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Cue the music: MC Hammer’s “2 Legit 2 Quit” Lowly is officially a US lorry. I’ve even got the paperwork to prove it! It was a long day. More info to come. I’m going to bed. - Sheik

Cue the music: Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” If everything goes according to plan, this sorry excuse for an expedition vehicle should be permanently imported within the next 24 hours! - Sheik

Lowly Update: The truck batteries I had to purchase and get installed from 1/2 a world away (while Lowly was hanging out at a Welsh RV park) had sat long enough in the shop without being tended and no longer want to play nice; cue cash register sound. With fresh batteries installed I had to...

Not sure the total weight but it is substantial. Thankfully I'm able to mount the components piecemeal therefore reducing the chances of destroying my back in the process of installing that mess. Trying to connect that many hydraulic hoses felt like wrestling a pit full of pythons! - Sheik

Lowly Update: Doing the hurry-up shuffle in order to get Lowly up to the Canadian border for permanent import purposes; need to leave in the next day or so! First was mounting the hydraulic valve bracket to the chassis. The valves were then bolted up to the bracket before re-attaching the...

HELP UPDATE: Thank you everyone for your feedback. With all of the information provided I'm on the hunt for the appropriate fluids that Lowly will appreciate! I'll post an update once I get the fluids as a reminder for future reference. - Sheik

HELP UPDATE: Using Sitec's recommendation of a very helpful online MB manual I was able to plug in my VIN and get some useful info out: TYPE - 1120AF ENGINE - OM366LA 177kW/240HP (356.989) OIL FILTER - A3661800809 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 720.099 POWER STEERING - LS3E (765.605) Any ideas on...

HELP UPDATE: Thanks for the info so far. I have purchased a EPC/WIS manual off of eBay but it isn't playing nice with my mac. I've got a request for assistance submitted to the seller but have yet to hear back. Being unable to run the VIN I don't have much in the way of details. Here's what...

CRY FOR HELP! Calling any owners of Mercedes-Benz trucks of the same type and vintage as Lowly. I have yet to source a maintenance manual for my truck and need some critical information: Type and quantity of the following: Engine oil Transmission fluid Power steering fluid If you know where...

Lowly Update: In the process of removing the back of the truck, I eliminated a large portion of the hydraulic systems (generator & Jaws-of-Life ports). In doing so I was able to delete a large hydraulic manifold that fed these components from the PTO driven hydraulic pump. Upon investigation...

Lowly Update: Time runs short for getting the truck road worthy once more in order to cannonball up the the US/Canada border for permanent importation purposes. I've been focusing on tidying up the hydraulics while noodling on the electrics and pneumatics. The control valves for operating the...

Lowly Update: Started mapping out the remaining hydraulically operated components and their lines. While removing the truck's rear box, I removed the hydraulic reservoir, hydraulically driven generator and the hydraulic lines/fittings for connecting up the "Jaws of Life" on either side. I...

Lowly Update: Draining of the bank account has started up again: * Custom modified aluminum 20" MRAP wheels purchased from Stazworks, quantity 6 * Michelin XZL+ 395/85R20 tires for mounting to the above wheels purchased from Feltz Tires, quantity 10 * Internal beadlock donuts for...

Lowly Import Update: With Lowly turning 25 years old (age at which a vehicle can be imported into the US without being brought up to current safety standards) and his temporary import bond (TIB) maxed out and expiring in February 2021, it is high time to sort out the upcoming import/export...

Curious as to some more details regarding your feedback on Tern's roof hatches. I'm in the middle of designing my habitat, desire a roof hatch and am having a hard time finding anyone besides Tern. Are you experiencing leaks? Any additional info would be great. Any leads on what hatch you...

Lowly Wheel & Tire Musings: I've spent the better part of a year researching the wheels and tires I intend to swap out Lowly's present shoes with. Here is my criteria: Two-piece rims for being able two change a tire in the field. "Super single" replacement of the rear dualie...

Lowly Update: Happy 25th Birthday Lowly the Lorry!! For those considering going through this crazy process, it is possible to import a vehicle into the USA that is younger than 25 years old. This is accomplished by petitioning for and receiving a Temporary Import Bond (TIB) by the US Dept of...

Keep in mind that my truck is a DOKA (aka Quad-Cab) so weight distribution will vary. Here is a picture of the decal made by the fire station (previous owner) as a reminder for the maintenance fleet on the weight distribution of Lowly when he was fitted out as an Emergency Response Vehicle in...

Jon, The leaf spring situation is worse than you imagine - several are cracked. That is one of the big items on my to-do list and I just need to knuckle down and start calling around. Being in log-truck country out here on the west coast I might have better options for rebuilds. I'm also...

Lowly Update: Summer is over, and my excuses for not working on the truck finally ran out. Spent the better part of 4 days chopping out the back of the truck in order to gain access to the chassis and give myself an idea of my "blank canvas". Here is the link to the very rudimentary time lapse...