The owner of this unique vehicle is selling his gas powered 404 on consignment through Adventure Motor's website. I visited the owner and his truck when I first arrived in Costa Rica. Having inspected and driven this truck, I can attest to this vehicles great mechanical condition and care taken. The body metal has surface rust, but is in amazing condition with very little rust.
I think it's best to allow the owner explain the history of the truck, its utility and his maintenance philosophy:
"This truck was brought over from Holland in 2000. It was previously owned and meticulously maintained by the Swiss Army. The Swiss Army insignia is still visible stamped onto the trailer hitch. In addition to their legendary care and maintenance, The Swiss Army drove this truck infrequently.
I received the truck with about 4000 kilometers. Since then I have driven the truck little. It now has merely 10,000 kilometers indicated. I have been the sole driver, operating surf safaris on the unimproved roads of Costa Rica's Guanacaste Peninsula.
I have been also the sole repair person, using high quality original parts, and an original shop manual. All maintenance and repairs have been logged in my maintenance log. As the owner, driver and sole mechanic I am certain that everything that has been done to this truck has been done right.
I carry many spares and tools on-board in a removable locking steel storage box. I prefer to be prepared to fix the vehicle in the field rather than leave it. However, I have never needed to do any field repairs. Preventative maintenance has worked well for me.
Over the years I have rebuilt a lot of the truck. I have restored and maintained this truck to remain reliable for the back roads in Costa Rica. I have used the truck for 6 trouble free years. It was well engineered and built by Mercedes Benz. They did it right. I have kept it the way they built it.
The truck bed measures 2m by 3m (7'x10') and is set up to carry 12 people comfortably in the back using bus seats, plus driver and passenger (14 total). The seats and bed sides are removable. You can convert the truck to a flatbed easily.
We have hauled 14 surf boards on the top racks and have crawled up mountains, forded rivers 1m (3') deep, and slogged through mud up to the axles! We never got stuck once. The transmission configuration converts the truck into a tractor: Hi/low range, 6 forward speeds, 2 reverse, 4WD and differential locks front and rear. I have hauled heavy logs from the steep mountains outside Nicoya, without problems or running out of power to complete the task. It is truly an amazing vehicle. Given the level of care this truck has received, you cannot go wrong with purchasing this truck!"
Price is $22,500.00 USD delivered within Costa Rica. Price is negotiable and offers are encouraged.
The owner is including with the sale of the truck the owner's manual, maintenance log (displaying great detail of his quest for preventative maintenance), numerous critical spare parts, valuable maintenance tools, 2 spare tires and rims, and military hoops and canopy.
The front tires of the truck are new and the rear tires have about 85% tread remaining.
This truck is a tremendous value for the amount of capability and reliability it offers. If you are searching for a quick, ready made off-road touring vehicle, look no further! This is a go anywhere, anytime truck.
Please contact me for questions or more information regarding spare parts list or recent maintenance performed by the owner.
