UNIMOG sighting

[DLippke]

The main tanks carry 170 gallons (160 usable) and are positioned such that that more of their load is carried by the front axle than the rear. The same is true of the 130 gallon water tank.

This truck came with a lengthened frame and that's really made a huge difference in cargo capacity and balance (which is essentially book perfect when fully loaded).

Good luck with your build! Be sure to give Mike Van Pelt a call for advice if you haven't done so already. At this point he's experienced both sides of a fair many trade offs. No need to bleed more than necessary.

/David

 

[charlieaarons]

Was $20K from a freightliner dealer? I would be surprised if the average truck cost that much. I wonder if that included complete rail replacement.

That was to be done by a Mercedes factory approved independent facility in S. Carolina

Charlie

 

[haven]

For a longer wheelbase vehicle, I'd look at the Mercedes Zetros
(if it were sold in North America, that is). Zetros is available
in 4x4 and 6x6. It's the new "Z-Klasse."

Here's a video
http://gelaendewagen.at/artikel09/mercedes_zetros_video_093.php

and more information (web site is in German)
http://gelaendewagen.at/artikel09/mercedes_zetros_094.php

 

[Allroader]

Hello,

For the stretching 20K seems a Lot. I just had my MB 917 Strechted 900mm and paid under 7K. This was done with a official company in Germany.

Mike

 

[fuoristrada camper]

The only Zetros I've seen here on the old continent( on the HELGETT stand at the Bad Kissingen fair) .

It seems they are sold , but just try to get some information at your local dealer , you have more chance to win in a casino...

Zetros is a mix between a Mog and a Actros and the price is the price of a Mog PLUS the Actros :drool:

 

[Explorer 1]

Dave, thanks for the kind words!!

Dave,
Thanks for the kind words, always enjoy hearing about others adventures in the making (AT and So. America).

For my 47th birthday I hiked the John Muir Trail, one of my daughter did 160 miles of it with me, she made a video as a gift and the trip has become one of my fondest memories.

After leaving Mitchell Caverns we proceeded to Western Ariz to explpre the area east of Parker. New territory for me. Got to test out my articulation on one climb and managed to blow out a seal on my rear ARB locker. (Still driveable)

More repairs, but fortunately, I can do most at my home and don't have to surrender my vehicle to a shop and then post bail.

Thanks and would enjoy hearing about So. America.

Fred
Explorer 1

 

[dzzz]

Hello,

For the stretching 20K seems a Lot. I just had my MB 917 Strechted 900mm and paid under 7K. This was done with a official company in Germany.

Mike

There may have been only one place in the U.S. that got the training to do the work and maintain the full warranty. But on the heavy ladder frame of the U500 there doesn't seem to be much risk.

Does extending the driveshaft properly require special equipment?

 

[charlieaarons]

There may have been only one place in the U.S. that got the training to do the work and maintain the full warranty. But on the heavy ladder frame of the U500 there doesn't seem to be much risk.

Does extending the driveshaft properly require special equipment?

On the U500 there's a lot of electronics and pneumatics to cut and splice. It is more than just lengthening the frame and driveshaft.

Charlie

 

[dzzz]

On the U500 there's a lot of electronics and pneumatics to cut and splice. It is more than just lengthening the frame and driveshaft.

Charlie

Other than the CTIS, what else that other big trucks don't have?
Unlike other mogs it is a straight frame with a drive shaft.

 

[DLippke]

Regarding frame lengthening and splices of pneumatic lines, cables, and similar it is at least the case on mine that these splices are not present. The lines seem to have simply been run anew from the appropriate junction points.

I once hit a snag when replacing a rear ABS sensor with associated wiring harness but there was a special version with a longer harness that I was able to order and that resolved the matter.

I do think some on the "what if" of a drive shaft replacement and may someday goes as far as having a spare built to keep in storage somewhere.

All the best, David

 

[Allroader]

On the U500 there's a lot of electronics and pneumatics to cut and splice. It is more than just lengthening the frame and driveshaft.

Of course the Unimog has a couple lines more that have to be extended, just the 20K semmed high to me. Though if it is the only company doing the work, with Warrenty in the US, that's why the price made me :Wow1: twice.

Other than the CTIS, what else that other big trucks don't have?
Unlike other mogs it is a straight frame with a drive shaft.

Well know it is the question what you are comparing. My Truck over 20 years old, to a new Mog. Or new to new, old to old.
Personaly on our Truck, the extened the Frame, Driveline and Kabels. We could have had our air Tanks moved to the rear, which would have added more $$$ to the Bottom line.

Mike

 

[dzzz]

.....

I do think some on the "what if" of a drive shaft replacement and may someday goes as far as having a spare built to keep in storage somewhere.
...

I believe if your drive shaft is properly balanced it's no more likely to fail than the original. If it's like a pickup, the tube is replaced and the ends reused. Then it's spin balanced like a tire. I don't know what equipment it takes to spin balance.

In drag racing type driving the risk us an under-speced driveshaft coming apart at high rpm. A diesel mog seems the opposite - low rpm and overbuilt.

 

[Tennmogger]

Hello David,

I read a few posts back that you were headed toward N. GA. I'm in E. TN and hang out with some guys/gals in N. GA. We do a lot of camping in the Springer Mtn area. Part of the group are going out this weekend for a day trip. We would be pleased if you checked into the SE Expo group and kept us informed of your plans. Sure would be great to cross paths with you while you are 'out east'.

One of our favorite camping areas is Jones Creek area, just 3 miles as the crow flies from the south end of the AT.

Check out the activities at http://expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=84

Bob
WB4ETT

Regarding frame lengthening and splices of pneumatic lines, cables, and similar it is at least the case on mine that these splices are not present. The lines seem to have simply been run anew from the appropriate junction points.

I once hit a snag when replacing a rear ABS sensor with associated wiring harness but there was a special version with a longer harness that I was able to order and that resolved the matter.

I do think some on the "what if" of a drive shaft replacement and may someday goes as far as having a spare built to keep in storage somewhere.

All the best, David

 

[DLippke]

Thanks for the invitation, Bob. I'll be sure to give the area a scan tonight --- We're camped at Amicalola Falls State Park tonight and, lo, we find a blazing Verizon EVDO signal out here. Web party tonight! LOL

Thanks for the Jones Creek reference. The campground here is full Saturday with attendees to the "Appalachian Trail Celebration & Backpacking Clinic" (which we'll also be attending). Consequently, we're in the market for a good alternative.

Perhaps the stars will align this weekend for some sort of meet up. I'd love to check out your Mog, talk radio, etc. If this weekend doesn't work, I'll be in the general vicinity for several weeks as I roughly parallel my wife's progress up the trail. My pattern will be to setup a 2-5 day basecamp, spend a fair fraction the days cycling, intersecting paths every several days with my wife, and then relocating a bit north to repeat the pattern until we reach the end in Maine. That's the plan anyway......

/David
p.s. I monitor 146.52 when we're in the same vehicle and then we tend to use 146.58 tactically when operating separate.

Hello David,

I read a few posts back that you were headed toward N. GA. I'm in E. TN and hang out with some guys/gals in N. GA. We do a lot of camping in the Springer Mtn area. Part of the group are going out this weekend for a day trip. We would be pleased if you checked into the SE Expo group and kept us informed of your plans. Sure would be great to cross paths with you while you are 'out east'.

One of our favorite camping areas is Jones Creek area, just 3 miles as the crow flies from the south end of the AT.

Check out the activities at http://expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=84

Bob
WB4ETT

 

[Tennmogger]

Hi David,

Wow, sounds like you have quite a spring and summer ahead of you! That rig of yours should make the camping quite pleasant!

Here's some info on the Jones Creek area camping we did in January:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35221&page=2

and Bill/Hilldweller's map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou....608769,-84.125404&spn=0.063437,0.109005&z=13

There's a repeater near you there at Amicalola, the 146.805 repeater near Jasper, GA, with + (up) offset, toned at 100 Hz. The owner is Randy, KC4AQS. I met lots of friendly hams on that machine. I could even hit it from the bowels of Jones Creek so it should be solid from Amicalola.

As I mentioned, I live in East Tennessee or I'd run down there and say howdy tomorrow. The closest the AT comes to me is at Fontana, NC, then at the Hwy 441 crossing at Newfound Gap.

The Eastern group here on Expo has lots of people who know the roads well if we can be of assistance.

73,

Bob

edit: I forgot to mention that there is no Verizon coverage from Jones Creek, bummer....

Thanks for the invitation, Bob. I'll be sure to give the area a scan tonight --- We're camped at Amicalola Falls State Park tonight and, lo, we find a blazing Verizon EVDO signal out here. Web party tonight! LOL

Thanks for the Jones Creek reference. The campground here is full Saturday with attendees to the "Appalachian Trail Celebration & Backpacking Clinic" (which we'll also be attending). Consequently, we're in the market for a good alternative.

Perhaps the stars will align this weekend for some sort of meet up. I'd love to check out your Mog, talk radio, etc. If this weekend doesn't work, I'll be in the general vicinity for several weeks as I roughly parallel my wife's progress up the trail. My pattern will be to setup a 2-5 day basecamp, spend a fair fraction the days cycling, intersecting paths every several days with my wife, and then relocating a bit north to repeat the pattern until we reach the end in Maine. That's the plan anyway......

/David
p.s. I monitor 146.52 when we're in the same vehicle and then we tend to use 146.58 tactically when operating separate.