Mercedes 1124 Crew cab

[Toby2]

Hi,

New overland truck arrived today. Planning converting it over the next year. Seems to be in good condition. Its a 4x4 with auto gearbox. Done 20k miles.



Can anyone help on info on converting to super singles. Does the rear axle have to be modified to do it or can the correct wheels just be fitted? Have looked through the other posts I can find on this and not clear.

Cheers Toby

 

[live2travel photography]

Now this thing is going to be sick.

Have you looked at the fuso forums about conversions. I know a lot of people convert from dual to single on those pretty frequently. Don't know if that info would help. I'm a small truck guy.

 

[Ullie]

You don't have to change anything to the axle. Just fit the propre wheels. Whe did zo on a Mercedes Vario. I know several people with a MAN which did the same and no-one changed anything to the axle.

 

[canals1164]

Toby we used local co called Farmers Tyre who cut centres from zero off set wheels and adjusted them, we have 917 with 8 stud wheels but if yours are 10 stud it will be easier. I don't know where you are based but if I can be of help from Warwickshire let me know.
Oh and good luck with the build and don't weaken cus it will be fantastic when you can use it.
regards

Ian

 

[jostein]

Nice catch, wish you good luck with the build.
How long will the camperbox be?

 

[Toby2]

hi,

thanks for responses. Fairly local to you Ian, have sent you a PM. Have used Farmers tyres before for my unimog but hadn't realised they do wheels as well so that's useful. Wheels are 8 stud rather than 10.

Re length of camper, thinking around 4.2 metres. Current measurements are cab is 2.8 metres and tender is 3.8 so if I go slightly longer but with a angled end so it doesn't effect departure angle. Aiming to have motorcycle behind that so think that's probably as long as I want to go. Not perfect, would be nice to have a bit less in the cab and more for the body but can make it work. Just going to need to do something more than just seating in the second row in the cab so probably either need to be able to spin front seats round and make it more of the seating area or have a bed in there that can fold away.

 

[ianc]

You could commit a mortal sin and cut the cab down to a single like I did and liberate all that space for the box.

 

[jostein]

This big cabin will be perfect for a seating area I would say. I am doing the same thing in my Vario. Changed the rear bench for two separate seats With a console/table between. The front seats have turntables. No need for any mortal sins
Might be handy to have the seating area in front when doing shorter stops?

The length of my box will be 3,85m. Interested in how you are thinking about interior layout.

 

[ianc]

With the cab cut down to a single I ended up with a 4.5m box on my Vario. This took me to the maximum 60% overhang on the rear. Jostein - you must be pretty well on the 60% limit too?

 

[jostein]

The frame of the car was extended by the first owner, the Norwegian coastal guard. I am just keeping the rear overhang as it is. I have not calculated the overhang percentage. Is this 60% rule a EU regulation or a UK thing?

 

[ianc]

Well first of all - Never suggest to an Irish man that he's from the UK
I'm pretty sure it's EU wide. It's also documented in the Mercedes "bodybuilder" manual. Do you have a copy of this? I can sent you a link
The wheelbase of the Vario is (usually) 3.7m and so the max overhang from the centre of the rear axle should be no more than 2,200mm.

 

[jostein]

My deepest apologies Yes I have the manual as hardcopy.

 

[Toby2]

hi, thanks for suggestions. In my case, spent a long time looking for a suitable crewcab 4x4 truck, could of got a single cab fairly quickly so not looking to cut it down. Key difference with this compared to the Varios is the body isn't going to integrate in the same way as you can on the van because of the body flex. Whilst kids could ride in back, we specifically wanted something where they could be with us when we are travelling

Have thought about making the cab a living area as you suggest Jostein. Equally looked at a couple of other ideas. Main thing seems to be how we do the main bed as that is going to take a load of space in the camper. Had thought about making the main bed moveable so it can wind up into the ceiling. That way it can be a proper bed and it stays intact but can still be stored away during the day. Also looked at whether to put bed over top of double cab similar to this example.

http://www.expedition-trucks.com/brokers/steyr-4x4-double-cabin-expedition-truck

Had a couple of reservations on this is that reduces space to carry bikes, kayaks, other stuff that I would otherwise put up there. Also wife is a bit claustrophobic so not sure she is going to appreciate this idea unless we copy the truck above and use that area for the kids. Another option could be some sort of fold out bed where the second row of seats are but not sure how much that is just going to get in the way.

 

[ianc]

A few things worth considering
- If you do use the cab space for living or sleeping - you will struggle to insulated to anything like the same standard as the box. So in even moderately cold climates you'll probably need heating on during the night.
- If you are considering a lifting bed (and I'm sorry now that I didn't) have a look at the build pages on http://epicycles.com/ Julian is on ExPo as "gait"
- If you do decide to go over the cab with a bedroom, you can make it spacious but keep an eye on height (I understand that 3.5-3.6m is a good limit) and also wind drag can murder what I suspect is already painful fuel consumption.
- I don't think there would be much difference in the chassis flex of the Vario verses 1124. But you would not be able to integrate to the cab if it has its own suspension

Lastly - Kids in the same cab as you verses then being in the box while travelling..... Let's just say that I find long drives quite peaceful in my set-up

Also can you share some more photos of the base truck?

 

[Toby2]

Hi, thanks for all the ideas. The point about insulation on the drivers cab really noticable at the moment given cold weather. Would be good to use the space but has limitations

Will try and get some more photos and upload.