A guide to Unimogs for overlanding, Part 1

[@L2SFBC]

Comments and clarifications: 1. I'm told the U1300 is NOT a 435 series, the 1300L is. 2. My U1700L videos & more info are here l2sfbc.com/unimog/ 3. Portals don't need to make a vehicle taller l2sfbc.com/does-a-portal-axle-system-mean-a-lift/

[@philhealey4443]

Always a blur and a mix of older OM352 and newer OM366 engine variants. Certainly my current U2150 is a 437, and I think an earlier U1250 was a 435.

[@perryrhodan1936]

Correct, U1300 is a 425, U1300 L (L for longer wheelbase) is a 435.

[@perryrhodan1936]

I would also like to add that - whether you get the implement carrier or not - you will always end up with something extremely offroad capable. In some respects, the implement carrier is even advantageous offroad, although the simpler construction of the Hochgeländegänger is of course something many look for.

[@sirstevo]

That young ladies knowledge was astounding. Don't think I've ever come across a car salesperson so knowledgeable about their product.

[@L2SFBC]

She's the Business Development Manager so not quite the same as a salesperson, and yes in my experience it is rare to find someone in that role who knows much about the product. You need only to wander into any car dealership to find salespeople who can do little more than take your order and what they do say is often wrong.

[@speedygonzales9993]

YES ! ! !

[@spudboy1328]

They are a fabulous vehicle, no doubt. But for touring around Australia they are on the "too big" side, as in, there's places you can't go because they are too big, We had an 'equivalent' MAN 4x4 TGM 15 tonne model camper (9.5 tonnes travel weight) for 10 years. Loved it. Not as good off road as a mog but much nicer on the road. We did seriously consider a mog, but realistically touring around Australia is maybe 80% on roads (bitumen or dirt) with 15% on tracks and then 5% on really gnarly tracks. So if you get a mog, you'll do it better 5% of the time, which for us was out of proportion for real life exploring when you're mainly on passable roads, We used AirCTI for our tyre inflation system, which is made in Victoria. Worked brilliantly and reasonably priced (less than $10K). If you get one of these bogged, you need a grader or a D9 to help you out. With the AirCTI system we only got seriously bogged twice. And in these situations another normal 4x4 have no chance of pulling you out (like an LC 70 series). Also - when they break, you are pretty much on your own. We got a gearbox code flashing at Windjana Gorge on the Gibb River Road. A SatPhone conversation with MAN diagnosed the code, but we were looking at a tow up to Darwin to get it looked at. MAN replaced the faulty valve body on the gearbox which was over $11,000, but it had to get back to Adelaide to get the work done. Same when we smashed a windscreen - complete pfaff to locate a MAN windscreen. Also also - the fuel consumption we got was ~24L/100Km, but we saw over 70L/100 when going through soft sand! We've gone back to a Landcruiser 79 with a Jacksons canopy. MUCH more manouverable and able to go everywhere. Much better fuel consumption (obviously).

[@L2SFBC]

Thank you, great point! I will be comparing options for tourers too. "Too big" is subjective of course, but there have been times when I've been driving Ranger-sized cars and had to three-point turn or squeeze through forests. Mogs would be too large there, and in fact, anything larger than a Ranger will eventually be restricted. Some say "well I have a truck and got everywhere" - no, you haven't, there are very tight tracks. Now you may choose not to drive them and that's fair, there's often not much down there, but if you do want to get truly everywhere size does matter. Re recovery, for trucks I would always suggest winches front and rear, a LOT of rope, and 8x Maxtrax!

[@spudboy1328]

@@L2SFBC Look - if you've got a mountain of money, they are the best, and good luck to people who don't care about the dollars. They can probably afford a 79 series as well as their UniMog. But for all round general exploring around Australia, in my opinion (having owned such a thing for many years) they are just too big. I did ring the bloke who invented the MaxTrax and asked him if he could make me some bigger 'super sized' boards for truck use, but that never went anywhere. Our tow rope was the diameter of an Aeroguard spray can, and it weighed a ton! But you still need something as big as you are to pull you out, and where we mainly went (beaches and desert) a winch was next to useless as there's nothing to attach to.

[@Stevesmate4503]

She is very knowledgeable ❤

[@L2SFBC]

The Unimoguru!

[@lukebrady3728]

Wow, almost like a jacked up 79 on steroids. Great presentation by the very knowledgeable and extremely well-spoken young lady. Great stuff, Robert.

[@L2SFBC]

Great, you've just offended the entire Unimog community 😄😄😄

[@lukebrady3728]

@@L2SFBC Ha ha, wasn't my intention, but point taken. No offense meant to the Unimog community ! !

[@MogsAndDogs]

Very thorough. Thank you for making and sharing!

[@L2SFBC]

Glad you found it helpful

[@TOYOTA.Overland]

Unimog is my dream ...only budget is little bit problem 😁

[@L2SFBC]

Know the feeling!

[@s.wvazim6517]

When you got a hockey game at 10 and a unimog expo at 10:45

[@intimatespearfisher]

Thanks for the run through mate. Hmm that 1.2m wading depth would get tested up at cape york. Does it fill the drive lines with water if you go over?

[@L2SFBC]

I don't know, I'll collect all the questions and send them to the Unimoguru when she gets back to work after Xmas.

[@CaSuMog]

I am building a U1650 SBU overlander… bit complicated because its a narrow chassis series, and its a stiffer chassis. I just fitted 395/85 which was not easy because I have a swiss chassis, on 3 part rims from a TM170 light tank. I will build a removeable cabin based on a steel frame sitting on a „spider“ frame.

[@A861967]

Ideal to drop off the kids in the morning school run 😂 Or one up the local 4WD bogan neighbour 🤪 Had them in the Airforce truly you don’t go back to a small F150 and under 4WD when you experience the go everywhere ability of a MOG 😊

[@michaeldallimore8590]

In relation to your comment about the Land Rover this is true, as it is of most vehicles today, but one should never leave the city without an OBD diagnostic tool for that specific vehicle. For example the GAP tool will allow you to diagnose exactly what is happening with a Land Rover. Without such a tool you only know there is a fault and not much more than that.

[@L2SFBC]

Yes, OBD2 covered here kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXPak4qBramMr5I

[@TheOutFit]

I'll be here eating my popcorn in the comments section 😂

[@s.wvazim6517]

My head is spinning she knew and passed on a LOT of info

[@L2SFBC]

Wait for Part 2!

[@BrettMason-l1d]

Finally a BDM who REALLY knows their product and its use

[@L2SFBC]

Rare eh!

[@operation4wheelz]

But coils can’t carry a load, Robert

[@L2SFBC]

:-)

[@tomvisiondotcom]

to be correct: the U1300 is NOT a 435 series, the 1300L is.

[@L2SFBC]

I knew there would be something like that someone would find! So what is the U1300? And what is the L?

[@philhealey4443]

​@L2SFBC I think the non L is shorter wheelbase , the L is longer and the L38 has an even longer 3.8m wheelbase.

[@tomvisiondotcom]

@@philhealey4443 sure, it is like that. Furthermore, the U1300 differs from the U1300L in several more aspects, mechanics and details, It is a different Motor Geraet, ment for a different use, that why it belongs to the 425 series. Anyhow, it is not useful for trips or overlanding. Here in Germany it is in use mostly in the farms or Communal, for winther snow plow service.

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks all added this to the pinned comment.

[@joezephyr]

Perhaps tow a 2 door Jimmny so you can duck into town for groceries. Otherwise a Unimog cannot park near a grocey store.

[@MogsAndDogs]

They are actually not as big as they look. Mine fits in a normal parking spot.

[@L2SFBC]

Which country are you in? Most Unimogs wouldn't fit in many Australian spots, the U1700L I tested is appreciably wider than my Ranger for example.

[@Noelzsazsa]

​@@L2SFBC I seen one parked in a angle park in Collingwood Melbourne not to long ago in wasn't sticking out of the park

[@harryhotze7071]

@@L2SFBC The Shopping Mog at Springfields proves you wrong :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2LWZYiIq7ili9E

[@L2SFBC]

No, it doesn't. That's a short wheelbase version not usually used for touring, and an older model not as wide as most. You could also go pick an old, original Mog which is even smaller. That is why I said "most" Unimogs would not fit in most spots. Even if they do, you have to have space for doors on the Mog and other cars.

[@Noelzsazsa]

They are the only real 4x4 the Japanese 4x4 are not any good off road a wet building site is about the limit of the Japanese trucks the only thing that ever come close to a uni mog was the x army accos we had i now have a 6x6 Mack X military that i am modifying

[@L2SFBC]

No, can't agree there. You can argue Unimogs are more capable, but you cannot say Canters can only do building sites. Just add super singles and a small lift and they're good to go, and even better with a locker. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIPHfn-Pad6Sg80

[@Noelzsazsa]

One thing I can tell you is you need to get some instruction on how to use the winch gear definitely you will cost yourself money they are the best but not anything like any conventional vehicle that most people have driven very much like driving a tractor or a piece of machinery i have seen a few of them on their side's and damaged in wrecking yards they are a big dollar item that myself i find very easy to work on anything Mercedes but your average person that doesn't have a workshop with a couple of Kenworths and 40 years of experience with probably not know how to pull a gearbox out or roll the diff out and have it back on the road your buying a truck that has the complexities of a 4x4 tractor can they tell you the running costs of it for 1000km and also 10 000 km and you can start to make an assessment i know exactly what it cost me in the entire break down of everything i spend to run a vehicle for the year for diesel to grease and even window cleaner i am building a 6x6 Mack X military i did considered the mog but i have a lot of Mack knowledge and the 6x6 option works for me much better also if i need to tow anything it will do it easy i will be selling it as soon as i finish it i am too old to travel now i am getting help to fit out the living area from a wooden boat builder yeah i should have it completed next year and registered by the end of the year

[@L2SFBC]

Thanks for the info, lots of good points there!

[@Noelzsazsa]

@L2SFBC yeah we destroyed a winch by not knowing how to use it properly the pulley block's are essential when using the winch costly mistakes and the old man was even able to rebuild it we just hired the Mog it was awesome vehicle we used it to refuel and service our dozers at the time as I did say many of broken down one's that are good but nobody could fix because of parts or cost I know there is a drilling company in NSW with some in a yard the company has changed hands a few times and some up in Mt Isa that are probably still getting used but sit for years between jobs because of the specialist equipment on the back for Geo work Alonso is an old in Isa that is a contractor he drives one around somtimes