BJ2020S 0.5t Light Utility Vehicle

Last updated: 12 November 2006

The BJ2020S is a 0.5t-class 4X4 light utility vehicle used by the PLA for a wide range of roles including commanders or liaison officers transportation, smaller troop carrier, communications, artillery observations, chemical defence surveillance, fast attack vehicle, anti-tank weapon carrier, etc. The BJ2020S was derived from the BJ212, a Chinese copy of the Soviet UAZ469B originally introduced in the 1960s. Today, the BJ2020S remains the most popular light utility vehicle in service with the PLA.

Beijing Automobile Works (BAW) began to develop an indigenous light utility vehicle for army use in the early 1960s. The resulting BJ212, which is based on the design of the Soviet UAZ469B commander jeep, was introduced in 1965. Soon the so-called “Beijing Jeep” became one of the most popular light vehicles in both military and civilian services in China. By the time the production of BJ212 finally stopped in 1983, a total of 200,000 examples had been produced.

In May 1983 it was announced that a production agreement between the American Motors Corporation (AMC) and Beijing Automobile Works had been signed. The agreement established the Beijing Jeep Corporation (BJC) to produce the Jeep XJ Cherokee in China. The production of the BJ212 was also transferred the newly founded BJC and the vehicle was upgraded with a Cherokee 85hp engine. The upgraded Beijing Jeep, renamed BJ2020S, replaced the BJ212 to become the standard lightweight utility vehicle in service with the PLA.

The BJ2020S, like its ancestor BJ212, is available in two basic forms: the standard 5-seat variant BJ2020S and the longer body 7-seat variant BJ2020SA. Their military versions are known as BJ2020SJ and Bj2020SAJ. The basic variant BJ2020SJ has 4 passenger seats (excluding driver), and the BJ2020SAJ has a longer body to accommodate 7 passengers. The vehicle has a soft canvas-top.

Compared to the BJ212, the improvements on the BJ2020S series include new dash board, 85 hp water-cooled gasoline engine, modified 4-speed gear box, and new tyres. Both BAW and BJC are manufacturing BJ2020 series, with some minor difference existing between the models manufactured by the two companies.

The BJ212 is powered by a 2.445 litre water-cooled, 4 cylinder, in-line 4-stroke patrol, developing 75hp at 3,800rmp. The vehicle has a manual gearbox with 3 forward gears and 1 reverse gear.

The BJ2020S has a 85hp engine. 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.

Currently the PLA and BJC are co-operating to develop a new generation light utility vehicle as a successor to the BJ2020S.

Gallery

BJ2020SJ

BJ2020SAJ