zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Trucks
/
I Dare You To Daily This Ex-American Military Unimog
I Dare You To Daily This Ex-American Military Unimog-February 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:13:07

Image for article titled I Dare You To Daily This Ex-American Military Unimog

When a comes on the market, we have to post about it. It’s a rule here at Jalopnik from way back in the and who am I to dispute that? Now, this one is at BringATraileroutof Berkeley, California and I am daring you to daily it.

Unlike many of the Unimogs out there in America, this one hasn’t had its hard-working attitude painted off and replaced with the name of an overpriced surf shop in Venice or Montauk. It’s still got the patina it left the service with. That’s right, the service. The military. The real deal.

This Unimog served in the US Army as an engineering vehicle. Called the Small Emplacement Excavator, or SEE Tractor, by troops, these were ordered with a special 24-volt electrical system and a more powerful engine than standard ‘Mogs got on the German market.Kitted out with a loader upfront and a folding backhoe excavator in the rear, it must have been quite the machine to have at hand when you need earth moved and you need it moved quickly.

Image for article titled I Dare You To Daily This Ex-American Military Unimog

The idea of a Mercedes-Benz-built Unimog in American military use sounds a little weird, of course, but it’s not the only Merc to make it with the Pentagon. Just ask the Marines about their G-wagens. They were awesome.

But if you look closely at the photos of this ‘Mog, you’ll notice that it isn’t wearing a three-pointed star up front. That’s because it comes from a period when Case Construction Equipment and Freightliner were importing Unimogs for the American market before Freightliner took things totally in-house for a while and eventually stopped selling any at all here in North America. If you need some more info, a 1989 model sold back in 2014 and our man Andrew got

No three-pointed star up here.

Now, though, this 1987 Unimog 419 is on the market and it deserves our attention. With a 5.7-liter OM352 Mercedes diesel straight-six under the hood (and between the seats) sending its power to all four wheels through a gearbox with eight forward gears and four reverse, adual-range transfer case, and locking differentials, it won’t be phased by a little rough terrain or weather. It’s got less than 900 miles on the odometer, which is pretty nice and the seller says it’s pretty much all functional but the hydraulic lines probably should be replaced by the buyer. That didn’t stop the seller from recording a little video of the backhoe in action, though:

I’d say this Unimog is perfect for daily use. While other, less equipped ‘Mogs might have trouble parking in small spaces, the attachments front and rear on this truck are perfect for moving obstacles (and other cars) out of the way so that finding a spot downtown should be a breeze.

Image for article titled I Dare You To Daily This Ex-American Military Unimog

The for this truck ends on 6th of March and I dare one of you to pull the trigger on it and give the old ‘Mog the daily-driven. life it deserves. You might want one of those air-ride seats put in though. Just a thought.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Trucks
When A Stealth Jet Gets Diarrhea Here's What It Leaves In The Toilet
When A Stealth Jet Gets Diarrhea Here's What It Leaves In The Toilet
This offensive nest of metal plates is allegedly the latest Red Bull mobile party machine. They were going for “armored moon vehicle,” how are we feeling about that? Fired from the intergalactic command center where Red Bull press releases are written: “Beach, bush, backyard stomp. Anywhere? With the heart and...
Feb 15, 2026
Ford Is Doing Its Own Line Of Campers And Trailers
Ford Is Doing Its Own Line Of Campers And Trailers
Ford has partnered with camper outfit Livin Lite to be the only automaker with OEM mobile home conversions on their trucks. You’ll also be able to get Ford-branded trailers by the time these hit lots in 2016. Specifically Ford and Livin Lite are offering slide-in campers for their 6’ and...
Feb 15, 2026
The 2015 Chevy Colorado Aftermarket Is Finally Getting Interesting
The 2015 Chevy Colorado Aftermarket Is Finally Getting Interesting
We’ve seen a few renderings and bits to make the 2015 Chevy Colorado a little more exciting, but this “400 horsepower” supercharged desert toy is my favorite modified version of the mid-sized truck so far. Keg Media put this vehicle together for the 2015 SEMA show, and we finally got...
Feb 15, 2026
Ambulance Stolen By Drunk College Kid Who Says: 'God Bless America'
Ambulance Stolen By Drunk College Kid Who Says: 'God Bless America'
Geneseo, NY Fire Chief Andrew Chanler told “alcohol fueled incidents take up most of his crew’s activity from Thursday night through weekend.” At least some of the drunks are taking it upon themselves to drive the ambulance. No, wait, that’s terrible. The from this weekend says paramedics were responding to...
Feb 15, 2026
You Can Buy The Futuristic Hummer HX As A Jeep Wrangler Conversion Now
You Can Buy The Futuristic Hummer HX As A Jeep Wrangler Conversion Now
As of November 2015, U.S. Speciality Vehicles is taking orders on the Rhino XT. It’s a complete off-road luxury conversion for the current Jeep Wrangler that transforms it into a dead-ringer for the Hummer HX concept from 2008. Under the slabby skin, you’re looking at stock-standard a 2012+ Jeep Wrangler...
Feb 15, 2026
Ford Everest SUV Burns During Journalist's Test; No Repeatable Problems Found Yet
Ford Everest SUV Burns During Journalist's Test; No Repeatable Problems Found Yet
’s auto writer Peter Barnwell was test-driving a SUV the other day when it suddenly erupted into flames. Good thing Mt. Everest isn’t a volcano or we’d have a weak pun on our hands. Oh wait, hang on, Barnwell and his editors have us covered: The cover to that reads...
Feb 15, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved