Darrin's Unimog Stuff
I saw my first Unimog in Yellowstone when I was a wee lad. Barely old enough to play with my Matchbox cars without swallowing them, I knew then and there that I would have one of these impressive machines in the future! Time has taken its toll, I'm older, and now I have four of the buggers. I had five, but had to sell my precious turbodiesel 404 conversion to make way for a couple newer 435.115 chassis. Currently, we have and use a Swiss 404, Case MB4/94 406, and two 435.115 U1300L Unimogs.
First to come was the 406. We were looking for something to use on our ranch and it seemed that this model was about the right size and cost...
It's a 1980 Case MB4/94 Unimog, equipped with 20 speed transmission, two speed PTOs front and rear, and lower PTO-driven high-volume hydraulic pump. We bought it with a Schmidt VF3.LVC snowcutter and an 700 Hr. OM352A turbodiesel to power the cutter.
A lot was required to get it fully functional, like a complete re-wire, brake and parking brake overhaul, injection pump work, new paint, new tires, diff-lock repairs, a front transmission output seal, and a rebuild for the front left final drive box. The dump bed in the photo above was a home-brew unit to work modularly with the Case deck. If you have any interest in this design, please visit the webpage regarding it. To remove the unit, two bolts come out, two bolts are loosened, and with the help of a loader, the box is on the ground.
The main duty for this Unimog was snow removal at the ranch, so we bought a Schmidt MF3.1 plow to complete the package. At the same time we purchased the plow, we also purchased a Case back-hoe, which attaches to the Case deck when the dump bed is removed. If it looks heavy, IT IS!
The backhoe was a really nice addition to the "Unimog Opportunity" as Case called it in their brochures. This is a large backhoe - not what you see as a three-point unit on the back of tractors. The really fantastic thing is the on-road performance of this unit. Even with the hoe attached, 46 MPH is no problem. Below - a shot of the Unimog earning her keep, digging up a broken water line at the ranch...
After attending the 1997 REUNImOggiNg at the Rubicon Trail and having a great time, I bought two more Unimogs. I was shipped a 1963 404.1 VLF hardcab with radio box (!!!WAS FOR SALE - now SOLD!!! Click here to see the old sale page.) and a 1970 Swiss 404.1 troop carrier.
My plan was to keep the hardcab, convert its radio box into a camper, and sell the Swiss 404. Unfortunately, the hardcab had a bad M180 gasoline engine, so I spent lots of time doing my ranch chores with the Swiss. WOW! No more getting stuck feeding livestock! This was great! I could get fence posts into places I'd never dreamed of before, haul water to the farthest reaches of the ranch, and take mineral out to the cows "the short way" in the winter! Needless to say, I kept the Swiss truck, ;-)
The hardcab, on the other hand, sat for two years while I plotted what to do about the engine. It's a long story better left untold (on this page, anyway...) I finally decided to convert the truck to turbodiesel power. Follow the link below to read all about it. WARNING! Lots of pictures! If you've got a slow connection, please be patient...
Converting the Unimog-S (404.1) to OM617A Turbodiesel Power
Follow along as an ex-Bundeswehr Unimog U1300L becomes an expedition camper...
Unimog
U1300L Camper Conversion
Here's a U1300L I built into a wildland firefighting vehicle...
Follow the link below to my page on converting your original equipment shielded, screw-on spark plug wires to regular snap on spark plugs. I walked out of our local NAPA with NEW spark plug wires AND new spark plugs for about US$15! Learn how to make wires which will screw onto the Unimog's shielded distributor cap and then snap on to commonly available spark plugs.
Many of us "cold-climate moggers" spent a long time looking for a decent internal block heater for M180 engine preheating. Nothing was available through local parts houses nor the factory or independent Unimog dealers. I was having a tough time getting the Swiss truck fired up to feed the cows, so I designed a bolt-in immersion heating system using a standard Chevrolet-sized freeze-plug heater. If you're interested in buying one, follow the link below for details on the kit I sell.
Details of the Unimog Immersion-Element Engine Block Heater
Some photos from RMM2000 at Lake Owen, in Southern Wyoming. Here, you'll also find a short MPEG movie of the turbodiesel 404...
RMM2000 - Rocky Mountain Moggers Y2K Rendezvous
I get many inquiries regarding the dump bed I fabricated for our 406's Case Deck. Here's some insight...
A Rear Tipper for the Case MB4/94 Unimog
