I'm new - I want to buy a Mog - Have some questions - Benzworld.org

EricWard · 08-06-2007, 08:14 AM

Hey y'all, I'm new to this forum but I thought I'd ask a question anyway. I have a Hummer H1 with heaps of mods but now I want to buy a UniMog. I'm quite active in the Hummer community and our web forum is great help so I thought I'd give this a shot.

Here's what I'm looking for. I know almost nothing about Mog's except for they're really bad ass! Like on Hummers I know they have a geared hub and 4 wheel independent suspension. I also know the drive line is all tucked up like in a Hummer but that's where my knowlege stops.

I'm looking for a 4 door. I would like to, if this is realistic, be able to pull a gooseneck trailer with my Mog to transport my Hummer. I will also install a gooseneck in the Hummer for if the Mog breaks down. I figure when I go wheelin, something should run and be able to drive home. Has anyone ever put a gooseneck ball in a Mog before?

I'm looking for a 4 door so I can bring friends and my dogs. I have a Great Dane so I had a question about how much room is in the back seat. Do the seats fold up, or am I asking for way too much?

Do these come in both manual and automatic trans? (yes, I know...very ignorent question but I'm new so give me a break.)

Are they all 24v? If so, can I add a CD player? This will be mostly an off-road trail rig, but it's always nice to have some music.

Is there such thing as A/C in a Mog? (No, I'm not retatded....just hopefull.)

There is one locally here that a guy has at a used truck lot. It's been there for 10 forever's. I was thinkiong about goign by today and looking at it. What should I look for?

Where the heck do I buy parts? It's always nice to carry spares or at least know where to get the stuff that does break.

What are the differences between the models? I know I want a 4 door but I don't know how many models there are ina 4 door. Also, did they have different engine/transd/t-case options?

Where could I find a parts/service manual once I buy a truck?

Although I may have asked some ignorent questions, I am fairly mechanically inclined. I do all my own wrenching to my Hummer and I have tons of mods done, it's really a one of a kind truck.

Any Mog owners in CO? I live in Craig, CO (a small town in the far NW corner of CO) but I go to Denver almost every weekend.

<b>
Eric Ward
ericward@email.com
Western Slope, CO
+1.303.960.6676 Mobile

EricWard · 08-06-2007, 08:49 AM

Oh, I certainly want a diesel and I prefer a hard top (only because I already have a soft top wheeler). Price is certainly a concern. I care more about mechanical condition than apperance but I don't want a junker either.

Chas Stricker · 08-06-2007, 09:42 AM

Howdy Eric, welcome to the forum. I think you're probably looking towards a 406(short wheelbase) or a 416. Both are diesels. You could look at repowering a 404 with a diesel. They are lighter. None of these are independent suspension, they have solid portal axles. Others here can give you loads of other information. Have a nice day,
Chas

Merz-Ben · 08-06-2007, 10:25 AM

Eric,

It sounds to me like you might need to go with an SBU unimog if you plan to pull the Hummer, The 406/416 mogs just don't really have the power to move something that heavy at highway speeds. You could modify a 416 with a turbocharged engine so you had enough power, but it might cost as much as buying an SBU. 99% of the unimogs have manual transmissions, although there are tons of different trannys. You can install a/c on the SBU series trucks, but very few came from the factory with it. Problem with an SBU is that a DOKA is going to cost you probably $40K or more, and there aren't many for sale that need work (or even ones that are perfect) because they are usually kept in excellent condition.

The problem with pulling a gooseneck with any Unimog is that the bed height is at least 4 ft on most, so a custom adjustable neck will be needed to level things out, and then still be able to pull the trailer with the hummer. Not that it can not be done, it is just going to take some creativity.

Keep in mind that most mogs top out around 50-55 mph, so unless you install fast axles or an overdrive, it is going to be slow going.

Cheers,
Ben

wilson1010 · 08-06-2007, 11:56 AM

I wouldn't trailer a H1 to the trails with the a 406 or a 416. An SBU would be the thing if trailing is a "must" on your wish list. Go to the Mog mailing list and read up on everything, then go look at some. You got plenty of places to look in and near Colorado.

Good luck!

EricWard · 08-06-2007, 12:08 PM

What does DoKa stand for? What are the differences from a 416 and a 416DoKa for example?

I PM'd Ben this question but I'll post it also: If I have fast axles for towing on the highway, how will this affect my crawl-ability off road? I still want to wheel it. Is it possiable (in other words has anyone actually done it) to put in 2 t-cases so I can have a good highway speed AND good crawl ratio?

Is there any sort of drive line protection out there? On my Hummer, I have a steel cage that covers my the entire lenth of the drive line all teh way from the front diff to rear diff (of course this is in 4 pieces or it would be too heavy to install) and covers my engine, trans, t-case, fuel tank, and drive shafts from being damaged off-road. Is there anything like this for a Mog or should I learn to weld pretty good?

EricWard · 08-06-2007, 12:14 PM

What does DoKa stand for? What are the differences from a 416 and a 416DoKa for example?

I PM'd Ben this question but I'll post it also: If I have fast axles for towing on the highway, how will this affect my crawl-ability off road? I still want to wheel it. Is it possiable (in other words has anyone actually done it) to put in 2 t-cases so I can have a good highway speed AND good crawl ratio?

Is there any sort of drive line protection out there? On my Hummer, I have a steel cage that covers my the entire lenth of the drive line all teh way from the front diff to rear diff (of course this is in 4 pieces or it would be too heavy to install) and covers my engine, trans, t-case, fuel tank, and drive shafts from being damaged off-road. Is there anything like this for a Mog or should I learn to weld pretty good?

atom · 08-06-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricWard

What does DoKa stand for? What are the differences from a 416 and a 416DoKa for example?

Doppelkabine.. which, in German, literally means "double cabin." The DoKas are essentially "Crew cabs" (as we in the US would say), able to seat two rows of people.

I'm attaching an image posted by VON, containing both a DoKa and a normal hardtop cab that he has waiting to restore. The difference between the two should be readily evident. One word of warning, DoKas are much more scarce, and because of their increased passenger usability, they are not particularly cheap (I know, as I'm currently in the market for one

)

Edit: sidenote, just re-read your original post, and saw you have a great dane.. I have two (black), hence my interest in a DoKa as well

TRUKTOR · 08-06-2007, 12:42 PM

DOKA = Dopple Kabine = CREW CAB

As far as driveline protection, WERNER has a Forestry package that includes
skid plates and fuel tank protection (the red stuff in the photo), but you'd probably
wind up building your own due to the expense and shipping costs involved.

High speed axles will affect crawling ability, but since you have two lower gear groups
available as options on an SBU (working and crawler gears), you can still get plenty low enough.

Chas Stricker · 08-06-2007, 12:53 PM

Eric, I didn't say anything about the SBU's as they are a bit large and you mentioned you wanted to wheel it. I take mine out and I always need to be mindful of how big it is. I think it's kind of dainty. Mine is a Doka(crew-cab) with AC. I have the 24 speed tranny option. In our speak it's like a 8 speed with a 3-speed t-case. If you get the high speed gears or the super high speed gears you will want at least the 16 speed option. These are called highway gears(8) and then the working gears(8). Mine has the crawler gears(8) also. They're not very practical(crawler gears) for off-roading, more of a feed the snow blower thing or pulling a bailor. As stated for the SBU's they aren't cheap, Dokas are even more. SBU's are tall and heavy(mine's about 12,000lbs).
Chas