Overview
The ZIS-151 was a Soviet 6×6 military truck produced from 1948 to 1958, serving as the primary heavy cargo and troop transport vehicle in the immediate post-World War II period. Manufactured by Zavod imeni Stalina (ZIS, later renamed ZIL), the truck provided Soviet military forces with reliable logistics capability during the early Cold War era.
Development and production
Post-war Soviet military logistics required modernized heavy trucks replacing wartime American Lend-Lease vehicles and aging domestic designs. ZIS developed the 151 model incorporating wartime lessons and captured German technology, particularly in all-wheel-drive systems.
Production commenced 1948 at Moscow ZIS plant with approximately 200,000 units manufactured through 1958. The vehicle equipped motor transport battalions, artillery towing units, and logistics organizations throughout Soviet forces and Warsaw Pact allies.
The ZIS-151 was eventually replaced by the improved ZIL-157, which offered better off-road mobility and cold-weather starting capability.
Technical specifications
Dimensions
Length: 6.95 m (22 ft 10 in)
Width: 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in)
Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) with canvas cover
Wheelbase: 3.30 + 1.20 m (10 ft 10 in + 3 ft 11 in)
Weight: 5,220 kg (11,508 lb) empty
Payload capacity: 4,500 kg (9,921 lb) on-road, 2,500 kg (5,512 lb) off-road
Powerplant
Engine: ZIS-121 6-cylinder gasoline engine
Displacement: 5.55 liters
Power output: 92 hp at 2,800 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual with 2-speed transfer case
Drive: All-wheel drive (6×6) with central tire inflation system
Performance
Maximum speed: 65 km/h (40 mph) on road
Range: 450 km (280 mi)
Fuel capacity: 210 liters (55 US gallons)
Fording depth: 0.85 m (2 ft 9 in)
Gradient: 57% (30 degrees)
Trench crossing: 0.69 m (2 ft 3 in)
Operational capabilities
Cargo transport: Standard flatbed configuration carrying ammunition, supplies, equipment.
Troop carrier: Bench seating in cargo bed for infantry squad transport.
Artillery towing: Prime mover for medium artillery pieces including 122mm and 152mm howitzers.
Specialized variants: Fuel tanker, command post, workshop, communications, and other role-specific configurations.
Winter operations: Equipped with engine pre-heater for cold-weather starting.
Variants
ZIS-151 baseline: Standard cargo truck with canvas-covered cargo bed.
BM-13 Katyusha: Multiple rocket launcher mounted on ZIS-151 chassis.
BTR-152: Armored personnel carrier variant with armored hull replacing cargo bed.
Fuel tanker: Cylindrical tank body for petroleum product transport.
Workshop: Mobile maintenance facility with tooling and repair equipment.
Communications: Radio equipment installation for signal units.
Service history
Soviet forces: Primary heavy truck through 1950s before ZIL-157 replacement.
Warsaw Pact: Supplied to Eastern European allies as standard logistics vehicle.
Korea: Limited deployment supporting Chinese and North Korean forces.
Middle East: Export deliveries to Soviet client states in 1950s-1960s.
Civilian conversion: Many examples transferred to civilian economy after military retirement.
Comparison with contemporaries
Studebaker US6: Wartime Lend-Lease vehicle ZIS-151 partially replaced.
GMC CCKW: American contemporary with similar payload capacity.
ZIL-157: Direct Soviet successor with improved design.
Related vehicles
ZIS-150 (/guide/army/tr/zis150.shtml): 4×2 civilian version sharing components.
BTR-152 (/guide/army/ta/btr152.shtml): Armored personnel carrier on ZIS-151 chassis.
GAZ-63 (/guide/army/tr/gaz63.shtml): Lighter 4×4 truck complementing ZIS-151.
ZIS-151 documentation preserved as historical reference for early Cold War Soviet military logistics.