Our BRDM2 chemical recon vehicle

[kcimb]

Purchased (New) from International Repot Depot in 2016, delivered in 2017.

Getting cleaned!

Interior. After 4 years of bouncing in and out it was in need of a good blast of hot water.

After, much cleaner ! Almost parade ready except for tnose nasty tires.

All done!

I have a title and tags being sent to me from Vermont. I went the Dirt Legal way since our local DMV was shut down due to the COVID stuff going on. It was pricey but I wanted to have it running sooner, not later.

This is my second BRDM. My first one was bought from Indiana from our very own augdog1964 and sold to a guy in Kansas who then sold it to another guy who is bringing it back to Texas.

Mine is more or less how they come off the factory floor. It's in immaculate condition. There's a bunch of little things that need to be fixed from the vehicle sitting for so long. Bulbs, lights, indicators, seals, etc. But the primary things we are fixing soon before the road test are:

Tires-I have 4 new tires here that need to be put on.
Brakes-test.
Trans-change oil.
Turn signals and brake lights-replace bulbs/change to LED
Engine-change oil again.

Minor stuff-
Wire brush/ prime paint rear cargo compartment
Complete PKT kit and shoot
DRIVE
Send off to Petronics for rewire

I normally start and run it 2 times a month. It always starts fairly quickly.

 

[kcimb]

A rather disappointing day working on the BRDM.

Hooked up the PKT solenoid and the firing circuit works.

I changed the transmission oil. It was very low and nasty. Flushed it with 2 gallons of extra 90w I had then poured in 8ish liters of ep90.

The PTO is the fill hole for the entire trans.

Shifts much smoother now and the synchros are actually functioning well and it hits second gear without any problems! Ya.

While driving it with m35ben as the spotter it started making weird noises.

PTO was spinning the winch. Not sure if it’s supposed to spin. F.

Then it died. I know it’s not broken, it’s a Good running vehicle. It’s probably out of gas.

10 gallons of USA’s finest Dino juice dumped in the tank and it fires right up. M35ben noticed it’s leaking coolant all over the battery and right side of the engine bay.

F.

So we power it back to the stall and change the front right tire with a new one and contemplate the meaning of 40 year old rubber failing.

 

[M813rc]

Looking good!

If that is the same one I sat in some years ago while visiting Earl, it is a really nice vehicle.

Cheers

 

[kcimb]

Looking good!

If that is the same one I sat in some years ago while visiting Earl, it is a really nice vehicle.

Cheers

yep, that’s it! It’s in remarkable shape. All those 40 year old seals and plastic and rubber are just failing now so I need to keep on the ball inregards to maintaining it. We are planning on hitting the road this winter.

 

[kcimb]

The plates arrived today. I went through Dirt legal. It is now legal to drive on the road!

but we have a big coolant leak.

 

[kcimb]

Shakedown cruise coming this Saturday. Plates applied, getting insurance this week. Fixed the coolant leak. There might be some dribbles here and there but nothing major.

Replacing 3 tires, adjusting the brakes, and using a chase car but we are hitting the road.

 

[kcimb]

We were able to hit the road today.

It drew quite the crowd. Unfortunately, had issues.

Brake seized shut
Carb is surging.
Hydraulic fluid blew out

It runs and drives like a DREAM. It’s quick. Well, until the hydro blew and the brake seized shut and the carb started surging.

Minor issues to fix.

Armor draws a crowd.

 

[jkcondrey]

I am still trying to convince my wife we need one of these. I look at them online in Europe quite often. Maybe I can find a trader for my hmmwv...lol

 

[kcimb]

I am still trying to convince my wife we need one of these. I look at them online in Europe quite often. Maybe I can find a trader for my hmmwv...lol

They're awesome. We haven't been able to drive much because of various things wrong-brakes, wasn't shifting, clutch, leak, etc. But one weekend a month has only ONE issue left-brakes are locked up. M35BEN is a solid AF mechanic and knows these things inside and out, way better than me.

 

[kcimb]

From my research so far:

List of all known BRDM2 vehicles in private hands in the USA

1-DFW area, Texas - polish chemical detector variant small turret RKHB running condition, missing many pieces on the inside. Owner is known

2.DFW area, Texas -Czech chemical detector, small turret, I am the owner. Running condition as it left the military in almost new shape

3.DFW area, Texas - Iraqi big turret recon variant. Running but in rough shape. Know the owner (my old one). Owner is known

4.DFW area, Texas - Bulgarian chemical detector variant, not running, seized engine. Owner is known

5.Florala, Alabama-Iraqi big turret model, missing engine and transmission. Very rough shape. Needs total
Restoration. Demil cuts. Only known through intermediary David Uhrig.

6-7 Seattle, Washington 2 ATGM missile
Carrier vehicles-status unknown, running and driving. Possibly @Malyutkaman ?

8. New York- big turret command variant BRDM2, excellent condition, running and driving. Owner is known.

9.Ohio-Iraqi ATGM missile carrier, restored, unknown status, sold in 2009 from a museum. Owner is not known

10. Military museum
Of Vermont- sagger ATGM carrier. Rough shape. Owner is known

11. Mass, unknown chemical variant-no other details, owner not known

12. ATGM carrier, blue ridge, GA tank town USA

I will continue to update this as I find out more.

 

[Malyutkaman]

Great listing of other BRDM's Nice to see that there are more in the US than I thought. With more in country, maybe I can start to find a few of my desperately needed parts for the missile system and vehicle. BTW... last year I bought 7 sagger missiles from Bowman Co. in Florida... COOL ACCESSORY

 

[FrankenCub]

From my research so far:

List of all known BRDM2 vehicles in private hands in the USA

1-DFW area, Texas - polish chemical detector variant small turret RKHB running condition, missing many pieces on the inside. Owner is known

2.DFW area, Texas -Czech chemical detector, small turret, I am the owner. Running condition as it left the military in almost new shape

3.DFW area, Texas - Iraqi big turret recon variant. Running but in rough shape. Know the owner (my old one). Owner is known

4.DFW area, Texas - Bulgarian chemical detector variant, not running, seized engine. Owner is known

5.Florala, Alabama-Iraqi big turret model, missing engine and transmission. Very rough shape. Needs total
Restoration. Demil cuts. Only known through intermediary David Uhrig.

6-7 Seattle, Washington 2 ATGM missile
Carrier vehicles-status unknown, running and driving. Possibly @Malyutkaman ?

8. New York- big turret command variant BRDM2, excellent condition, running and driving. Owner is known.

9.Ohio-Iraqi ATGM missile carrier, restored, unknown status, sold in 2009 from a museum. Owner is not known

10. Military museum
Of Vermont- sagger ATGM carrier. Rough shape. Owner is known

11. Mass, unknown chemical variant-no other details, owner not known

12. ATGM carrier, blue ridge, GA tank town USA

I will continue to update this as I find out more.

I drive by #8 every day, awesome looking vehicle. One day when I have time I may stop to check it out closer.

 

[kcimb]

I drive by #8 every day, awesome looking vehicle. One day when I have time I may stop to check it out closer.

Yes please!

 

[kcimb]

Parts! Parts galore!

I need these badly

Comrade cat approved

CHOMP

The appropriate uniform for wearing.

 

[FrankenCub]

Yes please!

Is the owner a member here?

 

[kcimb]

Is the owner a member here?

I don’t think so. He lives outside the USA

 

[FrankenCub]

I don’t think so. He lives outside the USA

Oh ok, I kinda figured he was local to Binghamton NY seems the vehicle is there. Oh well, guess I won't get to talk to the owner lol.
As long as I can find the keys when SHTF

 

[FrankenCub]

I don’t think so. He lives outside the USA

I've got a few more pictures of it if you want them.

 

[kcimb]

I've got a few more pictures of it if you want them.

I’d love to
See them!

 

[FrankenCub]

I’d love to
See them!

I was going to stop and get a few more pictures but when I drove by, it's no longer at the garage.