UAZ-469

Overview
Also called Baijah Taigah (Germany 2003–07)
UAZ-469 / UAZ-469B (1971–present)
UAZ-3151 / UAZ-31512 (1985–2013)[1]
UAZ Hunter (2003–present)
UAZ Tigr (2005–12)
UAZ Tundra 469 (West Germany 1971–91)
Production 1971–present
Assembly Ulyanovsk, Russia
Bad Nauheim, Germany (2003–07, Baijah Automotive)
Camagüey, Cuba (2003–present, Empresa Reparadora José Smith Comas)
Ganja, Azerbaijan ('05-present, Ganja Auto Plant)
Hanoi, Vietnam (2003–present, Thanh Xuan Industry Automobile-Motorbike Co.)
Kremenchuk, Ukraine (2004–present, KrAZ)
Pasadena, United States (1997–2005, UAZ of America)
Body and chassis
Body style 4-Door SUV[2]
Layout Front-engine, four-wheel-drive[2]
Powertrain
Engine 1971–85 – 4 Cylinder UMZ 451 MI 2,450 cm3 (2.5 l) 53 kW (71.1 hp)
2010–13 – 2,693 cm3 (2.7 l) 112 hp (83.5 kW)[1]
Transmission 4-speed or 5-speed manual gearbox 2-speed transfer shift
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,380 mm (93.7 in)
Length 4,025 mm (158.5 in)
Width 1,785 mm (70.3 in)
Height 2,050 mm (80.7 in)
Curb weight 1,700 kg (3,747.9 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor GAZ-69
Successor Baijah Stalker (2007, Germany)

The UAZ-469 (nickname Kozlik (Goat)) is an off-road vehicle manufactured by UAZ. It was used by Soviet and other Warsaw Pact forces, as well as paramilitary units in Eastern Bloc countries. In the Soviet Union, it also saw widespread service in all state organizations that needed a robust off-road vehicle. Standard military versions include seating for seven personnel.[2]

Developed from the GAZ-69 and UAZ-460,[3] the UAZ-469 was introduced in 1971 to replace the GAZ-69. It was powered by the same 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS) 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) UMZ 452MI inline-four engine as the UAZ-452 and was able to run on gasoline with an octane rating as low as 72 (although 76 was preferred).[4] The UAZ-469 presented two great advantages: It was able to drive in virtually any terrain and it was very easy to repair. The vehicle was originally not available for purchase by the public, but many were sold as surplus to private owners.[2]

UAZ-469 medical variant, used in Ukraine
Russian Airborne Troops UAZ-3151

Modifications include a basic UAZ-469B with ground clearance of 220 mm (8.7 in), and a specialized military UAZ-469, with ground clearance increased to 300 mm (12 in). After slight modernisation in 1985, due to new industry designation standards, they were renamed: the UAZ-469 became the UAZ-3151, while the UAZ-469B became the UAZ-31512. Manufacture of UAZ-31512 for the Russian Army continues, while the manufacture for civilian market is discontinued due to new emission standards. However, the currently manufactured UAZ Hunter[5] is an updated version of the old UAZ-469B.[2] The Hunter was originally sold in Germany and some Asian countries as the UAZ Tigr, until General Motors complained the name was too similar to the Opel Tigra, and in Germany, it was renamed Baijah Taigah.[6]

The 469 was exported to 80 countries.[7]

Major versions

Ukrainian police UAZ-3151 UMM
UAZ-469 on Garbarska street in Kraków

UAZ-469B – a "civilian" version of the UAZ-469. In this version, the ground clearance is 220mm and the drive axles use a single-stage main gear without the final drive.[8] The 469B was available with a contact or contactless (on later models) electronic ignition system. Its PTO shafts are slightly longer than the shafts of the UAZ-469. The cabin is open and came with a detachable canvas roof; a hard-top roof made of metal or fiberglass could be purchased as an accessory. The 2.4-liter engine was paired with a 4-speed transmission.

A police patrol car version was available, based on the UAZ-31512-UMM with an insulated five-door metal body and optional special equipment.[9] The UAZ-469B formed the basis of the TREKOL-39041 amphibious vehicle.[10]

Other versions included:

Concepts and prototypes

Reliability issues

Although the UAZ has proven to be a reliable off-road vehicle, there have been a few problems with the car's reliability that have slightly hurt its reputation.

The transmission of the original 469 has been known to have problems when not maintained properly (as the owners manual dictates). Another major problem within Russia has been the production of counterfeit parts made out of cheap metals. Furthermore, the 1990s (after the fall of the Soviet Union) saw a significant decline in the manufacturing quality of UAZ vehicles as the company struggled to survive and could not afford to pay the salaries of its employees.

Other problems have been encountered with the modernization of the vehicle as many of the new electrical and cosmetic parts have been of poor quality. To combat these problems and restore the reliability of UAZ vehicles to their former standards, the UAZ Company has recently introduced a new quality control system that has reduced the number of vehicles with defects arriving in showrooms around the world.

An episode of Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld featured a Vietnamese UAZ-469, though it was not identified as such, where the transmission malfunctioned, among other problems.[13]

Appearances in media

A contraband UAZ-469, referred to as a 'bobik', figures centrally in the second half of the 1994 Lionel Davidson thriller Kolymsky Heights.

A UAZ-469 features in the BBC television documentary "Russia on Four Wheels".[14]

In many video games, UAZ-469 is shown, either as a normal transport variant, or a variant with mounted machine gun, ranging from PKT to DShK machine guns. Also, in ArmA II, a variant exists, that is equipped with SPG-9 "Kopye" (spear) recoilless rifle.

The off-road driving game Spin Tires features the UAZ as a driveable vehicle, as well as a MAZ prime mover.

Specifications

Russian Police UAZ Hunter in Saint Petersburg
UAZ-469 interior
Engine
2,450 cc petrol, in-line 4-cylinder, water cooled, 75 hp (56 kW) at 4,000 rpm, 166.7 N·m (123.0 lb·ft) at 2,200 rpm
Fuel
76-octane petrol, tank capacity is 78 litres
Transmission
4-speed manual gearbox, 2-speed transfer case, 4-wheel drive
Front axle
Live axle with leaf springs, drum brakes
Rear axle
Live axle with leaf springs, drum brakes
Dimensions and weights
UAZ Hunter

Improvements

The UAZ was improved at the time of the Bosnian War by the Serbian "Panteri" (panthers) light infantry brigade. The soldiers attached machine guns, steel armor, and rocket launchers that had been scrapped from warehouses.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to UAZ-469.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Cars Database - UAZ 469". Roman Pashkeev. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "UAZ All-Terrain Vehicles: History, Photographs, and Links". kitoy.ru. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  3. ↑ Thompson, Andy. Cars of the Soviet Union (Haynes Publishing, Somerset, UK, 2008), p. 73 caption.
  4. ↑ Thompson, p.178.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Thompson, p.333 caption.
  7. ↑ Thompson, p.333 caption.
  8. ↑ На ГАЗ-69 дифференциалы с двумя сателлитами, в связи с возросшим крутящим моментом на УАЗ-469Б стоит по четыре сателлита. The GAZ-69 had differentials with two satellites but the UAZ-469B uses four satellites due to its higher torque.
  9. ↑ ТУ 78.2.071-92
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ Уазбука (2012). "Oise firms brothers Martorell" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2012-11-05.
  12. ↑ http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/ENGLISH-automotorusse9%28uaz%29.htm#2
  13. ↑ Vietnam: the worst car in the world - Motorworld - BBC autos Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld, TopGear on Youtube (Uploaded December 19, 2008)
  14. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03skbc7

External links