✅All-terrain vehicle based on GAZ-66: home-made, lumberjack on a chassis, swamp vehicle on bridges, on road wheels, forester, gourmet

It was specially developed for use in off-road conditions, and therefore it has high cross-country ability. There are legends about the Shishiga’s ability to overcome almost impassable places.

Tuning the all-terrain vehicle Gas 66

However, the car has quite a lot of factory defects, and the level of comfort of the all-terrain vehicle is not at the highest level. For this reason, GAZ 66 is regularly tuned by car owners.

Not all Soviet SUV bodies have retained their original appearance, so many cars already require welding and painting work. Not all owners of 66s are interested in painting them in their “native” color, and many owners try to make the car bright and different from others. It has now become fashionable to repaint off-road vehicles in camouflage colors. But still, the army color “khaki” also looks good - more solid and strict.

After the body has been brought into proper shape, it is additionally worth doing anti-corrosion treatment.

Modification of the Gas 66 truck for off-road travel

A body kit on a cargo all-terrain vehicle is not so relevant, and is not installed often. The main body kits used are roll bars and kangaroos, and on a car with a kung car, a durable and large trunk is mounted on the roof of the body.

There is no point in installing any reinforced bumpers or additional thresholds - the GAZ 66 does not need additional body protection.

His original front bumper is already powerful enough, but a winch on the bumper wouldn’t hurt at all. It is worth thinking about tuning external lighting. Standard headlights will dimly illuminate the road at night in the forest or on a country road, so it makes sense to install additional optics. Nowadays, LED lights and headlights are often used as additional light. This optics has its advantages:

Additional light is installed on the SUV front and rear. With additional rear lighting it is convenient to turn around somewhere on a bad road in a dark forest. At the front, headlights are mounted at different heights; generally, headlights are mounted on the bumper or on the roof of the car.

Interior tuning

The original cabin of the GAZ 66 is not very suitable for a comfortable ride; during development, the car was considered more as an army all-terrain vehicle. And all the efforts of the designers were aimed at improving the technical characteristics of the vehicle.

Since the engine and gearbox are located practically in the cabin (only everything is covered with a factory cover), the GAZ 66 cabin is quite noisy. You can try to somehow reduce the noise level by using soundproofing material.

Option for tuning the interior of a GAZ 66 car

Good sound insulation will also close all the cracks - less dust will get into the interior, it will become much warmer and quieter. The following are used as noise-absorbing materials:

• Vibroplast;
• Splen;
• Vizomat.

The standard seats in the 66's cabin are not particularly comfortable, and they are not very suitable for long trips. You can install seats from a modern passenger car. Of course, the mounts will need to be reworked, but convenience is more important than the time and money spent. Aesthetics are not as important as ride comfort. If after a few hours of travel your lower back begins to hurt, then there will be no time for beauty here.

Of course, you can also take up beauty if you have an irresistible desire to improve the appearance of your salon. You can reupholster the ceiling with good expensive material and install beautiful seat covers. Nowadays it is fashionable to illuminate the instrument panel with additional bulbs.

An example of tuning the interior of a GAZ 66 kung car

LED lighting is very practical and looks beautiful. In addition, additional lighting of the instruments increases their information content - you don’t have to strain your eyes peering at the sensor readings.

Car modification options

Alterations (tuning) of the GAZ 66 car could be minimal, for example, original drawings were applied to the cabin and body using airbrushing or a film with the selected picture was pasted. More serious changes are also possible, involving replacement of the cabin and body. And the most demanding owners make almost complete replacement of units; all that remains from the original car is the frame and axles with wheels, and sometimes they are modified too.

The choice of GAZ-66 for modernization is primarily due to its high cross-country ability. You can turn a car into an SUV, in comparison with which even the best foreign analogues no longer seem so wonderful. On the Internet you can find many photos and videos of various homemade products that are not inferior in exterior and driving performance to foreign models.

There are even proposals to put such craftsmen at the head of domestic factories or even the entire automotive industry. In addition to SUVs, tractors, loaders, all-terrain vehicles and other special equipment are manufactured on the GAZ-66 basis. Of course, wheeled vehicles cannot compete with tracked vehicles in cross-country ability, but they are quite suitable for farming work. With such alterations, the gear ratios of the gearbox and rear axles are often changed,

and various devices for hanging replacement equipment.

Cabin tuning

The GAZ 66 cabin is subject to a wide variety of tuning. Thanks to deep modernization, the Sixty-sixth can be used to create a homemade vehicle that looks like a Hummer, but certainly not a Soviet-made all-terrain vehicle. This car has a name and is obtained through a global modification of the body.

To obtain a Russian Hummer, you need two original 66 cabs, but you have to make the rest of the body parts yourself. The front part of one cabin is cut off, the back part of the other. Cabin parts are welded together. The result is a spacious interior with four doors.

Option for tuning the GAZ 66 cabin

True, the floor has to be made homemade. The interior also has to be significantly modified, and the car is already becoming difficult to recognize - it turns out to be some kind of technical miracle.

All-terrain vehicle "partisan"

This name was given to a car based on the GAZ-66, converted into a jeep, or more precisely a Hummer. The car, of course, is not an exact copy of the American SUV, but the similarities are significant. The idea of ​​​​creating an analogue was put forward by Vyacheslav Dmitriev, who visited the Arabian Peninsula and observed cars of this brand.

The purpose of the new car is to enable hunting and fishing enthusiasts to get to the right place, while the car should be stylish and stand out from the crowd. And the conversion of the prototype was carried out by four people.

The car body is made from the original GAZ-66 cab, cut in half and welded again after installation on the frame. It is attached at four points on rubber pads. The cabin floor is homemade, the hood, fenders and sides of the car are plastic.

The body turned out to be light, weighing 320 kg. Inside the cabin, the GAZ-66 dashboard remains, and a wide tunnel for the transmission runs along the floor, just like the Hummer. The engine and transmission remained from the prototype, they were moved back and slightly down for an optimal center of gravity.

For the same purpose, KF-115A 18R low-pressure wheels were installed, and GAZ-66 wheels were converted to fit them. With low air pressure in the tires (0.8 kg/cm²), it was considered inappropriate to install an inflation system.

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The headlights remained from the prototype, the indicators and turn signal indicators were from the VAZ-21011, and the front sidelights were former cabin lighting on domestic trucks. All electrical wiring was completely replaced.

During test runs, the car's shortcomings were revealed. The cabin is quite noisy and you can feel some shaking when driving. The battery and expansion tank are located next to the wheel and get dirty with dirt flying from under it (the authors are going to install protective mud flaps).

The stated speed of 110 km/h raises doubts, because the limit for tires is only 40. The authors state that tests have proven the possibility of its operation at such speeds, but questions remain. How long can you move at this speed? After all, driving fast on the highway for several hours is commonplace. If the rubber fails, the consequences will be disastrous.

When traveling over very rough terrain, the fragility of the thresholds was revealed; they are easy to crush or break. Considering the relatively low ground clearance for an SUV - 260 mm, we had to move carefully. In wet mud, it turned out that the wheels themselves were not cleaned enough, the car “floated”.

But the car showed excellent stability. And it was difficult to expect anything different, because the base and track are quite large, and the center of gravity is low. It is not easy to turn the car over even on steep slopes.

In addition to the described cars, you can find a lot of materials, photos and videos of various homemade products based on the GAZ-66 on the Internet. There is a wide variety, some are simple machines, some are more complex, and some are just right for putting on a conveyor belt. Truly, the imagination of our people is inexhaustible.

Body tuning

There is little point in upgrading the GAZ 66 onboard vehicle, but it represents a wide field of activity for tuning. Now “Shishigs” are often bought by hunters and fishermen, and lovers of automobile tourism. The GAZ 66 van is simply great for long journeys and overnight stays in nature. With certain modifications to the KUNG car, you can almost live in it.

What can be installed in KUNG:

Tuning option for KUNG gas 66

• Lounge sofas;
• Tables for preparing and eating food;
• Webasto heating for comfortable trips in the cold season;
• Multimedia system;
• Lighting.

They tune the KUNG as much as their imagination can handle. Some people install a potbelly stove in their van, others carry a diesel or gasoline generator with them. Instead of a van, you get a real motorhome. The van will also be equipped with convenient stairs and handrails for climbing onto the roof of the body. And a wide and roomy trunk is often installed on the roof of a KUNG, allowing you to take a lot of useful things with you on the road.

At the end of May 2011 in Irkutsk at the central stadium "Trud" the 7th regional festival of auto tuning BaikalMotorShow (BMSH-2011) will take place. We present to you one of the participants.

LEGEND OF THE STEPPE The moment of truth came when, after a voyage through the dusty hills, we stood next to the sparkling Land Cruiser 100. The iconic Japanese SUV looked like an innocent toy next to the creation of Vyacheslav Zolotukhin from the once closed city of Krasnokamensk. That’s when we fully realized the scale of this super SUV, 5.8 meters long, 2.3 meters wide and the same height. After all, judging by the ease with which the car just literally fluttered over the slopes and rocks, it is difficult to imagine that it is based on the chassis of the well-known GAZ-66 military truck. Vyacheslav has known good cars for a long time; back in the 90s he was involved in transporting them from the Far East. I had more than one Japanese SUV at my disposal; I drove a lot of things on them. And over time, I wanted much more than standard factory solutions could offer, even in the class of heavy jeeps. Tuning? No, it didn't suit me. I wanted, so to speak, a conceptually different level, something like a Mega Cruiser, but with my own ideas about comfort, capacity, reliability, maneuverability, and so on. So it came to the need to build your own car, freely using the achievements of the domestic and Japanese automobile industry.

Title=»LEGEND OF THE STEPPES The moment of truth came when, after a voyage through the dusty hills, we stood next to the sparkling Land Cruiser 100. The iconic Japanese SUV looked like an innocent toy next to the creation of Vyacheslav Zolotukhin from the once closed city of Krasnokamensk. That’s when we fully realized the scale of this super SUV, 5.8 meters long, 2.3 meters wide and the same height. After all, judging by the ease with which the car just literally fluttered over the slopes and rocks, it is difficult to imagine that it is based on the chassis of the well-known GAZ-66 military truck. Vyacheslav has known good cars for a long time; back in the 90s he was involved in transporting them from the Far East. I had more than one Japanese SUV at my disposal; I drove a lot of things on them. And over time, I wanted much more than standard factory solutions could offer, even in the class of heavy jeeps. Tuning? No, it didn't suit me. I wanted, so to speak, a conceptually different level, something like a Mega Cruiser, but with my own ideas about comfort, capacity, reliability, maneuverability, and so on. So it came to the need to build your own car, freely using the achievements of the domestic and Japanese automobile industry.”>

The bifurcated exhaust tract is not for showmanship - it was necessary to use two compact “cans” of mufflers instead of one bulky one. In front of the rear axle, a 180-liter ZIL-130 tank is completely discreetly placed and additionally protected. Vyacheslav Zolotukhin from Krasnokamensk has a Toyota Land Cruiser 100 in his fleet, but for off-road travel he created his own version - Mega Cruiser Russia

COMPLETE CHANGE Yes, it’s like some kind of Hummer, the cabin here is not a Spartan booth, but a spacious and cozy one, one might say, a cruise cabin with a magnificent view. It is based on a double and “wide-body” cabin from the Isuzu Elf truck, respectively, with “its” interior, although largely modified. But the rear part, that is, the luggage part, is borrowed from the Noah minivan! To connect it with the Elf cabin, it was necessary to expand the dimensions with inserts, and make the rear window original. The front ensemble is no less interesting. The wings are made using those from GAZ-3307, the hood is original production, the radiator grille is a composite of two grilles from Prado, and the headlights are from Delica.

Title=”COMMON CHANGE Yes, it’s like some kind of Hummer, here the cabin is not a Spartan booth, but spacious and cozy, one might say a cruise cabin with a magnificent view. It is based on a double and “wide-body” cabin from the Isuzu Elf truck, respectively, with “its” interior, although largely modified. But the rear part, that is, the luggage part, is borrowed from the Noah minivan! To connect it with the Elf cabin, it was necessary to expand the dimensions with inserts, and make the rear window original. The front ensemble is no less interesting. The wings are made using those from the GAZ-3307, the hood is original production, the radiator grille is a composite of two grilles from Prado, the headlights are from Delica.”>

The steering wheel is adapted from a Honda passenger car - with the steering mechanism from a 5-ton Hino, its smaller diameter did not affect the efforts, but the steering with it is sharper and faster than that of trucks. The “cabin” comfortably accommodates 3 people in the back, not very cramped for four, in front there is a double passenger seat from HiAce, which “spins” and folds into a table. For reliability, the body is mounted on the frame on 12 supports; according to the Japanese experience, each support is made of three rubber pads. The wheels of the 66th are barely recognizable: the wheels are “riveted” to widen the track, the bolts are made of stainless steel, and the tires are off-road KI-115A in size 12.00 R18, used on Tigers. And the front hubs have been independently redesigned with the ability to “turn off” the wheels.

TRIUMPH OF THE UNFORMAT That's when the "Mega-Shishiga" drove as we wanted: smoothly, softly and at the same time very confidently - the traction reserve allowed us not to resort to downshifting in most cases, even in meter-long snow on the slopes. But there is a lot of snow here, and in the conditions of the hills it is formed in a specific way: somewhere the wind blows it away, and somewhere it sweeps up entire dunes. Unfortunately, our meeting with Vyacheslav took place in conditions of melted snow, but even without that we managed to taste the delights of a truly extraordinary SUV in every sense. So huge and empty, it rides surprisingly easily and softly both on broken asphalt and across the steppe, dotted with furrows and rocks. He waddles over ditches and stones like a bear, with a calm gait, energy-intensive and without any “concussion”. The owner says that if the car is loaded, then it actually floats like an executive sedan. The landscape here is, in principle, flat and hard, but 40 km from here the forest begins, with holes and ruts. Due to lack of time, we did not go there, but Vyacheslav had already visited a lot of places. Of course, the dimensions will not allow maneuvering among dense tree trunks, but in this case there is no such need - the operating conditions are not the same.

Title=”TRIUMPH OF THE UNFORMAT That’s when the “Mega-Shishiga” drove as I wanted: smoothly, softly and at the same time very confidently - the traction reserve made it possible not to resort to downshifting in most cases, even in meter-long snow on the slopes. But there is a lot of snow here, and in the conditions of the hills it is formed in a specific way: somewhere the wind blows it away, and somewhere it sweeps up entire dunes. Unfortunately, our meeting with Vyacheslav took place in conditions of melted snow, but even without that we managed to taste the delights of a truly extraordinary SUV in every sense. So huge and empty, it rides surprisingly easily and softly both on broken asphalt and across the steppe, dotted with furrows and rocks. He waddles over ditches and stones like a bear, with a calm gait, energy-intensive and without any “concussion”. The owner says that if the car is loaded, then it actually floats like an executive sedan. The landscape here is, in principle, flat and hard, but 40 km from here the forest begins, with holes and ruts. Due to lack of time, we did not go there, but Vyacheslav had already visited a lot of places. Of course, the dimensions will not allow maneuvering among dense tree trunks, but in this case there is no such need - the operating conditions are not the same.”>

The wheel weighs 80 kg, which forced us to strengthen the spare tire bracket more than once. It folds down, which makes access to the trunk difficult, but its solid door is planned to be converted into a more convenient double door in the future.

What’s more important is that in winter you can easily go skiing and snowboarding: there are no organized trails in the vicinity of Krasnokamensk, but there are as many wild slopes as you want - choose to suit every taste, and “Mega-Shishiga” will take you to the starting point without any lift. No noise or vibration bothers us, although no serious additional insulation was done. Supplying heat to a large salon is also no problem. Yes, at the same GAZ there are examples of small-scale construction of hooded all-terrain vehicles with all-metal bodies on the Sadko chassis, but those cars are very heavy, with problematic engines - they cannot drive off-road without a downshift and huge fuel consumption. The notorious “Tiger” on an armored personnel carrier with 7 tons of live weight and an electronically controlled diesel engine is also not a competitor. And Vyacheslav’s brainchild drives everywhere effortlessly and economically - on the highway at 80 km/h it consumes only about 13.5 liters. It took a year and a half to build the car, but three years have already passed since then! And the surprising thing is that the car is still almost unknown not only in the region, but even in Krasnokamensk itself - Vyacheslav does not advertise it, he almost never comes into the city. So the BMS should become an all-Russian premiere for this Transbaikal legend. Among those rare people who know, there were those who wanted to buy this off-road cruiser for good money and even offered a Lexus LX in exchange. Vyacheslav refuses, but is ready to consider an order for the construction of similar or other interesting machines. One such new project is already maturing and promises another exclusive, but the author has not yet talked about it.

domestic production, the birth of which took place in the Soviet Union. The already legendary GAZ-66 has truly incredible, very high cross-country ability.

This is ensured by the special design of the wheels and, without exaggeration, the famous self-locking differentials. This car, without a doubt, will be of interest for many years to come for many skilled car enthusiasts who cannot imagine their life without various experiments.

Peculiarities

During serial production, about three dozen modifications of the GAZ-66 KUNG truck were produced, the dimensions of which remained virtually unchanged. The scope of operation of these vehicles is very diverse (rescue operations, use in regions with a tropical climate, models for mountainous areas, military missions, transportation of goods, passengers, etc.).

For example, the GAZ-66-01 modification was equipped with a centralized tire pressure monitoring system. This determined its operation in mountainous areas, where the degree of filling of the wheels had to be periodically changed. The process itself occurred automatically, which seemed fantastic for that period.

For the model with the additional index 03, all devices were shielded, which was a peculiar consequence of the Cold War, when America was accused of using electric pulse weapons. In addition, such a car could easily drive within range of radars without being noticed.

Why do-it-yourself GAZ 66 tuning is so popular

Remaking or, in other words, tuning a GAZ-66 with your own hands is today a very interesting and relatively affordable option for upgrading or even creating your own all-terrain vehicle. The car, nicknamed the “shishiga,” provides many off-road enthusiasts with excellent opportunities to “ride” in places where driving, to put it mildly, is not possible.

In addition, every extreme sports enthusiast strives to create his own all-terrain vehicle, the way he imagines it. You can realize these visions in metal, creating a completely exclusive car with your own hands.

A particularly attractive option is a jeep based on the presented car. (Do-it-yourself GAZ 66: a selection of photos makes it possible to view the most interesting options for modifications to the presented vehicle).

List of other models

Below is a list of some other modifications of the truck in question:

• 1991 - northern variation with an additional heater and a cabin with paired windows;
• 1992-1994 - GAZ-66-22 (national economic version with an on-board platform);
• 1992-1994 - model 31 (chassis for mounting dump bodies, equipped with a power take-off unit);
• 1995-1998 - version under the index 40 (truck with an onboard platform and a turbine diesel engine);
• 1985-1996 - low GAZ-66 KUNG, the dimensions of which corresponded to version 11, was used to create rotational buses.

Specialized equipment based on the machine in question:

• ambulance for transporting the wounded;
• disinfection machine;
• transport for medical dressing;
• oil filler;
• command and staff version;
• postal and grain vans;
• mobile workshops;
• dump trucks for the agricultural sector;
• pontoon landing park;
• mobile clinics;
• buses PAZ-3201, Volgar, 38-AS.

Tuning GAZ 66 Partizan

All kinds of modifications to the GAZ 66, and the modernization of other cars, is an activity that requires patience, skills and, of course, money. The amounts already depend on the volume and quality of the work performed. A striking example of the original tuning of a domestic all-terrain SUV, known as “shishiga,” is the project called GAZ-66 Partizan.

The resulting car is very similar in appearance to a foreign Hummer, but it is based on a GAZ-66 chassis, which allows it to withstand heavy loads off-road. The chassis is supplemented with native gas units - engine, suspension, gearbox and transfer case.

The rear-set engine ensures a low hood line. The interior consists of two “shishigi” cabins, the trunk and hood are made of fiberglass. The cabin is glazed using standard glass. The driver's seat is very comfortable, the controls are in the usual places.

Thanks to the displacement of the engine, the weight distribution of the all-terrain vehicle was improved, the center of gravity was also lowered and controllability and stability were increased. Four people can easily fit in the cabin of such a car. In the middle of the car, like a Hammer, there is a transmission tunnel. The dashboard is homemade, the indicators are simple and nondescript.

The purpose of the car is practical; there was no purpose here to specifically create comfortable conditions. In addition to the usual copying of the Hammer, the craftsmen also made their own changes. There are samples in which the controlled ones are i. the rear ones turn, and the front ones. This is another advantage of this car off-road.

Tuning the GAZ 66 engine: no chip tuning needed

As a rule, the presented car model is modified with a 200 kg V-shaped engine ZMZ-66. However, let's return to our days and take a closer look at tuning the GAZ 66 engine.

When modifying this car, most often they are limited to installing an MTZ engine, a D.245 diesel engine on it (or altering it, as in the video) or carrying out the procedure of bracing the rings.

However, this is, let’s say, the “simplest” option, but if you want to carry out a solid tuning and install a relatively economical engine, then you can safely use a used Isuzu with a capacity of 4 - 4.5 liters. In addition, ZIL-130 very kindly “saved” for us a gearbox with fifth gear, full synchronization and the necessary spare parts.

There have been cases where craftsmen have installed a hydraulic coupling from the Steer-560 on a car, but there is no particular need for this. It is impossible to carry out GAZ 66 without a computer in the car. Therefore, we are limited to the modifications indicated above.

Any modernization of a car should be aimed at eliminating various types of problems and bringing it to a state of perfection. One of the main tasks when refining the “shishiga” is to eliminate noise and dust inside the cabin, as a result of which all the insides should be carefully insulated.

To do this, it is carried out, during which you can use materials such as vibroplast Silver, SFP herband, vizomat PB-2. You can also supply a soft 200 liter DVD player.

Modernization

In 1991, an updated version of the GAZ-66 KUNG was released, the dimensions inside of which remained the same. This modification received an additional index 16. Changes affected the engine. The updated version was equipped with a ZMZ-513-10 engine and completely redesigned brakes. The wheel wells were also removed, which increased the vehicle's resistance to off-road conditions and dynamic loads.

Thus, the truck in question has returned to mass production again with updated parameters:

• the maximum power indicator was 140 “horses”;
• working volume - 3.5 l;
• load capacity - 2,300 kg;
• a carburetor control unit appeared.

Tuning the GAZ 66 dashboard: add brightness

The dashboard of the presented car model is quite good, it does not need to be changed. The only thing you can do is complement it with beautiful lighting. To do this, you will need LEDs as backlight diodes. It is better to choose ones with white light because they are brighter and more popular than blue lights. With LEDs you can achieve a high level of illumination and significantly improved readability of the instrument panel.

First you need to unscrew the panel screws and remove the casing, instrument panel and glass. The arrows should be removed carefully. According to the recommendations of experts, there is no need to pull the device; you should remove it by gently rocking it in different directions.

When carrying out such a GAZ 66, you need to follow the sequence of installing the LEDs. A popular method is to mount an LED lamp in place of the factory lamp. This allows, ultimately, to create excellent quality and high reliability of LED backlighting. Then you need to mount the backlight, check the polarity and install the panel in its original place.

Alternatively, you can use special programs on your computer to create your own stencil for devices and install it in them. Such a minor innovation will beautifully complement the overall modernized interior of the car. (Below are diagrams of the instrument panel and controls of the GAZ 66 for reference and use in the tuning process).

Useful improvements

1. Surely many are interested in the question of how to paint a GAZ 66 with your own hands beautifully and efficiently? It’s hard to imagine, but there is nothing complicated in this procedure. First, you will need to obtain permission from the traffic police, and then you can proceed directly to the process. For convenience, it is better to use a warm garage in the winter or, if it’s warm outside, you can just do it in the fresh air. You need to purchase several spray cans of the selected color from the auto store. The following combinations of three colors are popular: green (as the main one) - 5-6 pieces, black and dirty yellow - four pieces. You will need 0 sandpaper and three cans of primer. Let's get to work: we clean off the “suspicious” and rusty areas with sandpaper, you can start with a larger one than zero, then you should apply a zero. Next you need to use “soil”. Next, all this should be dried, degreased with acetone and allowed to dry. Then we start painting. First you need to use green paint completely, in several layers. Next black and yellow. You choose the drawing at your discretion. It all depends on your imagination (of course, you won’t be able to create 3D tuning the first time, but patience and determination help you achieve a lot).
2. As an option for upgrading a GAZ 66 car, you can use an interesting contraption - a speedometer knob. With this device you can independently increase the mileage of your car. It must be connected via the vehicle's diagnostic connector via the CAN bus. This is the most modern device for increasing mileage.

Advantages of this device

:

• speed readings are recorded in all service units - an increase in mileage cannot be determined during maintenance;
• quick connection using a standard connector for vehicle diagnostics;
• winding speed is up to 5000 km/h. You can also quickly increase your mileage;
• the connection process does not require intervention in the electrical wiring;
• The connection is made inside the car.

GAZ-66 is one of the legends of the Soviet automobile industry. He took part in the war in Afghanistan, where he saved the lives of our soldiers more than once. The “shishiga” is still loved today for its reliability and high cross-country ability. And to give an old truck a new life, motorists resort to tuning.

GAZ-66 tuning is practiced mainly by self-taught craftsmen who are not afraid to experiment and fantasize. Depending on the vision of the future car, as well as the financial capabilities of the owner, you can make superficial tuning or radically remodel the entire truck.

Change your appearance

There are two main options for tuning the cabin and body:

• refinement and design of the factory version,
• complete reconstruction beyond recognition.

Factory design tuning

As an example, the following “shishigi” tuning scheme should be given.

1. The appearance of the cabin and body is first brought into proper condition. To do this, rust is removed, through holes are sealed, putty is performed, and layers of paint and varnish are applied. The color scheme of the future exhibit depends only on the owner’s imagination. Some motorists prefer military colors, while others want to give the car modern features. It is important that the chosen painting option is harmoniously combined with other tuning elements.
2. Additional optics in the form of fog lights are installed directly under the windshield. The number of lights ranges from 4 to 6. The second option for installing “fog lights” will be the roof of the cabin. The activation of additional optics must be carried out separately from the operation of standard headlights.
3. The arches will help give the truck the look of a rally car about to conquer the Dakar. They are made in the form of a welded frame for the cabin and body. The “mini-arcs” on the side mirrors look very impressive. In addition to arches, “kung” can be supplemented with folding metal stairs and other lathing.
4. A prerequisite for the military version of tuning is the presence of a winch. Some car enthusiasts install an additional winch at the rear of the car.
5. External stylish horns allow you to add elegance to your appearance. They can be installed on the cab roof or in the area of ​​the side mirrors.

Complete appearance transformation

Some craftsmen do not stop at updating the classic appearance of the “shishigi”. They boldly go for a radical change in the image of the car. A striking example of unusual tuning of the GAZ-66 is the project called “Partizan”.

• All that remains of the truck is the chassis and power units.
• The appearance of the Partizan resembles an aggressive SUV, somewhat similar to the foreign Hummer. However, the “breath” of the legendary “shishiga” is felt in everything.
• The interior is made of two cabins, and the hood and trunk are made of fiberglass. When glazing the cabin, “original” gas glass was used. The hood line is low thanks to the rear-mounted engine.
• It is quite natural that such tuning requires painting the body in military colors.

Engine replacement

To this day, few original engines have survived in “combat” condition. And when a tuned GAZ-66 can barely move on the road, it is impossible to do without replacing the power unit.

The most affordable option is to equip the shishiga with diesel engines from the Minsk Motor Plant. Power units of the D-245 series with turbocharging are best suited. By the way, such engines are used today for the conversion of GAZ-66 in Nicaragua. Conversions can be ordered directly from the manufacturer.

You can carry out a more substantial tuning by installing an economical and quiet engine from Isuzu with a volume of about 4 liters. In this case, you will have to carry out the conversion yourself.

Experts' opinion

Egor. I decided to buy a GAZ 66 just to travel through the forest. Fishing and hunting are two of my hobbies for which this car is ideal. In order to significantly increase comfort during travel, I carried out a complete tuning of the interior, as a result, you can live in this car.

Dmitriy. It was necessary to increase the engine power, otherwise there is very little of it for this large car. I considered a lot of options and decided to install a new engine. I didn’t undertake to do the work myself, as I needed to be a good mechanic. The result met expectations.

Transmission modification

Replacing the power unit is usually accompanied by a modification of the transmission.

1. So, instead of the standard gearbox, you can install a model from ZIL-130. Five forward gears and full synchronization will greatly improve the dynamics of the “shishiga” on the track.
2. To prevent the transfer case from becoming a weak link in the updated car, a more powerful version from KRAZ or Ural is installed.
3. The use of wide wheels from an armored personnel carrier, Ural or KRAZ will provide increased maneuverability and a menacing appearance.

Replacing the gearbox

The standard gearbox does not always suit the owners of the GAZ 66. And if the engine is changed, then in this case it is also advisable to replace the gearbox. Most often, instead of the factory box, a power transmission from a ZIL 130 truck is installed. It has five speeds, and on the highway with a modernized engine the car will be more dynamic.

If a foreign engine (for example, ISUZU) is installed on a GAZ 66, then the gearbox should be taken from the same manufacturer. The power units will be fully compatible with each other, and in this case there will be no need to match the gearbox to the engine.

Salon

When modifying the cabin interior, special attention is paid to eliminating noise and preventing dust from entering. To do this, you need to stock up on various rubber seals, as well as modern insulating materials such as

• vibroplast Silver,
• vizomat PB-2,
• SFP herband.

Changing the interior of the cabin will allow you to reupholster the seats, replace the door trim, floor and ceiling. Installing a good sound system will create coziness and comfort for the driver and passengers.

Installing LEDs in the instrument panel

The dashboard can be easily transformed beyond recognition by installing LED backlighting. A bright glow is provided by diodes with a white glow, and if you want to create some mystery, colored LEDs are suitable. This backlight will improve the readability of the dashboard.

The easiest way is to install LED analogues in place of conventional incandescent light bulbs. Then you won’t have to worry about wiring and correct polarity. But when an LED strip with additional electrical devices is used, then you need to know the electrical circuit of the car and have a little understanding of physics. But the reward for diligence will be the delightful exclamations of passengers when driving in the dark.

Tuning the GAZ-66 is a figment of the imagination of its owner. This car can be transformed in different ways. Some people want to preserve its classic identity, while others like to give the car individuality and originality. It is important that such tuning pleases the owner of the “shishiga”, who has invested a piece of his soul into his iron friend.

Exploitation

In civilian use, this vehicle can be used to transport oversized and other cargo. Moreover, this can be done while driving off-road, since the car is equipped with switchable all-wheel drive. In addition, the GAZ-66 with KUNG has modifications with a transmission for buses, which makes it possible to use it for transporting passengers, for example, shift workers. Agricultural models are mainly converted to gas-cylinder versions, which makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption by almost half. At the same time, the power indicator drops to 90 horsepower. The handling of the truck does not suit all owners, since after a long drive the hands become very tired from turning the steering wheel, despite the presence of a hydraulic booster.