Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2000 19:57:58 -0800
Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject: Re: Unimogs, was Re: Tristar Prices FWIW
In-Reply-To: <010701c051d8$3c710700$7e7c313f@xtechoem>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I think the Unimogs are great too, but they are great for other reasons than
why we think our Vanagons are great. If you get to drive a 400 series (404,
406, 416 etc) for a while you will find there are a few short comings.
The off-roading and swimming capabilities of these vehicles are second to
none - I can't agree more. I would put the Unimog in the top 5 for *stock*
off road vehicles. Way better than the Hummer that everyone is raving
about! On the road the older Unimogs are a different story. Most, don't
have any sound proofing and you are sitting ON TOP of a straight six that is
revving like a bumble bee TRYING to approach 60 MPH. The 404s are prone to
having their carbs ice up and they have a poor ignition system. The 406s
(diesel) are much better in the engine department, just slower. Because
there is no sound proofing, you will go deaf if you don't wear hearing
protection, and you will cook yourself from the heat generated. The 404
that I drove for about 30 minutes on the highway at -5C was VERY hot inside,
t-shirt weather in there for sure. But, it is one real head turner!
They have their place, but unfortunately they don't belong on the highway
for extended periods of time. The newer versions of the Unimog are leaps
and bounds better than the 400 series, good sound proofing, room for 3
people and highway speeds. But these are all well over $50,000 for a used
one... which means that I won't be getting one soon! The German Army U1300s
are about as close as I will get to owning one at around $25,000. I'll
stick to my VW Iltis - it goes WAY more places than a Syncro ever will and
almost as many places as a Unimog. They are a lot easier to afford in both
initial purchase and parts as well as fuel consumption. The Unimog gets
around 10MPG! Is there a mog in my drive way... not yet - perhaps this
summer I'll have a 404 Radio box and convert it to a camper. It should fit
in well in this redneck town! :)
David Marshall
Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
mailto:info@fastforward.ca http://www.fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
• Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
• Transporter, Unimog and Iltis Sales
• European Lighting for most Audi and Volkswagen models
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Karl M.
Sent: November 18, 2000 7:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Unimogs, was Re: Tristar Prices FWIW
Oh, this is just hogwash. You need to stop reading so much, and drive one.
The Unimog is nothing short of an amazing vehicle! I recently visited a
friend from the list in Pennsylvania, who owns 3 Syncro Vanagons, and 6
Unimogs. I had never seen one in person, and he offered a ride through the
mountains in his 'Mog 406 shorty (diesel), and up his personal 'obstacle'
course, which was a 45~50 degree slope covered in huge boulders. The thing
was loud and slow, but I was blown away by the extreme capabilities of the
machine. Hydraulic-operated diff locks front and rear, big 20 inch wheels
with strange looking military-style tires. He could weave through the tight
trees on his property, over 12 inch diameter logs, huge rocks, you name it,
the machine said 'no problem'. Then we approached the steep slope, locked
the diffs, and I held on REAL tight to anything I could, 'cause this beast
went up and over rocks that would swallow a Syncro whole. Absolutely
incredible! No way in Hades will any Syncro touch the capabilites of these
Unimogs. Oh, I love my Syncro Westy, and have been some tight places with
it, but I WILL own a Unimog some day too, they are a real indestructable 4WD
machine! And have been used for years as military vehicles and serious farm
vehicles/tractors! Not to mention aircraft pullers, backhoes, snow blowers,
etc. etc.
Karl Mullendore
Westy Ventures
1987 Syncro Westfalia 1.9TD
----- Original Message -----
> a chance to buy a 1957 Unimog. It is a working vehicle (not prettified).
> >What is it worth? Anyone.
> >-Larry
> >
> Apparently Unimogs handle REALLY badly, and the independently-suspended
cab
> leans severely in corners, in addition to the chassis' lean! I have read
> that their 4WD abilities are not good either.>
> The NZ "army" (toy soldiers) have them, and I imagine they sell off the
> older ones. No way would I look at one.>
> Stick with Vanagons.
> Andrew Grebneff
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