Thread: U1700L Unimog in the flesh - HUGE

G'Day Spudboy.
Yeh, mate they are a great bit of kit. They feel a bit smaller (just) when they are cut down to lower their profile in the mother-ship/ re-supply role.
That said, still too wide for most of the more remote / 2 wheel tracks. Like a HMMWV, great for the wide open spaces, not so good for closed forest.
Cheers for the picks.
Dave.

Originally Posted by spudboy

If they were something like $25K, I'd have one in a flash.

You and me both.
At that price, I'd buy two, or more.
Now, how much change have I got in my pocket? (rehtorical question)

did you sit in the passenger seat.......most uncomfortable

did the boys tell you how well they handle hills on the hi-way, they are slow on the flat then alone any sort of hill (this is with a decent load on off course)

max speed is 90km/h, not sure how much more you can get out of them..........and foot on the hand throttle should be avoided

off road, damn capable with twin difflocks

Yeah - had a sit for about 15 mins, but didn't notice it was particularly uncomfortable, but then again my 130 has vinyl seats, so much of a muchness.

They mentioned that 88 was the Max, unless you went down a steep hill, where they've had it up to 110! I think with a camper body on the back (which wouldn't be all that heavy - compared to these guys towing an 8 tonne trailer) it would be passable up the hills (pun intended).

It smoked like mad when they started it, but they reckon this is normal and nothing to worry about. As it warmed up, it decreased, but still a bit smoky at idle.

I still really want one (of course) but I think it is overkill for what I need, and am a bit worried that if I paid $60K for it today, it will be worth significantly less when the Army put theirs on the market in a couple of years.

Spotted this in Mataranka a week or so ago...



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That's a newer U5000 series, and would have cost a bomb. Nice way to travel though

Just in case other people are have the same mad thoughts about buying one of these NZ mogs, I have discovered the following:
- To fit aircon is around $5,500
- A winch is about $5000 for a PTO version
- An overdrive to get the max speed up from 90 to 110 Km/h is about $6,000
- To get the roadworthy inspection from Regency Park is $321 - required as it is 25 years old
- Stamp duty on $60K is $1770
- To register one (in SA) is $1259 a year
- To insure one for a nominal $70K value is $741 a year (through Shannons, which I thought was pretty good really)
- To get a Medium Rigid license, is $850 via a one day Govt approved course (they provide the test truck)
- A suitable Michelin tyre is over $2,000 - so more than $10K for a new set of boots!

Cheers
David

Agreed with the passenger leg room or lack of it. The vehicle drives like a car though. Funny that they were not bagged for having advanced technology when they arrived and were generally well accepted. All in all a nice bit of kit.

Regards,
PeterW

Ouch on the tyre cost !