4x4 UAZ-452

nasko

Adventurer
LOL, those were used in the Eastern Block, in the army and in situations where spacious 4x4 were needed (deliveries to mountain lodges, etc). They used to go anywhere, drove like a tank, comfort level was nonexistent. Simple and not very reliable vehicle, if I remember correctly.
 

BuckeyeBullet

Observer
A good friend of mine rode around in one of those for a month or so in Mongolia a couple years ago. Never had a problem. They are affectionately known in Russian-speaking areas as the "Buhanka" which translates to "loaf of bread" (that's what the vehicle looks like). IIRC they had front-mounted air-cooled four-cylinders but were a rough copy of the VW microbus. Every once in a while one turns up on ebay in the US. Seems a GM V6 will fit in it without too much trouble. Since the 452s are still in production, OEM parts are somewhat obtainable. I would love to own one.
 

redneck44

Adventurer

REDROVER

Explorer
ok i have been in many of them and those used to be soviet time ambulances. underpowered very underpowered in USA standards . ( and keep in mind that soviet union was known for jacking car design and ides and making is much worst. lets see fiat became lada . Chevy corvier became zaparojets , vw bus became this thing, and unimog became gaz 66 and in all cases they were downgraded instead of upgrading it . so you be the judge if u want one or no.

but if u gonna use it for offroad only then it may work >>>. sometimes lol
 

redneck44

Adventurer
Whilst I'll agree the cars aren't up to much, the UAZ isn't even remotely like a VW, being 4 wheel drive with portal axles and front mounted engine for a start, how is that worse than a "high power" VW bus.
The Gaz 66 is also an awesome truck, even compared to the MOG's of the same era.
 

REDROVER

Explorer
Whilst I'll agree the cars aren't up to much, the UAZ isn't even remotely like a VW, being 4 wheel drive with portal axles and front mounted engine for a start, how is that worse than a "high power" VW bus.
The Gaz 66 is also an awesome truck, even compared to the MOG's of the same era.

95% of those UAZ models didnt come with portal axles :) even this one in the pic doesn't have it, i yet wanna see one Russian made motor that can be driven 50.000 miles with no rebuild ( i lived in one of those USSR countries 12 years ) ,. mog is better because it came with diesel motor and lockers front and back and it was made in Germany not is USSR.
 

millerfish

Adventurer
Does anyone know what these things go for state side? I am currently in Mongolia an they are available pretty cheep. I have been in a few offroad and the do well at low speed and are under powered. Would never make on a US highway.
 

KMM4x4

Observer
I like several of the Uaz vehicles Been tracking them, really wanting either a 469 or a 69
http://www.mortarinvestments.eu/products/jeeps,-trucks-a-motos-3/uaz-452-52#currency=USD
I had UAZ-31519. It is the same 469 only iron roof and the UMZ-4218 engine. Frankly speaking, the car wasn't pleasant to me. Reliability very bad. At any time can there will be any breakage. The comfort and ergonomics isn't present in general. Hot, it is dusty, exhaust gases. Safety too the bad. At accident the body from a frame easily can fly. Cars which are delivered in army, their reliability is better. About passability if to speak, UAZ it is necessary to finish. It regularly has no blocking of interwheel differentials. Now, I am interested in Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol. I don't want to deal with UAZ more.
 

Drabadum

New member
One can find plenty of them at Drive2.ru. The web-site is in Russian, and all its functionality opens after registration, unfortunately.
A funny thing is that this model is still in production with the price tag about 580000 RUB / 9000 USD (the official web-page in English).
Yes, some travellers in Russia use "buhanka" as a camper, but the problem is in poor quality and lack of any comfort. Thus, people use them for not long, but really tough off-road, hunting, fishing and so on.
d40feb2s-960.jpg

http://www.drive2.ru/r/uaz/666731/
98ccea4s-960.jpg

http://www.drive2.ru/r/uaz/726573/
3a2dbcs-960.jpg

http://www.drive2.ru/r/uaz/653322/

Now, I think, folks choose much more comfortable UAZ Partiot for off-road driving.
8f63accs-960.jpg

http://www.drive2.ru/r/uaz/4062246863888379561/, http://alekseyt.livejournal.com/
9c1870as-960.jpg

http://www.drive2.ru/r/uaz/1172859/, http://klimovs-travels.livejournal.com/
 

KMM4x4

Observer
Yes, some travellers in Russia use "buhanka" as a camper, but the problem is in poor quality and lack of any comfort. Thus, people use them for not long, but really tough off-road, hunting, fishing and so on.
Everything is right. Quality of assembly and reliability at UAZ not that bad, and very bad. In general, reliable and high-quality machines in Russia did only at the Soviet Union. Nowadays reliable cars come only to army, and civil any stuff which quickly rusts is already on sale and breaks very intensively.
As for comfort and ergonomics. Loaves that old that new have no comfort and ergonomics in general. And here if to speak about the Patriot, he on comfort and ergonomics is better than a loaf. UAZ in Russia who has no money for the foreign car buy. UAZ is cheaper, spare parts on it are everywhere available and cost not much. However UAZ is a designer. Buying it, the owner has to be ready to any various refusals and breakages.
I had UAZ-31519 of 2000 of release. The car caused me many problems the refusals. More I to myself don't want to buy UAZ. Even the new. I am interenut now Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol and other import SUVs.
 

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