Former German fire truck, converted to flatbed. This rig is an ideal base for the conversion to an expedition vehicle and/or serious over-lander.

The truck is made in Germany with quality brand components (Deutz, ZF, Bosch, etc.). At the heart of this rig is the legendary 13.4L air-cooled Deutz V8 diesel engine. It “only” produces 230hp (but massive torque), making it good for over a million miles. This power plant can be found in stationary equipment, combines, and military vehicles (such as the MAN KAT) and is multi-fuel capable. It has a fully mechanical Bosch fuel injection system that does not require battery power. This engine’s air-cooled configuration is great for unparalleled reliability (working from arctic regions to African deserts) – nothing to go wrong as with a liquid cooling system. The cylinders of the engine are mounted independently from each other; therefore, they can be worked on separately, keeping serviceability high and costs low. Given the truck’s size/weight, the fuel economy is good at 23L per 100km or 10 miles/gal. The truck has permanent all-wheel drive. The engine is mated to the very rugged ZF S6 transmission (manual, six speeds – also used in military vehicles, such as MAN KAT). Power then goes to a transfer case with on/offroad ranges and a pneumatic differential locker. The rear axle is also equipped with a locker, making this truck highly offroad capable.

The truck was retrofitted with new rims and Michelin (X-Works 13R22.5) single wheels to enhance offroad performance. What aids the truck offroad is its flexible frame design, allowing wheels to make good ground contact even in very rough terrain. The cab has two single seats up front and a 4-seat bench in the rear. It is equipped with an auxiliary diesel heater. The cab is big enough for comfortable sleeping. For service, the cab is tilted, giving full access to the motor and transmission. NB: The truck is not equipped with AC. Since all window surfaces are vertical, the cab doesn’t heat up significantly in the summer. From my experience, opening a window creates a comfortable temperature. Based on your requirements, the retrofitting of an auxiliary AC unit may be necessary. There is ample storage under the rear bench and in-between the front and rear rows.

Following installations were carried out after import to the US:
- Gooseneck hitch
- Bumper-pull hitch (20,000lbs rating)
- 7-way trailer connector with 12V lead
- Flatbed
- Trailer brake controller
The vehicle is in very good condition. It has always been housed and since it used to be a truck of a voluntary fire department, it didn’t see a lot of use, only professional regular maintenance. At over 30 years, the truck has less than 25,000 miles on the clock and operates as it should. The prospective buyer has to understand, however, that regular checks and maintenance are crucial (draining of brake air tanks, greasing drive shafts/axles/springs, etc.) to keep it in great shape. There is no rust. In addition, all cavities and the frame have been corrosion-proofed with “Fluid Film”. The cab’s paint shows a few dings/small scratches from use.