GAZ 66: diesel is not a hindrance

This car saw everything. The rise and fall of the country that created it, its agony, convulsion and perestroika. He fought, built a peaceful life, made his way to the most inaccessible places, where only leshies and kikimors are found, for which he received his nickname "Shishig". And although, as all Europeans and extremals love, no diesel was put on the GAZ 66, it did not stop him from being the conqueror of impassability.

He was always a warrior, and his appearance is an unequivocal confirmation: a small, sturdy and maneuverable truck, capable of passing everywhere and even landing from an airplane, was an eternal army laborer and served his country to the extent possible. His pedigree comes from another military vehicle - GAZ 63, which was replaced by Shishig. It appeared in 1964 and was produced serially for thirty-five years.

At GAZ 66 diesel was not originally intended, as a power unit used a gasoline eight, in the usual version at 115 hp, and forced - for 195 hp. The truck was beskapotnym, the engine was located in the cabin under the casing, but thanks to this decision the angle of entry was 35 °, the exit - 32 °. This geometry together with other technical solutions provided "Shishige" fantastic patency.

If we consider the GAZ 66 characteristics, it should be noted that the car had increased slip differentials in both bridges, a transfer box with a demultiplier and the possibility of including an all-wheel drive. A power take-off of up to 40 hp is provided. Equipped with a car tire inflation system and a winch driven by a power take-off shaft.

The "Shishigi" had an ideal weight distribution, which during the landing allowed it to land on all four wheels. In addition, the overall dimensions gave him the opportunity to be located freely in the fuselage of the aircraft. For GAZ 66, fuel consumption, especially in civilian life, was quite substantial and amounted to at least 20 liters, with the amount of consumption depended on traffic conditions and off-road increased.

It was a purely utilitarian car, he practically did not have any devices and knots to provide comfort - to control the car required a lot of physical strength and skill. Even the gearshift lever was located at the rear in relation to the driver and required certain skills when performing the necessary switching operations. But all the inconveniences were compensated for by the incredible passing of the car.

The question of excessive appetite "Shishigi" excited designers. In 1990, a diesel engine appeared on the GAZ 66, but the power of this engine was only 85 hp, and later such a modification was forgotten. Although fans have repeatedly installed diesel and have obtained very good results.

Of course, if the diesel were serially delivered to the GAZ 66, the car's characteristics would have changed for the better, but without that, Shishiga demonstrates a unique off-road ability, and as an army car has many different modifications - from a communication car to technical flying and staff Car. "Shishiga" has come a long way and has always been the best.