NG: The truck with no name

[Joaquin Suave]

Sorry about being tight lipped about my new truck you guys, I've had the rug pulled out from under me a few to many times in my life. Well...

The new truck has been safely delivered into the Hacienda so I now feel that i can talk about it.

Her designation is NG 1419, and that means this...Her gross vehicle weight is 14 metric tons and her horsepower is 190. Her year of manufacture is 1982 (oddly, same year as my Ford F700 & Jeep Scrambler).
The truck was built as an EXTREME pressure washer and owned by general electric for pressure washing large turbine generators (like for dams and powerplants). I was told that the truck had been shipped all over the world to service the turbines, so she is more than comfortable travelling.

So here is the cool thing! The pump was powered by this power-takeoff that is HUGE! bigger that the transfer-case in Casa! Well?...Whos 'to say that i can flip& twist it and use it to drive a front axle????????

The German engineers from the company who made the gearbox, that's who!

Do i believe them? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

So one of my first projects it to pull my new transfer-case (yes I'm an optimest) and "put it under the Scalpel". If it can't be modified, then I'll use the spare Rockwell 226H I have sitting in my shop.

The cool thing is the PTO was setup as the tranfer-case engage button on the dash (just like a 4x4).

I have an front drive axle in my backyard that I could use, however my "BIG 4X4 driveline" friend/Guru has 6 ton / 10 stud-hub front drive axle he is going to sell me for a song (he should, I traded him a cement truck sized t-case for ring / pinion's for my Jeep!), So I'm going with his axle. I'll give the axle a "lot of lov'in", possibly fitting it with HONK'EN dics's.

More info to follow!...Time to go fire up the plasma torch!

Here is some pictures.

The quiver:
http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/da_quiver.jpg

The cab interior is in really good shape( after a bunch of scrubbing ):
http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/ng_dash.jpg

This may not look like much, but is is a "bad-***" axle.
http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/fnt_axle.jpg

[mike h]

Best of luck with the new project... but I really want to know more about the unique blue truck with the car grafted in the top! That rocks!

[jgolden]

Looks like you have your work cut out for you.

Nice Rigs!!!!

James

[mountainpete]

This could be a really cool build :wings:

[2004ej]

What about that jeep with what looks like a VW camper top on it???

[Joaquin Suave]

I was expecting to have pictures of my "diamond" a little less in the rough by now, however the plasma cutter was on the fritz. I'll be getting the repair parts today and hopefully be removing the tank this afternoon.

Thanks for the the encouragement guys!

Here is a link to the page about Casa Azul:
http://www.overlandhardware.com/ca-specs.html

Here is the ExPO thread about my Jeep "Mayahual":

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1519

Expect more on the NG soon!

[flyingwil]

My wife would kill me if I had a project like that going on! So is that going to be the name, Diamond?

[Joaquin Suave]

My wife would kill me if I had a project like that going on! So is that going to be the name, Diamond?

Debi just rolls her eyes. :rolleyes:

[Robthebrit]

Joaquin,

Thats a big truck, what are your final plans for it? A box on the back or ribs and canvas?

How is performance with 190 horses? What engine does it have, OM366? The inside is indentical to a sbu mog of the same era.

Rob

[Scott Brady]

Name= Casa Smurfa ?

:rockon:

[Joaquin Suave]

"Rob the Mog junkie" wrote(boy am I the one to talk?!?!)

Thats a big truck, what are your final plans for it? A box on the back or ribs and canvas?



I'm not quite sure what my plans are yet. Ultmately I'd like the make her Casa II, but there soooooo much due diligence to be done before that decision can be made.

If I don't opt to put the "Casa Box" on the NG, I might set it up as a rally vehicle then goad / harrass / strong-arm other big "allrad" owners (wink wink, knod knod) into starting a North American Cammion Class Trophy Series.

Or, I might just make it 4x4 and sell it. Then get something else like a 2450 (in my dreams :drool: )

I'll tell you though...It's kind of discouraging how little info is out there on Mercedes trucks, and it looks like I'm going to have to import all the little bits and pieces that I'll need to get her up to snuff. That is if I can even find a junkyard in the EC that is willing to answer my e-mails. Any suggestions wil be GREATLY appreciated.


How is performance with 190 horses? What engine does it have, OM366? The inside is indentical to a sbu mog of the same era.

No, it has a 401 (V-6 non-turbo). It may sound crazy (and rightfully so, because I am), I'm thinking of fitting a Roots blower to it!

The interior of the cab is clean and with very little work and a couple gallons of paint...I'll get the cab looking SHARP! The NG has a NEW transmission and clutch (zero miles) and it came with a butt load of spare parts! NEW brake and clutch cylinders, starter, brake pads, bulbs,filters, gaskets, etc.

The truck also has a Webasto heater!

All for about what I spend buying sushi for Debi and I in a months time!

Regardless, what I do...I'm going to do OK!

[Robthebrit]

Mercedes trucks are difficult to deal with in the US, there are a couple of issues the primary being the 25% import tarrif on tucks and second MB doesn't want to tarnish their image in the US by making a big and dirty cement mixer, US buyers are fickle. The rest of the world thinks of mercedes as a truck company that happens to make good cars.

I get all my mog parts from Jim Ince (Eurotech services international) who mainly deals with Mogs but he can get any mercedes part, car or truck. I'll get you his details.

Rob

[Joaquin Suave]

http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/tank_done.jpg

I think this looks better!

http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/just_cab.jpg

[Kermit]

[IMG]http://www.overlandhardware.com/images/just_cab.jpg

Are you leaving the PTO on? Would make one hell of a blender...

[Joaquin Suave]

I've decided to sell off this truck as either as a complete truck or parting it out.

This is a nice truck with just over 100k km, new clutch & transmission. However it needs love in the paint & body rubber department. All in all, I believe that with some skill & time this could be a great platform for someone that is planning to go out of North America.

I have a MOUNTAIN of spare parts that come with it.

PM me if interested.