Driving a UAZ isn’t just transportation — it’s a small expedition every time you turn the key. Whether you’re heading into the woods for the weekend or crossing a border where Google Maps gives up, a few items can turn disaster into a funny story. Russian UAZ owners call it “the survival kit.” You’ll soon understand why.
The Spirit of Preparedness
Modern drivers trust warning lights and roadside assistance. UAZ drivers trust experience, intuition, and a metal toolbox. When you drive a machine that can ford rivers and shrug off rocks, you also accept that anything can happen — and usually will. Being prepared is part of the charm. It’s not paranoia; it’s tradition.
What You’ll Find in Every Real UAZ
1. A full tool roll. Not the fancy kind — the Soviet kind. Hammers, wrenches, pliers, electrical tape, and wire. Russians say, “If it rattles, you can fix it.”
2. Spare belts and hoses. Rubber cracks, especially after river crossings or long hot climbs. Old-school drivers carry at least one of each, often tied to the radiator support “just in case.”
3. Duct tape and cable ties. The universal fixers. In Siberia, a leaking radiator hose can survive 200 km wrapped in tape and zip ties. No one argues with results.
4. Grease and oil. A small can of lithium grease and a liter of motor oil can save U-joints, hinges, or a noisy differential. Some even rub old oil on their leaf springs to quiet them down — and fight rust.
5. Spark plugs and ignition parts. A spare spark plug can turn a stranded van into a running one. Many Russian mechanics still keep one in their jacket pocket — old habits die hard.
6. A recovery strap or tow rope. Not for yourself, of course — for the unlucky SUV that followed you into the mud. Nothing earns more respect than a Bukhanka pulling a Land Cruiser out of trouble.
7. A metal water canister. Doubles as drinking water, radiator refill, or emergency coolant. In a pinch, it can even heat up soup on a campfire. Multi-purpose, like everything on a UAZ.
8. A proper jack and wooden block. UAZ frames are tall and flexible. A regular car jack is useless. A block of wood adds height and stability on uneven ground.
9. Rope, wire, and a knife. Because in the wild, every repair looks like art. Russians can hang an exhaust with rope or reattach a bumper with wire — and it’ll hold until the next trip.
10. Patience and a sense of humor. The most important tools of all. Something will squeak, leak, or rattle. You’ll swear, fix it, and laugh later. That’s the UAZ way.
Real-World Wisdom
UAZ veterans say that if you have tools, oil, and rope, you’ll get home — even if half the van stays behind. Every noise has a meaning, every fix is a lesson. You learn to respect simplicity, and that’s what makes owning a UAZ special.
“A true UAZ never breaks — it only tests your character.”
So before your next adventure, pack your kit. It’s not just about fixing things; it’s about earning stories. Every cable tie, every hammer swing, every improvised repair adds to the legend of your van. And when the sun sets and your Bukhanka still runs, you’ll know exactly why we keep driving them.