LLWB pick-up for expedition vehicle conversion?
Dear all,
There is something that I've been toying with for a while. I need an expedition vehicle for 5 people. I used to have a Defender 110, modified to the hilt (completely stipped and totally rebuilt!) to accommodate myself and my family for our annual month-long treks across Europe (and once the kids get older, Africa and the rest of Asia beckons on the horizon). My issue is the following:
Essentially, the 110 is too small. With 5 to house, too much equipment ends up on the roof and the vehicle weighs in at the max of 3.5 tons. EVERYTHING was modified in the car to make it drivable: suspension, brakes, 2.8 TGV engine, etc, etc,.......
I am looking for a 130 to build up now for overlanding.......herein lies my dilemma........
The recent days here in the UK have just reminded me how drafty my (other) Landy is. I had to give the G to my wife (as the mini isn't up to going through snowdrifts)...so she had the insulated, warm G and I was left with the drafty, heater-on-but-useless, Land Rover.
Which got me thinking. Is there a 130"-equivalent basic 'G' (all mechanical) that I could buy and modify to suit my cause? It might not be as good for the pure off-road stuff as the landy, but is a lot more comfotable, smoother (, basically as slow when loaded) and probably a lot more reliable.
I do like my landy a lot for its sheer offroad capability, cheap running costs and ease to 'fit stuff' into it, but the company is starting to annoy me with assuming that the loyal customer base will always buy what comes off the production line. to mention only one gripe, the leaky roof.....I could go on. I am VERY willing to consider an alternative (have tried Japanese and didn't like any of them by the way, really love my G!).
Any input would be most helpful.
Thanks,
Phileas
Hi Phileas,
I believe extra long wheel base G’s along with double cab pick ups do exist. Just like the Defender double cabs I don’t personally see a huge advantage though. You have security issues if you stick with an open or canvas covered back or you are in to fitting a hard top.
They are rare though, probably ex European military, maybe do a trawl around German eBay or the equivalent of their auto trader.
My suggestion, for what it’s worth, would be to go for an off road trailer.
We have completed extended trips with 6 in our LWB G by using a trailer. Obviously some down sides with towing a trailer but you don’t end up with a compromised everyday vehicle for the 10 or so months when you are not using it for trips. Lots of people in the UK don’t like them but look at the Australians or South Africans, they love them. I know who I would follow :D
Cheers,
Russ
Very rare, although they do pop up occasionally, but for premium money.
Not sure if these ones are original, or modified ones, Double cabs
Fully agree with Russ though, i'd go with the trailer option any day.
Oh, BTW, what makes you say the G might not be as good a off roader as the LR?
You can buy a 3428mm wheelbase G280CDI Swiss Worker, if You know where to ask. But the mechanical parts are very similar to a civilian G320CDI. Has for example a common rail engine or automatic gearbox with steptronic. On the other hand it has some modifications, can run on low quality fuel and is widely used by military, but is far from all mechanical. The last time I asked the price was 73 000 CHF+VAT.
whats your budget, LWB mitsubishi delica with trailer id go for !
Here is a Swiss Worker brochure including the 3428mm wheelbase.
http://www.clubmbf.com/Upload/Catalogues/461_2007_G280cdiWorker.pdf
Also when Your budget is not so big, You can get the older 3120mm(about 123 inches) wheelbase version. They are also much less complicated. You can find mostley former German military ambulances.
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=102709407
Or older Swiss Workers
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?from=list&wl=1&lng=ger&id=...
Hello Phileas,
Below, are possible sites of your interest for your expedition. The first, is an alternative expedition vehicle; larger in size and capable to accommodate to your requirements, in my opinion. You could kit out the interior for most creature comforts.
The second, is a web address of G-Wagen specialists’ who can stretch the basic “G†to your spec. I have seen, only, two examples of a LLWB G-Wagens’. The first, was privately modified, by a “G†specialist, based in Holland. I think, they have now seized trading, or that, they operate under a different name but I, do not have their contact details any longer. The other, was actually done by the Factory, asking price was £60,000 - £80,000. This is going back now four years ago. I have just remembered that there has been another example of LLWB conversion that I have actually seen and this was either a 6 X 6, or a 4 X 6.
The Third, shows examples of The Pinzgaur (Austrian) and Bucher Duro (Swiss) on video.
http://www.4wdonline.com/Bucher/Duro.html
http://www.orc.de//inhalt.php?bereich=Sonderkonstruktion&subnav=15&sprac...
http://video.aol.com/video-search/tag/Pinzgaur
It might not be as good for the pure off-road stuff as the landy, but is a lot more comfotable, smoother
Thanks,
Phileas
(Without causing offence, in light hearted mood); Are you implying that the ‘Landy’ is superior to the “G� I should hope Not! Will the ‘Landy’ maintain traction, momentum or drive, powered by One Wheel? – No. The G-Wagen Can. So, in What way is the “G†Not in the pure off-road category?????? :wink:
I would feel that going for a Pinzgaur in 6 x 6 would be the answer, considering size, cost and off road ability.
Regards
The exLWB Gs do coming up for sale every now again in Europe if you don't mind a LHD. Often used as amublances or fire departments.
When you have lockers, you don't need articulation, be careful when you have a loaded landy, with lockers, you'll snap a shaft !
This one looks like the one You are looking for(3428mm/all mechanical). But again pretty expensive.
http://www.tschiewagon.com/de/mercedes-g-klasse-gelaendewagen/g-290-Womo...
Here's a nice Pinzgauer 6x6 (in a low key colour). Probably less than 200,000 Euros as well !! :)
The G Ambulance chassis is I think the longest chassis produced, I think there are other and better options now and the firm featured in these pics will build you anything on any chassis.
Hi Bill. Thanks for the tip. All these options seem very expensive compared to a LR 130 (they're just so much simpler!....even when modified to the hilt). By the way, noticed that you've got a 350TD. I drove one of these on my last visit to Germany and was totally impressed. However, the engine (although all mechanical - which is a great) seems to suffer from cylinderhead problems. Is this true? I've been truley smitten by my G, but would prefer an all-mechanical vehicle to go on expeditions with. In your view is the 350 a better (especially smoother) vehicle than a 290 or 300TD? I've never driven the latter two. Would be interested to hear your views/Phileas
The 350 is an extremely capable G and in my opinion the pinnacle of the simplicity most hard core travelers seek, the 300gdt is excellent but has all the associated electronic problems the 290 na is ok but grossly under powered the t model is again complex with wet intercooling and again electronics the fly by wire has been a problem and megga money to fix. the position sensor alone runs at 400 squid.
The 350 has suffered from a design fault in the cylinder head and insufficient cooling in Rad and pump size, if you buy one in Germany get one that has been re engined and all the mods done, I did but was unfortunate in that a small mistake was made in assembly that caused the head gasket to blow, Merc Germany accepted an independant report and coughed up 50% toward a new engine with all the mods again. I am still running it in but a drive down to Bavaria was effortless and an absolute pleasure, Heavy snow was no problem, do make sure you buy one with an Eberspacher if you do.
Hi Bill. I'm sold already! Looks like I've found my next exped vehicle (will just have to get a trailer - boo - in order to accommodate the ever-growing kids)........will look in the German pages. Why the preheater by the way, a hound to start?
A lwb G with a roof rack should do the trick. No trouble starting, the pre heater is bliss on these winter trips, pre set timer defrosts heats the truck and the screen wash before you leave the house.
LLWB G just appeared in the for sale section.
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Thanks for all the input and am very interested to have a look.
I've tried the trailer thing, but always find it limiting in terms of what one can do off-road (for example last year we were going up the firebreaks in inland Greece, the slopes were close to 30 degrees and the LR just got up them as they were also badly rutted.....but hugely satisfying to get up!, real white-kuckle stuff). This is entire my fault. Depending on how bad the finances look though, I will definitely keep it in mind. Thanks.
I hope nobody took offense on the offroad ability comment: the LR has a rear 3-point axle which articulates better than the Gs. Also, on all of my landys I always fit ARB locking diffs straight out of the bag, so traction is always at a maximum and more times than not the LR keeps its wheels on the ground more than the G. It was also lifted by 2", double sprung and double shocked in the rear to take the extra weight. Maybe one also just doesn't have as bad a concience to put the Landy through the rough stuff because repairs are cheaper and scratches to the paint don't rust!
I will have a look at the second-hand workers though.
Again appreciate your help.
Phileas