Thread: Australian Unimog

I knew of a couple of 404's for sale. I'll have a look to see if they're still there. They would need quite a bit of work.
What are you after? Condition, price, location, etc.?

I've always been facinated by Unimogs, but not quite to the point of owning one. I take my hat off for their capabilities though

Good luck in your search!

Some of the pastoralists have old Blitz trucks, left behind / bought after the war, still in regular use. There may be a Unimog around these parts, hidden in a shed, but I haven't seen one.

A bloke on this forum called Nashy99 (I think) has got a U1300/L37 for sale for around $40K (Long wheelbase of 3700mm).

It has been out in the weather for quite some time so cosmetically it is a bit ordinary, but it has fast axles (very rare) and FSH and low KMs (80,000Km). It also has the more powerful 170HP turboed engine fitted from new.

Currently has a workshop canopy fitted to it with a walk through from the cabin.

Send him a PM and I'm sure he'll send you some more details.

HTH
David

The Army should start to look at selling off their 'Mogs and R series Macks from as early as mid next year as the new replacement trucks start to come on line.

At Bathurst 2012, I saw Larry Perkins' Unimog/Kenworth.
If it's done by Larry, you know it must be good.

I took a few pics but I still don't know how to upload photos properly here. The Truck is a big 4x4 Unimog but looks mor like a Dakar truck. Unlike the images in this link, the PERKINSmog is now sporting a, Camo paint job including roll out awning. Attention to detail is awesome, including custom PERKINS badges in the place of the Kenworth ones.

Perkins swaps racetrack for outback | motor homes

Cheers,
HEYVJ

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

I knew of a couple of 404's for sale. I'll have a look to see if they're still there. They would need quite a bit of work.
What are you after? Condition, price, location, etc.?

Thanks Mick! If you do find anything let me know, I suppose at this stage I'm considering anything. I like the ex military 404's, the newer models are quite pricey, plenty around for $40000-$75000

See this one on gumtree

UNIMOG U1700 1990 FULL GROUND UP RESTORATION | Heavy, Farming & Agriculture Equipment | Gumtree Australia Gold Coast South - Mudgeeraba

Very nice, but a little out of my league, if only I had the spare cash!

Prepared to travel, or truck it from most places!

David

Hey guys
I have worked on Mogs for years.
The 404 ex mil spec generally comes in two basic versions a Nato spec and a Swiss unit. The "Swissy" is nicer with a better canvass topped cab.
Here's a picture:-
http://unimogshop.com/ads/1970-swiss...s-great-shape/
The Nato unit had a different canopy and was a bit more claustrophobic as a result.
They come as troop carriers and Radio boxed units generally. There are some tin cab versions out there mostly Police and Fire truck versions.
Powered by a 6 cylinder 2.2 single carby engine the unit is a free revver which is just as well since the truck is a gutless beast on the highway and you are likely to get a "Kenworth Kiss" on your derriere by a trucker!

Getting the thing to scud along is quite a feat and usually takes a rowing action of 4th to 5th and vickey verkey when the speedo drops to 70kph.
On the flat 80kph is about all its good for unless there is a good tail wind or a down hill grade. Most driving on the highway is pedal to the metal!
Off road the truck is marvel and if you like tractor like speeds its great. Unfortunately when on the road at a ponderous speed flat out these days you will get nasty fellow motorist's single digit signals and you will be cussing "kiss my derriere"! out the window!

The unit is nice in wintertime with plenty off heat coming off the tin plate dog house but uncomfortably hot when ambients climb past 25dgc. Besides in these temperatures once the coolant gets about 85dgc on the gauge and climbing, the engine heat boils the carburetor and you get the "kangaroo hop", as the engine runs semi starved of fuel.
These defects and more were tackled by MB in the USA when they tried to sell them to the US forces. Never a total success the project was dropped with the introduction of the commercial diesel engined 406 model.

Some units were produced for Police and Ambulance application with the M130 petrol twin carbied engine, and the extra oomph made it more tolerable to drive. Equally the extra fuel delivery eliminated the boiling carb problem.

In either case the drum brakes are a bit iffy a driving in modern conditions you have to think ahead, well ahead on the road conditions when a stop is likely.

I have converted quite a few to diesel power using the M617 turbo diesel from a 1985 MB 123 platform. It transforms the truck albeit a bit noisy, but it has gobs of power once the turbo spools up!
See:- a normally aspirated unit--turbo is better for the grin factor !~
Speed roadtest Unimog 404 Diesel - NATO Videos : Firstpost Topic - Page 1

But the NOISE!
It'll drive you mad , unless you are dedicated --really dedicated!
End of part 1
Dennis
zedcars
ps I owned a Swissy 404 for three years and built a house with it. It is now scudding about with a new owner for the past 10 years with a chem tank on it; spraying noxious weeds on the county highways. One thing though well looked after, you can't kill one!
D

Thanks for all that info! Do you have any recolection of the gear ratios? Is the limit of the top end a function of the gearing, or the lack of torque?

My main interest is definitly going slow! I live in a great area near Tamworth NSW where there are plenty of dirt roads accessing great state forrests etc.

Zedcars, or anyone else, do you have any idea how many 404's have been brought in? One option is that I import one or two? Not that difficult these days!