axle drive. It has a single-plate clutch with peripheral springs. We also note that the clutch release drive is equipped with a pneumohydraulic booster.

Chassis

In the front part of the ZIL 4331 there is a pair of semi-elliptical springs with two shock absorbers and sliding rear ends. But at the rear, two main and additional springs of the same type are used.

Brake system, suspension and chassis

The wheels on the truck are of the disc type; the rim has overall dimensions of 7.0-20. They are secured using 8 studs, onto which special fixing nuts are screwed.

Attention! The tires have an all-terrain tread, which makes it possible to move easily even in very difficult road conditions.

At the ZIL-4331 factory it was equipped with 9.00R20 tires, as well as models numbered I-N142B-1.

It is acceptable to use imported cylinders (12-EX). The pressure in all wheels has the same value - 6 kgf/cm2.

The shock absorption system is a fairly simple design.

The drive axle suspension consists of a set of semi-elliptical springs. Their end parts are sliding. A pair of shock absorbers also works in conjunction with the springs.

The suspension in the rear includes a pair of springs, and special additional mechanisms are also located there. The design is designed for the following loads:

• front axle – 3,735 kg;
• rear axle – 8,005 kg.

The truck can also be included in a road train - its total weight should not exceed 23,000 kg.

The maximum possible slope that a dump truck can overcome with a fully loaded body is 25%.

As part of a road train (23,500 kg), this value decreases to 18%.

The brake system has a design that is quite typical for cars of this class. Its main components:

• brake drums (radius – 210 mm, width of front brake linings – 100 mm, rear – 140 mm);
• cam type pad release
• pneumatic brake circuits

An interesting feature is that the additional brake circuit is combined with the parking circuit. The latter acts on the rear axle using mechanical energy accumulators.

The pressure in the pneumatic system can fluctuate within a fairly wide range - 6-8 kgf/cm2.

Braking at a speed of 65 km/h with a fully loaded trailer is 36 m. Despite the early years of development, the brake system contains a special fuse (alcohol type) that prevents condensate freezing.

Modifications

• ZIL-433100 - basic model with a wheelbase of 4500 mm and a ZIL-645 engine;
• ZIL-433102 – standard chassis;
• ZIL-433104 – chassis for fire trucks;
• ATs-3-40(433104) and ATs-40(433362)-63B.01 – fire tankers;
• ZIL-433110 – basic modification with the ZIL-508.10 unit;
• ZIL-433116 – basic version with the ZIL-509.10 power plant;
• ZIL-43314B - long-wheelbase flatbed version with a ZIL-6454 engine with a wheelbase of 6100 mm;
• ZIL-4332A - a special version with an extended wheelbase (5600 mm) and a ZIL-645 engine;
• ZIL-4333 - short-wheelbase modification with a ZIL-645 engine and a wheelbase of 3800 mm;
• ZIL-433302 – short-wheelbase chassis;
• ZIL-433360 – model with a shortened wheelbase and the ZIL-508.10 power plant;
• ZIL-433362 - short-wheelbase chassis equipped with a ZIL-508.300 engine;
• ZIL-442100 – truck tractor with a wheelbase of 3800 mm and a ZIL-645 unit;
• ZIL-442160 – truck tractor with a wheelbase of 3300 mm and a ZIL-508.10 engine;
• ZIL-442300 is a truck tractor with a sleeper and an extended wheelbase (4500 mm).

All versions of the model were characterized by a rear-wheel drive, front-engine layout.

The most popular modification

We are talking about ZIL-4333. The shortened base was produced in the form of a truck and was equipped with three different engines: ZIL-645; ZIL-508.10 and ZIL-508.300. Certain changes added a prefix to the main index.

The appearance and structure were similar to the basic variation, only the length was not 6,370 mm, but 3,800 mm. These models have gained their popularity due to their practical size. It is more convenient to maneuver in city traffic with a shorter vehicle, and deliver cargo faster. Thanks to this, diesel variations 433302, 433360, 433362 are still produced.

Advantages and disadvantages

1. The main advantages of the ZIL-4331 vehicle are excellent maneuverability and impressive load capacity.
2. A reduced number of chassis lubrication points and automatic brake adjustment help reduce time and money spent on service work.
3. Today, ZIL-645 engines are no longer produced, but it is quite possible to purchase spare parts for engine repair at fairly reasonable prices.
4. The plumage of the first copies of the ZIL-4331 was integral. For this reason, if the truck frame became skewed, problems arose with closing the hood.
5. Good interior seal.
6. The presence of seat belts on all seats.

Despite excellent reviews and a lot of positive aspects, this model is not popular in Russia. Thus, this truck cannot seriously compete with foreign analogues due to its rather high fuel consumption and low load capacity. But the ease of repair and low cost make the car in question extremely popular in some areas of industry.

Dimensions and weight characteristics

The car is relatively compact, its dimensions today allow it to be used in city conditions - most road structures will not become an obstacle in the way of this truck:

• total length from front to rear bumper – 6,370 mm;
• body width from the axis of the left rear-view mirror to the right - 2,500 mm;
• height from the tread to the side lights on the roof – 2,655 mm.

The wheelbase is also quite short for a car of this size:

• the distance between the front wheels is 1,930 mm;
• between the rear ones – 1,850 mm.

The ground clearance can please even the most demanding drivers and those who carry out transportation on extremely poor roads: its value is as much as 330 mm. The average track width is 1,930 mm.

The weight of the car itself is 4,820 kg (excluding refueling fluids). The maximum load that the ZIL-4331 can carry is 6,000 kg.

Thus, this truck cannot seriously compete with foreign analogues due to its rather high fuel consumption and low load capacity. But the ease of repair and low cost make the car in question extremely popular.

The total weight of the ZIL with a full load and filling fluids is approximately 11,700 kg. This weight can easily withstand most of the various bridges and other similar engineering communications on the roads.

Let's sum it up

Having completed production of ZIL-4331 in 2004, the manufacturer did not leave the car without a means of subsistence. Thanks to this, the truck remains popular due to its ease of maintenance. Of course, the power units are quite uneconomical and the load capacity is relatively small, but this does not prevent the car from still being popular in many areas.

When purchasing this model, you will have to fork out an amount of 200 to 2500 thousand rubles. In this case, the buyer receives a version produced in 1995-2004 with low mileage and in excellent condition. All that remains is to ensure quality care and use all the positive aspects of this car.

We advise you to read the article: ZIL - the history of the auto giant

ZIL-4331

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