Anyone own/driven a Russian Zil 6x6 military truck?
Discussion
For no apparent reason, and the frivolous purchase of the century, I REALLY want this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZIL-6X6-MILITARY-VEHICL...
However, I have never driven one, or tried to work on/get spares for a Russian truck before, funnily enough!
I am not very handy on the spanners, so would be relying on local garages/specialists.
So 2 questions, for anyone who knows anything at all about them.
1. Are they invincible and fixable with a hammer and a parts bin, or ruinously expensive to maintain and impossible to keep on the road?
2. How do they drive? My long term plan would be to camper convert the back and take it on long trips to Europe, im not expecting comfortable, but will it happily do 55/60 for long stretches, or are we looking at a tank, which does 30 and kills your back/ears?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZIL-6X6-MILITARY-VEHICL...
However, I have never driven one, or tried to work on/get spares for a Russian truck before, funnily enough!
I am not very handy on the spanners, so would be relying on local garages/specialists.
So 2 questions, for anyone who knows anything at all about them.
1. Are they invincible and fixable with a hammer and a parts bin, or ruinously expensive to maintain and impossible to keep on the road?
2. How do they drive? My long term plan would be to camper convert the back and take it on long trips to Europe, im not expecting comfortable, but will it happily do 55/60 for long stretches, or are we looking at a tank, which does 30 and kills your back/ears?
Edited by sidekickdmr on Friday 15th November 11:03
A 6x6 Zil camper? Designed to be supported by the logistical might of a global superpower. I don't think maintenance will be the issue, but I assume you own a small oil refinery? I would expect gallons-per-mile on something like that.
Though I have to admit I have had similar ideas in the past
Though I have to admit I have had similar ideas in the past
Speedo tops out at 120 kph (75 mph) so i'd imagine your thought of cruising at 55/60 mph is a little off. I'd imagine it would be happier at 40 and economy measured in gallons per mile!
If you cant work on it yourself i think you'd struggle, your average garage wont have a lift up to the job and so you'd be looking at HGV places to work on it.
Cool Yes, realistic No!
If you cant work on it yourself i think you'd struggle, your average garage wont have a lift up to the job and so you'd be looking at HGV places to work on it.
Cool Yes, realistic No!
That's cool! 
Imagine bringing the kids to school with that one!! And also driving OVER the standing traffic at peak time!
I honestly can't find a good reason not to want one.
Well fuel economy (ahemmmm....) and general maintenance *could* raise some arguments with the wife, but hey she'll have an argument anyway, at least this could turn out as an interesting one.
Imagine bringing the kids to school with that one!! And also driving OVER the standing traffic at peak time!
I honestly can't find a good reason not to want one.
Well fuel economy (ahemmmm....) and general maintenance *could* raise some arguments with the wife, but hey she'll have an argument anyway, at least this could turn out as an interesting one.
A local builder near to me used to run a ZIL 6x6 as his works wagon. Used to see it quite a lot. It sounded immense- had a V8 IIRC- and not much in the way of silencing.
Was smokey and noisy and had so much character. Not seen it for a while though so presumably he's got something more sensible.
Was smokey and noisy and had so much character. Not seen it for a while though so presumably he's got something more sensible.
Edited by lufbramatt on Friday 15th November 11:27
https://www.milweb.net/classifiedsLegacy.php?type=...
Until recently was running a Matador, (so a bit older) but the logic is the same - you really, really have to *want* to drive it.
Expect pain and suffering on every level.
Epic.
Until recently was running a Matador, (so a bit older) but the logic is the same - you really, really have to *want* to drive it.
Expect pain and suffering on every level.
Epic.
I read a former British serviceman's thread on another forum where he converted a Ural to a camper - same sort of truck from the same part of the world. He was planning a world road trip.
Wish I could remember which forum but his conversion was really nice.
Apart from the fuel economy and slow speed, you might need some form of HGV licence for one, particularly if the camper conversion adds any appreciable weight. They are quite heavy without anything on the back.
But as above, I've considered one too, however I'm confident in my capabilities to spanner one.
If that's too big, try the Gaz 66. Seems to be a more UK friendly size but still has a V8 petrol which you could probably convert to LPG. You could also consider a minor head skim to raise the compression a little too.
Wish I could remember which forum but his conversion was really nice.
Apart from the fuel economy and slow speed, you might need some form of HGV licence for one, particularly if the camper conversion adds any appreciable weight. They are quite heavy without anything on the back.
But as above, I've considered one too, however I'm confident in my capabilities to spanner one.
If that's too big, try the Gaz 66. Seems to be a more UK friendly size but still has a V8 petrol which you could probably convert to LPG. You could also consider a minor head skim to raise the compression a little too.
please do let me know I remember seeing something about a company that was doing camper conversions of ex Swiss army Pinzgaur's. Think the 6x6 came in under 7.5 tonnes so fine on a normal licence if you're old enough. VW engine, but not sure about the rest of the running gear, so presumably easier to get parts for.
blue_haddock said:
Speedo tops out at 120 kph (75 mph) so i'd imagine your thought of cruising at 55/60 mph is a little off. I'd imagine it would be happier at 40 and economy measured in gallons per mile!
If you cant work on it yourself i think you'd struggle, your average garage wont have a lift up to the job and so you'd be looking at HGV places to work on it.
Cool Yes, realistic No!
Very much this, admire your ambition though OP If you cant work on it yourself i think you'd struggle, your average garage wont have a lift up to the job and so you'd be looking at HGV places to work on it.
Cool Yes, realistic No!
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