The ZIL-131 is a general purpose 3.5 tonne 6x6 army truck designed in the Soviet Union by ZIL. The basic model being a general cargo truck. Variants include a tractor-trailer truck, a dump truck, a fuel truck, and a 6x6 for towing a 4-wheeled powered trailer.

The ZIL-131 was introduced in 1966; it is a military version of the ZIL-130, and the two trucks share many components. The ZIL-131 6x6 has the same equipment as the GAZ-66 and Ural-375D.

The ZIL-130/131 was in production at the "AMUR" truck plant (as the AMUR-531340), with both gasoline and diesel engines, until 2012 when AMUR shut down and filed for bankruptcy.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Ukrainian Zil 131 cargo truck. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 5-inches
Width: 2-inches

Release Date: March 2023

Historical Account: "Payload Capacity" - The Zil 131 has a conventional layout. The baseline model of the is a cargo truck. It has a payload capacity of 3 500 kg off-road and 5 000 kg on hard surface roads. It is used to carry troops, cargo and other military equipment. Cargo area is covered with bows and canvas cover. Vehicle can also tow trailers or artillery pieces with a maximum weight of 4 000 kg off-road and 6 500 kg on hard surface roads.

An all-metal cab of this truck provides seating for the driver and two passengers.

The ZiL-131 is powered by a V8 petrol engine, developing 150 hp. Engine is coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Vehicle has a full-time all-wheel drive, however the front axle can be disconnected on hard surface roads. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation systems. A self-recovery winch was fitted on some models.

Variants of the ZiL-131 include a ZiL-131V tractor truck for towing semi-trailers, ZiL-131D dump truck and fuel and water tankers. It is used as a chassis for the Grad-1 artillery rocket system. An improved variant, the ZiL-131N, was introduced in 1986.

In 1995, a new ZiL-4334 was proposed as a replacement of the -131N. A small number of these trucks are in service with the Russian Army. Though it was generally replaced in service by Ural-4320 and KamAZ Mustang series military trucks.