{"product_id":"mercedes-benz-unimog-404s","title":"Mercedes Benz Unimog 404s","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginally developed in the 1950s for military and government service, the \u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz Unimog 404 S\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts combination of \u003cstrong\u003eportal axles, coil-spring suspension, selectable four-wheel drive, locking differentials, high ground clearance, and a compact wheelbase\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMechanical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Unimog is powered by the classic \u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz M180 gasoline engine\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEngine\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMercedes-Benz \u003cstrong\u003eM180 inline six-cylinder gasoline engine\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately \u003cstrong\u003e2.2 liters \/ 2,195 cc\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOverhead camshaft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater cooled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately \u003cstrong\u003e80–82 PS \/ 79–81 hp\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately \u003cstrong\u003e143–158 Nm of torque\u003c\/strong\u003e, depending on specification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately \u003cstrong\u003e7.0:1 compression ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZenith 32 NDIX\u003c\/strong\u003e dual-throat carburetor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e24-volt military electrical system\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTransmission \u0026amp; Gearing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePower is delivered through a \u003cstrong\u003eMercedes-Benz UG 1\/11-II six-speed manual transmission\u003c\/strong\u003e. Most production 404s use the synchronized version of this gearbox and feature \u003cstrong\u003esix forward gears and two reverse gears\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1st Gear: \u003cstrong\u003e14.93:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2nd Gear: \u003cstrong\u003e8.23:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3rd Gear: approximately \u003cstrong\u003e4.47:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4th Gear: \u003cstrong\u003e2.46:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5th Gear: \u003cstrong\u003e1.52:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6th Gear: \u003cstrong\u003e1.00:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReverse 1: \u003cstrong\u003e20.12:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReverse 2: \u003cstrong\u003e11.09:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDrivetrain\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRear-wheel drive under normal operation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelectable four-wheel drive\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMechanically selectable \u003cstrong\u003efront and rear differential locks\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFront and rear solid axles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePortal axle reduction hubs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate differential reduction: \u003cstrong\u003e3.57:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximate portal hub reduction: \u003cstrong\u003e2.13:1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingle-disc dry clutch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSuspension \u0026amp; Brakes\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoil-spring suspension\u003c\/strong\u003e front and rear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHydraulic telescopic shock absorbers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHydraulic drum brakes at all four wheels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMechanical parking brake\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThis Unimog 404 S\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is in \u003cstrong\u003egood running and driving condition\u003c\/strong\u003e and retains the classic military troop-carrier configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe truck has received several important updates and also retains a number of original military components and pieces of service-history documentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew brakes and brake lines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew tires\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFresh original-style military paint\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal-style \u003cstrong\u003efold-down troop seats\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal removable windows included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Swiss military driver logs \/ vehicle records included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRuns and drives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelectable four-wheel-drive system\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePortal axle drivetrain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFront and rear differential-locking capability\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal military-style cargo-bed configuration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest to collectors, the truck includes its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Swiss military driver logs and vehicle records\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe truck also includes its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal removable windows\u003c\/strong\u003e, an increasingly useful detail on military Unimogs where original cab components are often missing after decades of civilian ownership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKnown Condition Items\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis vehicle is \u003cstrong\u003enot being represented as a fully restored museum-quality truck\u003c\/strong\u003e. It remains an older military vehicle and has several areas that could use attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ecab canopy is present\u003c\/strong\u003e, but the rear seams will need to be resewn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ewooden cargo-bed flooring should be replaced\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe rear\/end portion of the \u003cstrong\u003emuffler and exhaust system is rusted\u003c\/strong\u003e and will eventually require repair or replacement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Proper Cold War Utility Truck\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003eportal axles, locking differentials, coil suspension, and extremely low gearing\u003c\/strong\u003e that remain highly desirable in serious off-road vehicles today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inclusion of the \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Swiss military records, removable windows, troop seating, and military-style equipment\u003c\/strong\u003e gives this particular truck additional character and collector interest beyond a typical civilian-converted 404.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e 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. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gorilla Outfitters","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48982812688576,"sku":null,"price":15999.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/5316\/5760\/files\/CA0DF572-4727-4F1D-A3DE-0272E24C663B.jpg?v=1789479326","url":"https:\/\/gorilla-outfitters.com\/products\/mercedes-benz-unimog-404s","provider":"Gorilla Outfitters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}