Hi
I am currently trying to buy a Mercedes ( Daimler ) Benz 1017A to convert into an Overland Camper.

Most of these vehicles are ex military and come with Standard gearing in the Diffs which is quite low and slow.

Some however came with higher gearing making them faster and more economical on tarmac.

I am trying to buy one such vehicle , but they are very rare.

I had a thought that an upgrade of the diffs on a standard vehicle might be an option

Does anyone know of a good company in europe (preferably the UK ) who would undertake such a task . Im sure its a relatively simple job , but would require both the diffs to be re built with the higher ratio gears .

Thanks for you help

Neil

Hi Neil

As you know we've had good dealings with Atkinson Vos near Lancaster, although they are Unimog only. They do have good links with Merc dealers in Europe, and may also be able to source and fit 1017 parts?

Does the Claas overdrive fit? AV want about £5K fitted for a Mog, but unless you can find second hand parts I would think two new diffs would be more than that?

Atkinson Vos Ltd Mercedes Unimogs - Accessories

Will you put 395 85 R20 as per Bill Caid for more speed too? And more power to suit?

Mercedes 1017A Camper Construction 20100921

Cheers

Jason

Thanks jason, I will ring them

The differnce between vehicles with the standard Diffs and the faster diffs is about 10,000 euro so it might be cheaper to get the upgrade.

The tyres I will use are 385x 22.5 ( standard trailer size )

Havent really looked at the claas overdrive, I would probably prefer uprated diffs , less to go wrong.

Got to get one soon the body arrives in afew months .

Speak soon

Neil

You may or may not know that the Claas is such a quality item that it was factory installed by Mercedes on Unimogs. However, it is likely that the 1017A has a married transmission (to the clutch housing) and therefore the Claas would be un-fittable.
Think hard before you get those tires. 395s usually come with easily dis-assembleable 3 piece rims and are 10% taller than 385/65R22.5s. That might be enough to solve your gearing problem. 395s (XZLs) can sometimes be obtained for 4-600 euros new in Europe.

Charlie

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Unimog U500 w/Unicat

Thanks for the replies

I have tried to contact Atkinson and Voss but I am awaiting that elusive phone call back.

I would probably not consider 395 tyres because of availability.

A good friend of mine has 395's and has major difficulty sourcing them in remote parts where as the 385 / 65 22.5 is a standard size for Artic Trailers so you can always get a tyre. ( maybe not the tread pattern you hoped, but I think you will get out of trouble easier.

I will let you know my findings

many thanks


Neil

The 1017A faster axles (Daimler Benz) have also been fitted on MAN's and probably other Benz trucks (such as 911) too. This German 4x4 forum has a few people who know about 1017A axle details.

Have a 1017A - 1983 (fast axles) for sale currently located in the Netherlands.

Cheers!

Arno

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Arno
Overland by 4x4 truck

Hi Neil

Don't know if its any help but below are the part numbers for the different axle ratios available on my Merc 917. I think its the same axle. I knew I had posted this somewhere and eventually found it on my computer.

The part numbers are as follows:
Front axle



A 383 330 16 39 RING GEAR AND PINION 40:7 This was the ratio fitted to my Vehicle



A 383 330 02 39 “ “ 42:8



A 676 330 00 39 “ “ 43:10 *** This is the ratio you want.



Rear Axle



A 383 350 01 39 RING GEAR AND PINION 40:7



A 383 350 07 39 “ “ 42:8



A 383 350 04 39 “ “ 43:10



There theoretically are a number of other ratios 48:7, 41:6, 39:8 and 38:8 but as these are all much 'shorter' than the others, I haven’t listed their numbers. The parts are bloody expensive, Rear nigh on (UK prices) £1,000 + VAT and the front £1,274 + VAT. However, to give yourself a reasonable speed without red-lining the motor you've no option.

It is quite a tricky job to install the CW/P to set up the correct backlash. However any skilled mechanic should be able to do it. My local independent truck garage did the job easily but sadly the guy has since retired.

Hope this helps

Best wishes

Q

Have you checked mobile.de, I thought the fire engine versions of 1017a came with the fast axles and they were not that much more than the mil versions and some had lower miles. Are you also changing then wheel size to larger tyres and getting rid of the doubles at the back. There is a few builds of these kicking around on various forums very capable trucks for overlanding.

If you are fitting oversize tyres eg larger super singles then you might not want to change diffs as well as you could end up overgearing , not so much at top end but in low gear for crawling/off road etc . JMHO

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Current : 2007 Mowag Bucher Duro 6x6 Motorhome , 2006 Sedici 4x4, 2007 Range Rover supercharged

thanks for all the replies and technical information.

It would appear that only some of the fire engines had faster axles, and some of the ex police or border gauds did as well.

Its a bit of pot luck.

What I now know is that a conversion f required is feasable but could be quite expensive.

Thanks again

Neil

I have now had a reply from Atkinson Voss in the Uk who have been very helpful and would appear to be a good company to deal with

They have said that they can do the job for about £4000.00 fitted.

The parts are £1418.00 per diff and about £1000 to fit. In addition there wil be a set of seals required.

This will upgrade the ratio to 48:7.

I have had similar quote from a German company.

I think this price makes my options broader when frinding a base vehicle for the camper

Thanks for the advice

Neil

48:7 is a very "slow" ratio; 43:10 is much "faster". 48:7 is 20% slower than 40:7.
You need to know your current ratio and it needs to
DECREASE. 48:7 is 6.86. 43.10 is 4.1. Lower numerical ratio is faster.

Charlie

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Unimog U500 w/Unicat