Mercedes Unimog
Make & Model:
1979 Mercedes Unimog U1100 416 DOKA "UNIversal MOtor-Gerät", Gerät being the German word for machine. DOKA being short for Doppelkabine (4 door crew cab) This vehicle is a former Swiss Police Mountain Unit personnel carrier.
Engine:
Mercedes OM352, 5.7 Liter 6 cylinder inline marine Turbo Diesel (Fuel economy 12 mpg)
Transmission:
6 speed forward & 2 speed reverse (1st gear 94.7:1 final drive ratio). Vehicle equipped with fast axles (top speed 68mph, normal cruise 60mph)
Mechanical:
ZF power steering, 4 wheel hydraulic disc brakes with air brake assist, 24 volt electrical system, front & rear hydraulic system, front & rear PTO drives. Torque tube suspension, coil springs, portal axles, front & rear differential locks.
Stats:
Ground Clearance: 19.5 inches under differentials
Tire size: 43 inches (about $400 a piece)
Fuel capacity: 58 gallons (220 liters) Tank Range of 700 miles
Water Fording Depth: 35 inches (we have done more!)
Winch: Superwinch 5 ton hydraulic rear mounted winch
Custom Features:
Onboard hot water shower system (80 gallon water tank, freshwater & filtered)
Vehicle installed Propane camp cooking system
Rear camp gear box & roof mounted bike storage system custom designed
100% LED Lighting including Headlamps & tail lamps for improved visibility, 360 exterior camp LED lights, cabin lighting & dash lights
Aviation Head set system for passenger comfort & communication- linked with SiriusXM radio, iPod, CB & Ham radio
Roof mounted solar panels with Morningstar MPPT charge controller
2500 watt power inverter. On board 24 volt dc, 12 volt dc & 110 ac power supplies
ARB Refrigeration & freezer systems
Extended range custom fuel tank (58 gallons – 700 miles)
Recaro seats, custom headliner & vehicle sound deadening insulation.
Custom designed overhead switch & lighting console
Electronic anti theft system & satellite vehicle tracking. Back up camera system. Dual iPad GPS system & Garmin Overlander
Eberspacher diesel powered cabin heater & battery box pre-heater
Raised air intake & raised custom exhaust system. 3” raised cab to accommodate turbo system upgrade.
Dual 24v battery system with (4-12 volt batteries), Battle Born Lithium Ion house batteries, starter battery isolation control
This Mercedes has been designed & custom set up to be used as a vehicle dependent overland adventure vehicle. It is specifically engineered to endure harsh conditions in Africa, the Arctic & other parts of the world where road conditions are poor & facilities are few & far between.
Unimog Photos
Photos of the 1979 Mercedes Unimog U1100.
Note that one of the unique features of this vehicle is the ability to easily swap out the rear bed for various other options. (See Video Here).
We custom fabricated a rear storage box, complete with a spare tire mount, hot water shower system, an on board water storage tank & plenty of room for our gear. This rear box will be the set up used in the Across The World journey.
A full walk around video is coming before we set outon the trip. For now, here is a (Great Video) shot a couple years back with our friend Jason Koertge from Swellrunner.
The Trailer
Make & Model:
2018 Unimog Xpedition Trailer (UXT 1102). Based upon a Schutt US Military M1102 HMMWV Trailer, designed, fabricated & outfitted completely at Drive The Globe.
Mechanical:
Unitized body construction using aircraft grade aluminum and chromoly steel. Fully independent progressive rate trailing arm suspension, tubular steel axle. All aluminum framed structure with aluminum exterior skin. Extended tongue with locking battery box, tongue storage box & two 20 pound propane tanks. R10 insulated living quarters, sleeps two for extended travel.
Stats:
Ground Clearance: 16 inches under full load
Tire Size: 37 inches, 37x12.50R 16.5 Goodyear MT with run flats.
Electrical System: 24 volt, all led lighting
Maximum rated trailer weight (original spec) 4200 pounds.
Brakes: Hydraulic surge with automatic breakaway actuation
Custom Features:
On demand propane fired hot water shower system with expansion tank, marine 24 volt pump system & full hot & cold sink.
Cassette toilet with self contained black water tank
Vehicle supplied 80 gallon fresh water tank with pick up filter, inline filter & the ability to draw water from tank, river or domestic hookup.
Acuva UV-LED water purification system for clean drinking water conversion
Propex marine heating system. 6500 BTU propane fired , externally vented, multi speed blower fan and thermostat
3000 watt power inverter, on board 24 volt dc, 12 volt dc & 110AC power supplies. Ample USB charging ports
Alu-Cab 270 degree shadow awning
Dometic 65 quart expedition refrigeration system
Grey water tank & ability to hook up to campground sewer ports
3 source electrical replenishment system: 120 volt ac trickle charge connect, solar panel & vehicle alternator
Built in desk & work area for off grid video production
Electronics include: Back up camera system, Sirius XM radio, indoor-outdoor thermometer, remote monitor for vehicle ARB Fridge, Propane gas & carbon monoxide detectors
Redarc charge controller for vehicle to trailer charging
Five 115 watt 24 volt roof mounted solar panels with Renogy Rover MPPT solar controller with Blue Tooth Battery Monitor
Two auxiliary 200 watt P3 Military spec 24 volt solar panels (38 volt at 5200mA)
300 amp hour Battle Born Lithium Ion phosphate battery system at 24 volt (6-12 volt batteries) with Blue Sea battery shut off & Blue Sea fuse block
Sterling Pro Charge Ultra, Global A/C Input & Active Power Factor Correction with 50amp shore power hook up
Dual D/C 60 amp power converters 24v to 12v
360 degree exterior LED camp lighting
Marine grade Interior LED lighting system
Exterior ambient light system, blue tooth controlled and can be programmed to any color combination
Portable Air Conditioning from Zero Breeze
Expedition Trailer Photos
Photos of the 2018 Unimog Xpedition Trailer (UXT 1102)
The trailer was designed, fabricated & outfitted completely at Drive The Globe from a base military M1102 HMMWV Trailer that we acquired new and unused in May 2015 after the US government began releasing them from service. The original acquisition stickers were still on it indicating the government had paid $18,500 for it from Schutt Industries, the manufacturer. Needless to say we got it for pennies on the dollar.
The build took nearly 3 years to complete. The framing and design were the most labor intensive and thus the most time consuming. This is a one of a kind expedition trailer.
The photos are in progress order beginning with current condition first.
Check out the INTERIOR HERE in a video we produced in the Fall of 2019.
Our on board water system for hot showers & safe drinking water is featured IN THIS VIDEO
The Unimog Through The Years
We purchased the Unimog in 2008 to replace the gasoline powered Land Rover Forward Control 101 that we had used as our heavy adventure truck since 2000. The goal was to switch to a diesel power plant for more overseas travel while keeping a similar platform & size. The first trip that the Unimog was built for (Across The Americas (Tierra Del Fuego to NYC) never came together due to a number of circumstances.
Although the vehicle was in excellent shape when we imported it from Switzerland (a former Swiss Mountain Patrol vehicle), work immediately commenced to turn this into a true overland vehicle capable of long sustained periods on the road.
Some of the major modifications include: larger fuel tank with extended travel range, solar recharging system, a new custom storage back box, hot water shower system, upgrade to turbo diesel, super fast axle gearing swap, and of course we painted it our signature Orange color!
Read more about our project Unimog. The links below are from blog entries as we were building the vehicle out.
Rear Body Removed For The First Time
Life In The Fast Lane- Testing New Gears
