[myfirstbenz]

Moggers,

I have been a die hard mercedes guy since before I could drive cars and have worked on them nearly half of my life now, and now many of my friends and everyone in my family owns a benz because of my influence. After owning 3 mercedes that were ment for street duty I find that my real desire is to have a vehicle that can take me off the beaten path.

I was introduced to unimogs a few years ago when an ex french military u416 came into a shop I was working at, and I had a few opportunities to drive it around town and at a local farm. I quickly fell in love with that beast and knew that I would one day have to own one. Upon further research though I have noticed that the U1000 series mogs are also available in the states through various importers such as vermont-unimog.

My question for you all is whether or not there is an advantage or disadvantage by getting into the second generation mog? I love the first generation but recently the u1300 has really caught my eye.

My parameters are that I must have a diesel and that my price range would have to be around $25k. So have any of you had any great or bad experiences buying from an importer? And are there any achillies heals to these awesome rigs that I should know about? I still have a little over a year until I will be out kicking tires, but I wanted to learn as much as possible first. Growing up in the NW, I have much more of a fondness for the outdoors than I do the city life, and I think a Mog would suit my needs to a T. Are importers even the way to go? or can I find one in europe and have it shipped over for a better price?

Thanks, and happy mogging

 

[EndlessEarth]

Well, what do you see yourself doing with the truck?

 

[myfirstbenz]

Well, I don't have any plans at the moment to do any rock crawling type off-road, more the rough mountain road/back country up in the cascades and in Alaska. I also wanted the ability to carry heavy loads the likes of some of the expedition setups i have seen around the web. I could go the G-wagen route, but I wanted more capabilities and better ground clearance. I would want this to be a mobile base for camping and outdoor activities and a means to get to remote locations.
It would also be nice to have the option of feeling comfortable on the highways, something the 416 i drove didn't have due to it's gearing. I know that mileage isn't the first concern with a rig of this type, but it is still something I would want to consider for longer journeys. I think maybe a 4door u1300 would be nice, and it would seem to me that the newer models would have some engineering improvements over previous models, not to mention that they are just newer rigs and would therefor have newer parts.
I did just find a site in canada that is very near to my home, Mross Imports, and I might just go pay them a visit. But I was curious as to any experiences and reasons for preferences between the two styles.
Thanks again

 

[black_diesel]

If a highway capable camper rig is what you want a one of the ex-military 1300s would probably be your best bet. They have fast axles which will help the highway abilities and the cab is more spacious on a 1300 which will be more comfortable. If you're wanting to do some work these probably won't do since I don't think they had working/crawler gears, PTOs or hydraulics. They were spec'ed for transport trucks. Power is about the same. I think for $25K you'll be hard pressed to find a 1200 or larger with everything on it. I've been around 406s a little bit and can't imagine they're any simpler than a SBU. As far as achilles heel I would say the air system. If it goes down you can't move, shift ranges on a SBU, engage 4wd, etc.

 

[Mogasaurus]

A word of warning. Take a HARD look at the kind of off-roading your likely to do. SBU Mogs like the U1300 are very capable but they're also frigging BIG.

Tracks with limited clearance will be out of bounds for a U1300 - you won't even be able to follow a 406 or 416...

I wheel with smaller rigs like Land Rovers - they can go places I cannot, not because of track (the 416 has a track width almost equal to a coil-sprung LR on 35's) but because of height.


Oh - FYI.

A 416 with high speed axles is comfortable on-road at 60 MPH...

 

[esde]

The sbu cab is much more comfortable than the 406-16 cab. I don't mind driving my 416 for a few hours, much more than that is too much for me. With the sbu models you also get the ability to service the clutch without having to disassemble the entire truck. I wasn't aware that ex military 1300s had fast axles, in my opinion that's more desireable for a expedition/camping type rig than pto or hydraulics. And as with all mogs, check out your ride before you buy it. If you search here, you'll find lots of info on different importers. Some importers have pretty bad feedback, others I have heard nothing but positive. Bets of luck finding the right truck. Seth

 

[myfirstbenz]

Thanks for the info. That track width is something I will have to consider as one of my wheeling buddies is in a ranger rover classic, however most roads here are limited due to G.clearance more than width as they are usually old logging roads.

One last question though, what type of fuel consumption do you see? And to your knowledge, has anyone tried setting up one of these rigs to run on veggie oil?

 

[esde]

My 416 runs veg oil in the summer months, sometimes straight, sometimes a blend with diesel. I drive mostly city miles so I couldn't tell you a thing about mileage. Doesn't like to start on oil when the temp gets below 50 though, so that's when I go back to straight diesel. Interestingly, the engine doesn't make so much damned racket when it's on oil. Seth

 

[Mogasaurus]

Just to make myself clear...

I don't know how much WIDER a SBU is over a 416 (I imagine it's a little wider), but WIDTH has seldom been an issue - it's always HEIGHT.

Like I mentioned, my 416 with 14.5x20 tires has almost the exact same track as a LR Discovery with 35" tires on offset wheels.



My 416 DoKa (unloaded) gets ~12MPG (US gallons) at 2500-2600 RPM (about 55 MPH).

 

[myfirstbenz]

12mpg, thats actually better than I was expecting. As far as height is concerned... around here that means I'll just have to bring a chain saw along with me.

 

[sdo]

As for mileage my U1200 get about the same as a friends 1998 Dodge cummins 3/4 ton 4X4 on the highway, the only diff is his dose 120 kmph and mine cruses at 75 kmph.

Mross imports is an OK place to look for a Mog but Hanz's prices are a bit higher. I get all my parts through him, I pay a small premium but I cam pick up the parts and save on shipping. I found my U1200 on the unimog exchange last year and payed $27000 cdn for it. If you can find one get fast axles and at least the working gears, crawing gears are almost over kill.

An SBU is alot taller than a 406 (mines 9'2" to the stack) so height is a problem off road but it will move any tree out of the way if you want.

 

[TeamLowCostOffRoad]

Just to make myself clear...

I don't know how much WIDER a SBU is over a 416 (I imagine it's a little wider), but WIDTH has seldom been an issue - it's always HEIGHT.

Like I mentioned, my 416 with 14.5x20 tires has almost the exact same track as a LR Discovery with 35" tires on offset wheels.

Hm, I have never found neither of those factors to be a hindrance in any off-road-conditions, the weight however.

What? Your truck must be really narrow. IIRC, my dads 416 measured out on 83" at the outside of the wheels, while my LR ('84 Defender, V8, w/ 31s) is close to 66 inches.

 

[jruz]

I wouldn't hesitate to contact Jim Ince down in Oregon, he runs Eurotech Services (http://www.eurotech-services.com). He is very knowledgeable and has a few rigs for sale (check with him on his current supply, I don't think the website is updated that often).

I, too, am in Washington.

Cheers,
Jim Ruzauskas
1955 - 404.111

 

[black_diesel]

I've been dealing with Jim on several parts and would recommend him as well.

The track of a unimog is not really an issue for me either. My 1200 with disc brake wheels has about the same track as my D90 with 36-12.50 swampers on 15x8 wheels. My ag tires are mounted on drum brake wheels and stick out wider but nothing like a hummer. Wheelbase is a non issue as well, it's the height that is a problem.

 

[Mogasaurus]

Hm, I have never found neither of those factors to be a hindrance in any off-road-conditions, the weight however.

What? Your truck must be really narrow. IIRC, my dads 416 measured out on 83" at the outside of the wheels, while my LR ('84 Defender, V8, w/ 31s) is close to 66 inches.

Guess it all depends on your location. I've been stopped several times by fallen trees angled over trails. You certainly wouldn't have that problem most places in Moab or S CA

Yep - it's true. I can follow almost exactly in the tracks of a LR Discovery with 35's on smaller backspace wheels. Series rigs must be narrower. The only thing wider then my tires are the edges of the fenders. (Oh - and the snorkle - found that out the hard way )

 

[TeamLowCostOffRoad]

Hehe, what trees? Seriously though, I show great respect towards the nature and the environments, and always tread lightly.

So, what do these rigs you mention measure on the outside of the wheels? I think the hubs on my dads 416 stick out further than normal (option?) - the tires stick 2 - 3 inches out from the flares. (Disc brakes, with ~ 42x14.5" on stock 20x11"-rims).

 

[sdo]

The tires on my U1200 are about flush with the bed sides and I seem to remember the bed mesuring 6'5" on the outside.

 

[esde]

I think the hubs on my dads 416 stick out further than normal (option?) - the [/COLOR]tires stick 2 - 3 inches out from the flares. (Disc brakes, with ~ 42x14.5" on stock 20x11"-rims).[/QUOTE]

Sounds like drum brake rims on a disc brake truck. Probably adds a few inches. Seth

 

[Mogasaurus]

The factory spec track width of a 416/406 is 1555mm or 61.2" with 10.5x20 tires and (I think) disk brake rims. The track of a 435 (U1300) is 1860mm or 73.2" with 12.5x20 tires.

A stock LR Discovery I has a track width of ~60".

 

[sdo]

Don't forget the track width is center to center.