MB 406D Transporter Van - anyone familiar with these?

[rstl2002]

Hi all,
Just joined this interesting and useful forum.
I own a 1982 240D, and a few months ago bought a 1973 L406D Mercedes Van (Transporter) that was converted to a camper, and imported into Canada from Holland. These camping vehicles appear to be reasonably common in Europe, but I doubt I'll ever see another one pass me on the road in Canada!
I'm presently trying to get good documentation for it (spare parts list is high on my priority list, to allow me to order necessary parts).
I gather these vehicles were never exported to North-America, except of the O309D small bus variety (same chassis, but with bus body and seats etc.).
Anyone know much about these trucks? Seems built like a tank. Mine is powered by a 2.4L 616 diesel, and is in reasonably good condition. Looking forward to camping in it this Summer with the kids!
--Robert (Ottawa, Canada

[Gilly]

There is or was one around Madison, WI. Came to the dealership once, I had to replace the glowplugs in it. Only time I ever saw one.
Maybe either Hemming Motor News or your search engine can help with parts. Other thought that comes to mind is Europa in Santa Fe New mexico was the facility that converted G-Wagens to US specs, until MBUSA screwed that up for them. I heard they were somehow "bought out" by MB, turned into a dealer or something, but I'm sure the infrastructure is still there and someone there might at least be able to steer you in the right direction. I should have some sales and performance specs, history info, etc, but no technical or parts info.
Gilly

Cool camper, I might be able to help out on the part numbers if you give me the complete chassis number and what your looking for. The only way I know of parts info is on CD's or Micro fiche. the CD's are a set of seven and you need to run them all at the same time and its all in German.

[rstl2002]

Hi Dan and Dr. Parts.
Thanks for the tips and offer to help with part numbers etc.
Nice to know there's a camper similar to it in the US, at least I'm not alone on the N-A continent :-)
A Unimog dealer in Germany is hoping to get me a CD ROM that apparently has all the exploded diagrams for my L406D, as well as part numbers. The brand of CD ROM is EPC-Compact. Hopefully I will be all setup with parts info with that.
If not, I will get back to you (Dr. Parts) if there is something I cannot find.
Whether the parts can be ordered from local MB dealer is another thing. I figure it might be cheaper to order directly from German supplier (in part due to the horrendous dollar exchange rate when ordering from the US - I'm in Canada).
The truck runs well (engine smokes a bit of blue smoke, so perhaps valve stem seals are worn?). The previous owner got about $2000US of repairs done to it before shipping it across, at a Dutch MB dealer (mainly brake, electrical, ball joints) so it should hopefully not require major repairs for a while.
The camper's electrical hookups are all european (220) so I probably will have to replace some components if I'm going to use it connected to AC at campgrounds.
Cheers!
--Robert

Let me know if I can help!

[pentakis]

hi i am simone i am from italy i own also a l406d from 1975.
normaly youn should have a om615 engine.
about what you need information?

[rstl99]

Hi Simone,
Thanks for your message and offer to help. I actually sold the camper about 3 years ago. To some students who drove all the way to California and back (I live in Ottawa Canada). The truck apparently only suffered a failure of the alternator. Not bad, for a 40 year old truck!!!
Hope you enjoy your L406D. I wish I still owned it, but at the time I found it too large, and I wanted to buy a Land-Rover Defender. Now I own a Toyota Land-Cruiser (with diesel engine).
Cheers, from Canada,
--Robert

[pentakis]

sorry but i did not look the date of your post.
its a shame you sold it its a really good van.
greating from spain
Simone