Archives for posts with tag: truck

VW LT 4x4 • WCXC

Here’s something I’ve never seen before: a Volkswagen LT 45 DoKa 4×4. Think of it as the commercial truck version of the Vanagon Syncro. This one hails from BC, Canada, and has been given the off-road treatment with bull bar, snorkel, and front and rear winches. It looks quite capable.

The one featured here is not for sale, unfortunately, but check out the linked page for lots of info about the truck and the mods that were done.

According to sources on Wikipedia, the VW LT has existed in 4×4 form since 1985, so finding one for import under the 25-year rule (currently 1989 or older) is a possibility.

Link:
1993 Volkswagen LT 4×4
Wikipedia: Volkswagen LT

VW LT 4x4 • WCXC

We all know about the Unimog, but have you heard about Mercedes-Benz’s other tough truck offering, the Zetros? The Zetros is Mercedes’ answer to extreme-terrain hauling. Do you need to transport a mobile generator to a remote job site or haul ten tons of scientific equipment down a road scratched into the Alaskan wilderness? If so, this is your truck.

The Zetros is available in either 4×4 or 6×6 configurations. Both versions are equipped with a massive 7.2-liter, inline-6 diesel that floods the drivetrain with a mind-bending 959 lb-ft of torque. The differentials lock. The tire pressure is adjustable on the fly. A single axle can carry 9 tons of load.

What if you need all of that hauling ability to carry luxurious living quarters over any conceivable terrain? Well, it can do that too.

More photos of one of those trucks after the jump.

Thanks to our friend Mas for the tip!

Links:
Car & Driver
: Ultra-Luxury Mercedes-Benz 6×6 RVs Tackle Mongolian Wilderness

Mercedes-Benz Zetros Web Special

Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz Zetros

Read the rest of this entry »

01414_9anf8epzaG2_600x450

Imagine Dr. Frankenstein pulling the sheet off his creation and, instead of recoiling in horror, people stood back and said, “Huh… He looks good.”

Well, somewhere under a full moon, in a strange lab in Germany, a dead Type 2 T3 Westy was dissected and grafted on to the back of a living, 1965 Unimog 404 (with a 6-cylinder, gas engine, and a six-speed, manual transmission). It was given twin 33-gallon fuel tanks, a 24-volt, 140-amp alternator, six Hella 4000 driving lights, olive green paint, and a full exo roll cage.

You might think cutting the face off of Volkswagen bus and grafting it onto a Unimog might lead to a horrible freak of nature, but no. This thing actually looks good.

OK–sure. You can’t look too closely. The interior looks like a velour-covered, Unabomber shack. And the roof-top tent has got some tears. But the asking price is $18,500! You can’t get a normal Westfalia Syncro for that. Or a normal Unimog, for that matter. This is both!

Other things to know: 25,000-lb. PTO winch with 300 feet of cable, on-board air compressor, 34,000 kms on the clock. Find this thing in South Chula Vista, near San Diego and the Mexican border. $18,500!

More photos and original ad text after the jump.

Thanks to Mas for Spotting this one!

Link trail: Bring a Trailer: Mega Westy > Craigslist: Custom Mercedes Unimog

Read the rest of this entry »

$_57

This 1971 International Harvester Scout 800 is described on ebay as a newly built, running, drivable project vehicle. It’s powered by a Ford 302 V-8 that runs through a 4-speed, manual transmission. From there the power is fed into Dana 44 axles. A new Holley carburetor can be found atop the 302. Up front there’s a working Ramsey PTO winch.

The truck wears new paint and a custom rollcage and hood. A top is available. The seller states that there isn’t much in the way of an exhaust so it’s loud. With an unmuffled V-8 that might be an understatement.

This truck is located in Chewelah, Washington. There are about 5 days left on the clock and bidding currently stands at $5,005 with an unmet reserve.

More photos after the jump.

Link:
1971 International Harvester Scout on ebay

Read the rest of this entry »

57-0

There’s only one day left on this Mat Tracks-equipped Pinzgauer 710M. The seller states the Mat Tracks alone are a $35,000 upgrade. The tracks would make this truck unstoppable in deep snow. The original wheels and tires are said to be included. Paint is also said to be new. Mileage: 50,000 (km, I’m assuming).

The truck is listed on ebay with a Buy-it-now price of $27,500, and is located in Marathon, Florida.

More photos after the jump.

Link:
Pinzgauer 710M for sale on ebay Read the rest of this entry »

b_170658

I just spotted this Volkswagen Type 2 Double Cab flatbed pick-up on Craigslist. I’ve always had a soft spot for these drop-side trucks. According to the ad it’s had some interior work done and it looks to be in good condition. The ad doesn’t state the engine type but this generation came equipped with engines ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 liters.

The truck is located in the San Francisco Bay Area with an asking price of $15,800.

Link: Craigslist

storakey

This thing has saved me a couple of times now. Other times it’s just convenient. I used to have a spare key hidden in an old Altoids tin, Gorilla taped to the top of the trailer hitch and hidden in the bumper. That was fine for emergencies. It was completely invisible but getting it out was a pain. So was re-installing it.

Then my friend Greg told me about this thing. It’s called the Kiddie Stor-a-Key. Not a great name but it works. A strong magnet will attach it to any number of points on your truck. Even if it’s found, the three-digit lock will keep potential thieves busy.

Best of all it’s about $10 on Amazon. Some people there pan it in reviews but I think it’s a good product. Yes, you change the combination with the lock closed—that was one reviewer’s gripe—but you need to know the combination in order to do so.

One caveat. It may not fit modern, key-fob-type keys. If you’ve got an old-school key like me though, you’ll be good to go.

smart_car_vinyl_1st_edition_by_robcis-d3j8w1c

I drive about 20,000 miles per year and my 1995 Mitsubishi Montero gets about 18 mpg. At current gas prices, which hover just over $4 per gallon in my neck of the woods, that’s a fuel bill of about $4500 per year.

I recently saw that Smart Cars are available for lease for $99 a month. This got me thinking. If I leased a Smart Car, which gets about 36 mpg, and drove it most of the time, say 18,000 year, at current gas prices the fuel bill would come to $2025 per year. Add in $1200 for the lease, and $450 for the remaining 2000 miles of fuel for the Montero and the total is $3675. I’d come out almost a $1000 ahead for the year, use less gas, and save wear and tear on the truck to boot.

If we weren’t buying a sailboat, I’d seriously consider it.