GAZ-33086 "Countryman" - all-wheel drive off-road truck

Trucks of the Gorky plant have always been distinguished by their cross-country ability. Even if you do not take into account all-wheel drive models, like the GAZ-66, the same GAZ-53, thanks to its high ground clearance, moved freely in the countryside.


That's just in the muddy rear-wheel drive was often not enough, especially during work in the villages. For such conditions, the GAZ-66 was ideally suited, but only its carrying capacity of 2 tons was not very suitable for agriculture. It turned out to be an overrun of fuel, time, the driver on the GAZ-53, for example, could transfer twice as much per shift.

The problem was partially solved in 1997, when the Sadko model appeared. This car with an index of 3308 made the cramped and uncomfortable "Shishiga" quite comfortable.


That's just the same chassis and single rear tires allowed to increase the load capacity by only 500 kg. However, the main reasons for the appearance of the GAZ-3308 were:

✅ Change of generations
✅ Transition to cabs type 3307
✅ Unification of the model range

The cabover concept, which previously seemed ideal for transportation, compromised itself during the war in Afghanistan. In order for the driver to survive a mine explosion, a long “nose” was needed.

The appearance of GAZ-33089 "Countryman"

It turns out that despite the appearance of the GAZ-3308 Sadko, there was an unmet need for a medium-duty off-road vehicle. It had to simultaneously have a carrying capacity at the level of the GAZ-3307/09 and be no worse than the GAZ-66.


Considering that the Sadko debuted in 1997, it took too long for the specialists to develop a new model. GAZ-33089 began to be mass-produced only 8 years after the debut of the successor "Shishiga".

"Countryman" seemed ideal. He combined:

✅ Load capacity of 4,5 tons
✅ High throughput
✅ Profitability

Interestingly, the model was immediately produced in two versions - carburetor and diesel. Although the truck was originally planned to run only on heavy fuel, problems with the supply of engines from the Minsk Tractor Plant forced the installation of outdated gasoline engines. The carburetor version had an index of 33085, it was produced in small quantities and is not found on the used market.

The level of patency of the GAZ-33086 is almost comparable to the Sadko. Dual rear tires make it harder to move in the mud, but it gives you an advantage in carrying capacity. And in the maintenance of "Countryman" costs about the same amount as the usual cargo GAZ-3309.


The model is in demand in the most severe operating conditions, as a rule, in Siberia and the northern regions. Especially for operation at sub-zero temperatures, the vehicles were optionally equipped at the factory with autonomous cabin heaters and pre-heaters.

The truck is currently out of production. The last car rolled off the assembly line in 2020.

Features of the model

GAZ-33086 is something intermediate between an onboard medium-duty truck with an index of 3309 and Sadko. The latter is the "Shishiga" with a bonnet cab, most often with a diesel engine.

From the GAZ-66, the new car received an all-wheel drive transmission, but structurally it is still closer to the standard Lawn. Because of this, the ground clearance of the "Countryman" is lower than that of the "Sadko", but still, the level of patency is almost the same. Considering that the GAZ-33089 is not an SUV, it is able to drive everywhere, if you don’t specifically get into the mud. By the way, due to the lower ground clearance, "Countryman" is more stable than "Sadko".


The truck has drum brakes on all wheels. For a machine that is designed to work in harsh conditions, this is rather a plus - they are closed from dirt. In the basic configuration there is an anti-lock braking system.

As a rule, the GAZ-33086 was offered on-board or with a KUNG. The latter option is not so popular - Sadko is more relevant there, it has higher cross-country ability and there is no need for a carrying capacity of 4,5 tons.

Onboard options were offered with both an all-metal and a combined cargo platform. In the latter version, the sides are steel, and the base is made of wood. In case of damage, the boards are easier to replace on their own.

In the basic version, the GAZ-33086 was equipped with a high-capacity battery and tire inflation. As options, it was possible to order a front winch and a power take-off shaft.

Cabin

Outwardly, "Countryman" resembles a typical "Lawn". But if you look closely, you can see a higher ground clearance and rubber with a universal tread, more designed for dirt roads than for the track.


The cabin is taken from GAZ-3307/09 without changes. Inside, a driver and two passengers can be accommodated, although, in practice, only one is comfortable there. It is desirable that the second one be of a slender build or a child, otherwise it will interfere with the operation of the “poker” of the gearbox. Most often, cabins were ordered two, not three.

GAZ-33086 has one minus - the car is quite high, but there are no handrails. Therefore, it is not so easy for obese drivers and passengers to get inside.

Like all "Lawns" of the 3307/09 series, the "Countryman" cabin is not highly corrosion resistant. If it is not treated and the chips are not tinted, then it will rust very quickly, and through corrosion is not uncommon here. However, finding a whole cabin inexpensively for the GAZ-33086 is not a problem.

Engine

The main power unit of the "Countryman" is a diesel engine from the Minsk Motor Plant. An engine with an index of D 245.7 is reliable and easy to repair. Although, it needs regular maintenance. If you drive this diesel with the same approach as a carburetor engine, it will seem frankly "snotty" and moody.


The working volume of the power unit is 4,75 liters. It develops a power of 122 hp. with. The maximum speed of the car on the highway is 90 km/h. This is not enough for the modern rhythm, but in the absence of high-quality road surfaces, it is more than enough.

Thanks to the turbine, the torque is 417 N / m at rpm from 1,7 to 2,1 thousand.

Transmission Features

GAZ-33086 is equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox with synchronizers. Compared to foreign cars, working with a gearbox is quite difficult - it requires getting used to and physical strength. Yes, and the scope of the lever is traditionally large.


The GAZ-33086 suspensions are spring-loaded, but with hydraulic-type shock absorbers. This design at the same time made it possible to achieve cross-country ability with a carrying capacity on a level with the "Lawn".


Fans of using working vehicles for hunting and fishing sometimes complain that they lack ground clearance. There are no complaints about cross-country ability, but the GAZ-33086 can “sit down” on the front axle when crossing hilly terrain.

Under the order, the Gorky Automobile Plant produced different versions of the Zemlyak trucks, including modifications with double cabs. In Saransk, dump trucks were made on the GAZ-33086 chassis.

"Countryman" did not become massive, so it is difficult to find this car on the used market. The model is in demand among farmers due to the combination of load capacity, economy and cross-country ability. Therefore, they do not want to sell such trucks.