saddamsnightmare

September 18th, 2008.

Generally the fuel system was so fouled up that the carburettor and fuel pump had to be rebuilt (new Mercedes Benz units were applied in February to try to rectify the cut out problem (Run two miles and cut out due to fuel filter clogging, attempted cleaning the tanks then without dropping them)) so basically we just fitted the standard Unimog/220 Ponton Carb and adjusted it carefully to the optimum power setting. The other work was to retrofit the civillian ignition system to the truck, including a new Bosch distributor, which was then fitted with a Pertronix Igniter system and new Pertronix coil (24VDC still). All the other work was dropping and cleaning out the tanks, replacing the cooling system hoses and coolant, changing engine oil, and replacing all the rubber bellows on the drive train as the originals were dry rotting.
On his units (rock crawlers) they often get electric fuel pumps, electronic thermostats, mods to the drive train lockers, suspension mods, conversion to 12VDC , roll cages and when he is done they're somewhat Unimog and very much Mel Gibsonish MAD MAX vehicles..... mine was just a straight tune up and clean out.... The UniRoyals are a German/Belgian Army design, block lug off road tire that is used on the later NATO vehicles, I suspect some of the mileage increase may be due to increased diameter over the Swiss NDT 10.5x20's she had originally, they are noiser on different pavements, I haven't run them in rain or snow, but they are a more aggressive tread design then the usual NDT's, but either design (old Swiss or new German) looks like they would handle wet roads better then the old US NDT's my deuce currently has on her...
I would suspect that a lot of the rock crawlers end up with either an injection system in place of the carb, or more modern carbs and manifold set ups, but my machine is to be kept as military as possible, and I am currently considering taking her out of the Woodland green NATO paint that is on her and restoring her to the Swiss Semi-Gloss OD that is still evident in the cab. The handling differences between the deuce and the Unimog are considerable, but the Unimog does have a better approach and exit angle set up and a much better ramp breakover angle, as everything is above the bottom of the frame on the Unimog, whereas the deuce is encumbered with the steps, tool and battery boxes, fuel tank and such between the front and No. 2 axles.... I do miss the air assist on the Unimog's brakes, as in traffic the unassisted hydraulics can be rather tough to use without tiring.
I'll try to figure out how to get pictures of the deuce and Unimog on here shortly, and I am currently working on a conversion plug set up to enable the Unimog to maneuver and tow the M105A2 trailer from the deuce, at least locally.

Once you've had a Unimog, all other 4X4's pale in comparison...(but, if anyone want's to give me a running HEMTT or Unimog U1300L- I will say thanks for the kindness).

Sincerely,

Kyle F. McGrogan

__________________
Cheers,

Kyle F. McGrogan



1971 Kaiser Jeep M35A2 WoW "Saddam's Nightmare" Desert Storm and Vietnam Veteran Deuce and a Half.

1963 Swiss Army Cargo Unimog, S.404.114 Mercedes Benz.

1968 Johnson Corp M105A2 Cargo Trailer.

1967 Hercules MEP023A gas Gen Set "Rev up your C130 Here!".(It went to Perrin Field AFB Historical Society Museum at Dennison,TX.)