Posted: 3/10/2009 10:25:52 AM EDT
|
I've always loved the unimog. The seem to be darn good for a number of reasons. Back in high school I thought one would be pretty nifty for off-roading/ mudding/ rock climbing. I never really thought about having one as a BOV, but I came across one relatively close to where I live almost by accident. It's a U404 with the radio cabin on the back and thought it might make a hell of a BOV. This one has about 20k miles and is supposedly in good condition. I haven't looked at it closely though, but the price doesn't seem to bad.
It wouldn't be a dedicated BOV –– I'd use it for towing things, as a ranch truck and who knows what else. Any thoughts on BOVability and things I should look for if I were to buy it? |
|
How is the parts availability for the Unimog? Is there an established dealer/service network here in the US? Do they use commonly available parts?
I know nothing about them aside from the pictures I've seen of them on the web. Parts availability and serviceability would be my primary concerns. |
|
Quoted:
404s are a bit basic and almost always gas powered. Look for a later model diesel. I agree with the above. Also be aware that even though parts are available they are expensive. Unimogs are not built for speed either so expect 50mph to be about max. Other than those things, a Unimog would be awesome! I wish I could justify having one. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
404s are a bit basic and almost always gas powered. Look for a later model diesel. I agree with the above. Also be aware that even though parts are available they are expensive. Unimogs are not built for speed either so expect 50mph to be about max. Other than those things, a Unimog would be awesome! I wish I could justify having one. +1 to this. and if you could find one w/ a PTO and three point hitch all the better, if has the PTO/3 ph on front and back even better. they are phenomenal vehicles. |
|
I test drove a unimog much like what you describe some years ago in Midland.
The good smooooth ride load and towing capacity equal to a 3/4 ton truck The bad 80 horsepower 2.2.liter inline 6 no ac no radio cloth top cab 59 mph top speed 8 or so mpg The Unimog was designed in 1945 to be a farm tractor that could haul produce to market. The Bundischwer(sp) West German Army bought Unimogs for trucks when West Germany allowed to have an army in the 1950's. The US insisted that the Germans get the big 80 hp engine so that the 404 Unimog could go 59 mph. If the US had not mandated the faster mog they would only be 40 mph trucks er tractors er tructors pfft Anyway I liked the one I got to test, but they are a very purpose built vehicle which will not do some other things. |
|
here's a joint in northern Arkansas... http://www.swissarmyvehicles.com/seem to have decent prices and from what I've heard are good folks to deal with. Have accessories too.
the 'mog is one of my "one of these days" vehicles |
|
Just a few practical considerations.
I would say that for the same price you can probably have two domestic diesel trucks with easier parts availability, better fuel mileage, etc. You don't need to crawl across the grand canyon or go places that only an extremely rare vehicle like the Unimog can go. If you buy it because its a neat toy that could come in handy go for it. But if you're going to stake your life on it, buy two of something cheaper, more common, less rare. -M |
|
Quoted:
are unimogs bulletproof? if not, then I don't see why the hassle when I can make any american or japanese truck do what they do only better. You may not be aware of what these vehicles are capable of, especially the 6 wheal drive versions. There are very few vehicles that can match the off road capability of a Unimog. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-315104594538653920 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogSgAZg-5Mc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAGPtVkou5Y&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CacUi-WEGgY&feature=related 
|
|
Quoted:
yeah, they're so extreamely rare and crappy preformers the US military uses thousands of them... lol How does the military with large numbers of mechanics and part stockpiles compare to a private citizen's situation? That's like saying the military uses lots of M-1 tanks and thus they would be useful for tooling around a deer lease. Yeah, it'd be fun, but it's not really practical unless you have incredibly deep pockets. My FIL could have afforded to keep the Unimog in operation, but he didn't want to spend what it would take when there were better and cheaper alternatives. If you really like them and want to have one, get it...just don't expect it to be as easy and cheap to maintain as a more common vehicle. Practical or cool...everyone should decide which is more important to them. |
