Mercedes Benz Unimog 404s

Originally developed in the 1950s for military and government service, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog 404 S became one of the defining European military utility trucks of the Cold War. Built by Daimler-Benz in Gaggenau, Germany, the 404 was designed specifically for mobility over poor roads and difficult terrain rather than highway speed.

Its combination of portal axles, coil-spring suspension, selectable four-wheel drive, locking differentials, high ground clearance, and a compact wheelbase gave the 404 exceptional off-road capability. More than 60,000 examples of the 404 series were produced, with military forces throughout Europe and beyond putting them to use as troop carriers, radio trucks, ambulances, utility vehicles, and general-purpose transports.

Mechanical Specifications

This Unimog is powered by the classic Mercedes-Benz M180 gasoline engine, a water-cooled, overhead-cam inline six closely related to engines used in Mercedes passenger cars of the period, but adapted for demanding military service.

Engine

• Mercedes-Benz M180 inline six-cylinder gasoline engine
• Approximately 2.2 liters / 2,195 cc
• Overhead camshaft
• Water cooled
• Approximately 80–82 PS / 79–81 hp
• Approximately 143–158 Nm of torque, depending on specification
• Approximately 7.0:1 compression ratio
• Zenith 32 NDIX dual-throat carburetor
• 24-volt military electrical system

The low compression ratio and relatively simple carbureted design were well suited to military service, where durability and the ability to operate on varying-quality gasoline mattered more than outright horsepower.

Transmission & Gearing

Power is delivered through a Mercedes-Benz UG 1/11-II six-speed manual transmission. Most production 404s use the synchronized version of this gearbox and feature six forward gears and two reverse gears.

• 1st Gear: 14.93:1
• 2nd Gear: 8.23:1
• 3rd Gear: approximately 4.47:1
• 4th Gear: 2.46:1
• 5th Gear: 1.52:1
• 6th Gear: 1.00:1
• Reverse 1: 20.12:1
• Reverse 2: 11.09:1

The extremely low lower gears are a major part of what makes the 404 so capable off road. First gear functions as a true crawling gear, while sixth gear is direct drive for road use.

Drivetrain

• Rear-wheel drive under normal operation
• Selectable four-wheel drive
• Mechanically selectable front and rear differential locks
• Front and rear solid axles
• Portal axle reduction hubs
• Approximate differential reduction: 3.57:1
• Approximate portal hub reduction: 2.13:1
• Single-disc dry clutch

Rather than positioning the axle centerline directly through the wheel hubs, the Unimog's portal gearboxes place the axle higher in the chassis. This provides significantly more clearance beneath the differentials than a conventional solid-axle truck.

Suspension & Brakes

• Coil-spring suspension front and rear
• Hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers
• Hydraulic drum brakes at all four wheels
• Mechanical parking brake

Unlike many military trucks of the same era that relied on leaf springs, the Unimog's coil-spring suspension provides substantial axle articulation over uneven terrain.

This Unimog 404 S

This example is in good running and driving condition and retains the classic military troop-carrier configuration.

The truck has received several important updates and also retains a number of original military components and pieces of service-history documentation.

• New brakes and brake lines
• New tires
• Fresh original-style military paint
• Original-style fold-down troop seats
• Original removable windows included
• Original Swiss military driver logs / vehicle records included
• Runs and drives
• Selectable four-wheel-drive system
• Portal axle drivetrain
• Front and rear differential-locking capability
• Original military-style cargo-bed configuration

Of particular interest to collectors, the truck includes its original Swiss military driver logs and vehicle records. These provide an unusual piece of surviving military provenance and help preserve part of the truck's service history rather than leaving it as an anonymous surplus vehicle.

The truck also includes its original removable windows, an increasingly useful detail on military Unimogs where original cab components are often missing after decades of civilian ownership.

The combination of the M180 gasoline six-cylinder engine, exceptionally low gearing, portal axles, and coil-sprung chassis makes the 404 considerably different from a conventional vintage pickup or military cargo truck. It was engineered from the beginning to move personnel and equipment through terrain where ordinary trucks struggled.

Known Condition Items

This vehicle is not being represented as a fully restored museum-quality truck. It remains an older military vehicle and has several areas that could use attention.

• The cab canopy is present, but the rear seams will need to be resewn.
• The wooden cargo-bed flooring should be replaced.
• The rear/end portion of the muffler and exhaust system is rusted and will eventually require repair or replacement.

A Proper Cold War Utility Truck

Overall, this is a solid, usable example of one of Mercedes-Benz's most recognizable military vehicles. It can be driven and enjoyed in its current condition while being improved over time.

It would make an excellent candidate for a military restoration, collector vehicle, hunting or property truck, expedition build, parade vehicle, promotional vehicle, or dedicated off-road machine.

The Unimog 404 occupies a particularly interesting spot in military vehicle history. It is compact enough to remain manageable and mechanically simple enough to maintain without modern electronics, yet incorporates engineering features such as portal axles, locking differentials, coil suspension, and extremely low gearing that remain highly desirable in serious off-road vehicles today.

The inclusion of the original Swiss military records, removable windows, troop seating, and military-style equipment gives this particular truck additional character and collector interest beyond a typical civilian-converted 404.

Sold as-is due to the age and nature of the vehicle. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect the truck in person before purchase. Local pickup required unless freight arrangements are made separately.