My Russian Van Is A Better Off-Roader Than Even A Modern Toyota Collab — And THIS Is Why!

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#buhanka #toyota #4Runner

[jimh]

True story..
In 2014 I was in the far east of Russia in December right after a blizzard. The road was covered with ice and snow. I was driving a new Nissan 4x4 rental, and got stuck in a ditch all the way up to the axle. It was 20 below zero.
I don't speak Russian. I walked up to a nearby street where people were walking by, pointing and trying to explain my predicament using Google translate. One Russian guy walks by listens, and then looks down at my car. He puts up a finger, as if to say wait a moment. 10 minutes later he comes back driving one of these things. Hooks a strap up to the Nissan and jerks it right out and up onto the road.
Thank you, my friends.

[iamgogi]

Buhanka in Russian literally means "loaf of bread".... because it looks like a loaf of bread. My favorite vehicle on the planet.

[lancejuliandudero]

In America, you take the 4Runner off road. In Soviet Russia, the Buhanka takes you off road.

[mikedc]

He doesn't get it. This is for extreme cold and going places where the driver is on his own. The systems, including the door handle Motoman goofed on, are made to be ultra reliable, especially in off road and super cold environments, but still affordable to middle class Russians. The machine is spot on for intended purpose.

[Racer_man]

С лица УАЗа не сходит удивление от того, куда вы его вывезли покататься 😂 этот автомобиль может заехать туда где волки срaть боятся

[MrHVHVHV]

Drove these years ago in Mongolia. Produced for decades with some incremental improvements, but the core is still same. And it makes sense. It is completely utilitarian concept. Less features, less parts, less things that can brake down. The built quality, fit & finish is truly Russian but when something falls off, you can either do without it or nail it back on. And practicality of these is undisputed - its a box on wheels where you can work on the engine from inside (if needed). We smashed one doing around 70 km/h across the Mongolian stepe. We were sort of racing with another Buchanka and we eneded up side impacting it. We had our left side beaten up, the victim had the right side beaten up as well. We swaped our right-side doors (front and rear) with theirs and that was that. But the other one was ex-EMS version so our Buchanka was beaten from all sides with right one in the bright day-glo colour. When we returned to civilization, the bodywork was mended with hammer and large screwdriver. If had to pick a vehicle for post-apocalyptic survival, this one would be strong contender.

[chrissmith]

I knew a guy in Germany who was in love with his Russian 4x4. It was about the size and complexity of a 70‘s bronco but designed to be rock solid robust in the cold and if it broke down you could fix absolutely every part of it with what came in the tool kit bag. We compared that to fancy Toureg that for any computer fault you needed towed to a dealer. The result of pragmatic design. Like the van you review. Built for the real world

[mihailminecraftevich]

Купить Буханку❌
Смотреть как Американцы офигевают от б/у буханки✔

[mikefieguth]

Used to ride in these all the time in Mongolia. They always were breaking, but scotch and bailing wire always put them back on the road! These are the best of the best vehicles!

[TopMusic-rfmt]

This car was created by order of the military. It was a "disposable" car for military operations, capable of getting to any place and in any weather. It turned out to be very successful and then its civilian versions appeared.
No offense guys, but any schoolchild in a Russian village will give you a head start in driving this car. In stock condition, it is capable of fording a river.
In Russia, many models of cars are available, but gas and oil companies buy a loaf for several hundred a year, because this car is maximally repairable in the conditions of the north, when the cost of delivering spare parts is very expensive.
If you are at war, comfort is the last thing you will think about, this car will drag you through the taiga and other difficulties.
This is a practical car for everyday work ... yes yes ... work, and not cruising with girls.
You are unlikely to climb into the forest and off-road in your Toyota, too expensive parts. This guy does not have a beautiful appearance, I do not feel sorry for him. You're unlikely to go into the forest in your Toyota for fear of scratching it, but this UAZ doesn't care about branches, scratches, and other crap.
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This is a car with a soul, you need to have a connection with it, feel when to rev it up, when to downshift, and when to let the guy get some air. If you connect with it on a neural level, you will be shocked by its capabilities.
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P/S/ By the way, this car is in great demand in Japan. The same Japan where your Toyota is assembled.

[maximus]

Greeting from mother Russia. I was working as a geodetic survey for like 8 years, and we had such Buhanka for our missions. We had it converted into housing, along the body on the sides there are two large bench-beds, you don't even need a tent. Offroad ability and survivability are at their best, we drove through forests, swamps, never got stuck anywhere, we never used the winch. It's insane price it seems, but the vehilce is still in demand. Mainly used in provinces and rural areas where there are problems with roads

[denziljoe]

TLDR: My 1970's ex-Angolan Military Police Lada Niva regularly kicked the shit out of new Jeeps, Range Rovers etc on offroad courses even without 2nd gear working

[Holdtheline]

These guys are more enthusiastic about this truck than a Bugatti. Love it

[MishaAutos]

having grown up in USSR this car brings back memories, it was as comfortable as driving a crippled horse, down on power, rattled like a snake, had no boy it was awesome offroad

[snowman]

Everyone lost their minds when audi introduced the nardo gray in 2017 on audis, Everyone thought it's amazing. Every manufacturer started doing it. Little did they know, russians were doing it in the 70s

[uporotaya_ayka]

В 2020 году, когда ковид уже не был большой угрозой, я отправился отдыхать на остров Ольхон, который находится посреди Байкала. На всём острове нет ни одной заасфальтированной дороги, поэтому буханка была хорошей машиной для этого места. Мы ехали где-то час от Хужира до северного края острова по бездорожью и холмам. Буханка по такой местности ехала 70 км/ч. Это было очень весело, когда ты от каждой кочки подпрыгиваешь на сиденье так, что ударяешься головой о крышу. 10/10, съездил бы туда еще раз

[SunnyWave]

These are absolutely great for their only purpose - offroading. And that's the magic of it. Simple, minimum amount of electronics and other BS, straight to the point. If something breaks, you can just fix it yourself even if you've never fixed a car before. They are that simple. And that's amazing. Of course I would never drive these on autobahns and city streets but for offroading? It's a no brainer purchase. Soviets knew their stuff.

[rossawood]

Don't knock it, A purpose built vehicle, built to last in rugged conditions, and easily serviceable and repairable for remote area operation.
Designed to last, not for looks, but longevity, very well respected in the USSR and former Soviet block countries.
The Western equivalent : maybe the HJ79 series Toyota Landcruiser troop carrier with the 4.2 turbo diesel.
Known as the "troopy" in Australia, and Africa and many third world nations a very robust and reliable 4WD with few frills!
Not available in Nth America or Europe but revered in harsh environments in other countries because they take you through he'll and get you back reliably!

[gregoryhouse]

The unofficial moto of Bachankas in Russia: Perfection needs no updates

[BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Beautiful video, thanks 👌🏿
I love the simplicity and culture of the Russians. Very organic.

Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤