In the history of the domestic automobile industry, there have been many people's cars for commercial use. There are some especially popular ones among them. For example, this small-tonnage car GAZ-33021, despite the fact that it was produced from 1994 to 2010, remains one of the most popular on the Russian market.
The need for such a machine began to be dictated by market relations, which began their revival and development. Trade, and other activities, constantly required the transportation of small-sized cargo.
The GAZ production group became one of the first automotive companies that listened to the requirements and released GAZelle trucks to the rapidly developing market. Then the GAZ-33021 car appeared, which very quickly occupied a niche that had been empty for a long time, and immediately turned into the main assistant for everyone who was involved in small business.
Appearance
The appearance and dimensions of this model are quite compact. The truck turned out to be very maneuverable and perfectly suitable for domestic roads and cities with narrow entrances to warehouses, shops and other infrastructure facilities.
The GAZ-33021 car is a modification of the large 3302 family. The body design here is distinguished by improved aerodynamic characteristics, which are characteristic of the entire series. The cabin is made of solid metal. Its glazing is panoramic and quite large. The bumper was made of plastic and was practical. At first, GAZelles were produced with a rather nondescript radiator grille and simple rectangular headlights. However, they were then replaced with more time-appropriate elements. Thus, the headlights received a more teardrop-shaped shape.
GAZ 330210 1970-present 1st generation
GAZ GROUP has developed medical vehicles that increase the efficiency of medical institutions during a pandemic. GAZ Group, Russia's largest manufacturer of medical and social vehicles, is introducing new transport models that allow the introduction of optimal approaches to managing fleets of emergency medical vehicles (AMV),
25/08 2020
The first pre-production samples of the "VALDAI NEXT" vehicle rolled off the assembly line of the Gorky Automobile Plant. The first copies of the medium-tonnage city truck "Valdai NEXT" rolled off the assembly line of the Gorky Automobile Plant. Pilot samples are intended for testing production processes and conducting trial operation in real conditions.
17/08 2020
Production of VALDAI NEXT trucks will begin in 2022. The Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ, Nizhny Novgorod, part of the GAZ Group) plans to begin mass production of Valdai NEXT trucks by the end of 2022. This was reported by the press service of the GAZ Group.
05/08 2020
In Germany, GAZELLE NEXT was turned into an electric car. Until recently, the only known third-party creator of electric vehicles based on Gazelles was the company SpetsAvtoEngineering.
05/08 2020
Salon
Three people could sit inside the GAZ-33021 car. At the beginning of production, the interior was rather weak in terms of ergonomic capabilities, but in later modifications the angular and uninteresting shapes of the dashboard were slightly diversified. So, after restyling, the dashboard acquired a more modern shape, and it was made using higher quality materials. The specialists did a great job on it - the ergonomic characteristics have noticeably improved, and this allowed the car to become not only a very profitable purchase, but also a very convenient truck to drive.
Who needs Gazelle?
Now we will not tell you how the first Soviet lorry was born and what it took for the Gas 53 car to be born in the form in which it is. But light trucks find themselves in an even more difficult situation. A typical situation of those times, when products are in demand, but are not on the shelf, was called the sacred word “shortage”. Given the enormous capabilities of the Soviet automobile industry, the niche of delivery trucks was empty for one reason - everything worked for the defense industry.
The army didn’t need small trucks, so bread and flowers had to be transported on the same Gas 53. Naturally, whole rivers of gasoline were poured into nowhere, but who cared? The needs of the national economy, which later became small businesses, were stubbornly ignored. The only domestic truck with a payload capacity of one ton was the UAZ 450, which was again built on the basis of the Gas 69 military vehicle.
In the 70s, the issue with such trucks became so acute that with such a great and powerful material base, the country bought Zuk and Nysa delivery vans from tiny Poland. But even if all of Poland rushed to make these vans based on Victory, it would still not be able to cover the needs of the huge country. Later they began to buy excellent Avia trucks, made in Czechoslovakia under license from the French company Saviem, but they were not enough. It was easier for the country to pay for free raw materials and energy resources than to build its own projects for the production of delivery vans.
Platform
Small commercial GAZ-33021 models were equipped with an on-board platform for transporting cargo and awnings to it. The awning was supported by a metal frame. The length of the platform was 3056 mm, and its width was 1943 mm.
Additionally, it was equipped with folding sides on the side, as well as a rear side.
If we talk about dimensions, the dimensions of the car are completely 5440 mm in length, of which 2900 is the length of the wheelbase, 990 mm is given to the front overhang and 1550 mm to the rear overhang. The cabin has a width of 1966 mm. The entire truck, measured along the sides, is 2098 mm wide. The height measured at the top point of the awning is 2570 mm. The cabin is 2120 mm high. The clearance under the crankcase on the rear axle is 170 mm. You can see what the GAZ-33021 car looks like.
The photo will allow you to visually assess the dimensions.
As for the weight characteristics, the curb weight of this car is 1850 kg.
The total weight is 3.5 tons. It must be said that the maximum load on the front axle for the GAZelle is 1200 kg, and 2300 kg can be loaded on the rear axle. The truck can transport up to 1.5 tons of various cargo.
conclusions
It is easy to understand that the price of cars depends on the condition they are in at the time of purchase. Experts do not advise purchasing vehicles if the main purposes are commercial. After all, the engine still has a large number of defects. The body and cabin have also probably been subject to wear and tear over time. Especially if you purchase something on the secondary market. 10 years is the maximum age for a car used for transportation. It is better to spend a little more money, but get a vehicle that does not require constant repairs and can bring quick profits.
Technical characteristics of GAZ-33021
For the 3302 group of trucks, engineers have prepared a huge range of different engines. Many of them have been in use for many years, but some have only been retired for a short time. Initially, the trucks were supplied with 4-cylinder in-line gasoline engines ZMZ-4025. The power of this unit was 90 hp. Then the ZMZ-4026 appeared with power characteristics of 100 “horses”. And then they began installing new gasoline and diesel units on GAZelles. The most popular was the gasoline ZMZ-405, which was used on some modifications.
For GAZ-33021 cars, the engine, depending on the modification, could be a gasoline ZMZ-4026 or UMZ-4216. There is no particular need to talk about them - everyone has known about them for a long time.
UMZ-4216 was one of the most popular units among car enthusiasts.
It was also a 4-cylinder. Its working volume was 2.9 liters. This unit was distinguished by a redesigned and much better injection system. So, its maximum power characteristics were 120 horsepower. The maximum torque was 235 Nm at 2500 crankshaft revolutions. The main advantage of this unit is that it could work with gas equipment.
All power units were paired with the only 5-speed gearbox for the series. It was distinguished by three-shaft synchronization. The box worked with the engine through a friction single-plate dry clutch. GAZ-33021, and other versions, were equipped with a hydraulic drive for the clutch.
Van Features
This car is worthy of the title of a reliable vehicle designed for cargo transportation. Distinctive parameters of the gazelle business ref model:
Capacity up to 1.2 tons.
Harmonious shock absorbers on the front suspension.
Completely sealed body.
Such a car is suitable not only for commercial commerce, but also for everyday life.
Description of the cabin and interior
The developers have adjusted the controls to the maximum. Maneuvering allows the GAZ 3302 car with a van and a refrigerator to move along Russian roads with excellent success. You will notice conveniences not only in the movement of the car, but also in the cabin. It is voluminous and roomy, although it can accommodate 2 passenger seats. There are recesses for the driver's personal belongings and documents. The heated glass system clearly marks the road in any weather.
There is a central lock with a burglary safety device. The driver's seat is customizable. The windshield opens up a wide viewing angle
Vehicle body: refrigerator
The car body is made of reliable sandwich panels that maintain the required temperature in the middle of the van. Sealed seams prevent excess air from passing through. Cooling flows evenly throughout the body.
This is exactly how the whole system works, and the products will retain their beneficial qualities for a long time. Temperature support depends on the brand of the refrigerator; the latest ARCTIC SV model will provide temperatures from -20 to +15 degrees (for 12 cubic meters).
Engine and its characteristics
Now you can forget about the stereotype that trucks only run on diesel. The gas 3302 ref model has universal properties that allow the use of a gasoline engine. However, such a replacement does not affect the operation of the car.
During the manufacture of the machine, the following systems were improved: starting, ignition and cooling. Now you can start the car without any visible problems, even in the coldest weather. The radiator heating function will allow you to always be on the go.
Equipment
The Gazelle business refrigerator comes with everything you need for easy operation. It is worth highlighting the rear suspension stabilizer, power windows, tools and accessories that are always useful on the road. When ordering a 4.20 meter car, a sunroof will be built into the cabin, as well as:
Adjustable steering column.
Controller of a given speed of movement.
Hydraulic steering system (power steering).
Other motor problems
Reviews note that the main problem of the 402nd Zavolzhsky engine was the oil gluttony. The reason is the poor quality of the crankshaft oil seal. After two and a half thousand revolutions, it could not cope with the pressure and began to leak lubricant. Another problem is with the intake. The mixture from the carburetor was often supplied unevenly, which is why the engine began to twitch, vibrate and trip.
The next problem that car owners have repeatedly talked about is engine knocking. The reason for this is unregulated valves. Every 15 thousand it was necessary to manually adjust the gap. And since the GAZ-330210 is a commercial vehicle, this mileage came very quickly. Some install hydraulic compensators from new engines on the 402nd. But again, this is additional labor and money costs.
Does it get hot?
And the last, no less common problem is engine overheating. Often on the roads (in the summer) you can see old GAZelles with a plastic bottle under the hood. Some drivers are confident that this will allow more cold air to enter the engine. However, in fact, the problem is solved by installing a larger, three-section radiator and an enlarged cooling fan impeller (11 blades instead of 6). Why not install all this at the factory remains a question for many gazelleists. But even with all this, the engine was prone to overheating. To eliminate this problem, it is necessary to regularly remove air from the system. The so-called traffic jam often forms near the thermostat. To remove it, place the car on an incline and open the expansion tank cap. The air should leave the system.
Device
The growth in sales of GAZ-3302 indicates the popularity of the car. Moreover, the model itself is available today in two main versions: chassis and onboard version. The latter has already become a real bestseller in the segment of light-duty trucks. The affordable price makes the car more attractive compared to its competitors. However, the car is not without weaknesses.
The sides of the model's body are the main problem. In the first versions they had to be changed quite often. In rare cases they served for more than 10 years. In the latest modifications, the sides began to be primed, but this only saved it for a while. As a result, the metal had to be welded. The use of cathophoresis priming, double-sided galvanizing and phosphating of surfaces did not improve the situation.
The car is equipped with a spring-type suspension, the peculiarity of which is the presence of special telescopic shock absorbers. The design provides for the rear suspension to be equipped with a mechanism that reduces roll when cornering. The GAZ-3302 brake system includes drum and disc mechanisms. There is also a dual-circuit hydraulic drive with a pressure regulator.
The hydraulic booster is installed only on the latest modifications of the model. It is missing on older versions, which is a significant drawback. At the same time, the hydraulic booster itself causes a lot of criticism. Many car owners complain about regular leaks that recur over and over again even after the problems have been fixed. The reference mark is 10,000 km. If the hydraulic booster does not leak during this period, it will last for quite a long time.
The GAZ-3302 is equipped with a 5-speed gearbox, which also received a lot of critical reviews. Moreover, repairs usually give only a short-term effect, and the owner, who decides to save on replacing the gearbox, ends up spending much more money. True, for models released later than 2011, such problems are extremely rare.
The model has drum brakes at the rear and disc brakes at the front. This allows the driver not to worry about traffic safety, regardless of road conditions and speed.
But the handling of the GAZ-3302 leaves much to be desired. The car is made on a frame base and does not always clearly follow the driver’s commands. The model's suspension is designed for systematic cargo transportation.
Initially, the car was equipped with cabins that were not the best in terms of comfort. However, in recent modifications this element has changed a lot. Specialists from the Gorky Automobile Plant borrowed it from the light-duty Ford Transit, which added convenience. The GAZ-3302 cabin accommodates a driver and 2 passengers. The torpedo of the model immediately catches the eye, and an additional advantage is good visibility. Not the highest performance is compensated by safety.
Spare parts for cars are produced in large quantities, so finding them will not be difficult. However, the quality of the elements is not always high, since many enterprises produce them.
Features of GAZ-3302:
- Lighting and electrical wiring in a car must be replaced every 10 years, as wires fall apart and circuit boards oxidize;
- modifications before 2007 have a weak stove;
- the GAZelle doors can be opened with a screwdriver;
- the car has a weak frame;
- the seats in older versions are not comfortable enough and cause some inconvenience even when traveling within the region;
- in versions released later than 2011, many problems were fixed and there were much fewer complaints about them.
Engine
GAZ-3302 is equipped with three power plant options:
- domestic engine "UMZ-42146", running on gasoline. This unit complies with Euro-4 requirements. Displacement – 1.9 l, rated power – 106 hp, maximum torque – 220 Nm;
- foreign unit Cummins ISF 2.8. Diesel engine with charge air cooling and turbocharging. The power plant meets Euro-4 requirements and has the following characteristics: displacement – 2.8 liters, rated power – 120 hp, maximum torque 204 Nm;
- domestic motor "UMZ-421467". A special modification that runs on gasoline and gas. In this case, the buyer can choose gas equipment independently (CNG-methane or LPG-propane).
Suspension
Suspension all around is leaf spring, dependent. There is a stabilizer bar at the rear. The sheets are installed from the factory without suspensions. To carry more than one and a half tons, the owners strengthen the frame and add 3-5 springs.
However, do not forget that the car's axle remains the same. Under heavy loads, the “stocking” begins to crack. Also, once a season you have to inject the pins on the front beam.
