“It’s not a jeep!”

 

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The Tortuga is a great truck! It will go where other RVs would not dare to dream, but the idea of TortugaOverland is that extra mile that you have not dared to go.

So, what happens when good judgement says the next mile is not a place for the Tortuga Truck, the road too steep, the stream too deep, or the risk too high?

 

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The answer for getting down the trail that extra mile is the the1988 Mercedes 240GD Gelandewagen, a military vehicle with the same simplicity and reliability of the Tortuga Truck.

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Specs

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The 240GD was first delivered to the Dutch Army in 1985 and more than 1,300 have been put in service.

Production of the GD started in 1980 by Gelandewagen Gesellschaft (GFG), a joint-venture between Mercedes-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch and is still in widespread service with armed forces worldwide.

Length: 4.01 m (156 inches).

Width: 1.70 m (66 inches).

Height: 2.10 m (82 inches).

Weight: 2.700 kg (5.940 lb.).

Engine: Own 4-cylinder, type OM 616.9, 2.399 cm3 (146 cubic inches) displacement, liquid cooled.

Horsepower: 72 at 4.400 rpm.

Transmission: 4-speed G1/17-4 (711.2) gearbox.

Transfer case: 2-speed VG 080 (750.6).

Electrical system: 24 volt, negative ground: Hydraulic, dual circuit with vacuum booster.

Tires: 7.50 – 16.

Fording depth: without preparation: 0.6 m (23 inches).

Fuel type: Diesel.

Fuel capacity: 70 liter (15 gallons).

Range: 350 km (218 miles). Crew: 1 + 2.

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Gelande joins the Tortuga Overland fleet

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Jean from g-Mercedes.com had just the ticket. A short wheel base 240GD barely broken in with only 66,000 miles on the four cylinder diesel. The foundation was solid, but Gelande (her new nick name) needed a truck make over, as would anyone her age. Sitting outside for decades and hand painted a camouflage pattern more times than you could imagine, there was a need for a fresh coat of paint.  But, it could not be an ordinary coat of paint – the Gelande makeover had to be special.

Found the answer at Critter Gitters in League City, Texas.  Critter Gitters is a unique shop that makes very unique hunting vehicles for the Texas Hunting scene. crittergitters.net

After much deliberation, the decision was made. Paint it green, the Olive Drab Green that the truck started with.  The selection of the color was not the only decision for the paint. The paint had to be durable, almost indestructible, if it was to travel that extra mile. So, we settled on bed liner paint inside and out with a touch of black for the trim.

The work started and the first step was to remove over 25 years of hand painted camouflage.

Paint removed, minor floor board rust repaired, under coating applied, new tires on powder coated rims and Gelande was an entirely new vehicle.

[[The Gelandewagen make over was more than expected.]]

Leonard from Critter Gitters, an artist with bed liner paint, did a fabulous job.  With a new look and fresh tires, it was time to take her home to the island and get her ready for her new life.