Author Topic: Exotic Tow Rig (Read 6191 times)

whiteman · « **on:** Sep 11, 2006, 09:38:32 AM »

I have been researching Mercedes Unimogs for a few weeks, unfortunately they are so scarce that it is hard to find any info about them. There is one for sale in the local paper and I was thinking about looking into buying it.
The idea of swapping in a Cummins diesel or maybe a Cat motor, to make it a tow rig sounds awsome. My main concern is if the axle's can hold up to that kind of power. The truck is rated a 3 ton but the motor only makes 120hp. Any thoughts?

reklund5 · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 11, 2006, 09:45:25 AM »

Dude...you almost can't break Mog axles. They're HUGE portal axles- look at the mercedes section on Pirate and read away...

Ryan

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 11, 2006, 10:56:55 AM »

120 hp in a diesel is like 500hp in a gas v8

as long as that cat isnt a 500hp, 1500lb torque 14liter you'll be ok

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 11, 2006, 08:27:05 PM »

He, he, mogs we got two in our club. indestructable!

burnyota · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 13, 2006, 03:11:01 PM »

just fix the mercedes engine and run the hell out of it...there are plenty of parts, be crafty..if you want a Pinzgauer, i can help you out no prob. There are also a ton of unimogs here in TX..

Weldo · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 14, 2006, 08:37:38 AM »

Quote from: 79Coyotefrg on Sep 11, 2006, 10:56:55 AM

120 hp in a diesel is like 500hp in a gas v8

I'll second that. If a diesel makes 120 HP it's probably making like 500 lb ft (or is it ft lb?) of torque. Diesels always make more torque that HP. You know those "Mega Machine" shows you see on the History channel and stuff? They always show some huge bulldozer or an M1 tank or something and say that it has like 400 horsepower. It don't sound like a lot when you consider the weight of the machine, but they don't ever tell you the torque rating, which is probably around 1500 or something.

Hottrod81 · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 14, 2006, 03:22:02 PM »

I would worry about the engine being able to take those massive axles. They are nearly indestructable.

8D3TOY · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 14, 2006, 06:32:30 PM »

Unimogs are crappy tow rigs.

FIREBALL · « **Reply #8 on:** Oct 02, 2006, 07:38:44 AM »

I'd kind of agree. They are a really cool rig, but built to run down the highway they are not.
Running a Cat or a Cummins would be an awesome conversion though.
Mogs were designed to be a tractor that you can run down the road from one property to another and attach many types of implements to. I think running down the highway towing a wheeler would take some serious modification to give it good enough highway manners.

kiyul4130 · « **Reply #9 on:** Oct 04, 2006, 12:21:51 PM »

Quote from: Rocksurfer on Sep 11, 2006, 08:27:05 PM

He, he, mogs we got two in our club. indestructable!

what size tire are they running on them? im thinking 49s would do the job at blowing those portal boxes up. my buddy has that setup but his truck isnt running yet. im a bit skeptical.

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #10 on:** Oct 04, 2006, 04:51:39 PM »

There is suposed to be a maximum speed rating on the gear drives in the hubs. I think it was around 45 mph. That could be higher if you run taller tires.

FIREBALL · « **Reply #11 on:** Oct 05, 2006, 09:22:58 PM »

Yep, but then taller tires than what they come with would really make it a handful as a tow rig.
How bout swapin in dana 60s or 70s with the cummins and using the mog gear for a wheeler. The gearing would be better for the highway and you could run tires that are a reasonable size for a highway speed tow rig.

lilbuddy · « **Reply #12 on:** Oct 05, 2006, 09:54:52 PM »

Quote from: kiyul4130 on Oct 04, 2006, 12:21:51 PM

what size tire are they running on them? im thinking 49s would do the job at blowing those portal boxes up. my buddy has that setup but his truck isnt running yet. im a bit skeptical.

YEah 49s and 500hp should be pretty fun... Isnt that about how much horse hes got runnin in that thing now?

kiyul4130 · « **Reply #13 on:** Oct 06, 2006, 11:36:30 AM »

Quote from: lilbuddy on Oct 05, 2006, 09:54:52 PM

YEah 49s and 500hp should be pretty fun... Isnt that about how much horse hes got runnin in that thing now?

ya but i think hes trying/working on a motor to get near a 1000. i dont think those axles will live. it would have been interesting to talk to the guy at the con with the 49s/mogs to see how his axles liked it.