LATEST BUILD STORY
10.10.2026Ready to start.
Even after a long pause.
Automatic starter-battery maintenance with Victron GX, Node-RED, Orion XS and VOTRONIC.
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UNIMOG · JOURNEYS · VAN LIFE
Build it ourselves.
Keep moving.
We are turning our Unimog into an expedition vehicle, one step at a time. Here we share what works on the road, what we learn and where we sit together around the fire.
WHAT DRIVES US 01 / 04
Not a finished dream.
A journey we share.
An old Unimog, plenty of ideas and always something to do. We show the build as it really is: practical solutions, a few detours and lots of anticipation for the next journey.
FROM THE WORKSHOP 02 / 04
01
THE UNIMOG · TODAY
A new vehicle, a new chapter.
TODAY · EXPEDITION UNIMOG
A UNIMOG WITH A HISTORY
From LF 8
to expedition Unimog.
For 36 years, our U1300L served as an LF 8 fire engine in the municipality of Neuler. The photographs show part of that first life. When a newer MAN vehicle replaced it, its story was far from over: today we are transforming it step by step into our expedition Unimog.
Build archive in German ↗
Historic photographs kindly provided by fire chief Markus Barth.
Ready to start.
Cooling and freezing in the double cab.
An additional drawer fridge expands our provisions.
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ALL PROJECTS AT A GLANCEBrowse the build and technology archive↗
ON THE ROAD 03 / 04
The journey is
part of it.
Around 200,000 kilometres in seven years and 21 countries. The map shares selected moments; our family time stays private.
18 COUNTRIES
ISLE OF SKYE · OCTOBER 2023
From York to the Highlands
Mountains, small roads and many encounters on the way north.
Read the journey ↗
NO HALLOWEEN MEET · 2025
LOOKING BACK AT 2025 04 / 04
No Halloween.
Plenty of meeting up.
Our meet has taken place around Halloween for many years – but Halloween itself is not the point. That is why we call it the “No Halloween Meet”. In 2025, wonderful people with very different vehicles came together again. Fires, good food and shared activities created exactly the mix of conversation, laughter and genuine community that makes us love this weekend.
FOR MANY YEARSFriends · vehicles · encounters
THAT WAS 2025Fires · food · time together
NEW MEETING REPORT · 2026
A spontaneous trip. Right in the middle of it.
Four days at the UCG annual meeting in Wilbertoord
→
NEW MEETING REPORT · ABENTEUER ALLRAD 2026Back again after five years.Abenteuer Allrad, Camp 1 and many encounters→
More impressions on Instagram ↗
OUR PREVIOUS PROJECT LOOKING BACK
From Vario
to Unimog.
Our build story began with the Vario in 2020. These earlier projects show what we built, tried and learned back then.
01
2020–2022 · THE VARIO
The beginning of our build story.
28.10.2020The Vario joins us
An 815D, built in 2005, with 39,000 kilometres – and suddenly a lot of room for ideas.
Read in German ↗
02.12.2020Underfloor heating in the Vario
30 millimetres of insulation, routed channels and 16-millimetre heating pipe.
Read in German ↗
13.12.2020120 metres of beech on the ceiling
An unusual ceiling concept with integrated LED light lines.
Read in German ↗
21.12.2020Washing and drying on board
An unusual idea that became especially practical when travelling with children.
Read in German ↗PARTS · SURPLUS STOCK · FINDS CURRENTLY ON KLEINANZEIGEN
PASS IT ON, DON'T STORE IT
Good parts.
Back in use.
FOR SALE ONKleinanzeigen
Parts, workshop finds and surplus stock regularly accumulate here – used, unused or new. Some are Vario, Unimog or conversion parts that may be exactly right for somebody else's project.
External link · availability, prices and contact directly through Kleinanzeigen.
QUESTIONS · EXPERIENCES · IDEAS WE READ EVERY MESSAGE
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SCANDIRECTLY
STAY ON THE ROAD WITH US
The journey continues.
On the road and here.
We also share new projects and travel impressions on Instagram.
@cook.travel.overlander ↗