Unimog 404 bus conversion

[alpine44]

I would measure a body from a small Uhaul truck with "mom's attic" and see whether that fits over the cab. Front of the box can be mounted against the cab rear wall and supported with a beam and mounts very close to the rear cab mounts. Rear of the box supported by a cross beam that is supported with a bearing in the center of the frame rails.
Once I get out of the hot tub, I'll post some pics of high-end overland mogs that are holding the body in the same fashion to allow frame flex.
Basically, the rear of the cab and front of box have two rubber bearings that keep fixed distance with both frame rails. Front of cab and rear of box articulate.

[alpine44]

Just thinking about another option to increase off road capabilites:
Build a rigid, nested pop-up box from scratch. Military has something similar for the LMTV to keep height and CG within reason while allowing stand up when parked.

[alpine44]

Can't find the pictures right now.

Here is an ugly sketch of the articulating rear support:



Here is an example of the pop-up box

https://youtu.be/mUVPdW5jTeE?t=40

[joeblack5]

Thanks alpine44, yes that kind of swivel I will use in the back. with a 4 point the vertical location of the swivels have to be in the same axis as the frame actually twist to avoid bind up. Imagine that swivel point a foor above the twist axis then the box above the pivot would get a lateral movement during a twist. That would mean that the hard point would be stressed as well. It seems that many of these home grown design have some severe errors. I guess nothing that extra steel and sloppy holes can't fix .. The good info seems to be hard to come by. Lots of heated discussions over at expedition portal.





I bought the giradin body already based on interior height ( 6ft-4"), aluminum sheeting al around, single alu sheet for roof and same width as the 404. It comes with 2003 7.3 powerstroke that i will mothball for spare for my other small bus and 4x4 van. I find that having a spare is the best insurance against brake down of the original. like Murphy is walking away from you as soon as a spare is in place.


How is your project going?
Johan

[Native]

What will you do to mothball the engine?


So now you also have a "spare" frame ... and transmission, and ...

[alpine44]

I just saw that you already bought the Giradin bus. These shorties are amazingly tall.

My progress on the box van conversion has been dismal due to other projects/obligations. I just updated the thread.

[joeblack5]

Yes spare engine and all. The PO gave up the project after they cut the wires and could not get the 7.3 power stroke started again. Will see what it takes when it is here. I have ford van 4*4 with a 7.3 and a our small bus with a 7.3 . so a spare is welcome. The PO gutted the bus already. To bad for all that work they put in. It is a NY bus so plenty of rust.

After I take the shell of I will just push it back with a rubber roofing over it and take what I need when I need it. Mothballing red neck style.

[joeblack5]

After pressing our daughter a little more she came up with this. the safaribus.
Pretty much to scale.. The bus has two doors for the emergency.. Cutting one section of and it becomes like this. The rest is artists rendering.


The PO after hearing about our plans with their bus were so nice to take a nice perpendicular picture that was good to experiment with.


The actual bus should be arriving tomorrow late afternoon.


Johan

[Ronnie]

That does look like a good fit. Nice to have an artist in the family.

[joeblack5]

Today I worked on the bus demolition. Lot of the wall and ceiling were already removed by the previous owner. I removed the front panels above the driver.. There are rivets there that attach the shell to the windshield frame.


The insulation was in decent shape but I plan on sprayfoam.


Tomorrow I will see how the floor is connected. Probably use the grinder.

[ol trunt]

Looks like fun to me!
jack

[joeblack5]

Hi Jack, fun it is, Yesterday I took out a lot of rivets that attach the shell to the E350 cab. Pain to get to. Today I will take the grinder and demo saw an take some shortcuts.
I am still debating on the approach:


-keep wheel wells in place an extend the cab-over section above the driver and shorten the rear.

or
-cutout the first set of windows and move the shell more forward and redo the wheel wells.


Do more measurements today and see if I can come up with a sketch to share an see what some of the master metal workers here have to say.


The other unimog 404.. with the enclosed cab and bed.
Got the brakes overhauled, hope the master brake cylinder holds up since that is an expensive and complicated part. Now on to the electric, lights etc.





Johan

[EastCoastCB]

You work fast, Johan!

[joeblack5]

Haha, Charlie, thanks to covid. Normally I squander time in the coffee shop, breakfast out, bars. Sponsering the " bored with to much time and money " economy.

However sad and bad for the people affected, we love it, It is very good for getting projects done, less money spent on "frivolous, non essential" activities. ..... but creating something new with ones own hands, ahhhhh, nothing more rewarding then that.


The last couple of months, my hands have been dirtier then normal and my back more hurting then normal.



Need to get this done before I get sick,, then all bets are of.


Be safe my friends, let the stupidity of world pass us by.



Johan

[EastCoastCB]

Its a great time to tackle such projects. Stay safe and well, friend.

[Jocelyn]

No useful info to add, but just wanted to say that this is an incredible project and look forward to seeing your progress!

[joeblack5]

Thanks Charlie, Thank you Jocelyn, as usual progress goes fast in the beginning and slows down when the full complexity becomes visible. Burnout is often the case.



Johan

[joeblack5]

A couple of hours with our oldest daughter. We figured out where and how to cut... See if I can do some more tomorrow. Deconstructing is a slow process.

[Native]

That is just so cool! Keeping the talent in the family!

[joeblack5]

A little of thread but we got the other mog running and brought it home to work on small stuff like lights. So this is not the one for the bus conversion but thought you might enjoy the picture