Title sums it up - previous truck options for me have not panned out, and now I'm looking at a 1017 that appears to be in nice shape overall. Typical ex-Army, low-miles, minimal-to-no-rust, easy-life vehicle.
But,... 2WD, no diff locks, not even sure that it has a H/L transfer case (will be getting more pics soon). It's compounded by the fact that the vehicle is already in North America, likely far from any knowledgeable MB truck shops. But price point of the base truck seems pretty good - leaves a bunch or room for upgrades.
Now I understand that all things are possible if enough time and hard currency are applied, but there comes a time when it's not worth it.
I would like to think that the clever Teutonic engineers who originally made these trucks made them relatively modular - i.e. doing a conversion like this is more about swapping axles, bolting-on of parts and running of pneumatics lines and less about cutting and welding (like trying to convert an old Dodge pickup from 2WD to 4WD - good luck with *that*...).
I'm hoping that one might be able to find a 4WD donor 1017 with a dead engine and/or wrecked cab and/or rusted-out frame somewhere in Europe and cannibalize it for drivetrain parts. Transfer case, F/R axles, probably all three driveshafts from the 4WD, cabin switch gear, and pneumatics block/lines. Rumour has it that MB made heaps of these trucks over the years, so perhaps there are some unloved carcasses hanging around. Get a shop manual, ship the parts to North America and slap 'em together - how hard can it be, right?????
Does anyone with more experience than me on the 1017 chassis have any thoughts (other than "Better you than me, pal!" ) Is this even feasible, or am I wishful thinking?
And does anyone know of any graveyards/burial-grounds of bagged old 1017s in Europe anywhere? Or are they actually rare like hen's teeth?
Thanks in advance,
Tony.
But,... 2WD, no diff locks, not even sure that it has a H/L transfer case (will be getting more pics soon). It's compounded by the fact that the vehicle is already in North America, likely far from any knowledgeable MB truck shops. But price point of the base truck seems pretty good - leaves a bunch or room for upgrades.
Now I understand that all things are possible if enough time and hard currency are applied, but there comes a time when it's not worth it.
I would like to think that the clever Teutonic engineers who originally made these trucks made them relatively modular - i.e. doing a conversion like this is more about swapping axles, bolting-on of parts and running of pneumatics lines and less about cutting and welding (like trying to convert an old Dodge pickup from 2WD to 4WD - good luck with *that*...).
I'm hoping that one might be able to find a 4WD donor 1017 with a dead engine and/or wrecked cab and/or rusted-out frame somewhere in Europe and cannibalize it for drivetrain parts. Transfer case, F/R axles, probably all three driveshafts from the 4WD, cabin switch gear, and pneumatics block/lines. Rumour has it that MB made heaps of these trucks over the years, so perhaps there are some unloved carcasses hanging around. Get a shop manual, ship the parts to North America and slap 'em together - how hard can it be, right?????
Does anyone with more experience than me on the 1017 chassis have any thoughts (other than "Better you than me, pal!" ) Is this even feasible, or am I wishful thinking?
And does anyone know of any graveyards/burial-grounds of bagged old 1017s in Europe anywhere? Or are they actually rare like hen's teeth?
Thanks in advance,
Tony.