Unimog 435 single cap conversion to doka question

[thebigblue]

Since I would love to have a U1300L DOKA and they seem difficult to acquire, I was speculating about rebuilding a normal cap to a doka, would it be easy to get a set of (used) doors and also the repair body panels to make the bodypart to fit them in? Any insights would be appreciated.

I have already seen extensions on caps being made ie this one:

 

[thebigblue]

Might be a issue that the DOKA has a wheelbase of 3700 mm., and the single cap 3250 mm.! The DOKA wheel base would allow a maximum bed length of 2700 mm. and the single cap 3250 mm. as far as I can tell?

 

[Iain_U1250]

I have seen quite a few DOKA conversions on U1300 and U1700s, you need to have a second cab, so you can get tall the door frames and the steel members that go above the doors, they are a custom section high tensile steel. Unless you want to have three large adults in the back, then the extra cab would be better so you don't lose to much bed length.

Extra Cab

Double Cab

Really big double cab

These were all L38 chassis trucks, 3850mm wheelbase

Here are some normal 3250mm trucks

U1300

U1250

this is what you have to do

 

[thebigblue]

Thx Ian!

My thought was that I could source the panels around the doors as new repair panels from MB, and find some second hand/used doors.
An extra cab seems to be OK and the easiest way to go to still have decent space for a bed on 3250 wheelbase vehicle, one could run two seats in the back facing inwards and hence fit four too five adults.

Thx again.

 

[Coachgeo]

Why do the other passengers have to sit in the cab? I know it's most common... but why? Often these days the Expedition camper box is made stronger than the cab. With proper seating they may well be safer in the box. Another advantage is if they sit in the box you do not have to sacrifice camper box space for a Doka cab. Just something to make you go hmmmm.

 

[Joe917]

There is a complete Doka conversion avilable, I saw one being delivered to Rob at Terry Lee recently. Try giving him a call.
http://terryleeenterprises.com/About/about.html

 

[thebigblue]

Why do the other passengers have to sit in the cab? I know it's most common... but why? Often these days the Expedition camper box is made stronger than the cab. With proper seating they may well be safer in the box. Another advantage is if they sit in the box you do not have to sacrifice camper box space for a Doka cab. Just something to make you go hmmmm.

Good point! I might not run a camper box, just a bed.