ZIL-5301 is a light-duty truck produced from 1995 to 2014. This model was popularly nicknamed “Bull” for its characteristic body shape. The car first appeared in 1991, as a pre-production sample. Production began in 1995. Assembly was carried out in Moscow and the Saratov region. The length of the car body is 6.2 meters and the width is 2.3 meters, which corresponds to the medium-tonnage category. Similar models include the Mercedes-Benz Vario; this German model was much more expensive. There are many modifications of the ZIL-5301, including an ambulance, a fire truck, a cargo and passenger van, a flatbed van, a chassis, etc. In 2014, the production of the ZIL-5301 was finally completed.
ZIL-5301 owner reviews
- Maxim, Sverdlovsk. I like the car. Model 1997 release. Of course, it requires regular maintenance, like any other truck of the post-Soviet period. I insulated the cabin so as not to freeze in the winter. The truck has rather weak brakes; they have to be repaired if they break down - in this case, there are spare parts available for disassembly. I never bought new parts. In addition to brakes, shock absorber pins often break. And in general, high-quality parts are very difficult to find (I'm talking about the used market). The most reliable thing about this truck is the engine. I only changed the fuel injection pump in it; it’s not worth saving on it. I also advise not to overload the car so that the axles, gearbox and axle shafts last longer. After all, this is not a five-ton truck. For example, I try not to exceed 70 km/h. I travel to Moscow, Ulyanovsk, Ufa and other large cities. The car has never failed in a big way. Naturally, before a long trip you need to perform maintenance. This is a real Russian truck with a high load capacity. There is no need to drive it, because it is far from a Ferrari. By the way, I would also like to note the need to regularly inject the bridges. As for consumables, I fill in semi-synthetic oil - it is time-tested, it starts without problems when cold. My bull is simply beautiful compared to the Chinese. The original diesel with a power of 136 horsepower consumes 15 liters per 100 km. I bought ZIL-5301 for 150 thousand rubles.
- Alexey, Tomsk. ZIL-5301 is a kind of construction set for adults. This is simply a unique car that is worth a closer look. Previously, I had a Sprinter-208, which I worked on for two years. When loading 1700 kg, this German was already falling helplessly onto the bump stops. In short, this machine is purely for “riding”. So I thought of replacing the Merc with a more serious truck - a ZIL-5301 produced in 1997, with a non-destructive diesel engine from Belorus. The turbine engine provides a maximum speed of up to 140 km/h and a load capacity of 3500 kg. In some cases, you can “bomb” even 5-6 tone. This is much more than some Gazelle-type lorry. I have the sleeper version. The extended cab is two-story and very roomy. I bought a bullock in Moscow for $570. Fuel consumption is no more than 15 liters per 100 km.
- Dmitry, Ulyanovsk. I have a ZIL-5301 produced in 2005. Overall, a fairly reliable Russian truck with versatile capabilities. I have the extended frame version. The car is inexpensive to maintain, powerful and comfortable. The suspension does not break through at all, regardless of the quality of the roads. You can drive off-road - for example, on rough terrain and gravel. When loaded, the car drives more smoothly and does not “jump.” I overheated the engine several times - at high speeds. I didn't change anything much from the spare parts. After 60 thousand km I changed the radiator. I had a job that required me to transport up to 4 tons of cargo, which is quite a lot for a ZIL-5301. Because of this, minor damage occurred in the chassis. Moreover, sometimes the clutch could not withstand the overload. The car is equipped with a Belarusian diesel engine with a volume of 4.7 liters and a power of 135 horsepower. Fuel consumption per 100 km is 15-16 liters. Gearbox – five-speed manual.
- Sergey, Bryansk. I am the owner of a ZIL-5301 manufactured in 2002, and I still work on it. A durable and hardy workhorse that can get out of any trouble. I have a modification with a 135 horsepower diesel engine, with a manual transmission. The car consumes a maximum of 17 liters per 100 km. I've already driven 140 thousand kilometers, during which time I've changed the clutch only seven times, but only one disc. I also changed the gearbox housing and two baskets. In addition, during 140 thousand, engine heads (2 pcs.), turbines (2 pcs.), piston (2 pcs. with liners), crankshaft liners and camshaft with pushers, hydraulic booster (once), brake cylinders on all wheels (1 time), calipers (2 pieces, they jammed the wheel and broke off while driving). The windshield burst once. In short, there were enough breakdowns. After painstaking repairs, I tried to drive more carefully, but the car still broke down. In general, ZIL 5301 is a designer set for adults, there is no other way to say it.
- Konstantin, Priozersk. I worked at ZIL-5301 from 2003 to 2009. Among the advantages, I note the carrying capacity, ease of maintenance, a large and spacious cabin and a high-torque diesel engine produced in Belarus. The downside is that the car quickly rusts, corrosion often appears on the door sills, and some spare parts are not of good quality. The vehicle is of a medium-duty class, its carrying capacity is slightly greater than that of a GAZelle. But the ZIL is much worse in manufacturing quality than the GAZelle. The iron and body are very weak; after a couple of years, rust appears. As for through corrosion, it appears within five years if used daily. Unfortunately, the plant did not pay attention to quality, but this truck could easily compete with foreign cars. The cabin rusts not by years, but by months, so to speak. We can conclude that during the first five years the car is more or less reliable, and then it begins to fall apart in a big way, just so that it has time to repair. That's why I sold it. In the city, the truck consumed 15-16 l/100 km. 135 horsepower engine with manual transmission.
- Igor, Moscow region. A heavy-duty and high-torque truck that confidently overcomes road irregularities, even when loaded. The car confidently drives uphill and does not slow down. Model 2008, in operation for four years. I bought it for 350 thousand rubles. For a car of this level there is a very small price tag, although this is not surprising. The engine, although a tractor, is very high-torque and almost silent unless you put too much pressure on the gas. Loading capacity is about 5 tons. You can load anything and not stress about it. Among the minuses, I would like to note the huge cabin, which is difficult to warm up due to a weak heater. In winter we had to freeze. There is a valve on the compressor that needs to be washed every fifteen hundred kilometers. Otherwise, the valve will work with unpredictable consequences, so to speak. The seats are uncomfortable; after driving on uneven roads, you want to quickly go home and sit on a soft sofa. I bought this car due to lack of funds for some Ford or other foreign car. I needed a car to work in the construction industry, in the trade of building materials, etc. ZIL coped with these tasks and helped me earn good money. The main thing is not to overload it. In the city, the car consumed 16-17 liters per 100 km. Engine – diesel, 135 horsepower.
- Ilya, Krasnodar region. A car for small businesses; in this area it is simply irreplaceable. Despite the mediocre reliability, the car is worth the money spent. The truck is quite economical and load-carrying; in the city it consumes about 13-14 liters per hundred. The 135-horsepower diesel engine pulls over a wide speed range, that’s why it’s a diesel. Load capacity within 3 tons - I have this modification. The gazelle has half as much, draw your own conclusions. The truck is easy to drive due to the fact that the vehicle has a hydraulic clutch and brakes with air pressure. The maximum speed is 90 km/h, which is quite good for small businesses that do not require traveling long distances. In general, ZIL-5301 allows you to transport cargo with minimal financial losses. I had a 2009 model with a manual 5-speed transmission. On the highway, fuel consumption is around 10 liters.
- Alexander, Lipetsk region. ZIL-5301 is a truck with a large and spacious cabin, passable and with a carrying capacity of 3-4 tons. As for the shortcomings, they cannot be listed so quickly. The car was produced in 1997, bought in new condition. I had to get used to the tractor engine - it was very noisy and with vibrations, especially at idle. The quality of the motor leaves much to be desired. Minor breakdowns constantly occurred. The body is a different story. Corrosion appears very quickly, and along the entire perimeter of the body. There is no way to overcome this factory disease. The chassis is very weak for a 3 tonne truck. If you loaded it to full, the rear part sagged a lot. Some craftsmen use an additional leaf for the springs, but I have not tried it. The car needs repairs very much, but all spare parts are in stock. The car consumes 12-16 liters depending on the driving pace. With constant throttling, you get 16 liters, on the highway you can keep within 11 liters.
Description
ZIL-5301 “Bychok” is a small-tonnage Russian car that was mass-produced at the Likhachev Plant from 1995 to 2014. The first prototypes of “Bychka” appeared back in 1991. This model became a small copy of the 4331 ZIL and was intended for small urban and interregional transport. This truck is a three-ton truck and is a domestic analogue of the Mercedes T2 and Vario cars. By the way, for the last three years this car has been produced at an auto parts plant in Petrovsk (Saratov region).
Economical
The domestic diesel engine consumes 16 liters of fuel - this is according to the passport data. But as the owners say, the real figure is different. In the city, the car spends about 20 liters of diesel.
On the highway - 18. The most economical mode is achieved at a speed of 60-70 kilometers per hour. The maximum speed of the “Bull” is 95 kilometers per hour.
Appearance
The truck has a design that truly resembles a bull - modest square headlights and an elongated body. What does ZIL-5301 look like? The reader can see a photo of the truck in our article.
The bumper on the ZIL was metal. In the center there is an eye for towing. The bumper is reliable, but over time the paint has peeled off on it. The mirrors are the same as on other ZILs. They are very large. But this is a big plus, drivers say. Every little detail is visible in them. But over time, the fastenings become loose. As a result, at speed and on bumps, the picture is distorted (because the mirror vibrates). The cabin itself is very wide, and therefore three wiper blades are used here. There may be three marker lights above the cab. The factory did not provide spoilers or sleeping bags for this model. Everything that is sold on the secondary market is the result of modifications by the owner-carriers themselves. The cabin was welded independently and the cargo body was moved back.
ZIL-5301 is a universal truck. On its basis, tented vehicles, flatbeds, all-metal vans and refrigerators were created. Buses, fire engines and municipal equipment were also created on the basis of this ZIL.
What do reviews say about ZIL-5301? The owners unanimously say that the cabin on the ZIL is rotting (and the paint on the hood is quickly peeling off). This is the weak point of the Bull. There is probably not a single model now where it has not been subjected to welding. But the frame on the “Bull” is quite strong and does not rust, like the cabin.
Chassis
The car has a classic spring suspension design. She is completely dependent. There is a beam at the front and a continuous axle at the rear, complemented by a stability stabilizer. The steering mechanism is a gear-reducer with hydraulic booster. Over time, the power steering begins to hum.
But the brakes cause the most problems with the chassis. They are pneumohydraulic here. The circuit is complex and not highly reliable. Owners had to regularly monitor the fluid level, since the protective covers on the brake calipers often burst and the reservoir itself tore. As a result, the driver could simply be left without brakes.
How does the car behave on the road? Like any other truck, when unloaded the vehicle is very stiff over bumps. To make the suspension softer, you need to load at least one and a half tons into the body. “Bull” does not roll as much as its older brothers. But it’s still not worth driving it. The machine itself is very heavy (weighs about four tons).
Main pros and cons
What is the advantage of this truck? ZIL "Bychok" is one of the few vehicles that, with such compact dimensions, transports cargo in tonnage almost like a "GAZon". But this is not always in demand, so the car cannot be called universal.
In terms of power, the car is reliable. The engine is moderately economical. The car is high-torque, but not fast. The Bychok is easy to maintain and repairable. But due to the collapse of the plant, there are problems finding spare parts. In addition, the car is less liquid than a GAZelle or GAZon.
Let's sum it up
So, we found out what characteristics and features ZIL-5301 has. The machine has a simple and reliable engine, a powerful frame and a durable gearbox. But the truck is not without its shortcomings. This is a constantly rusting cabin, a noisy and uncomfortable interior, as well as a problematic brake system. Is it worth buying it for work? There is no clear answer to this question. The car has already been discontinued, and it is more difficult to find spare parts for it than for the same Valdai. But the latter has an equally spacious body and a reliable engine.
Cargo compartment
Basically, “Bychok” came with an all-metal manufactured goods van. The plant produced versions with two-, three- and four-section vans. The useful volume of the body ranges from 10.5 to 20.5 cubic meters. m. Absolutely all versions of the trucks had a low loading height - 76 centimeters. However, the vans were also susceptible to corrosion. In view of this, some carriers installed bodies from foreign cars (for example, Mercedes Vario). They were much lighter and did not rust as quickly. Tent structures were also present. But the body itself is very low, so many owners built it up.
The sides do not rot, like on GAZelles, which is a definite plus. But top loading is not provided from the factory.
Goby modifications
Initially, it was planned to focus on the production of a chassis on which it would be possible to assemble various custom configurations. Indeed, the full list of modifications of the “Bull” numbers in the dozens. There were a flatbed truck, an all-metal van, double cab variants and even a limited edition bus.
Among the main options we should highlight:
- 5301AO – basic version of the model;
- 5301DO – extended version of the base model;
- 5301BO – chassis for special equipment, superstructures, cash-in-transit and fire-fighting bodies;
- 5301EO – extended version for special bodies and equipment;
- 5301GO and 5301PO – isothermal vans;
- 5301IO – extended isothermal van;
- 5301YuO - with an extended cabin with two berths.
The most widespread are vans for transporting goods and various cargoes. Different materials are used for their finishing: galvanized steel, laminated plywood, sandwich panels, polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam (in refrigerators). Specialized vans were produced for transporting bread, chilled and frozen foods, and manufactured goods. Also in good demand were onboard versions and chassis for tow trucks and loader cranes.
It is worth noting the ambitious plan to export modernized Bychkov to Eastern European countries. It was supposed to modify the base model, in particular, update the external and internal design, equip it with a Cummins engine, replace the gearbox and brakes. It was also planned to increase the model’s carrying capacity to 4.5 tons. However, the project was never implemented.
Cabin
It was created on the basis of the ZIL-4331 truck. Therefore, it is not surprising that the design of the “Bull” inside has many similar details to the 4331. The car received a large two-spoke steering wheel without adjustments, as well as a flat front panel. There are no acoustics or electric windows. In general, there is a minimum of electronics here. On the one hand, it’s reliable (after all, there’s essentially nothing to break), but on the other, the interior is by no means comfortable. Since this car was often taken for interregional transport, the owners made an out-of-cabin sleeping bag. You can also see non-standard seats on these ZILs. Usually they were installed from Mercedes trucks (as in the photo below).
The factory seats were flat and had a limited range of adjustment. With them, drivers' backs quickly got tired. Also, owners often installed an audio system and a fan themselves, which saved them from the heat in the summer. By the way, the cabin itself is quite spacious. Versions for public utilities were designed for six passenger seats.
Among the “childhood diseases” in the Bychka cabin, it is worth noting the poor sound insulation. Sounds from the street clearly came into the cabin. The owners also say that the ZIL has poor thermal insulation. The cabin cools down very quickly, which is why we had to use the heater often. And the additional heater (Rzhev), which was installed optionally, quickly became unusable. A more reliable solution is to install an autonomous heater. This could be a foreign Webasto or a domestic Planar. But both of them cost a lot of money. Therefore, only those who often traveled long distances installed an autonomous heater. Another disadvantage of the cabin, judging by the reviews, is that it gets very hot from the sun, and the hatch on the roof does not help at all.
