SBU, how much cab corrision is too much corrosion, and what to do about it.

[evilfij]

Getting down to the wire on my SBU and the one I quite like has some corrosion in the back corner and along the bottom edge of the door. To have it professionally repaired seems to be thousands, but if I just leave it be is that going to cause structural issues? What do I need to check on the cab? Where do they rot?

 

[thebigblue]

What's a "SBU"?

 

[evilfij]

What's a "SBU"?

Square cab unimog. E.g. U1300, U1700 etc.

 

[tgreening]

Getting down to the wire on my SBU and the one I quite like has some corrosion in the back corner and along the bottom edge of the door. To have it professionally repaired seems to be thousands, but if I just leave it be is that going to cause structural issues? What do I need to check on the cab? Where do they rot?

Pay now or pay more later. Rust is literally cancer of metal. It does not stop and it will not just go away so if you leave it be it will only get worse.

 

[mogwildRW1]

You can buy whole new cab's for the square bodied Unimogs, it's a newer U4000 cab but a few modifications it will fit. (shipping of course, being the real killer in that deal). Depending on cost of repairs this can be a viable option and the swap can be done in relatively short time if you are mechanically inclined and have access to a gantry crane or forklift. Added bonus with the new cab you get the drain's in the windshield rubber and metal surrounding the windshield

They rust in all kinds of places, always check under the windshield seal at the bottom corners, later models (as in the U4000-5000 series) had a drain incorporated. Cab corners are always culprits, drivers side floor boards and the bracing related to that area, door bottoms and right in front of the cab fenders, above or behind where the cab tilt posts are welded on. The list goes on. If it's a DoKa, the rear doors will likely need addressing sooner or later.

Some idea's of where they rust: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/unimog/2634394-rust-monster-ate-my-floor.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/unimog/1372621-doka-door-rust.html

If the cab is really rusty, how's the rest? Frame? There was a rust trap issue on the rear axle, a pocket traps moisture on the bracing (the two tubes that go from the outer portion of the axle to the torque tube) and eventually they can let go, especially in really salt heavy environments. See this thread here for an idea of the issue: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/unimog/2196305-unimog-axle-rust-trap.html

You can also buy refurbished cabs if the rust is REALLY bad: http://www.unimogs.co.uk/our-stock/spares/cab/fully-refurbished-cab-cb0015

 

[evilfij]

Thanks!

We are certainly not there yet (new cab) and the chassis looks great. I will ask for pictures of the axles.

Thank you for the links. With rovers I am 100% competent, and with unimogs I am trying to figure it out.

 

[grizzlyj]

Hiya

If you browse the stock photos of what Atkinson Vos sell, and their comments as to what they regard as fine/bad/Omygoodness you'll get a good idea.

You sometimes get new take off cabs from mogs when people make something like http://www.southcavetractors.com/unimog-strac/ but they specifically have one cab that shuttles back and forth. Merc make a new mog using that cab, ship it to the UK dealer who remove it, convert and ship it back. But I know A Vos have had brand new take off cabs from that kind of source in the past, and I've seen one on Mobile.de.

If I had gone down that road I was told the easiest way was to have the new cab directly next to the truck, and just swap bits over so no big confusing pile of stuff to remember what went where!

 

[mogwildRW1]

AV is only one source. U4000 cabs can be had from units getting up armored, Merex for example sometimes has new, and often reconditioned cabs:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Fahrerhaus-f...100708?hash=item3ccf9b52a4:g:~awAAMXQKAtROIg4

They pop up from time to time on ebay.de, as well as some vendors newsletters.

But since you said it's not that bad yet, more importantly, repair panels:

http://www.nutzfahrzeuge-kindermann.de/Karosserie_2

http://www.nutzfahrzeuge-kindermann.de/Karosserie_2_s5

http://www.univoit.de/8-Unimog-Kotfluegel-Blechteile.unimog0.0.html

Check with Expedition Imports for repair panels as well.

 

[Roverchef]

Scott @ EI had a full cab not that long ago. If you factor in the shipping cost to the states his prices don't seem so "WOW". Good luck!