My first drive in a Unimog. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed...

[spudboy]

You know when you think something is going to be really fantastic, and then when you eventually get there or get to do it, it just not that good.....:(

Well, I got to drive a Unimog yesterday, and unfortunately it was one of those types of experiences.

It was a 215HP jobbie, about 12 years old (U2150 model with the 3.8m LWB if you know Unimogs). As most of the 80's/90's models have 125HP or 170HP engines, I was expecting this higher powered one to go respectably well. However, its acceleration was completely glacial and I am sure my 1955 Series I would leave it for dead. I reckon I m.i.g.h.t.. have got it to 90KM/H by the end of a reasonable straight, but there was no top end in it at all.

It was however extremely comfortable over rough terrain and I am sure it would go way beyond where you'd get a Defender. 8 gears is pretty interesting, and the driving position is fabulous.

Anyway - am looking at my 130 with new appreciation after that.

Cheers
David

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks David

Pretty sure they are designed for slow speed rough terrain, in comfort. They do stuff like snow ploughing, highway verge mowing and carting goods, troops or equipment to inaccessible places with relative ease.

Cruising the highway at 110+ KPH on portal axles isn't something I'd necessarily be comfortable with either.

[spudboy]

Yep - they really are a tractor that has some on-road capability, rather than a road vehicle that does well off road.

I don't think they even get to 110KM/H unless you install overdrives and "fast" axles.

Also, the example I drove was pretty poor, so perhaps the turbo was not kicking in properly or something. See this thread for the sort of condition it was in: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/115827-what-part-exellent-condition-includes-panel-rust-youd-put-your-finger-through.html

[abaddonxi]

Aside from the fantasy cost that I'll never afford, I kinda lost interest when Iain said top speed of 80Kmh.

Not that I'm against the slow mosey, but the thought of having to strain to get up to eighty and work hard to keep it there just doesn't sound like fun.

[Iain_B]

That one looks like it has done a lot of work - since the engine does not rev over 2200 rpm, there is either a governor on it or something is not quite right. Dave would know a lot more.

You can get a new cab for around $6K + delivery, and that looks like it really needs one.

Anything that has been used as a farm vehicle will be very suspect, it spends a lot of time at low speed or idling around - engine hours would be high, but with minimal km.

A new U2150 equivalent would be either a U4000 or U5000 - that's a $300K truck, and I'm sure the farmer who bought that one would have made full use of it - sad to see it so neglected through.

[Adrian Mc]

I remember driving from Woodside in the Adelaide Hills to Katherine in a Unimog on a regular basis.
It took a week to go one way.

And then there was the trip from Adelaide to Townsville in a Mog, don't even get me started on how long that took.

They are definitely not the fastest things around but it will usually get you there in one piece and at least you get a chance to see the countryside instead of zooming past at a million miles an hour.

[VladTepes]

They are definitely not the fastest things around but it will usually get you there in one piece and at least you get a chance to see the countryside instead of zooming past at a million miles an hour.

Abny ADF vehicles go that quick ? I think even the RAAF planes are a tad slower.... :lol:

Slow news day.

[Adrian Mc]

The "fast cars" tend to be able to go quite fast.:D

I distinctly remember a trip from Pt Augusta back to Adelaide at 2 in the morning that didn't quite take as long as it should have, and I wasn't driving I was just there to drive back after dropping a higher up back in Adelaide before having to turn around and go back to Pt Augusta later that day.

(for fast cars insert whichever brand/model of station wagon or sedan the ADF where buying at the time)

[geckos]

just got my license for these in the adf, great off-road.

for anyone who knows these vehicles, i had mine in water 1 foot up from the BOTTOM OF THE WINDSCREEN. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. all diff locks on. a little load on the back.

cheers geck

[Jeff]

I drove them for about 22 years, they were fun at the start, but I have driven better since. A good one would do about 95, maybe more empty but didn't drive them empty that often.

As for going further than a Defender, remember they are considerably heavier, I have dug plenty of mogs out of mud and it is not so good in soft ground, we would even off load the 105mm gun and ammunition onto a 110 Land Rover on occasion to lighten the load.

Jeff
:rocket:

[spudboy]

I drove them for about 22 years, they were fun at the start, but I have driven better since...

What did you think was better? I have take a quick look at an Isuzu 4x4 NPS series light truck that the National Parks people and Electricity utilities use. Leaf springs though, so not hugely comfortable. And, drum brakes all round. And, they feel very 'Japanese' inside with not a huge impression of quality.

[Jeff]

What did you think was better? I have take a quick look at an Isuzu 4x4 NPS series light truck that the National Parks people and Electricity utilities use. Leaf springs though, so not hugely comfortable. And, drum brakes all round. And, they feel very 'Japanese' inside with not a huge impression of quality.

Mack

[taxisvw]

They are phenomenal off road but there is only one thing worse than driving a UNIMOG on a long road trip......
Being a passenger in one!
The world's worst LHD to RHD conversion leaves no room for knees.

[spudboy]

Yeah - I had a look at one in the local Army base, and it is basically just a chain system (much like a bike chain) that allows a steering wheel on the RHS to rotate the original steering column on the LHS. Whack on a cover, shift the speedo & instruments & pedals, and you have a RHD conversion!

[Nashy99]

Yeah - I had a look at one in the local Army base, and it is basically just a chain system (much like a bike chain) that allows a steering wheel on the RHS to rotate the original steering column on the LHS. Whack on a cover, shift the speedo & instruments & pedals, and you have a RHD conversion!

Not entirely correct.
I'm doing a RHD conversion currently. The setup uses two right angle drive Boxes and a shaft with uni joints to relay the steering across the dash. The wiring harness needs to be lengthen. The Air brake lines need to be lengthened. Clutch lines. The floor shift plate needs to be change or modified to bring the gear stick over to the RH side (otherwise you can use the bent stick setup). The wipers need the be moved from Left to right. The widscreen wiper motor set-up need moving over to the right hand side. RHD hand throttle installed. RHD Accelerator installed, RHD pedal assembly installed. Seats. etc etc etc

[spudboy]

Hi Ben - How's it going? Has your U1250 arrived from the US?

I didn't make a study of the RHD conversion, but that's what it looked like with a quick 10 minute sit in the cabin!

How is is it actually done?

Cheers
David

[Nashy99]

Hi Ben - How's it going? Has your U1250 arrived from the US?

I didn't make a study of the RHD conversion, but that's what it looked like with a quick 10 minute sit in the cabin!

How is is it actually done?

Cheers
David

I'm well Spudboy, the U1250 has made it into Australia and is in very good condition. I will document the whole LHD to RHD conversion and keep detailed drawings/photos for my own records in case i do another one. Basically it is as stated in my last post, however there are a number of brackets that need fabricating, and positions of things that need to be measured in order to maintain factory spec and not some ad hoc conversion. I have another RHD cab that i am using as a template, not a cheap option but it will save time and ensure accuracy.

Happy trails.

[spudboy]

Hi Ben - yep , I was wondering of it had turned up. Would be interested to see how you do the conversion, so pics would be excellent.

I have started my big effort on my 130 Defender & canopy at last. The available space in a 130 canopy is pretty limited, so a Unimog is still on the horizon, but I am going to get cracking for the next year or so on building it and seeing how practical it is for long distance touring. I started a thread on the build, but it will be a slow thread compared to some other builds: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/120251-spudboys-130-defender-camper-build-uk-sth-africa-project.html

Cheers
David