UNIMOG RESTORATION UPDATE + PHOTOS

[Cliff_Johns]

Gosh, Von, I figured that if you ordered it all the way from England, that it would look better than that. But I guess the reason you're so good at this is that you can see what it will look like when it's done, and all I see is a rusty old truck cab.

As always, looking forward to more. Thanks for sharing.

Oh, did you decide on a color?

Cliff

 

[Bird]

Truly amazing what Von can do with a piece of junk, isn't it? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Inspector507]

As harv would say........it's not junk it's an unstarted project /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I need to replace the whole roof due to rust! The floors are solid, but the roof is rusted!)</font>

Let's call that a statement from destiny. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Listen!

You hear that?

It's destiny. She's saying you need to call on your good bud harv for a custom roll cage that'll take your bikini top instead of full roof. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously. I know you're a stickler for original detail and I do love you dearly for that trait. But a little original thought would be take advantage of the situation and the top convertible for open ranging.

Exibitionists would love to show off in a limo with macho image and demo-your-stuff room. Big time hunters would be right at home with arm-chair-open-air-real-life adventuring through the roof shooting. Hollywood'rs would love roughing it on not too hot nor too cold sojourns.

Look at the rusted out roof as a chance not unlike the elite decorator looking at corrosion on an antique. It's not rot. It's a signature. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[LWFrisk]

Von

I have been admiring your work for some time and enjoy your sharing on TBN.

I have replace a lot of roof skins on cars and pickups over the years. The panel (skin) is usually less expensive than one would think. The roof rails are usually available if the rust has transfered to them. I am sure you have thought of and probably have already checked it out but if not, I would suggest you give it a try. We have several large Mercedes dealers in San Diego and I would be happy to check it out for you if you like. --- Leo in San Diego

 

[Von]

Harv, Thanks for the ideas, but up here in the snowy north woods of upstate NY, we get 150" of snow a year and temps in the -0's way too often to think of a open top truck! I find it much faster to just put a new roof on than trying to patch this one. They did make the two door cabs with drop tops, and side curtains. But most owners now look for the fiberglass hard tops that were made for that model. I still like a steel one with roll up windows. Its not a sports car, its a truck! But I will be putting in AC for the summer!

Leo, Thanks for the offer, but for getting a new roof from MB forget it. A new one cost more than what I paid for the whole cab including the shipping from England! I got a quote of 1350 GB pounds so that was just way to much for me. I'm going to see if I can find a van roof with a power sun roof and put that on. Its not that much work to do it.

 

[RobS]

Here's an idea for you Von, contact a van conversion company. There are tons of them over here (in Elkhart, IN). For some of the conversions, they cut the roof off and replace with a fiberglass top. I'm sure they just throw out the old piece. If nothing else, it would give you some cheap material to practice with /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Von]

Here are a few more photos since last night when my son and I stripped out the cab.

 

[Von]

Here is one of the rust that we are up against. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Von]

Here is another one of the rust that we are up against. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif