Mercedes 1017 4x4

[Victorian]

A couple of weeks ago I asked questions on a 4x4 double cab Sprinter Chassis. It turns out that the sprinters are a hit and miss when it comes to reliability and could cost us more headache then it's worth. We also came to the conclusion that the Sprinter wouldn't be big enough for long term travel for a family.
I kept on searching...
Durring my time in the German Airforce, I drove many thousand miles in Unimogs, G-wagons and the 1017A. A unimog is not in the books as the repairs can get very costly... The 1017 on the other hand is as simple as possible without portal axles, computers and over complicated transmissions. I love the load capacity, will probably never overload this truck...
The current plan is to source a crew cab from a fire department in Germany. This would give us plenty of room in the cab for passengers and cargo. From my experience, the offroad capabilities are not that far off from a Unimog. The ride is a bit rougher but this can be fixed with good seats.

The 1017 is a very popular truck for travelling around the world and people love them but there are not that many 1017 in North America... Any pointers on what to watch out for? Most common spare parts to bring over from Germany? What's the recommended source for parts in North America?
Any pointers would be helpful.

Thanks!

Something along this line: http://suchen.mobile.de/lkw-inserat...uerwehr-guhrow/231843086.html?action=parkItem

 

[Sitec]

I was going to suggest a 1222 over a 1017, as they're slightly newer and then saw your link with just that.. Mine is the V6, with a straight 6 speed box and separate Transfercase.. It also has the Hub Reduction rear axle.. Parts wise, all the gaskets and filters are available on line for both the 1017 and 1222.. You'd source larger wheels at home.. If its just the two of you, I'd be looking for a single cab and not the crew cab as they eat into a lot of living space.. If I were importing, I'd be bringing in one complete leaf spring for each axle (if you're planning to use it off road). We used to break the occasional spring on the dirt roads in Africa, but the trucks were nearly at full weight and the roads in Zambia were shocking. They're a fairly hardy machine! Good luck, and I hope you find a suitable truck!

 

[thebigblue]

You can buy the ex firetrucks directly on the actions and save some $: https://www1.zoll-auktion.de/auktion/auktionsuebersicht.php?katid=1124&seite=1

With a bit of patience you will see 1017, 1019, 1222 coming up for sale, anybody can put down a bid, just register. I would take a 1019 over the 1222 purely for milage. The 1222 might be more powerfull, but I think the torque in the 1017 or 1019 will get you anywhere you pick. I recently drove my MB L608D ex-firetruck over Col du Tourmalet and Col du Bisque, with no hassel at all.

But remember if you need to do some off-road in mud or sand a conversion of these trucks to super singels is expensive! These heavy trucks will not come close to the off-road capabilities of a Mog, nothing will, but do you really need this level?

A VW MAN FAE might be an alternative... comes with super singels.

FWIW I´m currently speculating to get a MB 4x2 Vario 614/814/815D, lift it and convert/fit it with a rear diff-lock...

 

[thebigblue]

Here´s my post regarding super singels: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-convert-dual-tires-to-singels-on-a-MB-lorry/

 

[Neil]

Victorian

I have converted a MB 1017a and if its simplicity you want than you probably wont get simpler.

I agree with all the other posts and to be honest I don't think there is a bad model of Merc truck in that 1970/80 s era.

I would definitely suggest getting one with the fast axles ( most fire trucks have these, most army ones don't ). I converted mine up to the faster ones and the difference was incredible.

It is now very comfortable on the motorway at 90 kph ( 55 mph ) . It is quiet and comfortable at that speed.

They don't have rust issues as such but one place to look at the the hinge area of the tilting cab. If you get rust here its pretty terminal as most repairs will fail with the weight of the cab tilting.

Mercedes reckon that these trucks are good for at least 1 million km so getting one with 100,000km on the clock is in its infancy. Most you will see will have less that 50,000 km

All parts are still available and service parts are really cheap. ( except the MB snorkel kit , is no longer made )

If looking at one check that all the pneumatic actuators work . Ie will it engage 4wd / low range and will the rear diff lock engage . You will need to move the vehicle a few yards to engage them and see the lamps on the dash illuminate .( These can seize up if not used )

Fire engines are perfect donor vehicles as they have spent their whole life in a warm station being polished and and loved.

Make sure it has the A on both the 1017 and the 352 as this denotes 4wd and turbo . They did do them without these extras .

They are easy to covert to 385 65 22.5 wheels .

The rear springs will probably be a bit sad as sitting about for 25 years loaded up will make them flat. I have had mine done, no great dramas.

The down side is that they lack the punch required to race up hills , I think the v engines have more torque, but I am not in a rush . The long windy mountain passes are a slow process but this is ok with me. Make sure that the exhaust brake is present and working ( again pneumatic )

pm me if you need any info

Good luck

Neil

http://cloud9isborn.blogspot.co.uk

 

[Victorian]

Thanks everyone for the great amount of information!
@Neil, I just spend an hour on your website. Thank you

 

[Neil]

Victorian
No problems,pm me if you need any more info

Neil

 

[Victorian]

We are flying to Germany in November. Will meet with a couple of friends that own and operate several expedition truck companies and see how far we can prep a truck like that before we bring it over to Canada. Thinking about subframe, single wheels, bigger tanks....

 

[Joe917]

Parts are not cheap in north America for MB trucks. You cannot get parts through the MB dealer network as these trucks never sold here.
Your two best parts options are:http://terryleeenterprises.com/About/about.html
http://www.unimogcanada.com/
Mercedes charges a ridiculous price compared to the German price.
We had to pay $1100 for a starter and $1200 for a brake can!
Bring replacement rad hoses, fuel and oil filters, 24V bulbs. Get the tires and rims changed is Germany, super singles.

 

[Victorian]

Parts are not cheap in north America for MB trucks. You cannot get parts through the MB dealer network as these trucks never sold here.
Your two best parts options are:http://terryleeenterprises.com/About/about.html
http://www.unimogcanada.com/
Mercedes charges a ridiculous price compared to the German price.
We had to pay $1100 for a starter and $1200 for a brake can!
Bring replacement rad hoses, fuel and oil filters, 24V bulbs. Get the tires and rims changed is Germany, super singles.

Very good info. Thanks! Talked to Rob at Terry Lee this morning. I'm 99% sure that we are going with a 1017.

 

[universalmind303]

Very good info. Thanks! Talked to Rob at Terry Lee this morning. I'm 99% sure that we are going with a 1017.

I bought a 1017 from rob earlier this year, they are great trucks, and as stated earlier, he can order parts easily for you. He did the super single swap on mine as well.

Sent from my LG-K450 using Tapatalk

 

[Victorian]

We are getting closer in selecting a truck. There are quite a few nice ones out there but the prices are all over the place... So hard to pick one if you can't see them in person...
Has anyone installed a third seat in cab for a child? I know it's possible but would like some featback and terms of complications and space restrictions while driving/shifting...

Cheers!

 

[Joe917]

Our 917AF came with three front seats. I believe that is the standard for the AF. Plenty of room for shifting.

 

[Sitec]

We are getting closer in selecting a truck. There are quite a few nice ones out there but the prices are all over the place... So hard to pick one if you can't see them in person...
Has anyone installed a third seat in cab for a child? I know it's possible but would like some featback and terms of complications and space restrictions while driving/shifting... Cheers!

Mine has 3 seats. The middle seat is slightly smaller, and not 'ideal' for 3 adults. The cab is so wide that it is far enough away from the gear shift and switches that it poses no problem. We will however be taking the seat out, as we want clear access to the rear via a door in the back of the cab. Ours has a 'day cab' so there's no room behind the seats. Will post a pic when I'm next with the truck!

 

[Sitec]

We are getting closer in selecting a truck. There are quite a few nice ones out there but the prices are all over the place... So hard to pick one if you can't see them in person...
Has anyone installed a third seat in cab for a child? I know it's possible but would like some featback and terms of complications and space restrictions while driving/shifting... Cheers!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Gqhqhj6v0