My V8 Doka Unimog

[OnMyLid]

Here is my build thread. I've been meaning to put it up on pirate for more than a year. These pictures are over the last 3 years, and I have gone through several stages of this build and rebuild. At this point I figure I have had every nut and bolt taken out and put back in at least once and most of them several times. This is my first unimog, but i have several years of experience working on other custom or unusual builds. This is a V8 Doka cab unimog build. I will do my best to answer questions, but as time has gone by some of the specifics about dimentions and what not may have slipped my mind. Hope you all enjoy. I will update the thread with more pictures as I continue to make changes.

[OnMyLid]

My mog showing up at the house for the first time. First pic was taken 3-13-2008. btw This is the first time that I've seen it.

[OnMyLid]

How did you spend your birthday in 2008? Found out the motor was shot, got really drunk, ran a backhoe and started tearing it down for a rebuild.

[OnMyLid]

"So after much debate and some cost vs. power vs. usability. I decided I was never going to be happy with the original six cylinder. Having done a few non-typical engine transplants I started to look at a few Engine options. I was looking at the ford 300 six and the ford 302 v8 but Ended up choosing the v8 for a few reasons. The main two were how narrow the engine is and that performance parts for it are readily available and I just wanted it.
The first thing that I needed to address now was what Clutch disc to use. After much research I decided that in the long run it would be cheaper if I had the stock input shaft of the Unimog transmission resplined to the common 10 spline input shaft for the late model mustang. I also shortened the shaft 2 ½” to move the engine further back for weight. I was able to do this because the mustang has a smaller diameter input shaft. The plan was to end up using all the clutch components and pedal assembly from the 5.0 mustang. It’s a cable style linkage so pedal placement would be easy and all the components are designed with the right pedal ratios to work with the mustang clutch. By doing this enables me to run off the shelf clutch kits. Built an engine cradle to mount motor to the original six cylinder front mount.
Built an engine cradle to mount motor to the original six cylinder front mount. This was done to maintain the factory frame flex issue, it also should prevent the bell housing from cracking. (note: since doing this I have had it on the road nearly two years and have had no issue with that, and I have jumped it...) For power steering I decided to go with a ford 2WD F350 steering box. I modified it for counter rotation, and add needle bearings. "

[OnMyLid]

more pics

[OnMyLid]

Brakes, wheels, air locker cylinder: I converted the mog axels to disk brakes, I used corvette calipers and Chevy rotors. Thanks Kabuki for the help on that. Went with 12 bolt hummer wheels with a modified rock ring to serve as a step to get into the cab. I used air cylinder actuated lockers and somewhere in here I decided to make it a Doka cab too.

[OnMyLid]

Freshly mounted 42" IROK's. First time outside since work began. Rear springs are out of an expedition rear suspension. Front springs are original unimog 404 springs. Due to rust in cab replaced rusted out corners with structural steel in anticipation for a cage.

[OnMyLid]

more pics

[OnMyLid]

Finished tin work for cab… Heater vents, dog house, rear floor, cab corners.

[OnMyLid]

Roll cage build. This is the cage I came up with trying to keep original unimog styling and usability.

[OnMyLid]

I decided this thing is going to need to be able to swim so I came up with this snorkel. It works… seriously.

[OnMyLid]

Here are some miscellaneous shots of tin work and brake assembly. I did the brake assembly this way to maintain maximum foot room. It’s a fox body mustang pedal assembly with a dodge pickup master cylinder and brake booster. Wish I could add specific tech info but I forgot the diameter of the master cylinder. Rear bench seat... $25 score out of Volkswagen van.

[OnMyLid]

more pics

[OnMyLid]

ok… tear down, blasting, and paint. Here are the pics of chassis build pre putting body on. Decided to go with stock speed density motor. Nothing special… yet.

[Swoop69]

its like a unimog-beer bong!

keep the pics coming!

[Public_AenimA]

Thats really cool. I am planning on doing a Doka conversion at some point also.

Do you still have the drawing of the transmission bell pattern for the mog side? I am doing this same swap with a 300.

http://www.turbododge.info/unimog/the-unimog-project/

Also, did you have the transmission input shaft out? How big of a deal is that?

[OnMyLid]

more pics

[OnMyLid]

and more

[OnMyLid]

even more

[OnMyLid]

Remounted cab. Picked up lots of momentum at this point. Seeing it together really made me want to drive it. Lost a lot of the pics from this time so a big time jump in time here.

[OnMyLid]

Tis' the night before Northwest Mog Fest 2009 and I am going!!! Only 60 miles of highways and byways to get there. Handled flawlessly. To cruse on the highway at 55+ is a blast at 3600 RPMs. Drove it like this through the summer, then I needed mud flaps.

[OnMyLid]

few more

[OnMyLid]

The rain is here. Hunting season would have been better with a roof…. Commence hard top build. Sorry not a lot of pictures. Built a mold, took it to a local fiberglass who gel coated, and sprayed the glass on. Somewhere in here mounted a winch up front.

[OnMyLid]

more and more

[OnMyLid]

Took the mog out to test the winch and new hard top. As luck would have it I blew the rear main out of the 302, due to a plugged vent line… so time to take the cab back off. No snow runs this year.