Nevertheless, production of the ZIL-157 trucks continued even after the fall of the Soviet Union, but eventually ended in 1994.

This also included tires specially developed for this vehicle, which were particularly wear-resistant due to the use of several layers of material.

A tire pressure control system was also installed, which significantly improved off-road capability.

[1] The ZIL-157 truck, like its predecessors, was mostly intended for use by the Red Army,[2] but a number was also made for the civilian sector and for export; it was also popular with forestry companies,[2] and was thus also used as a log truck, specifically in the ZIL-157V tractor trailer version.

In the Soviet Union, the vehicle received several nicknames from the population, including "Crocodile" because of the long bonnet and characteristic radiator grille.