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Ural-4320 is the best Russian truck

Ural-4320 is the best Russian truck
The Ural-4320 military truck has been produced for almost 45 years. This is an indicator of the successful design of the car. In addition to the army, the model has found application in various areas of civilian life. The fact that trucks are still being bought abroad with pleasure speaks volumes. The all-terrain vehicle is especially popular with travelers.


History of the model


The history of the army "rogue" from Miass began back in 1961. Then the military received the first Ural-375D trucks. The model was passable, took root not only in the army, but also among oilmen, geologists and lumberjacks.

But the consumption of gasoline was very annoying even for the Soviet Union - at least 50 liters. And this is on the highway, off-road easily exceeded a hundred. No wonder the truck quickly got the apt nickname "Glutton".


If the gasoline Urals did not bother the military, then civilian organizations complained about the uneconomical V8. For this reason, in the mid-1960s, engineers began to develop a diesel engine for an off-road vehicle.

The heavy-fuel Ural-640 engine was ready for mass production by the end of the 1960s, but did not fit the truck, proving to be extremely unreliable.

Урал-4320 - лучший российский грузовикThis truck doesn't need roads! Photo: Youtube.com


I had to develop everything from the beginning, not only the engine, but also remake the car for diesel. It was decided to transfer the work to professionals - the Yaroslavl Motor Plant.

By 1975, the pre-production Ural-4320 passed all factory and state tests, and in 1977 it began to be produced in large batches.
Interestingly, the gasoline truck turned out to be better than its upgraded counterpart in terms of cross-country ability! He pulled at minimum speed in the mud, while the diesel version differed in power and strove to slip into slip.

This was the reason for the release of the Ural-375D until 1992 - the car was supplied to the army. Civil services from "Glutton" refused.

Design features


For most people, the Ural will be a truck with a characteristic bonnet layout, including ZIL-131 and KrAZ. Someone distinguishes cars from Miass, but still, does not distinguish between modifications. Not even touching the 375 model, the Ural-4320 was also produced in several versions.

And in the forest at home! Photo: Youtube.com


Diesel truck modifications:

  • ? Early versions with KamAZ-740 engines - they can be distinguished by the absence of an air filter on the wing
  • ? A short hood until 2000 indicates that there is a YaMZ-236 diesel engine under it
  • ? The “long nose” was received by trucks with the Yaroslavl YaMZ-238 engine, after 2000 all cars were produced with this layout


The model with a long hood is the most common. This is the classic Ural-4320.


Truck prepared for off-road. No matter how many spears are broken on forums on the Internet, it has long been proven that the Ural is the best car in terms of cross-country ability. No ZIL, KrAZ and even GAZ-66 can surpass the 4320 off-road. Tests were carried out both in the USSR and in our time.

Looking under the hood, you can see the successful design solutions:

  • ? The generator is installed at the top so that it does not get wet when crossing water barriers
  • ? Air intake above the wing
  • ? Special starting device for starting the engine in cold weather


Another worth mentioning is the centralized tire inflation system. At first glance, this option should help the driver get to their destination if the wheels shoot through. Actually, it's more of a side feature. The main task of pumping is to ensure patency on different types of road surface by lowering or increasing pressure.

What's in the cockpit at the Urals?


It is not necessary to wait for some level of comfort from a military truck. But in the cockpit of the Ural-4320, it suddenly turns out that the seats have an adjustment system. And they move in different directions, not just forward and backward. Unless everything is on the mechanics, and it’s not so easy to figure it out the first time.

Plenty of room in the cockpit! Photo: Youtube.com


There are three full-fledged seats in the cabin, and even the second passenger does not feel deprived and disadvantaged. Inside, the comfort is Spartan, without any plastic panels, everything is steel, as befits military equipment.

Engines


The most popular engines in the Urals are YaMZ-236/238 in various modifications, differing in power. They are reliable, durable, have a huge resource and are very maintainable.

Even under the hood there are YaMZ 65654 and 5362 engines, and rarely - the old KamAZ-740.10.

How does he drive?


Diesel engines of the 236/238 series of the Yaroslavl Motor Plant start from half a turn. It doesn't matter which unit is under the hood, 11/15 liters of working volume is enough to move a multi-ton truck from its place.

The overview is unexpectedly wonderful, other road users are visible from above, at a glance. It’s just that you shouldn’t actively maneuver on the Ural-4320 - this truck was not created for playing “fifteen” on the highway, and even more so in the city.

As long as there are such cars, roads are not needed in principle. Photo: Youtube.com


Power steering, but it does not work at all like on cars. Turning the “steering wheel” in place with one hand will not work, except on the go. But the pedals are squeezed out easily, although you initially expect a catch from such a military truck.

The speed of URAL-4320 is 85 km/h, and it picks it up easily. But it is difficult to turn around and maneuver on a truck, especially in urban areas. The long hood does not contribute to this in any way, out of habit it is easy to make a mistake in determining the dimensions of the front end, and fit into something.


Of course, these scars will only decorate such a “warrior” as the Urals, but it’s still not worth smashing houses and parked cars.
But the brakes on a military truck work well. The empty Ural-4320 stops dead in its tracks, so it’s better to be careful with the pedal.

What about off-road?


It is worth pulling out onto a country road or into a field, as everything falls into place, and a military truck drives forward like a caterpillar armored vehicle. Soviet engineers did a great job on the hodovka.

The wheel formula 6x6 is far from everything. Through-type axles have a two-stage main gear located vertically. Because of this, the gearbox housings are high, as are the universal joints, which provides maximum ground clearance.

Engine depreservation. Photo: Youtube.com


Suspension reliable and hassle-free. The gearbox is standard from YaMZ, boasts only synchronizers. But the razdatka was made specifically for the Urals - it has an asymmetric differential.

By the way, the Ural front axle is not disabled, although there was a time in the first half of the 1960s when it was planned to do something like Super Select.


Forced locking of the center differential is, of course, available here, but there are no interwheels. Yes, in fact, it is not needed - special rubber with an aggressive "all-terrain" tread does everything anyway.

The ground clearance of the Ural-4320 is 400 mm.

Despite the diesel engines, the displacement of 11/15 liters still makes the truck voracious. 50 off-road is not the limit. Although, compared with the gasoline version, the savings are doubled.

Not only tanks are not afraid of dirt. Photo: Youtube.com


The diesel Ural is a truck for all occasions, although it has nothing to do in the city. The variety of modifications turns the car into a universal assistant in the most difficult road conditions and areas.

Author:

Photos used: https://youtube.com

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