68 Unimog 404 Restomod

[dougco1]

Those tires are more aggressive than what's on my Kubota tractor.
How are they for over the road at some speed?

 

[SuperMochombo]

Just drove about 30 miles, through Albany and out into the Berkshires with 40psi. Road hum about the same as the Continentals. I didn't go faster than 40 mph, and at that speed it feels smooth but swimmy. It's too soon to tell but I think these tires will do ok for me. I rarely go faster than 45, and have only been at 55 once for a short burst down a hill. I didn't try to push it that fast with these tires yet.

First impression is positive, but time will tell. Maybe I will hate em. They feel heavier somehow, not sure what gives that impression. I did find myself grabbing gears going up hills where before I could make it up in a higher gear.

 

[SuperMochombo]

A few things about changing these tires: tubes in 404 tires is common, even with tires labeled "tubeless" and when I took the first bead off the first tire I discovered mine came with tubes. The Maddox tool I bought for changing truck tires isn't meant for tubes. It can easily damage them when popping the first bead. I took pains not to and succeeded three out of four times.

You can change these tires with 36" spoons. I made do with the Maddox roller spoon I broke and a pry bar with the edges ground smooth. The local tractor supply has nice ones but pricey. I'm looking for a pair.

Windex works great as tire lube, but the real deal has to be better. My local auto parts place didn't have any, so looking for that too.

The tube I patched didn't hold so I ordered one. But I'm out on assignment so I have to keep rolling. Trying fix a flat before trying to patch it again. I'm currently going from 40 to 20 psi in a half hour of driving. Hoping to extend the time between air ups.

 

[SuperMochombo]

Fix a flat did not work. But no matter, I have a spare tire and in it a spare tube. So when I get my hands on truck tire irons, I will swap them out.

I should have thought of the spare before wasting my time with fix a flat.

 

[SuperMochombo]

The new tube arrived in record time from Expedition Imports. Installed and now I can say tire change job done. I repaired the tool I broke and bought some actual tire lube, which does work better than Windex because it doesn't dry out so fast.

I have started fixing up the box. I wanted to mount some tool boxes to the doors so started there. Got one done so far.

 

[SuperMochombo]

I've been driving, getting tickets, sleeping in and working with my truck. And working on it, always. It's half the fun of having it.

I'm about to post pics of a diagram of my air and hydraulic brake system. I have to map it out bc I have a complete brake failure at the moment and need to get stopping again. First step is a diagram, and none exist so I get to make one.

I suspect my air booster.

What happened was as I was driving, the brake pedal got rock hard with no slowing down, then a line blew and the pedal went all the way to the floor.

I repaired the broken line, which was from the master cylinder to the air booster. But when I was bleeding the system, I couldn't get fluid to the front brakes both sides.

I suspect a clog of some kind in a junction block in the hydraulic side, or on the air side. Will know tomorrow.

Found a good location for my spray can collection too.

 

[SuperMochombo]

Fixed the brake issue. It was a clogged brake line, the rubber hose from the junction block to the front axle. I happened to have a spare, so replaced that and then cut out the broken line and put in a section of new steel brake line with flare couplers. I also replaced the front brake shoes and one front wheel cylinder, and inspected the other cylinder which is fine.

I also removed both fuel tanks and replaced the front tank with a NOS one I bought a while ago, and cleaned the heck out of the back tank. Primed, painted, and reinstalled.

I drove 160 miles, down to see one of my kidsvin college. Truck ran good, brakes back to normal.

My next moves are continue with the brake and air system. Need to put in an order for a pressure regulator and air system drier, and a few other things.

Motor smokes a lot. I am burning oil. I suspect a head gasket but maybe valve stem seals. Either way, I have to address it sooner rather than later.

And my drums are scored and groovy. Hoping the local shop can turn them.