BJ2020S Light Utility Vehicle

The BJ2020S 0.5t load capacity 4X4 light utility vehicle is an upgraded version of the BJ212 originally introduced in the 1960s. The BJ2020S has been upgraded with a Cherokee 85hp liquid-cooled gasoline engine and a redesigned 4-speed gear box. The vehicle is equipped by the PLA ground forces in significant amount as a commander and reconnaissance vehicle, as well as for a range of other roles, including communications, artillery observations, chemical defence surveillance, fast attack vehicle, anti-tank guided missile carrier, etc. Since 2008, the BJ2020S has been gradually phased out of the PLA service and replaced by the new generation BJ2022.

Beijing Automobile Works (BAW) developed the BJ212 light utility vehicle for both military and civil uses in 1965. Since then, BJ212, or more commonly known as “Beijing Jeep”, had become one of the most produced vehicles in China, with a total of 200,000 examples built before its production stopped in 1983. In the mid-1980s, BAW entered a co-production agreement with the American Motors Corporation (AMC, now Daimler AG) to produce the Jeep XJ Cherokee series sport utility vehicle. The BJ212 was also upgraded with some of the Cherokee technologies, including its 85hp engine. The upgraded BJ212 was renamed BJ2020S, and the military variant was designated BJ2020SJ.

Design

BJ2020SJ commander jeep (Chinese Internet)

The BJ212/2020S was generally a copy of the Soviet UAZ469B commander jeep, with some modifications. The vehicle is available in two basic configurations: the standard 5-seater commander vehicle BJ2020SJ and long body 8-seater variant BJ2020SAJ. The vehicle is rigid, and can operate in some of the most harsh road conditions in China. The improved BJ2020S has a 85hp gasoline engine and a manual gearbox (4 forward and 1 reverse), with syncromesh on 2nd and 3rd gear, single dry plate clutch, and 2 speed transfer box. The vehicle has longitudinal semi-elliptical leaf springs with hydraulic double-acting telescopic shock absorber. The vehicle body is fitted with a soft canvas-top, which can be removed if necessary.

Specifications

Last update: 13 February 2009