UAZ-469

The UAZ-469 is an all-terrain vehicle manufactured by UAZ. It was used by the Red Army 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.

The UAZ-469 was introduced in 1973, replacing the earlier

Modifications include a basic UAZ-469B with ground clearance of 220 mm, and a specialized military UAZ-469, with ground clearance increased to 300 mm. Since 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 [http://www.uaz.ru/eng/models/nm/315195/] is nothing but an updated version of old UAZ-469B.

Reliability

The UAZ-469 (and its modifications) has earned a reputation as a very reliable and capable 4x4. It has gained huge popularity among off-road enthusiasts within Russia, former Soviet republics as well as other countries.

One of the main reasons the 469 has enjoyed such popularity is its deliberately simple design, which allows for easy maintenance and repairs. Its simplicity is a deliberate design feature for 2 main reasons: the requirements of the Soviet Armed Forces, as well as the little known fact that most people in the Soviet Union / Russia prefer to fix their cars themselves as opposed to taking them to an authorized mechanic.

Furthermore, the UAZ's simplicity, easy maintenance and extremely inexpensive spare parts allow the car to last much longer than more expensive and complicated western 4x4s. Even the most complicated and costly repairs can be done by the owners themselves, and rarely cost more than a few hundred dollars.

Reliability Issues: although the UAZ has proven to be a reliable 4x4, 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 90s (after the fall of the Soviet Union) saw a significant decline of quality in the assembly 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 return the reliability and dependability of UAZ vehicles to their former standards, the UAZ Company has recently introduced a new Quality Control system which has reduced the number of UAZ vehicles with defects arriving in showrooms around the world.

UAZ Lifestyle – “UAZovody”

The 469 (and its modifications) has gained a large cult like following of people who swear by the car’s off-road ability and reliability, and simply refuse to drive any other type of 4x4. Most of these people are excellent off-road drivers, and have extensive knowledge and experience fixing, modifying and driving UAZ vehicles.

It’s been said that when a person first drives the UAZ they will either love it for its capabilities and toughness or hate it for its lack of comfort and poor on road performance. Another popular saying among UAZ drivers is: you treat an UAZ the way it treats you, rough and with complete disregard for its well-being…this belief is reflected in the driving style of many UAZ drivers, who often drive with reckless abandonment and disregard for their vehicles and praise it for its ability to put up with such treatment.

Specifications (UAZ-469):

Engine:

2450 cc gasoline, in-line 4-cylinder, watercooled, Convert|75|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 4000 rpm, Auto Nm|166.7 at 2200 rpm;

Fuel: 76-octane gasoline, tank capacity is 78 liters;

Transmission:

4-speed manual gearbox, 2-speed transfer shift, 4-wheel drive;

Front axle:

Live axle with leaf springs, drum brakes;

Rear axle:

Live axle with leaf springs, drum brakes;

Dimensions and weights:
* Empty weight with fuel: Auto kg|1650|0;
* Max. gross weight: Auto kg|2450|0;
* External dimensions (length/width/height): Auto mm|4025|1 x Auto mm|1785|1 x Auto mm|2050|1;
* Wheel base: Auto mm|2380|1;
* Tread front/rear: Auto mm|1453|1/Auto mm|1453|1;
* Ground clearance: Auto mm|300|1;
* Tire size: 215 SR 15;
* Wheel size: 6Lx15;

External links

* [http://www.zil131.com/ UK Russian truck owners site and online forum resource]
* [http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/ENGLISH-automotorusse9(uaz).htm#2 UAZ 469 photos and history]
* [http://www.uaz.ru/eng/ UAZ company]
* [http://www.uazbuka.ru UAZ owners group]
* [http://www.uazitalia.net Italian owners group]
* [http://www.uazik.ru/tuning/dir/4/ UAZ tuning Gallery]
* [http://video.google.pl/videoplay?docid=3424506694805259538 Factory Video from the 90s]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAoydc1oeLE Video of Tuned UAZs in extreme off-road]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt1wABeKyMs Video of stock UAZ from Poland]
* [http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=5651815381066772591 Video of UAZ-469B in the snow]