PLA's JEEP

Officially a LUV or Light Utility Vehicle in military designation, the Beijing BJ-2020 or BAW 2020 is the updated version of the BJ-212

The BJ-212 (1960)

The latter was an unarmored Land Rover/Jeep inspired four-wheel drive vehicle, produced by Beijing Automobile Works. Originally this vehicle was given a 2445cc 4 cylinder gas-engine (diesels were added in the 2000s). As a light-duty off-road utility vehicle it was largely also influenced by Soviet UAZ lineage, and possibly developed in conjunction with the UAZ-469. In fact it has been described as a cross between the Land Rover Defender and UAZ-469. Development started in 1965, and production stopped in 1983.


The original "Beijing Jeep" BJ-212 was in fact closely based on the soviet UAZ-469 (wikimedia commons).

Development of the BJ2020

The design was updated and the model was designated BJ 2020 from 1989. Back in 1983 indeed, a joint venture was established with the American Motors Corporation (now Chrysler Corporation) to modernize the vehicle, fitted with a new engine, roll bars and other improvements. The Beijing BJ2020 is still the staple of the Chinese armed forces, used for reconnaissance, staff transport, liaison, coordination. It has been also exported to some countries.


North Korean variant, called the M2008 Pyeonghwa Ppeokkuggi

General design

Externally, the vehicle looks like the batard son of a Range Rover and a modern Jeep, and indeed is also known as the "Beijing Jeep". But the model is sometimes considered the second generation BJ212 and includes parts of the Jeep XJ Cherokee while the third generation (2022) also uses a Jeep engine. It is definitely a soft skin vehicle, not armored at all and not intended to venture on the battlefield. The BJ 2020 also exist in several covered and uncovered variant. The most "jeep-like" mostly operated in the south of China has no windows but a foldable front windshield on the bonnet, removable side windows and a soft top. The hard covered version was not a full monocorps construction but had a hard tp instead, with 2-doors or 4-door versions. So in case the vehicles could be reversed as soft and open top versions.

Power Unit

It was declined into four motorizations, the early one being the petrol-operated 2.0 L 4G20B I4 and the 2.2 L 4G22C I4, later replaced by the 2.4 L BJ492 I4 and in the 2000s a 2.8 L JE493ZLQ4CB I4 turbo diesel unit. Depending on the model it could be coupled with a 4 or 5 speed manual transmission. There are two wheelbase versions, the standard one having seats 5 or carrying up to 425 kg. The long wheelbase could carry 7, with a 600 kg payload and both could tow an extra 800 kg trailer. The long wheelbase versions are called Beijing BJ2020SA and BJ2020SAJ, in 2-door versions.

Mobility

Mobility-wise, the BJ212 is a 4x4 design that is at ease on all off road scenarios. The basic Bj 212 75 hp petrol engine made possible a road speed of about 100 km/h, down to 60-70 off road. The BJ2020 Jeep Cherokee-derived, 4 speed manual 85 hp petrol engine allowing a top speed of 110 kph, and the BJ 2022 receives the 105 hp American Jeep petrol engine, and is capable of 125 km/h on flat. The BJ 2020 is not amphibious but was developed in two versions (mostly used by the Chinese Marines) which are: The BY5020TSL and BY5032, the latter having a longer wheelbase. As tested, the BJ 2020 is able to climb a gradient of 60%, a side slope of 40%, a vertical step of about 40 cm and a trench of the same width, and ford without preparation 50 cm of water.

Armed versions

The vehicle is in standard unarmed, but it can be fitted with a wide variety of infantry weapons and towing light artillery pieces and mortars.

105 mm recoiless Rifle Version

A specific versions was developed by the PLAN to carry the 105mm Type 75 recoilless rifle. It was installed at the rear, and the vehicle received a split windscreen while ammunition bins were stored at the rear, which was made lower than the usual version.

BJ2020SAJ/HJ-8 SPATGM

The Anti-tank missile carrier variant fitted with HJ-8 guided missile launcher, based on the long wheelbase SAJ version.

Beijing BJ2032 radar carrier

Called the BJ2032 it is based on the long wheelbase 2020SA and used as a radar picket.

In service

The BJ 2020 started to replace the BJ 212 in the mid-1980s, but was superseded by the 2022 from 2008 onwards. In 2016 another vehicle, the Beijing BJ80, a clone of a Mercedes-Benz G-class started production and replacing also the BJ 2020, and production has since surpassed it, but it is still widely used while civilian versions are numerous. On this market, the model is also known as the BAW City Cruiser, Kuangchao, Lieying, Ludi, Towdoorjeep, Zhanqi, Tianjin TJ210 C and is also produced in North Korea under the name Pyeonghwa Ppeokkuggi (M2008). So far the production of the BJ 2020 has reached 300.000 vehicles, 100,000 more than the BJ 212 it replacing. But these figures are shaky, other estimates going as far as 500,000. It has been exported to at least 20 nations.

Links

Beijing BJ-212
The BJ 2020 on military today
Specs of the 1989 version

BJ 2020 specifications
Dimensions	Length 3.86 m, Width 1.81 m, Height 1.91 m
Total weight, battle ready	1 190 kg, ~ 500 kg payload
Crew	5: driver, 4 passengers
Propulsion	2.5-liter petrol, 85 hp
Suspension	Torsion Bars
Speed (road)	top speed 100 km/h (road)
Range	500 km
Armament	None (see notes)
Armor	None
Total production	300,000 (ceased 2005)

Gallery

BJ2020 with hardtop, Marine camouflage - @AK Interactive




BJ2020, hardtop with a northwester/desertic or export camouflage - @AK Interactive


BJ2020 with a digital army camouflage - @AK Interactive




BJ2020 with an standard army camouflage - @AK Interactive




BJ 2032 SAQ long wheelbase pickup, a composite of 1960s BJ212 with BJ 2020 doors photographed in Xichang in far southwestern China. (wikimedia commons)




BJ 212 with the 105 mm recoiless rifle, roughly similar to the BJ-2020 of the same version. (wikimedia commons)




BJ 2023. (wikimedia commons)




The BJ212/HJ-8 is similar to the BJ-2020/HJ-8 antimissile variant. Credits: weaponsystems.com




Beijing BJ 2020 Yongshi at the military museum of Beijing (wikimedia commons)


Russian BJ-2022 'brave warrior' (the replacement of the BJ 2020, also called the "third generation" Beijing jeep.