Dude. Wowza. Where to even begin? Modern SUVS are too soft and plushy… Naw, too obvious. Look, this is one of those rare vehicles where if I had the cash (or a high enough credit limit) I’d buy it now, sight unseen. That’s a 1955 Mercedes-Benz Unimog 404.111. An odd, shorter version of the Unimog 404 used primarily by the French military. The wheelbase is 106″ instead of the usual 114″. That’s only eleven inches longer than a Jeep Wrangler’s. This ‘Mog’s owner took it a step further and cut seventeen inches off the rear of the frame for nearly zero over hang. He mentions that there’s no gun rack, map light or heater. It has windshield wipers but he never installed them. There’s a top but he doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like the windows, either. The 2.2-liter diesel 6-banger only makes 88 hp (but probably 700 lb-ft of torque) but it’s hooked into this, “The transmission has been upgraded with a set of crawler gears. This changes the 6 speed, 2 reverse into an 8 speed with 2 reverse, with a final low range of over 350:1. It’s really slow, but the tires will not stop turning.” Still not impressed? Check out the 20,000 lbs engine driven winch and snatch blocks. Seriously, kiss your Truck Nutz goodbye. Full specs after the jump. And thanks to Bushwhacker for the link. [Source: eBay Motors]

Mercedes Unimog 404 & equipment trailer, Low milage, Rare, Rockcrawler, Winch.

This is a 1955 Unimog 404.111 with 13,532 km (8,408 m) on it. It is a rare model 404, that it was only made in ‘55 and ‘56. What makes it different is the wheelbase being only 106″ versus 114″of all the other models, great for offroad. This is comparable to an early model chevy blazer. It’s wider than a jeep but more narrow than a full size. This model is simpler than the many other models. It does not have a heater or any other accessories like a map light or gun rack. It does have the rare safari windshield that not only folds down but opens in 3 positions to allow air to flow in over the hood for air conditioning. I’ve also equipped this with a custom made snorkel, with all the vent lines plumbed into it. I’ve driven it in 5 feet of water with no trouble.

The engine is stock with the exception of a pertronix electronic ignition. This is an inline 6 cylinder, 2.2L gas engine, roughly around 84hp. It will not set any land speed records. It will run happily at about 30mph, flat ground, will top out around 55mph. There are other motor upgrades that can be done, but I have found it performes great the way it is.  I only use it for offroad. 

The transmission has been upgraded with a set of crawler gears. This changes the 6 speed, 2 reverse into an 8 speed with 2 reverse, with a final low range of over 350:1. It’s really slow, but the tires will not stop turning. Like all the other 404s, it can be run in 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive with locked differentials. Meaning that all 4 wheel turn at equal speed with out slippage.

The steering is the stock manual steering. It is not that difficult to turn but can get a little tough when sitting on a real tight trail. I did replace the steering box with a rebuilt one from Expedition Imports. This is the only thing I’ve had fail on this truck, and it appeared to be from an earlier poor repair, a weird fluke. The truck has never failed me on the trail.

I have also added the Power Take Off unit, which allows power to be taken off the transmission to run other mechanical accessories. It does not have a shaft to the front (could be added easily), but only a custom made driveshaft to the rear, powering a 20,000lb Braden winch. Winch is wound with 200′ of ½” cable and is capable of holding over 500′. It will pull out almost anything, especially with the help of the snatch blocks that I’m including with this package. An original Mercedes pto winch can be easily added to the front.

The axles are stock portal with about 18″ of ground clearance under the pumpkin. Brakes are hydraulic drum brakes and work amazing for what they are.

The bed and frame have been modified. The bed has been narrowed, shortened and rear corners taken off. The frame has been shortened 17″ off the rear, still keeping the original hitch. Bed and floor of the cab are coated with herculiner rubber bedliner. The battery box was removed and both batteries mounted above the frame rail, out of the way. The fuel tank was removed and a custom 16 gallon tank added recessed into the bed. The reason I placed the winch and fuel tank at the rear was to better balance the truck, which it now is. Under the bed, above the frame is an aluminum air storage tank. It currently is set up just to hold air with a hose connection, gauge and Schroeder valve to fill it. My plans were to add a compressor. I also have a custom made 2″x3′ stainless steel exhaust tip that is not yet installed, that is designed to rotate up through the bed, using a special quick release clamp, so as to keep it out of water in those deep water crossings. There is a slot between the fuel tank and bed for it to do this.

The rear suspension has been modified with soft long travel springs, matched with 14″ bilstein racing shocks, using a u-joint style mount and air bags that are there only for compression. The air bags are not fastened to the axle, only the frame, allowing for full drop with out stress on the bags. They are rated for 2600lbs each and will adjust the ride height by 13″. They are aired up and down manually at each bag. The front suspension is less modified, using the original rear springs to add a 2″ lift and stock shocks. This truck can really twist up.

I added a roll over protection bar behind the cab, of which I was planning on doing an external cage around the body. This bar is over kill. It is constructed of 2×4 rectangular tubing, 3/8″ wall. It is fastened to the frame with 1″x5″ grade 8 bolts with a 2 1/4″ collar to form a hinge, fastened to the frame with ½” steel plates. Like I said, “over kill”. The reason for hinging it is, the original design of the Unimog allows the frame to twist up to 30 degrees, allowing for more suspension travel. The body is actually mounted with a hinge, center front, and two mounts in the rear to allow the body to ride above the frame with out it being effected by the twisting motion. So I mounted the bar so as to keep true to this.

The cab is mostly original, other than the bucket seats and 4 point harnesses. I have a top for it but the canvas is in really poor shape. I personally don’t like having the top on. I also do not have the pop on door windows.

The tires are a Goodyear ag tire, a little under 40″ tall and over 11″ wide. R1 tread, very deep and in good shape. These tires work amazing in every condition but deep sand. They are incredible in the mud and rocks. It’s been through Sledgehammer in So. Cal and 21 roads out of Grand Junction Co. in Dec.  I also have a brand new BFG ag tire the same size mounted for spare. These are not a cheap tire, the set of five cost me around $2500. I also have the original Nato tires to go with. They are in good condition and work surprisingly well offroad.

I’m also including a spare complete engine with a near new clutch, a spare transmission, spare Braden winch that matches the other (slightly different in model but direct replacement), spare carb and a half of a carb, along with a bunch of other parts (new and used), a shackle, a 14′ long by 5/8″ military chain with hook and loop, 100′ of nos 9/16″ winch cable, 150′x1/2″ choker/extension winch cable, the two snatch blocks in the photos (double sheave monster block that ways over 100 lbs and a 12t single sheave snatch block) using both of these you can pull up to 80,000 lbs (not recommended) but I did pull out an old stuck dozer with it.

I’m also including a 2005 Carson 16′ equipment trailer with ramps and tie downs. This trailer is rated for 10,400lbs. It has electric brakes on one axle and a 2 5/16″ ball receiver.  It also could use some new paint, the leading edges took a beating from driving through Utah after they put sand down.  I am trying to sell this as a complete package, that is ready to go, just hitch up and drive away, but am willing to separate if necessary.

Note: This truck was made over 50 years ago. If your looking for something with luxury and creature comfort, this is not for you.  But if you want a vehicle that will get you in and out of almost anywhere, this is it.  It is extremely simple to work on, extremely reliable and parts are readily available.  

Must sell, moving.  Selling off all my toys.  I also have a Honda xr250r and xr650r for sale. 

Pros:

Short wheel base

Crawler gears ($1900)

Pto ($150)

Pto driveshaft ($1050)

Ag tires ($2500) There now selling for $670 each

2 Winches and cable ($1000)

Spare engine ($500)

Spare Trans. ($500)

Spare Nato tires ($400)

Spare parts ($700)

Registered and licensed for street in Ca.

Snatch blocks ($300)

Military chain ($80)

Spare cable ($150)

Bucket seats and harnesses ($300)

Trailer ($2500)

Spare clutch ($300 new)

Cons:

It needs a knew paint job, does have minor rust, mostly surface, nothing serious.

Electrical is all original, I know the turn signals are not working.

No good canvas top.

Needs new temp gauge.

E-brake needs some adjusting.

Windshield wipers included, not installed.