Mercedes Unimog?

[dresslered]

Does anyone here at the TDR know anything (good or bad) about the Unimog? I have a friend of a friend that knows somebody that must sell a 1968 Mercedes Unimog. Supposable, it is a flatbed military in "prestine" condition (brand new canvas). This is all I know about it. I'm trying to hook up with the guy to see it as I think it might be a neat novelty vehicle for driving around town (it could also carry my '46 Willys around). I would just like to know of things that I should look for. Unfortunately, it is a gasser. Should I pass and keep looking for that vintage Powerwagon?





http://www.unimogmagazine.com/

 

[NVR FNSH]

The Unimog is the only vehicle I'd consider if I ever sell my '79 CJ-7. In a word - awesome. They, the early ones, are basically a street legal, 4wd w/equal size tires tractor. I'd take a look at it if I were you.



Do a search on Unimog there's some discussions of them in the past.



What's the guy asking for the truck? If you decide to pass on it I may be interested... .



Brian

 

[dresslered]

Thanks for the reply NVR FNSH. I heard that the guy wants $6000 but this is really meaningless without knowing more information about it. I originally went to look at my Willys just for the fun of it, but when I saw the condition it was in, I couldn't pass it up. Maybe the Unimog will be one of those stories. The wife hasn't completely vetoed the idea either!

 

[bvanetten]

I have one

In a word, unbeatable! I (we) have a 1963 404 (Swiss model). Currently it is being modified for Touring in the Tonto National Forest. Almost done.

Here's some good sources of info...

http://home.att.net/~rldp/links.htm

http://www.mercedes-benz.com/e/ecars/unimog/historie.htm

http://www.cs.brandeis.edu/~zippy/unimog-404.html



I could type all day long on the virtues of the Mog. YOU NEED TO TAKE A RIDE IN ONE. Especially off road. It will chew up and spit out a Hummer. Tuff as nails. The Army and Marine Corp use a larger diesel version as a Engineer vehicle: backhoe on the back, loader on the front.



Bruce

 

[NVR FNSH]

I've seen the C-Trak, I think that's the Army/Marine name for them. I saw one at Twenty-nine Palms and the Sergeant(?) said it was the biggest POS that he was responsible for & that if I could get it running to take it National Guard uses them as well. My guess is that they don't see enough of them to get very good at the maintenance.



Brian

 

[dresslered]

Great info! I'm hoping to see it this week.

 

[bvanetten]

NVR FNSH, Was it a Marine Mog? If so I'm suprised thy spoke bad of it. The Marines have a reputation of taking Very good care of the equipment they have. The Army on the other hand... The motor that is in it is the OM352. There is over 3 million of those in service in every application you can think of. Very reliable diesel... but no Cummins . It's a 350 ci streight 6 constant duty direct injection diesel.

 

[GFoley]

Uncle Sam uses the Unimog as the basis for the Army's SEE (Site Emplacement Excavator). If has a bachoe unit on the rear and a front end bucket on the front. The Engr units have them. They make REAl quick work of fighting positions. I would love to have a SEE.



Unimogs are narrower than HMMWVs but also higher.



That is about I can add.

 

[Champane Flight]

Local

We have a local guy who builds them into this.

#ad




#ad




#ad

 

[bvanetten]

Yeah baby!



I think that guys name is Rob Pickering. If so he is on the mog mailing list. Great list for good info, kinda like this list as far as that goes. He also put a 5 cyl Turbo Diesel out of a 300d in one. Way cool.

 

[dresslered]

I'm going to see it today at lunch. Since my digital camera is broken, I have to use a 35mm which might take awhile to get processed and then scanned. At least I might be able to add some details. I also saw that ebay had a couple of nice ones for sale.



P. S. Champane Flight, what parts are still original Mercedes? I sure know some trails where that would come in handy.

 

[bvanetten]

I'm almost positive that the only thing changed was the rear springs.

 

[Lhotka]

What is the parts availability like on the older models? Are they difficult to obtain or repair?

 

[NVR FNSH]

bvanetten,

the Mog I saw was the only one and it didn't look like got very much use. I ride dirt bikes with a guy that just retired from the Marines after 20 years and he didn't have a good word to say about the SEE's reliability. He thought it was built under contract by a US company (Case imported them for a while as the U900) not Mercedes.



I'd still love to get my hands on one. Might have to start an excaviting business using them - just think, I could drive, not trailer, the equipment to job site



Brian

 

[hdtrukn]

check out this site

Found this site the other day.

www.compusmart.ab.ca/baxter

Joe's Unimog Homepage

Gives you good idea of prices and combo's.

From what I understand, Top speed aint great 60mph or less.

But will climb a 4' wall.

Now thats torque.

Have fun

Scott

 

[dresslered]

Well I just saw it. It was pretty neat. It is a 404 Belgium model with 28,000-km (16,800-miles) on it. It had some strange military accessories that I was not familiar with. On the side, there is a metal tube that houses some kind of heater for blowing directly into your tent. Up front, there was another one which kept the engine coolant warm. It has the original Mercedes 2. 4L (or was it a 2. 2?). I noticed that it had a sticking valve but that wouldn't be too hard to repair. Also, one rear hub was possibly leaking otherwise, everything was very straight and original. I asked why he was selling it and he said that he wanted to get a '63 Lincoln.



The problem that I ran into was we decided to meet at a Costco parking lot and then go for lunch. Well, this thing attracts people like flies on Sh**! There were crowds gathered around it. Interesting enough, a guy that owns an original '63 Lincoln showed up in the crowd and they might make a direct trade. I'm not too crushed, and I will see what happens. $6,000 is a little borderline for such a novelty! I will post some pics when I get them developed. Thanks for everyones input.



David

 

[hdtrukn]

Link Fixed to Unimog

Sorry for the bad link

Just fixed it

Scott

 

[Champane Flight]

Yeap

Yea,that is his name. I was friends with his Dad. I believe he did change the engine on this paticular Mog. Plus of course several interior changes. And of course roll cage.

 

[dresslered]

Who knows when I will actually get the pictures developed, so I stole and exact look-alike from the web (thank you unimogmagazine.com).



I forgot to add that he also had complete rear benches (for the troops or mom's soccer team), hoops, and a rear canvas.

 

[JR2]

Well I have been looking at Unimogs for a while and I want one. My only question is how hard would it be to put a cummins in one. Maybe a small 4BT or even an older 5. 9??