cfsandiego
Member
I am a newbee posting (been reading for years in search of my my expedition vehicle!). I have recently purchased a 1990 MB 1222A with 100,000 kilometers on it. It was a service vehicle (workshop) in Germany and a single owner (city government) to help maintain the local trains. It (should I name her?!) is in great condition and drives nicely and is very solid and ver well maintained -- they spared no expense as it was the local government and received all the necessary maintenance. She comes with a 'box' on the back with a rear ladder and door. Should have her stateside (I live in California) in a few months.
I have so many questions and do not want to weigh down the threads here -- but there is so much information and expertise here, I thought I would start to reach out early in my preparation to get started. I am realistic that this is going to take some time -- and I have given it about two years -- to work on it in my home. I am pretty handy and welcome the tasks ahead! This will be a 'budget build' as my funds are not unlimited -- but I have set aside a 'reasonable' amount of money to do it right -- I want to travel several years in comfort. If you can direct me to some links that are already here, that would be great too. I know a lot of these questions are basic -- and rely on the expertise of this group. So...here goes!
1. Advice on the torsion system for the camper part (rear box). What is the most effective and simple. I looked at a few models with simple 'springs' in Europe and the owners claimed they worked well. A friend of mine in Germany used the old parts off of a Unimog that was very costly.
2. Best way to connect the cab to the camper to pass through. Right now there is about a 20-24 inch gap between cab and camper box.
3. Windows -- ideas for windows that are budget oriented yet good quality.
4. Air conditioning in the cab (it has none) and the camper. Can I use a 'top' system on the camper and divert it into the cab?
5. It has a rear PTO winch - very robust. Can I route this to the front as well?
6. It has a rear door that is quite solid with a very sturdy stairway that slides under the truck. I was thinking about leaving this entry and mounting the motorcycle on the front. There is already a very solid mounting system that was used for a plow. I have not seen this done before, but it seems to make better sense. Ideas.
7. Ideas for buying camper parts for the interior - perhaps used of some of the things (water tanks, sewage, etc.). Are there scrapyards for this type of thing?
8. I think the engine may be limited by European standards to 90KPH. If so, is there a way to change this?
This should get me started, right?! I appreciate any advice that I receive.
Chris
I have so many questions and do not want to weigh down the threads here -- but there is so much information and expertise here, I thought I would start to reach out early in my preparation to get started. I am realistic that this is going to take some time -- and I have given it about two years -- to work on it in my home. I am pretty handy and welcome the tasks ahead! This will be a 'budget build' as my funds are not unlimited -- but I have set aside a 'reasonable' amount of money to do it right -- I want to travel several years in comfort. If you can direct me to some links that are already here, that would be great too. I know a lot of these questions are basic -- and rely on the expertise of this group. So...here goes!
1. Advice on the torsion system for the camper part (rear box). What is the most effective and simple. I looked at a few models with simple 'springs' in Europe and the owners claimed they worked well. A friend of mine in Germany used the old parts off of a Unimog that was very costly.
2. Best way to connect the cab to the camper to pass through. Right now there is about a 20-24 inch gap between cab and camper box.
3. Windows -- ideas for windows that are budget oriented yet good quality.
4. Air conditioning in the cab (it has none) and the camper. Can I use a 'top' system on the camper and divert it into the cab?
5. It has a rear PTO winch - very robust. Can I route this to the front as well?
6. It has a rear door that is quite solid with a very sturdy stairway that slides under the truck. I was thinking about leaving this entry and mounting the motorcycle on the front. There is already a very solid mounting system that was used for a plow. I have not seen this done before, but it seems to make better sense. Ideas.
7. Ideas for buying camper parts for the interior - perhaps used of some of the things (water tanks, sewage, etc.). Are there scrapyards for this type of thing?
8. I think the engine may be limited by European standards to 90KPH. If so, is there a way to change this?
This should get me started, right?! I appreciate any advice that I receive.
Chris
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