{{Refimprove|date=January 2015}} {{Infobox automobile | name = ZIS-151 | image = ZIS151 V Pysma Museum.jpeg | manufacturer = ZIS | aka = ZIL-151 (1956–1958) | production = 1948–1958<ref>{{citation | first = Evgeny | last = Kochnev | title = Автомобили Советской Армии 1946–1991 | trans-title = Soviet Army Vehicles 1946–1991 | location = Moscow | publisher = ЭКСМО [Eksmo] | date = 2011 | isbn = 978-5-699-46736-5 | page = }}</ref> | assembly = Russia: Moscow | predecessor = ZIS-6 | successor = ZIL-157 | class = Truck | body_style = | layout =front engine, 6×6 | platform = | engine = 5.55 L ''ZIS-121'', {{convert|92|hp|kW|abbr=on}} | transmission = 5-speed manual with 2 range transfer case | wheelbase = {{convert|3665 + 1120|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|5,540|kg|0|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|6.93|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|2.32|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | height = {{cvt|2.74|m|ftin|0}} | related = Jiefang CA-30 | designer = }}
thumb|right|ZIS-151-base with P-3 radio-location station [[File:BM-13-16 on a ZiS-151 chassis in a museum in Chisinau, Moldova 2.jpg|thumb|right|ZIS-151-based BM-13-16 multiple rocket launcher]]
The '''ZIS-151''' ({{langx|ru|ЗИС-151}})<ref>G. B. Armand, S. I. Kuznetsov: Автомобиль ЗИС-151. Ministry for defence of the soviet union. Moscow 1955. (Original owners manual for the ZIS-151.)</ref> was a general-purpose truck produced by the Soviet car manufacturer Automotive Factory No. 2 ''Zavod imeni Stalina'' for ten years, from 1948 until 1958. In 1956, the factory was renamed to ''Zavod imeni Likhacheva'', and the new trucks were called the '''ZIL-151''' ({{lang|ru|ЗИЛ-151}}).<ref>Каталог запасных частей автомобиля ЗИЛ-151. Mashgiz, Moscow 1957. (Original spare parts cataloge for the ZIL-151.)</ref>
The ZIS-151 was the first major Soviet military all-wheel-drive truck built following World War II, replacing the Lend-Lease U.S. Studebaker US6, GMC CCKW 2½-ton 6×6 truck, and the earlier Soviet ZIS-6, which was in turn a license built version of the Autocar Dispatch SD truck . In early 1948, the cabs were made of wood, soon replaced with a steel cab. Tens of thousands were produced, including specialized versions for hauling different types of cargo. The Soviets also found the trucks an ideal platform for BM-13 ''Katyusha'' rocket launchers.
The most famous developments of ZIS-151 were the BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier and the BAV 485 amphibious vehicle. Due to de-Stalinization the ZIS-151 was renamed in 1956 to ZIL-151.
In 1958, an improved model, the ZIL-157, was introduced and replaced the ZIS-151. It differed outwardly by its grille and having single rear tires, instead of the ZIL-151's dual tires.
In 1956, the Chinese began building the ZIS-151 under license as the Jiefang CA-30 at First Automobile Works,<ref>{{Cite web | title=https://truck-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/china/jiefang-ca30.php | url=https://truck-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/china/jiefang-ca30.php | access-date=2025-08-17 | website=truck-encyclopedia.com}}</ref> with slightly more power and angular front fenders. The improved single tire CA-30, introduced in 1958, remained in production until 1986.
== Engine and driveline == The ZIS-151 engine, the {{convert|5.55|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} engine, based on the Hercules Engine Company's JXD engine, which was in the Studebaker US6. The Soviet built L-head inline 6 cylinder gasoline engine developed {{convert|92|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}} at 2600 rpm.
The transmission was a 5 speed with a direct 4th gear and overdrive 5th. The transfer case had high and low ranges, and selectively engaged the front axle. Both front and rear axles were a split type.
The differential and rear axle housing were the same as the GAZ-51, and the front axle was similar to, and used parts from, the GAZ-63.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Автомодельное бюро: ЗИС-151 | url=http://denisovets.ru/zil/zilpages/zis151.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811093433/http://www.denisovets.ru/zil/zilpages/zis151.html | access-date=2025-08-17 | archive-date=2014-08-11}}</ref>
== Chassis == The chassis was 6×6, with three live beam axles, adapted and strengthened for conditions in the USSR. It had a reinforced ladder frame with three live beam axles, the front on semi elliptical leaf springs, the rear tandem on quarter elliptical leaf springs with locating arms.
Wheelbase was {{convert|4225|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} to the center of the rear bogey and {{convert|4785|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} to the center of the rear axle.
ZIS-151’s tires have a larger cross section, {{convert|8.25|x|20|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} versus the US6’s {{convert|7.50|x|20|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}. Both had dual rear tires. The wider tires spread the load over a wider area. This allows the truck to be operated on softer surfaces.
The ZIL-157 has much wider {{convert|12.00|x|18|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} single rear tires. To further increase the footprint, a centralized inflation system allows the tire pressure to be reduced from the cab for soft surfaces, then re-inflated for road use.
The drive shafts were laid out like the US6, but as a mirror image, the front axle differential was offset to the left, while American trucks were offset to the right. Air brakes were used, on the ZIL-157 the air system also supplied the centralized inflation system.
== Specifications == *6×6 {{convert|4500|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} ZIS-150 based truck *Engine: ZIS-121 6-cyl, {{Convert|92|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 2600 rpm, {{convert|5.555|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} *Bore/stroke: {{convert|101.6|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} × {{convert|114.3|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} *Compression ratio: 6.0 *Clutch: dry twin plate *Gearbox: 5×2 speeds *Length: {{convert|6.93|m|ftin|abbr=on}} *Width: {{convert|2.32|m|ftin|abbr=on}} *Height: {{convert|2.31|m|ftin|abbr=on}} *Wheelbase: {{convert|4225|mm|in|abbr=on}}, rear axis clearance: {{convert|260|mm|in|abbr=on}} *Front wheel track: {{convert|1590|mm|in|abbr=on}} *Rear track: {{convert|1720|mm|in|abbr=on}} *Turning radius on front outer wheel: {{convert|11.2|m|ftin}} *Weight (without load): {{convert|5580|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} *Maximal speed (loaded, highway): {{convert|60|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} *Tyres: {{convert|8.25|x|20|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} *Fuel tank capacity: 2× {{Convert|150|L|usgal impgal|1|abbr=on}} *Fuel consumption: {{convert|42|L/100 km|abbr=on}}
==Variants== *ZIS-151: Original production version. Produced 1947-1958. **ZIS-151D: As ZIS-151 except with shielded electrical equipment. Produced 1955-1958. **ZIS-151E: Export version of ZIS-151. Produced 1949-1958. **ZIS-151P: Cab-chassis version (for PMZM-3 fire truck). Produced 1951-1956. **ZIS-151U: Export version of ZIS-151 for tropical climates. Produced 1956-1958. *ZIS-121B: Tractor-trailer version. Produced 1954-1958. *ZIS-121D: As ZIS-121B, except powered by a ZIS-121D engine. Produced 1955-1958. *ZIS-151A (ZIS-121G): Prototype modernized version of ZIS-151. Produced in 1953; entered production as the ZIL-157. *ZIS-151B: Prototype version with single rear wheels and a new frame designed by NAMI. Produced in 1955. *ZIS-151G (ZIL-E157): Prototype for ZIL-157. *ZIS-151V (ZIL-157A): Prototype modernized version of the ZIS-151. Produced in 1955. *ZIS-121V: Prototype for BTR-152. *ZIS-153: Prototype halftrack version. Produced in 1952. *BTR-152: Armoured personnel carrier. *BAV 485: Amphibious military version.
==Operators== {{Div col|colwidth=15em}} * {{flag|North Korea}}<ref>North Korean Parade - September 9, 1963 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BywVC6G_MfA</ref> {{Div col end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{cite web|url=http://www.krasnayazvezda.com/terre/materiels/camions/zis151.php|title=ZIS-151 at Etoile Rouge (in French)|publisher=Clement Hourbe & Aymeric Lopez|date=2010|access-date=2014-10-28|archive-date=2020-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205041012/http://www.krasnayazvezda.com/terre/materiels/camions/zis151.php|url-status=dead}} *{{cite web|url=http://www.krasnayazvezda.com/terre/materiels/camions/zil157.php|title=ZIL-157 at Etoile Rouge (in French)|publisher=Clement Hourbe & Aymeric Lopez|date=2010|access-date=2014-10-28|archive-date=2020-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129162821/http://www.krasnayazvezda.com/terre/materiels/camions/zil157.php|url-status=dead}} *"[https://truck-encyclopedia.com/ww2/ussr/soviet-trucks.php Soviet Trucks & military vehicles (1920-45)]" Truck Encyclopedia, Retrieved 2025-06-09 *"[https://truck-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/ussr/coldwar_soviet_trucks.php Soviet Trucks of the Cold War]" - Truck Encyclopedia, Retrieved 2025-06-09
Category:ZiL vehicles Category:Trucks of the Soviet Union Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1945 to 1949