Project Awesome 1: ZIL 131 6x6 Soviet Army Truck, will it start?

An out of shape middle aged man attempts to hand crank a large lorry into life... and so the saga of Project Awesome begins.
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[@maximusironthumper]

Thank you all for the (mostly positive) comments! Thank you too for all those that have kindly volunteered to translate the warning signs, a nice lady from Moscow got in first - the main one basically says don't drive downhill with the engine off!

[@dozer1642]

Maximus Ironthumper, sage advice that.

[@dozer1642]

John Christensen, um that's not at all true. The compressor for the brakes isn't electrical. If the engine is turning over and not 'running' the compressor is still turned by over too because it runs off of the engine. I'm sure the Russian text has more to say about why it's s bad idea to do whatever it is that's a bad idea, but air compressors in air brake systems are not something that runs on electricity.

[@Screwy9758]

Pugs (peugeot) don't have compressors/air over hydraulic brakes, they're vacuum/servo assisted. Which if petrol engine, vacuum is created from inlet manifold. Diesel engined, a vacuum pump is used. (some connected to the back of alternator) Either way, no engine rotation = no 'assisted' brakes. (meaning, you have brakes, but you've gotta press damn hard on that brake pedal.

[@YuryGnum]

Maximus Ironthumper hello from siberia!))) try to start gaz-53, really easer to rotate it engine)))) i enjoy this video man)))) sorry for my english i am really russian)))

[@YuryGnum]

Maximus Ironthumper and send me photo i am try to translate

[@foreignfoamer3592]

Now this. This is a vehicle. There is nothing like Soviet trucks in the world. These things are unique.

[@MynamedidntFitDonkey]

they are copies of american trucks

[@ElectronicInspiration]

@@MynamedidntFitDonkey but awesomer

[@team3383]

Its the little tykes who come up to play and nick stuff off of it that are going to be overwhelmed when they see its not completely abandoned and it has MOVED !!! Its ALIVE :-) Excellent stuff. Can only imagine what the project will be. Building a mobile home ? Festival attendance for rent ?

[@John_Trent]

Молодцы! Настоящие профессионалы ! Спасибо вам за то, что не дали умереть этому ветерану!) It's alive!!!!!

[@LandAnchor]

That child’s face is brilliant, thank you for sharing this comrade.

[@benruether8294]

Spintires fueled my interest in Russian trucks to be completely honest. Would love to have one of those beasts.

[@kurtiskrasniuk8723]

Literally same bro bout to play some spintires rn.

[@tyxynvey]

Это класс! У меня отец был шофёром, ездил на таком ЗИЛе и меня пацана брал иногда с собой покататься. Это и сейчас одно из светлых воспоминаний из детства. Это было в СССР и это было лучшее время.

[@PureBlackWolf]

I couldn't help but laugh when you had your mate try to crank the engine while it was in gear. What a beautiful truck, glad to see you're getting it up and running again!

[@scottsmith2590]

This guy makes cool interesting low budget videos. No glits and glam. Just quality content :)

[@gosportjamie]

Those ZIL V8s were designed to run on just about anything that would burn. Very tough engines if they had a little attention...

[@user-fm6zj1vt2r]

gosportjamie Вместо соляры мочу я залил, сел и поехал ведь это, блядь, ЗИЛ

[@alekklu]

макс рщалрмлмдоп моча не горит жИ:D

[@user-fm6zj1vt2r]

Александр Ключник Я бы на Вашем месте не был так категоричен))))

[@rafsacovers]

макс рщалрмлмдоп Так то там вообще бензин, а не соляра.

[@travishabursky4362]

*insert vodka fuel joke here

[@Bajirkus]

The ZIL is a lovely example of one of the two Soviet military design paradigms: Type 1: So simple and reliable, Alexei the illiterate farm boy from outside Pavlovsk can use it well with 6 weeks of training. For example, the AK-47 or AKM. Type 2: So complex that only Dimitri, who graduated from Leningrad Polytechnic at 20, can get it to work properly, such as the KV-1 or ZIL-131.

[@Thumtwiddler]

Never thought I'd watch a video of two guys trying to start an ancient truck but there you go, strangely engrossing!

[@theliansin6516]

I really highly appreciate those who preserve old technology.

[@RedLineBandits]

I love these types of videos. Reminds me as a kid with my grandpa. Spending a weekend trying to get something to run. Drive it around the yard just to park it for another year 😂🤔

[@daveunderwood6498]

Crank starting a V8? You are the Man!! Great video!

[@smays]

You get a gold star for just conceiving of Project Awesome. I can't wait for the next installment. And the team gets a box of gold stars for patience and passion to make it happen. But I feel compelled to say something about the videos. With all the challenges of the project, you made time to capture it for us. You resisted the temptation to overproduce the video. You made it just good enough. And the editing is superb. I can't imagine working in the shop all day and then pulling all the video together. Thank you. PS: Sally is charming to the maximus.

[@casti52]

is a very nice video, especially seeing your family there supporting and helping, is the most valuable. greetings from México.

[@jimjohnston3188]

Who needs a gym membership, all you gotta do is start this up everyday. Great job.

[@TheGreenNewSteal2025]

I’ve never appreciated an electric starter more than while watching this. What a great truck.

[@agentbertram4769]

What a lovely old truck! You will have a lot of hard work ahead of you in restoring it but what a project. Well worth the effort!

[@Ryaquaza]

I would love to buy old trucks like that, such simple designs. They got more charm then todays trucks

[@12201185234]

I love that doggo was just following you guys around, happy to be in the mix.

[@moabt.frican7163]

Such floof. Much poopie. 🐶 🐾

[@vtechead1]

If Sally hadn’t been there, it would never have started. Great video and well done guys.

[@Seregium]

The first car I drove when i was 12 was previous model ZIL-157 (yes the 157 is earlier than 131) with line-6 and no power steering (I think it is more than hundred turns from left to right). It is unforgetable.

[@vitaliypetrovsky9058]

The most amazing in this truck is the sound of its break system. It sounds better than any other truck can do. On 18:11 you can hear that fantastic "phhhh" through the engine noise.

[@dennisbinyon9023]

gday mate that's one of the best introductions to a new project I've ever seen the closing scene summed it up perfectly well done. cheers from Oz

[@maximusironthumper]

Thanks, yep got lucky with Sally's closing!

[@laman8914]

Great job Max, preserving these giants is a very fulfilling effort.

[@rambamesg29]

I love it, it's amazing that something this old comes back to life.

[@tommycutztrees]

I’m bought a zil 2 years ago ,also Uk based. Currently started working on the thing

[@reinkarnatsioon]

drove that in the Estonian army as well, once the truck lost power steering, the workout you get turning those wheels without power steering :D ive restored soviet stuff in the past, but be warned, replacement parts are not bolt on like western stuff, you just get a raw metal something something of a part and then you actually start to make a replacement part yourself with a huge hammer, grinder and a welder from that raw material :D its a fricking pain, but teaches you soviet era ingenuity quite well :P Btw if the gear gets stuck or doesnt change, double clutch the shit or more + brute force to get the gear in if its resisting :D usually does the trick as the oil pressure build up takes time for the clutch, as much as i remember driving those old ZILs GAZs etc; oldschool guys all the time double clutched those trucks

[@PetualangDesa1201]

reinkarnatsioon uj

[@aryanscience]

Try even shifting gears in a regular Lada auto,,,but at -30c....!!!

[@meltingipswich]

Wow that this is a monster I can’t believe you got that running nice work

[@2015ml]

Молодцы! Я не ожидал, что вы сможете его завести. ЗИЛ 131 по-своему очень красив =)

[@maximusironthumper]

Спасибо

[@user-fr4jk1iv7x]

Советские грузовые машины все красивы... Дизайн был на высоте, в отличие от сегодняшних угловатых....

[@nitestrike1000]

Это правда. Очень красивый грузовик!

[@user-kg1md7nk7l]

И что удивительно: он не гниёт, вот железо

[@serik3304]

Maximus Ironthumper вы откуда

[@indiancitizen4437]

Old is gold ,,, Good job 👍👍👍

[@pamjohnstone7415]

Love when you accomplish starting vehicles or just finish off jobs you do that smile and happy mode you go into I'd worthwhile watching for I'd love a spin in the zil

[@arriviste2020]

Just in passing: Always carry a can of eng starting fluid when bringing storage / abandoned engs to life. Never place your thumbs around a starting handle / cranking handle when using same. If eng backfires, you will perhaps get off with a broken thumb but more than likely you will get a broken wrist / arm:)

[@CatEatsDogs]

Every russian knows that Zil is HE, not SHE :)

[@CatEatsDogs]

You're right. But a submarine is "she" in russian :)

[@hasanfoyejul5500]

didn't knew that .lol from Bangladesh

[@VadimsfromRiga]

True

[@bryanmartinez6600]

buggeroff only Brits call their warships she

[@user-sq2hg7nh9u]

Katusha, tunguska are she

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Like a dinosaur being brought back to life! Love it

[@Tom-jb7sc]

You are a hard working old man.. thanks for bringing this type of content.. this truck is in Spintires mudrunner a PC game.. and I love this vehicle.

[@marcinhosouza7809]

Thanks Maximus for your english explanation because russian language is so complicated to understand. Brazilian likes

[@Thee_Magic_Man]

So glad you didn't scrap it. I'm so glad I found your channel. Living my dream, off grid working on trucks. Keep it up

[@maximusironthumper]

I'm glad now I didn't scrap it too! You viewers do give me a lot of motivation to try and make something out of all this stuff I have lying around.

[@Thee_Magic_Man]

I'm very glad, I love seeing this stuff as here in the states we don't have any. I'll be watching this build closely :)

[@jogrant3851]

What a blast!! That Zil is a great project. Lucky you!!

[@user-ss9xk5jy4s]

лайк! однозначно лайк! хотя бы за то, что завел с кривого)))) я смотрел и думал, что не заведешь, но, каково же было мое удивление, когда мотор зарычал. ты маньяк))))) лить бензин из канистры прямо в карбюратор - явный признак маньяка))))) творческих успехов и побед в решении технических задач)) как же приятно было услышать родной звук где-то вдалеке.

[@yottakm3764]

михаил ратанов any body care for a translation?

[@flat5sharp11]

@@yottakm3764 (Google translate) " Like! uniquely like! at least for what started with the curve)))) I looked and thought I could not start, but what was my surprise when the engine growled. you are a maniac))))) to pour gasoline from the canister directly into the carburetor - a clear sign of a maniac))))) creative success and victories in solving technical problems)) how nice it was to hear the native sound somewhere far away."

[@scopex2749]

михаил ратанов Yes i quite agree!

[@TheTaTrIsT]

@@yottakm3764 учи русский, пригодится

[@yottakm3764]

@@TheTaTrIsT m8 , thank you very much

[@KLAUS_HAIRR]

You have literally no idea how much I’d want one of those

[@handshkr]

Love it! Circa 9.55 “It’s all perfectly safe..” 👍👍👍👍

[@lefzer7713]

one million views.....please continue project awesome and make a lot of ZIL videos!...we are looking forward to see the engine replacement

[@markfenner7242]

I've decided to watch all your videos again! Love your content and videos mate.

[@LSDdreams808]

She runs pretty darn darn good, i definitely would love one of these monsters.

[@HereComesTheFreedom]

Dudes doing stuff! You guys rock and that rig is sweet. Way to involve the kid. 🤘

[@Sub251202ast]

Thats a real harcore carburating exacly from red canister, and so high RPMs from start 10years cold engine (good assembling of engine crank bearings still on a place..) dont listen about worst rus words, every mechanics in streight hands frim right place- working perfectly. Check carb/ calibrate valve clearance (with old oil they cant normaly move) change spark plugs, - will start from half/rpm. ZIL is good fitness-machine :)) Good Luck!

[@denisz6479]

Всегда с особым трепетом наблюдал за оживающими машинами! Этот звук первых искр внутри уже казалось бы умершего мотора! Прелесть. Удачи вам в вашем начинании с этим 131м красавцем. Good job man! Respect for reanimation and good luck in this project. With best regards from Russia

[@maximusironthumper]

Thank you!

[@ej5936]

Beautiful 6x6 Zil 131 this one is a keeper. you have to be super careful with handle start not only you don,t want this thing to back fire on you and also you have to completely remove it from the pulley, moving forward in the bust if the handle hit anything you will destroy many parts specially the crankshaft pulley and the harmonic balancer. Good luck with the project

[@azazazaza]

You need to use words "suka" and "blyat" to repair and drive this monster)

[@matthewmclaren2143]

Cyka* not Suka Pronounced Suka but its Spelled Cyka.

[@sashoxxx]

No "nahyi" ?

[@Davross-420]

Just shout Idi Nahuj!!!! It should do the trick

[@user-te5ox5fy7l]

This words is very important on Russia language ahahaa

[@sandyalharbi6605]

yBulkin gooood

[@bigblockchevy200]

In the beginning all you said was "What you're about to see... Is a relic of the Soviet Union" and the biggest smile crept onto my face

[@GlitchMonki]

KZbin recommended this... not bad! Keep that beast alive!!

[@RobertGSolomon]

Defiantly built to last what a beast of a machine, would love to be there helping you.

[@justinfulk9963]

I would love to help as well

[@dougalwhi8888]

When I worked weekends as a kid, I used to have to start a generator by crank.. That was the most scary piece of kit I've ever worked on. Had a habit of snatching, just as I would have to switch its revs. Happy memories. 😜😲👷

[@hammeredscout]

Oh man what a great video! Beautiful lush landscape to be surrounded by.

[@rossomachin]

I’m very pleased to see one of the typical trucks from my childhood days still working. Greetings from Moscow!

[@freefall0483]

After watching this, I will never ask a Russian truck driver for an arm wrestle. Awesome vid.

[@romanjones2694]

Машина моего детства)))) Простоял 20 лет, потом завёлся и поехал. Он просто отдыхал

[@spungletrumpet]

Ha ha.. It was a very memorable Birthday weekend! Still a long way to go before 'Project Awesome' is up and running but this is certainly a step in the right direction! :)

[@maximusironthumper]

Many steps in the right direction, at least 4 on the first day and into double figures on the second!

[@user-dc4pg1ti4i]

Sorry for the translation from my Russian to your English. But you guys are crazy. Have you ever heard of a reverse kick when starting a motor with a crank? Your thumb can come off if you hold the handle like that. And break your head at the same time. ZIL backstroke is rare, but it happens, although it is usually a disease of four-cylinder engines. As a man, hundreds of times zavodovski different cars handle, I came to the conclusion: under the feet you need to put the box, if the arm is high, take four fingers, clasping the handle with your thumb and pull sharply upwards. Half a turn of the crankshaft is usually enough if you move fast.

[@russelltyler9363]

I've just discovered your channel and I'm really enjoying your honest and cheerful approach. Just started watching this project so am really looking forward to what you do with the Zil!

[@learningchristian820]

One tip don't put your thumb over the handle when cranking the handle (from experience) if it kicks back you'll dislocate your thumb. Otherwise love it, good luck

[@delmontindustriesltd7501]

That is incredible!! I would love to have a machine like that to work on my property. You would have thought that with the crank, they would have put some sort of decompressor valve or something to make the engine crank easier. But could you imagine trying to start that thing in the cold of siberia? I can't. Great job getting it going!!

[@garyjohnson499]

For some reason I find this video very wholesome and brings joy to me

[@qettyz]

I used to drive zil at the army here in Finland. I was awful to drive but good god it sounded nice!

[@Mahartinba]

I second that! Awesome sound it has! Used to operate RF station. Loved the secondary independent heaters in winter. Sauna inside cabin. :D

[@Khabarovsk_partisan]

А че в финской армии на зилах ездят¿

[@69jissum]

You have just won A award.

[@transitpassenger3948]

Молодец, жму руку и удачи!!!

[@justsomerandomostrich1906]

That's the beauty of old engines. Extremely reliable though not fuel efficient👌

[@Zil131N]

The best vehicle! ZIL-131 😊

[@vrb5078]

Старый добрый 131-й ЗиЛ. Надежный, как колун. Дизайн вне времени.

[@simonrichard9873]

This truck has an electric starter, but it also has a hand crank for backup.

[@grandprismatic]

Sweet ZIL, perfect off road expedition vehicle. So much potential and somewhere regardless of the country always gets stuck, needs a stomp pulled, barn torn down etc. Here in the states I use a 5 ton Dodge 6x6. Automatic gearbox and transfer case is air actuated. Just a blast to drive and made a couple $ pulling cars out of the snow.

[@stefanallan4274]

Awesome you'll be like popeye by the time you've started that thing a few more times lol

[@totemtanzworkshop9287]

The guy got behind the wheel, 6:45 and got out young 7:51 ) Soviet time machine). Greetings from Russia!)

[@bigunone]

At first I thought maybe you had elves living in the cab when Sally first appeared! So another project begins!!

[@dozer1642]

Charlie she's so cute.

[@gyffjogofl7676]

This is great stuff.

[@petergambier]

What a fabulous vehicle you have, loved the heated seat. I had noticed it in another video and wondered what it was. My work colleague has a 2 ton pan mixer which we use on the big jobs for hot mix lime work. It's diesel powered and has to be hand cranked by one person while another person throws the lever to start it.

[@robstone661]

great final shot

[@iivoli]

I remember those beasts from the army, year was 1998. I've ridden a few thousand klicks in back of one. We still have those in use in finnish army but mainly as haulers and cannon pullers because nowadays it's verboten to use a ZIL as a people carrier without modular seats, what a bunch of wussies, we had plank benches bolted in the back of the lorry and nobody died.

[@webberc7]

What a great video 🙂 This is what I call entertainment!

[@maximusironthumper]

Thanks!

[@sidecarural]

What a beauty of a beast!!! Love those trucks….

[@user-hu1bn6zn2k]

when I served in the army I traveled by this car)))

[@LeShark75]

What a brilliant video. I'm no expert when it comes to this kind of equipment but my love of Spintires had me stumbling across this video this morning. Great stuff Maximus.

[@christisking7778]

My favorite game.

[@richardeinstein2492]

I'm going to clear the brambles on my block. I hope I find one of these too.

[@donaldnuggets8156]

Fun fact about the ZIL 131. The locks are actually on the passenger side because conscripts werent trusted to even lock the doors

[@bagda888]

I can not Belive this dinosaur woke up

[@LoveGuruRider]

omg...what a oldest truck...nice work.

[@Agrompapas]

Молодцы! Техника зил вечная! У моего дяди такой, ведеход!

[@user-rd6ur7ru5p]

я с тобой согласен, посмотри на моём канале.

[@izzok.5850]

Amazing! This truck looks and sounds like Frankenstein.

[@Robin_Works]

I love seeing you walk away from the camera knowing you had to walk back 😂 Awesome video by the way!!

[@chrislee5981]

Thanks for an interesting and compelling video. At the risk of adding some negativity, if you want a cheap way of flying to Russia then pushing down on the starting handle is a good way to get there! I appreciate that 'swinging' it may be the only practical way of starting it but there is a big risk of serious injury if it backfires. My father had a friend who was your size and was thrown across the yard by a much smaller lorry backfiring. Broke his arm. I was taught how to use a starting handle and you should always pull up with your thumb on the same side of the handle as your other four fingers. If you grip the handle and it backfires, it will either break your thumb, smash your wrist as it rotates all the way round or throw you across the yard. Pulling up, it will merely push your hand out of the way. I converted a 1300 Triumph Herald to have a handle in case of emergencies. That would start with one flick from the 10.00 position. mind you that backfired and ran three rotations in reverse and scared the £"!@ out of me. Take care and good luck with the rest of the project.

[@bigbird130]

What a beast. We have someone near where I live with a Tatra. That Soviet Block knew how to build trucks.

[@maximusironthumper]

Didn't they just! I used to own the Brit version (Bedford MK) - the ZIL is in a different league.

[@kenmey6803]

That truck is bad ass. I love the fact that it has tire inflation way back in 75. Shit truck in USA did not have that till something like 1998 maybe 2000. And the whispers you talked about is way cool stuff. Thanks for the video. Love it. God Bless us all

[@bonusnudges]

It would be a crying shame to fit a diesel into that ! . LPG all the way and keep that lovely v8 !

[@Mrr4c00n]

bonusnudges not in the UK , utter madness to keep it

[@Mrr4c00n]

Ben Dover he's putting a 6l British truck engine in it...

[@Mrr4c00n]

Ben Dover but in the latest episode he shows the new engien, its not a Cummins

[@mad4tarmac]

importing from the US?? why?? plenty of old trucks and machine engines will fit in that,I fitted a cummins engine out of a old DAF truck I bought for 400 euro and drove it home,shoe horned it in my old land rover..tens of thousands to custom fit?? think mate you are watching too much American TV shows like Chip Foose haha where you getting tens of thousands?? plenty engines and boxes will fit that truck,make up engine mounts etc etc,its not a overpriced custom car..it is a russian truck,he could use tractor engine,loading shovel engine anything..get a box to fit or use scania truck or Mercedes Diesel are common conversions for the ZIL trucks,my mate from Bulgaria has a V8 diesel scania in his ZIL for hauling timber..no fancy elecs or nothing direct injection,can run without battery etc etc...saving money running that V8 petrol..1 liter per KM google petrol per litre in uk...30 years as diesel mechanic and your statement is way way way off the mark.

[@360nastybusiness]

I agree .keep v8 .

[@dan_6915]

What a beautiful monster. Brutal power output. It just wants to go. Deserves a good restoration.

[@Mechknight73]

Never underestimate Russian engineering. They built their military vehicles very tough and adaptable. From my understanding, they weren't the most comfortable, but would hang in there long after European trucks had given up

[@kenmey6803]

Wow, i was amazed that it will spin the tires so easy on the rear even with no bed still that back end is heavy with the axels and the thick ass frame. Very nice.

[@nIzIx98]

Yesss, I can't wait for these videos

[@ryandoe11]

Same!!

[@user-ms3qy5cw9x]

ЗИЛ это сила! На 131 учился ездить. До сих пор в восторге от этого автомобиля.