 |
31 Aug 2010
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 40
|
|
|
Sale - Mercedes 917 AF 4x4 Expedition Truck
This truck was purchased by me from a quarry in Germany in September 2009 and driven back to the UK, where it was registered. In Germany it was fitted out as a quarry crew transfer bus with seats, lighting, and heater. The vehicle had a technical derating to 7.49t in Germany prior to my purchase and this de-rating was carried over to the UK registration. It means that it can be drive on a standard car licence and as a ‘technical’ derating there were no modifications undertaken to the truck which means it can be uprated again if required. The plan was to convert the truck into a motorhome and travel to Iceland as a proving trip before taking a sabbatical and driving to Cape Town.
I have spent a number of year researching different trucks, Unimogs, DAFs, etc and this was by far the best for condition, design of rear box, and cost.
Some Specs and Details:
Three Seater Cab
Mercedes 5.9 litre Turbo Diesel (same as unimog and known the world over)
186,000Km (115K miles)
Standard 6 Speed Mercedes main Gearbox (G3/60)
Two Speed Transfer box (High and low range)
Four Wheel Drive,
Diff-locks front, rear and on the transfer box.
Contentinal MPT80 14.5R20 wheels and tyres, good for on and off road.
Air brakes to four drum brakes.
Rear box has a flexible chassis mounting with steel frame and aluminium skin. Box is fitted with a working Websto Diesel Air Heater, lighting, and insulated with polystyrene foam. The internal dimensions of the rear box are 2.3m wide by 4.45m long. The roof is pitched and is 2m at the lowest point and 2.2m at the centre. There are currently 6 windows and 2 skylights fitted, as well as a full height locking access door.
Other equipment as part of the sale:
Mercedes Wis-asra (computer based parts and maintenance manual)
High-toque wrench for taking wheel nuts off.
Tyre inflation hose, runs off air brake compressor.
The truck was given a German MOT in September 2009, which is allegedly stricter than the UK HGV MOT. The truck drove back to the UK without any problems. Average fuel consumption on the 741 mile journey was about 20 mile per gallon.
The truck had some work completed on it prior to my purchase, new leaf springs front and rear, 2 new brake actuator one front, one rear, and a change of oils.
Only two know problem which are both minor, a minor oil leak from output shaft on the main gearbox. I believe it is just a bearing o ring seal that has gone and is repairable without removing the gearbox. The other problem being the road speed sensor on the transfer box. The connector between the sensor and gearbox has broken, this was repaired with epoxy at some point but broken by me fiddling about underneath. Just needs the epoxy taken off and a new connection joint fitted, or re-epoxyed. I was planning to fix the oil seal and sensor when I replaced the flooring in the box.
On import to the UK I was going to MOT the truck and register it as a HGV, but for simplicity I ended up registering it as a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ on advice from the DVLA. After conversion (bed, cooker, table and seat) it can be registered as a motorhome and given a standard car MOT. Currently the SPV road tax is free and vehicle insurance was £170 fully comp.
For an overlander, it needs a bigger fuel tank, water tank, bed, table, and seats, stove and your away…..
You may ask, why is it better than a unimog? Well, it may not have the ultimate off-road capability of a unimog but the engineering is much simpler and similar to local Mercedes 4x4 trucks that work the rough trans African or trans Asia routes. This means spares are available and the bush mechanics know how to repair them. Need I say more… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90tuvuAJKYA …. Mercedes !
Secondly is the cost, it is in very good nick compared to some Unimogs I’ve seen, is cheaper and comes fully prepared with a well build rear box. The aluminium sheet on the side is easy to remove by drilling out the rivets, so you can add or replace windows where you please….
Why am I selling it you may ask, well my house got flooded in Novemeber (I live in Cockermouth) which has restricted the time I had available to work on it over the winter. Now I’ve started a new job with the prospect of working in the United States for a year, maybe two. I can’t take it with me and I now don’t have the time to convert it, plus it’s not going to do the truck any good sat in a farm yard for two years! I’d therefore like to see it go to a good home and get used as intended, Overlanding!!!!
This is why I went for a Mercedes … YouTube - Truck from Al Kofra Libya to Sudan
I estimate that with about £2k invested in equipment and hard graft, the truck will be perfect and worth considerably more when finished. Examples on Mobile.de go for £30K +
Asking Price - £9,000
I don't think for a minute that anyone will buy this off-spec but I live in Cockermouth in Cumbria and the truck is currently stored nearby, viewings by arrangement are more than welcome, just drop me a line, come and view, see if you think it's worth the money.
Ask what questions you like, payment will need to be cash or UK Bankers Draft.
01900 825859 (evenings)
07714 234733
Joshuajrice@aol.com
note: broken window in the picture has been repaired
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
Linear Mode
