Unimog 404 Extreme 4x4

This trip to the Hammers was in Nov 2009 with Trent Hershey, Dan Dreher in the Mog, and the guys from Predator Off Road in Auburn Ca. This video was taken from a new trail in the Hammers, Johnson Valley Ca, called Spooners! Here are the unimog specs: 1956 404 Unimog, Stock 6cyl 85hp Motor, Stock transmission, transfer case, stock portal axles, stock gears, with a stock Crawler box 350:1 1st gear ratio. What's not stock: Roll cage, seats, 12V conversion, softer springs (Rear 4" TJ springs in the front and 3/4 Ton Aerostar van springs in the rear) Fox gas shocks, Bilstein bump stops on all 4 corners, Full Hydro, TRW Beadlocks & 39.5" BFG Krawler Red labels. There are obviously a few other non stock items like the back tool box, solar power panel, HD headlights, 2guys rock crawling lights, Sound system, new gas tank, skid plates etc.

[@drchrisdavies2941]

I Love Land Rovers, and have seen them do some amazing stuff, but Unimogs are a different level to every other 4x4, particularly the smaller models like this 404. It is no just all the locking diffs, amazing axle and chassis articulation, it is also the super low ratio gears and brilliant approach, departure and ramp brake over angles that allow it to crawl in a controlled manner over these damaging obstacles without get caught on rocks or having to use too much power. Class machines, and this one from the 1950s!!!!

[@mijomcgyver6270]

Utterly amazing vehicle. The boulders that the truck couldn't crawl over it simply shoved aside as it constantly crept forward almost effortlessly. Props to the expert driver, as well.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

That truck is the honey badger of off road vehicles.

[@Liljan1979]

I love how every time it snags a rock it doesn't get caught on it, the rock gets caught on the unimog. xD

[@franktechmaniac7488]

Originally an Unimog should be able to drive where a horse could walk. But this one drives, where goat get stuck. Crazy!

[@MDCBilge]

I love it! @ 1:29, oh there's a boulder in the way, lift a push for a little more clearance, no problem. @ 2:29, front suspension is hung up on another boulder, nah, just move it. I love my Wrangler, but my hat's off to your Mog. Well done!

[@alchristopher5701]

The most awe inspiring Unimog. I have seen.

[@ajadrew]

My old man had a 406, used to drive from Uk to Germany regularly to pick stuff up, never failed as it also never failed in the rough. But his rough wasn't as rough as this! Unimogs, the best...

[@vikkidio]

Wow awesome! ...and also pretty impressed by the Jeep following!!! What a wonderful video.

[@JaiisonBANKS]

Damn. That unimog looks like a freakin spider on those rocks. Amazing capabilities.

[@dansflb]

Ricardo I rarely reply to unimog posts but it's a Unimog no matter how you look at it. Jeeps and other rigs go through far more extreme modifications then my mog has gone through. In fact the most modifications my mog has had have been to the body. The extreme suspension mods you talk about are only softer coil springs and longer gas shocks. That is hardly extreme, no lift, nothing else. Yes my mog is modified, but a stock mog with a couple hundred dollars in mods will go everywhere my mog will.

[@user-bd5md5cm2j]

Dialed in just right for crawlin...👍🇺🇸

[@bigbluegpr]

That's a sweet 404. Love the way you have it set up, and the way you drive it.

[@BulletmanDoom]

Truly incredible machines

[@MrMichaelpaul45]

Hi there,that was a great piece of driving i enjoyed watching it & thanks for showing this 1956 Unimog 404 doing what it dose best,it is a great looking off road truck,what a ride what a ride :-).

[@Joewalshe38]

Good teamwork on the driving. Lovely vehicle. Surprised the Jeeps could follow you.

[@radsti]

I am from South Africa where I drove the MK1 and MK2 in the military for 4 years. Absolutely incredible off road. Loved the fact that you could use all 4 gears in reverse as well (no benefit, but a novelty). Not great on the open road giving about 105 - 120 km/h max speed. But who cares, right? Its what it does in the bush that matters. Great video Dan Dreher!

[@dansflb]

@flight2k5 Yeah I haven't had any problems and I give those gears hell. What I don't do is bind them up and I don't bounce to get up obstacles. I usually don't use much gas at all, but I do put them through some hard lines.

[@fantic238]

It just keeps going and going no matter where you steer it!

[@matrobie1627]

Very cool. Avid jeeper but respect to any serious rid and your unimog is one. Props.

[@LittleBlueSubie]

Who said Jeep in here> German engineering FTW. This is f'n sick

[@juanratido9689]

Unimog 4x4 "THE LEGEND"😍

[@markharrell625]

It literally moves mountains.

[@lunarmation]

it's like a freaking spider 'walking' over the rocks.. nice

[@sterlingbrown5]

404 all the way! I can't wait until I get mine.

[@ZeD69420]

I want a Unimog they are so nice.

[@alansmlth7989]

Wow ,nothing beats a UNIMOG. It`s a True Legend. Just try and find one for sale.

[@richarddawson82]

Mate that just reminds me of a big old elephant just plodding through!

[@BBDOGGER]

Love that Mog. Looks relaxing.

[@tilligetbig]

that thing is a beast and the driver and camera man know what the hell they are doing.... nice video!

[@stevest1300]

If you're bad in life, you come back as a Unimog tire.

[@Mrhukaka88]

OMG this mog are powerful then a tank!

[@faphwil]

Great truck, great advisor, great driver, great place, great weather!

[@steveducell2158]

a relative of mine had one on his dairy farm back in the 60's. It had a 3 point hitch along w/ a pto. They used if for light to medium tractor duties. Baled hay with it, could handle a 3 bottom plow. Plus it could go down the road at 45 mph.

[@johnfaribayasminpebblebroo507]

Just came across this - normally lame but this is awesome - you can barely climb up this let alone drive over it. Good driving - check 3:20 but its all good.

[@eeeeeeeri]

stock motor. Mercedes 636! 4cyl diesel. 42 HP. bulletproof engine. amazing rig.

[@NorseAlpine]

Mogs are just awesome and this is one specially cool set up :)

[@brisonp6148]

That mog is a beast

[@joeychaseable]

those are insane... Wow, just.. WOW!

[@RichardsWorld]

That must feel like driving by the seat of your pants. Driving and always worried your going to really "F_CK" up. My friend had a Unimog but it seemed like a commercial type vehicle. It had like a air compressor with it and if he wanted to he could control each wheel independently. He could made it do a 360 sitting in place like a tank. I haven't seen it in about 15 years. Back then I though it was an ugly duckling. I'd like to check it out again to drive it myself. He said I could borrow it once but I was thinking what was I going to do with that thing. I was just living in an average neighborhood and didn't go off-roading.

[@promotosport1]

just saw an ad locally for one of these - about 5500 bucks - if I had the cash laying around I would buy one... thing frikkin rocks!!

[@ufjk0816]

very cool, that is best rock-climb truck I every saw.

[@atadoff62]

Holy crap...I was swearing to myself the whole video. That truck just does not give a FFFFFFk.

[@jessewoody5772]

+atadoff62 I know right.

[@cerealkilla8930]

Right??!!

[@jaqjaques]

looked like some kind of crazy beetle

[@SH1974]

YES, MAN! That's the right way to drive a MOG! Congrats! Awesome driving skills and superbe made crawler!

[@wmden1]

@dansflb I did some mudding and a little rough terrain in my youth (1970s) in a 1954 Dodge Power Wagon. It was a rag, but a great old rig. It couldn't touch this. I believe the extreme amount of articulation/travel between your front and rear axels is your biggest asset. Driver skill helps also. You have a fine machine and entertaining video. Thanks.

[@Kombinado90]

MASTER!!!! cheers from Chile!!!

[@kookamunga2458]

I think speed has nothing to to with 4 wheelin àt all except in the sand dunes . A light fast 4x4 is best for that . On every other type terrian the unimogs rule. They can handle big stumps ,boulders ,mud , steep hills and deep snow . Driving slow in nature is more pleasure . People have time to look at things . If you want to race take a fast car to your local race track.

[@edgargevorgyan7567]

Best 4×4 all time

[@user-ve8ku6wm2e]

Гениальный прибор. Жаль что не выпускают больше.

[@KLAYCO47]

that thing is extremely capable

[@Damie236]

Best 4X4XFAR!

[@rickitickidicki]

Driver, If I were in your shoes I would get a television screen in the truck to broadcast the spotter's camera view to you...because no offense, but you need a better spotter. I sure hope it wasn't your son or summat! BTW the BEST absolute Best rock crawling I have ever seen. I know alot has to go to the equipment, but you can put an idiot in the best of machinery and it'll look like garbage, so here's to making the machines look friggin' awesome...Cheers!

[@Ghandisgarage]

ohh was there a rock there? UNIMOG DONT GIVE NO FUCKS.

[@ANGELICW4R]

Oolong my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh you guys where in Johnson valley aaaaggggh that's my favorite place to go ridding aaarrrgggg next time you guys go hit me up.

[@DrVdubbin54]

Damn I love Unimogs, Sweet Ride!

[@HDD42269]

Amazing rig man. Wow!

[@tangledline]

5 people own KIAs. Awesome video! I cant wait to pickup my MOG.

[@buckrogers2717]

I like how the Jeep behind him is going everywhere he is.

[@oscaracosta6976]

Seriously impressive.

[@Kaegis]

That's some real crawling..!!

[@oldfrogdivin8534]

Holy crap that's a flexible Mog, Yoga Doka!

[@Himalayan_Overland]

OMG - @ 1:33 it lifted the big rock on its left... amazing stuff happening here

[@rogerdavies6226]

here is a guy is a guy who knows how to DRIVE Unimog

[@johngrauberger1421]

I'm a jeep guy, but if it's wrong to want a Unimog, I don't want to be right.

[@flyinsossers]

dude. that's impressive

[@jaardesign]

That thing is bad ass!! When boulders got in the way it just moved them lol. I

[@navrootscountryman2569]

total respect

[@MAK90E]

Just wondering, not that I can afford a Unimog, but have you ever even broken any suspension or drivetrain parts that other make four wheelers regularly replace?

[@YasserButt]

What a suspension and power! Awesome driving!

[@sulcatalvr]

i love it at 4:18 when the camera guy says" uh, yea, your alright keep goin"

[@YZFMANIAC08]

Incredible

[@panamafishingtours]

a mountain goat would have problems trying to follow that thing thats a great truck

[@philippholzmann461]

Unbelievable!

[@todlindley8101]

It don't need complicated Unreliable ETC, Good Tool to be in if your in a War Zone

[@dansflb]

There are custom 6x6 mogs out there but they are very uncommon. I have seen one in person and I have seen several online. They wouldn't be as capable off road but probably would be good for hauling or towing.

[@Luther1543]

great german vehicle a bit pitty to hit it against those stones, i think after the decades of work it should be restored and preserved in a museum and seldom taken out for a ride to an unimog show.

[@TobiasLeininger]

Why? It still runs as good as new after half a decade ... no need to do anything to it ;)

[@RealST07]

@1:34, the body is moving a HUGE bolder. That gotta hurt!

[@dansflb]

+Larry Jensen Just did a small scratch on the side! I was even shocked.

[@dansflb]

No there are actually all kinds of unimogs ranging in all kinds of size tires. Mine is a 404 and it came stock with 37" tires, the tires that I have on it right now are 39" BFG Krawlers, portal axles are amazing!

[@Choice777]

imagine parking a unimog like that on the high school's fence :D then going to class

[@nicolitas123]

my favorite truck ever exelent video

[@1234goalieguy]

"I like how the Jeep behind him is going everywhere he is." I also like that the jeep cannot run on motor oil, how it is 45 years older, and how it will not go on for another 50 years like the mog will do.

[@franktechmaniac7488]

This MOG has a petrol engine (6 cylinder inline, 2.8 L, 110 HP), will not run on oil.

[@notfadeaway72]

simply awsome

[@tombojarczuk]

@dansflb your 404 is amazing! have you got power steering or is it just original mog mechanical steering?

[@daneh6240]

2:30 Back up your gonna hit axle, *pushes rock outta way* back up? Na your good just keep coming. lol

[@albertwitt4065]

amazing !

[@Greengoos]

Do you have any pictures / video of the unimog build? if so post them great rig!

[@lucasschofield8716]

great to see someone using a classic Mog for what it was built for, would be a shame to keep it locked away gathering dust. impressive twist between the axles, I've never seen a modern one be able to twist so far.

[@totilsom]

Dan Dreher what kind of mods have you made to it? We have 3 belgium Mogs and would like to know. Tks - killer video!!

[@dansflb]

+totilsom Sorry, I don't get on here often. Here are the stats: This is a 1956 Unimog 404. It has a stock motor, in a stock frame, running a stock transmission, stock crawler gears, stock portal axles. Everything 4x4 is stock. The only things not stock are: softer springs & shocks (Front springs are TJ Rear 4 1/2" Coils Rear springs are Aerostar 3/4 ton Rear van springs, Shocks are Fox gas shocks) back half of the sheet metal, the roll cage and the tires and wheels (Custom beadlock wheels & 39.5" BFG Krawler Red Labels.) It has a rear storage compartment for tools, and I converted it 12v. So I have one battery running the essential components to make it run, and a second battery running the accessories. It also has a solar panel to charge both batteries. Lastly I ended up bending my steering control bar so I replaced it with a heavy duty one as well as my rear Axle control links. Let me know if you have any other ?s I will try to reply in less then a year :)

[@totilsom]

Thank you so much Dan, no worries at all. In EU they usually swap the original petrol engine for the Mercedes 300D diesel engine (better for Sahara expeditions..). However we try to get the original petrol engines a put an LPG kit, so it runs cheap on the road but has the kick in the field! I see a lot of Americans put the gas shocks, they sure look amazing and enhancing the Mog performance. Have fun out there, cheers

[@dansflb]

I thought about the LPG conversion, I just recently converted it to 12v for out here. It is a lot easier. There is a guy in Oregon who put a V8 into a 404. The build is on the mog forum on www.pirate4x4.com Pretty cool build, that is what I will do if my motor fails one day!

[@totilsom]

Dan Dreher we tend to stay clear of V8´s and such in Mogs in Europe - the car has no need for such power whit the trial/mud/rock climbs we do "slowly but surely" and there is nothing it doesnt crawl. However I know that in US and Australia V8ºs are a thing.. so yeah why not :) The LPG is really good, you save tons of $$$ )yet another reason to stay clear from V8ºs) however with the older petrol engines you need to have the air intake type and the only issue they have is that on very steep hills sometimes there is not enough gas reaching the engine/air intake and there is a significant power loss or even engine shut off, I have no idea why this is, but with the newer engines with injection LPG it rolls fine.

[@mibars]

Massive torque on wheels with this gearing... Moving huge rock at 1:30 with ease, crushing rocks with rubber tires at 3:46... Are those axles made of unobtanium or what?!?

[@jrstow86]

Only benzo I would ever want to own

[@siqwon]

That thing is a beast!

[@HamodiBlackOps]

I LOVE YOU GERMANY AND I LOVE YOUR CARES......

[@alansmlth7989]

Wow ,impressed.

[@V2FRANK]

Realy great video !!!

[@dougbourdo2589]

A real rock crusher

[@Spar6tan9]

I' ll stick the with Unimog when Armaggedon comes...

[@roman2787]

My dream car

[@LCdrDerrick]

'Universal Motorgerät' (Unimog is just an acronym like Humvee) means almost the same as Multipurpose Vehicle. Else than the Hummer it has been built for agricultural, landscape conservation and road mending purposes in the first place and soon got adopted and beloved by the army, alpine rescue services and municipal utilities, while the farmers sooner or later forgot about its tractor skills. But there is another little difference. While the Humvee is an unreliable, thirsty and chunky repair shop dweller, built with the poorest thinkable understanding of quality and craftsmanship, the Unimogs are really tough and sturdy. It's the Mauser '98 action's vehicle equivalent.

[@liviopeluffo5149]

LCdrDerrick

[@franktechmaniac7488]

LCdrDerrick love your thoughts on the Humvee, they are so true.

[@schwags1969]

good crawl man.