Cool UNimog camper by Darrin Fink (not mine see eBay link)

[sandinmyshoe]

Didn't this gentleman build Daniel Ruops handsome Fuso based camper too. (wish I could afford that). I feel like this is not 100% done, but super cool, and I am new to all this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262898115685?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

1980 Unimog U1300L Expedition Camper
This is a very well built expedition Unimog. This was the personal Unimog of Darrin Fink, owner RUF Inc., who built expedition trucks on Mitsubishi chassis.

The Unimog has an OM352A turbo-charged engine in it that only has 131 hours on it. The chassis shows 4690 km. The cab has been modified with a raised roof to allow for additional head room, as well as a full complement of additional gauges, switches and radios. It has an emergency frequency scanner as well a 2-meter radio. It also has the deep-water fording option. The seats are both air-ride. The tires are Continental MPT-81 365/80R20.

The camper body has a 60" x 84" sleeping area. It has Espar D5W hydronic heater that provides heat for the camper body, hot water, and can preheat the Unimog engine. The cooktop and over are fueled by propane. The dinette has seating for three. It is equipped with a sink and cassette-toilet. On the roof, there are two solar panels for charging the batteries.

All of the camper systems are independent on the Unimog, other than the engine preheating hoses (which have quick-disconnects). The camper body has a quick attach system that allows for it to be removed from the Unimog in about 10 minutes. Once removed, all systems are fully functional as a stand alone unit.






The auction is for the Unimog as it is equipped. I also have high-speed axles, an overdrive, working gears, air-conditioning, auxiliary fuel tank, and many tires available for purchase.


We are a licensed and bonded Colorado dealer that has been selling Unimogs for 20 years. Please call with any questions. 719-241-5419 Rob

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Nice!!

 

[mhiscox]

I drove this camper around Darrin's ranch better than a decade ago and it was a nice piece of work then, and one of rather few US-built overland cabins in the day. The relatively compact size makes it a Unimog camper you could actually use extensively off-pavement, and while "Lear Jet" style rear entry door is small--and requires learning not to ********** your head--it is undeniably cool. Obviously, the issues about the practicality of a Unimog on North American highways remain, but as Lincoln may or may not have said, "people who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like." I've no idea what it will go for, but there's a chance that it will be quite competitive with similar offerings not from the US/Canada, and I would think that the lack of hassle with paperwork, importation and conforming the electrical system would be a considerable bonus.

So, IMHO, if you've ever been thinking of going in this direction, this deserves serious consideration.



(I think this is my photo, but it's been a long time. Apologies if I've mis-appropriated it.)

 

[EAB]

Found a new listing on EBay

Here is the new listing on eBay for the same camper. Looks good in the pictures and seems to be well done.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unimog-U1300L-Expedition-Camper-/262934668376

 

[dwh]

Description says it has a cassette toilet, but I seem to recall it had a porta-potti.

Also separate fuel tank for the hydronic so the cabin could be used standalone.

 

[adam88]

Does anyone know what happened to Darrin?

 

[mhiscox]

Darrin sadly passed away last August. I saw no details.

 

[adam88]

Darrin sadly passed away last August. I saw no details.

I am sorry to hear that. I looked online and someone said he had a heart attack on facebook. He was so young. Very nice guy, incredibly nice... always would help and answer questions. A loss to the expo community for sure.

 

[mhiscox]

eBay just sent me an e-mail saying that Darrin's camper just sold. The site said it went for $49,500, which was the most recent Buy It Now.



Congratulations to the new owner; I hope you'll let us know and tell us about your trips.

 

[HiggyB]

Hey all, I thought I'd finally register an account here on this site and say hi as I'm the proud new owner of this Unimog. I'm new to Unimog ownership but have been an interested follower for some time now. I was casually in the market for one recently and the moment I came across the eBay listing for this rig I knew it was the one for me, I went from seeing the eBay listing to hitting the buy it now button in about ten minutes. I've been blessed to be able to afford this dream set-up and I will certainly be increasingly active here on this site, first to ask questions, then to share the stories and adventures that are to come, and hopefully in the long run lend a hand when possible. I had no idea that I was buying a vehicle that came with such a legacy, I didn't know the man myself but after doing some reading about him he was clearly someone special. RIP brother.

 

[Victorian]

Congrats and welcome to the forum! Looks like you got a smoking deal

 

[dwh]

Cheers mate!

 

[adam88]

Hey all, I thought I'd finally register an account here on this site and say hi as I'm the proud new owner of this Unimog. I'm new to Unimog ownership but have been an interested follower for some time now. I was casually in the market for one recently and the moment I came across the eBay listing for this rig I knew it was the one for me, I went from seeing the eBay listing to hitting the buy it now button in about ten minutes. I've been blessed to be able to afford this dream set-up and I will certainly be increasingly active here on this site, first to ask questions, then to share the stories and adventures that are to come, and hopefully in the long run lend a hand when possible. I had no idea that I was buying a vehicle that came with such a legacy, I didn't know the man myself but after doing some reading about him he was clearly someone special. RIP brother.

Darren made some amazing vehicles. You will never have any doubt that it was built properly because of the meticulous nature of his work. Congrats

 

[mhiscox]

Congratulations on your purchase and thanks for joining us.

Darrin was a friend of mine when he was finishing up your camper and I spent a couple of days with him at the ranch putting some of the final touches on your cabin. He built a Mitsubishi FG camper after yours, and then big two Fuso FM260 campers, so you own 001 of the four he ever built. Here's hoping it serves you well.

 

[adam88]

Congratulations on your purchase and thanks for joining us.

Darrin was a friend of mine when he was finishing up your camper and I spent a couple of days with him at the ranch putting some of the final touches on your cabin. He built a Mitsubishi FG camper after yours, and then big two Fuso FM260 campers, so you own 001 of the four he ever built. Here's hoping it serves you well.

Mike, is there anything you don't know...