(SOLD) 1981 Unimog expedition camper for sale, $72K obo, Death Valley, California

Kevox

Member
Selling my 1981 Mercedes Unimog U1300L expedition camper. This was imported and built up by a talented marine engineer starting around 2000, with the goals of simplicity and bomb proof ruggedness. I have owned it for 2 years but my circumstances have changed and my needs are now different. I planned to retire last Spring and travel the Pan American, but now I am working for 2 more years and have an extra adult dependent to bring with us. Below is the original ad from the original builder/seller:


"We are selling our 1981 U1300L camper that we have owned for 19 years. A custom built aluminum box on a ex-military chassis, the house is made from one piece 7'x12' aluminum 6061-T6 1/16" thick sheets with 1.5" aluminum honeycomb epoxied bonded and riveted with 1.5" square aluminum tubing at all edges. It is in perfect running order but we have moved on to other goals in our life. It has been long love affair with this vehicle.
It presently has 96,700 km. It has a stock 8 speed manual transmission, 6 liter, 6 cylinder diesel with mechanical injection, 150 hp. Shift on the fly 4WD and fully lockable differentials and signature Portal axles. Cruise speed of 55 mph at 2500 RPM, 12 mpg. Delivery to western USA is possible. WA registered.
Many upgrades to the cab and chassis including



  • High speed axels (by Mross Unimog, Canada)
  • All new hub seals (by Mross, zero leaks)
  • Koni Shocks
  • Custom cab to house opening thru cab aft wall, easy pass thru.
  • 12,000 lb hydraulic Mile Marker winch
  • Hella driving lights
  • Custom tool box
  • Michelin XZL 365-80R20 tires with 40,000 miles.
  • Second OEM fuel tanks on OEM brackets to increase fuel to 320 liters
  • Two OEM jerry can racks for 40 liters fuel plus 40 liters water
  • 40 gallon stainless steel water tank
  • 20 gallon gray water tank plus 10 gallon black; both lead to macerator pump discharge
  • Air ride seat supports
  • Heated, electric leather seats
  • Sound deadening and new headliner in cab
  • New windshield

Upgrades to the Engine including:


  • OEM turbo installed (2008)
  • Electric Fan Engineering 24VDC electric engine fan to replace belt driven fan
  • D-Celerator Diesel engine exhaust brake (2008)
  • Auxiliary engine gauges for boost pressure, Exhaust gas temp, separate fuel gauges
  • Auxiliary 12V alternator in addition to the stock 24 V
  • Clutch replaced 2008
  • New water pump (2019)

House features include:


  • Nova Kool DC refer
  • SeaLand 2 burner stove and oven
  • Suburban 16kBTU Propane forced air heater
  • Two 10 gallon aluminum propane tanks
  • Safe welded to frame
  • AC charger for house batteries
  • Two 80 watt solar panels and solar charge controller
  • Blue-Sea power panel for both AC and DC, marine grade
  • Storage lockers built around flip top bins
  • Suburban 10 gallon hot water tank, AC or propane heat (new 2019)
  • Filtered, pressurized water
  • Marine drop-style toilet
  • Full shower
  • Full width bicycle locker for two bikes
  • Motorcycle carrier with electric winch recovery, suitable for small dirt bikes
  • Marine roof hatch allowing ready access for sleeping on rooftop
  • Spare tire davit uses motorcycle winch and custom aluminum davit

  • Condition:Used
  • Year:1981
  • Make:Mercedes-Benz
  • Model:UNIMOG
  • Class:Class C
  • Location:Leavenworth, WA
  • Mileage:61,000
  • Fuel Type:DIESEL
  • Engine Type:6
  • Sleeping Capacity:2
  • Length:22
  • Engine Manufacture:Mercedes OM352
  • Water Capacity:40
  • Exterior Color:Desert Tan
  • Interior Color:Cherry wood
  • Price:$66,000"

The Mog now has 107490 km (67181 miles). I have been working on it to get it ready for expedition travel and we did a 10 week Baja road trip in it which was fun. The updates include:
4 New Continental MPT81 365/80R20 with 1000 mile on them ($3400).
2 new Optima red top start batteries ($450).
New radiator from Atkinson Vos ($500)
Additional 280w Renogy solar panel and charge controller ($400).
New tie rod and new dust boots for ball joints ($400)
New brake pedal valve (200).
New starter (200)
New vinyl plank flooring ($200).

We took the kitchen and bathroom apart to properly install the flooring. It is back together with the exception of the bathroom which is in progress. We were changing to a cartridge toilet and a simple van life stow away shower set up, but it can easily be reverted to the wet bath type it had before. The tanks are still in place and easy to hook back up. Not many places to drain a blackwater tank south of the border...With the fast axles it will cruise at 62-65 at 2500 rpm.

Known issues:

It needs a new windshield. If I have time to get it to Vegas, there is a place there that can custom make a windshield for it. Expedition Imports in Vallejo CA has them also.
The aftermarket engine brake sometimes loses power due to a slightly loose plug on the circuit board. With 8 gears, I never really used it, but it is nice to have.
It blows a little blue smoke on start up and going up steep hills. It runs strong though. It should have a valve adjustment followed by a compression test prior to setting off on a round the world trip. It uses some oil but not much if I don't push it too hard. 55mph-minimal...65-68mph more...
I will post build photos and builder photos in this post and the next
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and then some current photos in a follow up post.
 

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Last edited:

Kevox

Member
More builder photos:
 

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Kevox

Member
And more...
 

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Kevox

Member
Some current ones...We are having almost daily dust storms here so apologies for it not being detailed...It is located about 3 miles from Furnace Creek (Cow Creek employee residential area).
 

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workerdrone

Part time fulltimer
Construction method...
I'm not familiar with this, the walls are entirely aluminum including the honeycomb? Or is it well insulated with attention to cold bridging - how would this rig be in the winter, say sub-zero conditions?

Cool rig.
 

Kevox

Member
I'm not familiar with this, the walls are entirely aluminum including the honeycomb? Or is it well insulated with attention to cold bridging - how would this rig be in the winter, say sub-zero conditions?

Cool rig.
The builder focused on lots of cross ventilation/fans for warm climates I think. We have stayed in it at 17 degrees F and the propane furnace kept us warm. They drove it from Deadhorse AK to Honduras. Outside tanks so we brought portable tanks for water. I wouldn't spend extended time in sub zero temps. Not the best rig for that...
 

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