GAZ-66

GAZ-66 at a glance

The GAZ-66 was designed as a light military truck that could also serve farms, geologists and utility companies. The engine sits under the cab, which tilts forward for servicing. That layout kept the truck short and, according to the old 1cars text, spread the weight almost evenly between the axles; a lower centre of gravity and a wider track than the GAZ-63's made it more stable off-road.

The GAZ-66 is ranked #3 in our guide to eight Soviet trucks that mattered, after the ZIL-157 and Ural-375. Other GAZ models are in the GAZ catalogue, and the maker's story is in the history of GAZ.

From the GAZ-62 prototype to 35 years of production

By the late 1950s the bonneted GAZ-63 4×4 was outdated. A first replacement, the GAZ-62 prototype of 1959, kept the old six-cylinder engine and carried only about half the planned load, so it was abandoned. The army asked for a short truck with a larger load bed, which led to the cab-over design. According to the old 1cars text, the design team included Alexander Prosvirin, Oleg Obraztsov and Rostislav Zavorotny, with Pavel Syrkin responsible for the V8 engine.

The first prototypes were assembled in November 1963 and series production began on 1 July 1964. The GAZ-66 was one of the first Soviet trucks with a V8 petrol engine and power steering. In 1969 it became the first Soviet truck to receive the state quality mark. The old 1cars text also mentions a gold medal at the Leipzig trade fair and a long test run across Siberia and the Far East in 1967.

Cab, body and equipment

The all-metal cab seats two, divided by the engine cover. That cover makes the gear lever awkward to reach, and the engine heats and fills the cab with noise; in winter, though, the cab stays warm. According to the old 1cars text, a canvas hammock-style bunk could be hung in the cab for rest on long journeys. Compared with the GAZ-63 the cab gained better ventilation, a heater with windscreen demister and washers.

The standard body is a steel drop-side platform with high lattice sides, folding benches and a canvas cover on five hoops. With benches it carries up to 21 people. Many trucks were fitted with box bodies ("kungs") for radio stations, workshops, ambulances and mobile clinics. The spare wheel was moved behind the cab so that it did not reduce ground clearance.

Engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive

The ZMZ-66 is a heavy-duty relative of the ZMZ-53 V8 used in the GAZ-53. According to the old 1cars text, it weighs 262 kg, uses a K-126 or later K-135 carburettor and has a pre-heater for cold starts. Late trucks could have the ZMZ-513.10, a revised V8 with about 92 kW (125 PS) according to the same source. The diesel models of 1993–1999 used GAZ's own four-cylinder engines; the old 1cars text gives about 63 kW (85 hp) for the naturally aspirated unit and 87 kW (116 hp) for the turbo.

The front axle is engaged with a separate lever and works in either transfer-case range. Both axles have hypoid final drives and self-locking differentials, and the rear axle runs on single tyres, like the front. The central tyre-inflation system lets the driver lower pressure for soft ground and raise it again on the move.

GAZ-66-01 specifications in metric and imperial units

The suspension uses longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs with double-acting telescopic dampers at both ends. Brakes are hydraulic drums with a vacuum servo, and power steering was standard. In ordinary road use the GAZ-66's fuel use of 20–25 litres per 100 km is its biggest drawback.

GAZ-66 versions, from winch trucks to diesels

The BM-21V "Grad-V" of 1969 is a light rocket-launcher vehicle on the airborne GAZ-66B chassis, small enough to be dropped by parachute.

Rivals and successor: how the GAZ-66 compares

Compared with its predecessor, the GAZ-63, the GAZ-66 doubled the payload to 2,000 kg and gained a V8, power steering and a tilting cab. Against the bigger ZIL-131 6×6 it carried less but was lighter and more agile; the ZIL is covered in our Ural-375 vs ZIL-131 comparison. Its real successor, the GAZ-3308 Sadko of 1997, went back to a bonneted layout with the GAZ-3307 cab and kept the GAZ-66's tyre-inflation system and axles.

Armies across the Eastern Bloc used the GAZ-66, including East Germany. Finland bought 200 standard and 100 special trucks in 1972–1975 and another 140 in 1986–1989. It was also exported to many countries in Africa and Asia.

Owning a GAZ-66 today: what to check

Retired army trucks are popular with hunters, anglers, overlanders and truck-trial teams, many of them converted into campers in the original box bodies. Our verdict: the GAZ-66 is one of the best-suited classic trucks for genuine off-road travel, thanks to its short wheelbase, clearance and tyre inflation. It is a poor choice for long road trips because of its noise, small cab and thirst.

Before buying, check:

• the frame and cab for rust, especially the cab floor and the hinges of the tilting cab;
• the tyre-inflation system for leaks at the hubs and hoses;
• the transfer case, front-axle engagement and both self-locking differentials;
• the engine's cooling, since the V8 runs hot under the cab, and signs of overheating;
• how a diesel swap was done, if fitted: the old 1cars text notes common conversions to the D-245 diesel and to the five-speed ZIL-130 gearbox.

More off-road vehicles can be found in our 4x4 section.