"Ural-377": history, features, specifications

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In 1958, the Miass Automobile Plant began work on a car project that was supposed to take its place among the vehicles intended for the national economy. Moreover, the base model for the new truck was the Ural-375, a cargo SUV that was just planned to be put into production.

The new car was marked "Ural-377", a photo of the car is shown below.

Reasons for creating the 377th

It is believed that the main reason for the release of the new truck was the desire to expand the range and release a car that would be used not only in the armed forces, but also in civilian life. In addition, in the Soviet Union, the niche that could be occupied by a three-axle truck with two drive axles (6x4) and increased payload was free.

Also during this period of time, the country was rapidly building entire networks of roads, the surface of which could withstand a load of up to 6,000 kg per vehicle bridge. And for such routes, trucksSUVs were not needed.

However, creating a model from scratch was expensive. Therefore, following the concept of unification that has developed among automakers in the USSR, it was decided to unify the new car with the all-wheel drive Ural-375, which was already being prepared for serial production.

Differences between 377 and 375

The car "Ural-377" in the experimental version appeared in 1961, and, at first glance, it did not differ much from its prototype. However, it was already a different car. The main differences between the new truck and its "brother" all-terrain vehicle were as follows:

• The engine of the new car has lost its wiring shielding.
• The front axle ceased to be the leading one, it was replaced by a tubular beam, and in connection with this, one drive was removed from the transfer case. Moreover, the design of the "handout" itself remained unchanged due to the requirements of unification.
• The spare tire holder, which was located vertically on the 375, was installed horizontally on the Ural-377, on the starboard side, directly under the wooden cargo platform. The platform itself has also changed and has become larger in volume than that of the all-terrain vehicle.
• For the first time, a fully metal, heated, two-door cab was installed on the new Ural, designed for three people (driver _{+ 2 passengers). This cabin was later installed on all subsequent models of off-road trucks.}

Ural-377: the beginning of the journey

After a series of factorytests, during which the identified shortcomings were eliminated, by the fall of 1962, the factory workers had prepared two cars already for state testing.

After successfully passing first state and then interdepartmental tests in March 1966, Ural-377 was recommended for serial production. Moreover, in the report of the last check it was noted that the new "Ural" 6x4 meets the specified requirements, is a model with a high degree of unification with the "Ural-375" (serial model), and the new truck can be used as a tractor, dump truck and chassis for various modifications.

Ural-377: specifications

• Dimensions by dimensions - 7 m 60 cm x 2 m 50 cm x 2 m 62 cm (L x W x H).
• Capacity - 7 t 500 kg.
• Total weight - 15 tons.
• Base - 4 m 20 cm.
• Clearance - 40 cm.
• Maximum speed is 75 km/h.
• Gasoline consumption - 48 liters per 100 km.
• Power unit - ZIL-375, gasoline, 8-cylinder.
• The volume of the power unit is 7 l.
• Engine power - 175 l/s.
• Gearbox - five-speed.
• Clutch - dry type, double disc.

The weak point of the new truck

It was the pursuit of the maximum possible unification with the serial "Ural" that caused the new model to lose in terms of its characteristics to the then-developed competitors - MAZ-500 and ZIL-133. The ratio of the load capacity of the machine toits own weight was lower than that of MAZ and ZIL. The length of the cargo platform was insufficient, while it had too high a loading height of 1 m 60 cm. Despite the fact that the platform was relatively small, it had a critical amount of displacement towards the rear of the machine. Its location at full load, as well as during the transportation of goods that go beyond the body (long), led to partial hanging of the front wheels, which significantly reduced the controllability of the truck. In addition, a gasoline-powered engine was installed on the Ural-377. This is despite the fact that other truck manufacturers in the country sought to install more economical and practical diesel powertrains in their models.

Trying to remedy this situation, the factory workers began development called "Ural-377M", in which they tried to eliminate all these shortcomings, but nothing good came of it. The modification of the "Ural" "stalled" and stopped on two experimental machines that did not reach mass production.

But despite the fact that the new off-road truck was not entirely successful, the car factory produced 71 thousand vehicles in various modifications:

• "Ural-377N". It differed from the base model with wide-profile tires.
• "Ural-377K". The model is specially designed for operation in low-temperature regions of the country.
• "Ural-377S" and modification of CH - truck tractors for semi-trailers with a permissible weight of 18.5 tons.

Moreover, the 377th has found its application not only in civilian life, but also in the armed forces. It was widely used both as a tractor and as a chassis for mounting special equipment.