Has anyone heard of a Unimog Truck?

[JohnBoy45]

Hi, I'm looking into buying a Unimog Truck that better than anything off-road here in the U.S. It's made by Mercedes-Benz and a dealer near me is here,

http://www.eurotruck-importers.com/

Thanks, Terry.

 

[RonL]

Terry

The new ones are being marketed by Freightliner. They were marketing them as SUV's. The environmentalists jumped all over them. In reality, they're more class6 and 7 trucks. Very high price tags.

RonL

 

[MossRoad]

Yes. Unimogs are very cool. If yo want endless reading about them, go to www.google.com and do a search for unimog. You will get thousands of hits.

Some day I would like to own one of the 1970's 4 door units with hydraulics and 3pt front and rear. Beautiful trucks and extremely versatile.

Here's a fun place to look around.
http://www.unimogwherehaus.com/

 

[5030]

Terry:

Unimog uses portal axles. Portal axles are essentially high pinion axles with a totally enclosed knuckle. Serious off roaders love them as you get no mud or dirt in the internal joints as they are enclosed.

I'll have to stick with my Dana 60-70. I can't afford them, or a unimog for that matter. That is, unless someone wants to give me one!!!

 

[Old_Hickory]

Probably the best made truck available.

 

[5030]

I don't know if they are the "best made truck available".

They are a utility vehicle for serious off-road work. They lack amenities that make for comfortable use. Besides, they look "cobbled" together. If I had my druthers for a pure off road utility machine, I'd buy an Oshkosh 6X6.

I went to the website and looked at other units as well. The dealer makes the claim that the Unimog is better than a Humvee. I'd have to say that maybe an H1 and just maybe, but an H2, no way. The interior view of the Unimog looks like it's very uncomfortable. The H2 is Suburban like inside which is what it is, a Suburban on steroids. I like comfort and convenience with utility bringing up the rear.

I'd much rather have my Ford 350 with it's air, cruise, power windows, seats, etc.

 

[MossRoad]

Best made truck available can be interpreted many ways. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

For pure off road ability and versatility, I'd take a unimog over a H1 or H2 hummer any day. I've conversed with a few people that own both unimogs and H1s and they say it is no contest. They call the unimog the hummer recovery vehicle.

I've only driven H1s, so I can't comment on the unimogs performance first hand, but these guys sounded like they knew what they were talking about.

As for creature comforts, I completely agree, the unimog is seriously lacking. But I guess it depends on what do you want, a workhorse or a show pony or something in between?

My mother in law is retired from AM general. We were able to go on a tour before the plant was open to the public and I had the oportunity to sit in several configurations of the H2. I was not impressed. It was seriously lacking in leg and head room in both the front and rear seats and there was excessive use of plastic trim in the rear half of the unit. It felt like I was sitting in a little box with the steering wheel between my legs. The H1s are much larger, but more truck like. The new hummer plant is beautiful. Very ergonomic for the workers. I was more impressed with the plant and the people that make them than the product. Hopefully, they will keep improving it, but it is way out of my price range. $50,000.00 for a truck is just wrong /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

Anywho, if I had that kind of money to spend, I'd buy an old unimog, dump $10,00.00 into it and have a very nice truck for under $25,000.00.

BTW, you mentioned axles. I saw some used unimog axles for about $1500.00 for front and $750.00 for rear. I'd like to get ahold of a pair for my '71 Toyota FJ40 project. That would be fun. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Old_Hickory]

"I'd much rather have my Ford 350 with it's air, cruise, power windows, seats, etc"

That F-350 is a yuppee truck compared to the Unimog.I know you love your F-350 and I am sure it is a nice truck.
If I was needing a truck on the backroads and heavy industrial work,your F-350 would not hold a candle to a Unimog,no way. The Unimog is not a pickup anyway.I have never seen a Mercedes product that was cobbled together.
The Unimog is more or less a specialty truck that is available with a number of features a F-350 or any other pickup would not have. The problem is they cost so darn much for a new one.I would love to have one with the three way tilt bed.
F-350 or Unimog,I would pass over the F-350 any day if money was no object.

 

[5030]

Old Hickory:

I am most certainly, not a yuppie. Matter of fact, I am a redneck, an old one at that, at least that what my wife tells me.

My 350 is a farm truck, but farmers do like comfort.

 

[5030]

Mr. Moss Road:

That's interesting, your project FJ40. I always liked Cruisers. I don't think I'd consider portal axles though. You'd have to do extensive modifications to the frame and leaf spring suspension to accommodate a Unimog axle in the front or rear. You do need to get rid of the front axle though. The stock axle has Birfield joints and while they are all right for limited power, they have a habit of grenading. I'd go with a high pinion 60, 35 spline stubs, with shortened tubes, loaded with 4:10 gears and a selectable locker like an ARB. The stock pig in the rear with 4:10's and a Detroit Tru-Track.

I wouldn't have a Hummer. They aren't any good for the kind of jobs that I use my 350 Ford for. I see them running around quite a bit here in Michigan. Most of the people I see driving them will never venture off road anyway. They are for looking cool and impressing the Joneses. Besides, for what the sticker is, I'd buy a Ford King Ranch, just like Cowboydoc.

I am sure Unimogs have their place, just not at my place. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif