Mercedes Zetros Expedition build

[BSR]

I have spent over £6,000 (British pounds) on both rear axel brakes.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuu...

Take a peek and see how ba

I can't believe how bad that was.
You'd expect the chassis and cab to be dust with rear drums that corroded.
In the firing line from the grit I suppose.


I still think it's gorgeous.
Drop it off at mine when you're done.

 

[earth_roamer]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuu...




I can't believe how bad that was.
You'd expect the chassis and cab to be dust with rear drums that corroded.
In the firing line from the grit I suppose.


I still think it's gorgeous.
Drop it off at mine when you're done.

You wouldn't believe it, the last axle in the firimg line was obviously the worst.

The first rear axle was bad but not as bad of course

But from there forward the rust stopped, like there was a brick wall stopping it.

The front axle and cab are absolutely perfect.
This doesn't mean I'm not going to overall them as that wouldn't make sense not to

But as for corrosion there is none at all. Still has the factory wax oil on it.

I am lifting the cab off once its put back together to finish the sandblasting and painting.

Is what I done excessive? I don't think so after all its cost a little over 6k to put everything back to brand new for peace of mind for future travelling

Back in 2016 I broke down in my 40ft RV in Europe... it cost me £5500 to have it recovered home to the uk.

So its really the cost of one brakedown recovery to have it all new right


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[RoamIt]

Wow, tremendous amount of work (and $$) you've put into this so far. It's going to be a new truck when your done

 

[MogsAndDogs]

Great progress! I wish I could sandblast everything. It is so satisfying.

 

[earth_roamer]

WOW!!!
My guess is that it was driven numerous times through saltwater. From my experience of beach driving in Baja and being right behind the Oceano dunes (the only legal beach driving spot in California), I am EXTREMELY careful to stay away from the water and pressure wash the undersides of my rigs after just being on the beach sand. I have seen the damage on local rigs where the owner was less careful... and the results were horrendous! BUT NOTHING LIKE YOUR TRUCK!!!

It goes to show that having a professional garage/ dealer do a full inspection previous to purchase is money well spent! Sorry Buddy, but you were duped. Have you looked into whether to can take legal action against the seller?

Nun the less... A+ on the restoration!

I think you may have got the wrong end of the stick

I buy and sell overland trucks
I know them inside out

The zetros was a gritting machine, its never been in salt water. It sprays salt!

The pictures make it look really bad when infact its really not.

Its undergone a sand blast so its like brand new, has a rust protection to stop any future rust and 6 coats of undercoat then a raptor finish.

I wasn't duped when buying it. As I said I've been in this game for years now.

My plan from the beginning was to completely rebuild the rear axles as they are in the firing line from the salt.

The rest of the truck is absolutely perfect

The reason I have gone so dramatic on the rebuild/restoration is because its something that ill never sell.
Me and my family will live in this truck full time once its built.

This is why I'm going the extra mile

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[earth_roamer]

new brakes being fitted

 

[earth_roamer]

 

[earth_roamer]

Now that all the rear brakes, suspension and air lines are finished. I painted it all in Raptor Paints but i used the tintable paint as the standard Raptor black is terrible.

Now its time to remove the cab and have the remainig chassis sand blasted and all old parts removed for new ones.

My dad said i was crazy but its best to do everything correctly afterall, its best to be done now then it break when on the road right!!

 

[earth_roamer]

There was minimal rust on the drivers cab so i stripped it back, insulated it and painted in Upol Raptor

Personally, i didnt want any gloss shiney paint on my truck as i want to use it offroad and not park it in some caravan park.

The Upol Raptor paint is very robust and will do me some favours in the near future

I also cut the crawl through into the rear of the cab ready for

 

[earth_roamer]

Now Paint

 

[earth_roamer]

Wheel package...................

So my Zetros was ordered from factory with 385/65/22.5 wheels. I think this is becasue in the UK the 22.5s are easy to get hold of.

The issue with the 22.5s is they are so small that @ 90kph the engine was @2400rpm. It was reving far to hard for any long ditance driving for my liking.

I made enquires with a friend who has the factory wheel package 14r20 Michelin xzl's. He said his truck sits at 90kph and the engine is at 1900rpm which is far better then mine but i wanted lower rpm.

The good thing with the Zetros is that it has a low cab due to the engine being up front and the cab sat on the gearbox which is just above the chassis frame. This was designed so it would fit into the german railway and also the Hercules aeroplane, hence the roof slopes.

So as i want lower engine rpm but also as much axle hight as possible without having to worry about my total 4m max height limit, i decided to buy the 16r20s Michelin xzl's

They are HUGE but mega cool at the same time (you will see below)

The zetros can be ordered from factory with the 16r20s but they have to have certain azles and transfer casing. After a few emails to Mercedes Germany i was told that i have the axle and transfer ratios to fit the 16r20s.... smiles all around

The only thing i didnt like was the £18,000 cost ( $22,130 or 20,800 euros)

The tyres were a little under £3000 per tyre. This is the new price

Take a look

 

[earth_roamer]

I had to import the wheels from Germany, i will paint them silver at a later date

They are split band rims that the army use

 

[mog]

The only thing i didnt like was the £18,000 cost ( $22,130 or 20,800 euros)
The tyres were a little under £3000 per tyre. This is the new price

It was great luck your truck was already set up for those MONSTERS. They look great on your beautiful restored frame. Awesome progress 🏆
Too bad you were not in the US for tire availability £313 to £610





I am looking forward to following your progress.

 

[earth_roamer]

It was great luck your truck was already set up for those MONSTERS. They look great on your beautiful restored frame. Awesome progress 🏆
Too bad you were not in the US for tire availability £313 to £610

View attachment 797703
View attachment 797704
View attachment 797705

I am looking forward to following your progress.

wow these are cheap

I can get them from europe but for a used in date tyre they were still £1850 each plus shipping from germany to the uk which is now plus vat and import duty being we are not in the EU anymore...
So it was best option for me to buy new.

The 16r20 is really hard to find over here, Lots of 14r20s.

You folk in the US have BIG trucks so 16r20 is much more common i assume


thanks for your info

 

[charlieaarons]

Don’t forget you need a spare tire and wheel. And pretty much everywhere, even used, Michelin Goodyear or other 16.00s are not abundant. So I VERY STRONGLY recommend that you carry a second, unmounted spare as well. Otherwise, if 1 tire is ruined beyond repair, your trip, at least as far as the feeling of “we can go anywhere and anytime” is also ruined.
Don’t ask me how I know this….
Get spares from Vrakking maybe, they’ll give you at least 2 or more prices: new 2021 or later, new perhaps from 2015; almost new; and half worn out.
BTW I will be discarding 4 XZLs 395/85R20, 2 with ~80-90% tread, 2 with ~50-60% on outer lugs from being in front. Why? They’re 13 years old and I don’t trust them in Africa heat. But if someone near Baden area needs some for spares, PM me.