Further development of the Type 63 light tank resulted in the Type 77 (WZ 511) tracked amphibious APC. It is similar in appearance and function to the Soviet BTR-50, featuring an all-welded steel hull with the crew compartment at the front (driver on the left, commander on a projecting bay on the right), troop compartment in the center, and engine in the rear. However it has a more powerful diesel engine which gives it higher road and water speeds. The Type 77 can carry a total of 16 fully loaded troops, which enter and exit either through hatches on the roof or a forward-opening door on the right side of the hull. Three firing ports are provided, but standard armament consists of only a 12.7-mm Type 54 machine gun mounted at the top of the hull. Amphibious capability is provided through twin water-jets in the rear; a trim vane at the front must be set up and bilge pumps switched on before entering the water. The Type 77 remains in service with the PLA and is likely to be complemented by the ZBD-05 in the amphibious role. No export orders are known of aside from possibly Albania.

The Type 77 (WZ 511) entered service in 1978. Numerous variants exist including the Type 77-1 artillery carrier with three rear loading ramps for carrying either 85- or 122-mm howitzers; these are not included in the Type 77-2. An HQ-2J SAM carrier is based on a modified chassis, notable for having an extra roadwheel. There is also the Type 76 KY-Q recovery vehicle, and Type 89 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that is described separately.