NZ is a bit of a special case for suspensions as I believe there was a tax advantage as having it as a part rather than a vehicle and assembling it locally ??? Not 100% sure about that these days but in the past it may have created a custom industry large enough and specialised enough to have survived possible more recent changes.
Trucks sitting still is terrible on brakes with them binding etc etc and in other climate freezing and seizing.A oil bath brake ensured all that corrosion and subsequent wear and poor braking never happens and the vehicle is at a instant serviceable even in corrosive environments like UK for garbage trucks on salted roads etc.
In regards to a truck that has a 15 year life in the NZ army one set of SIBS could do it's entire life as opposed mandatory parts change outs and binding issues . After any journey involving water crossings etc vehicle get cleaned and services and SIBS would go a long way to both preventative and reduction of both stationary and in use costs for a small initial outlay and safety advantage as you have brakes and constant pedal pressure no matter the temp or environment they have just been in. Cleaning and chemicals used is a non event and also underbody waxes etc won't affect a sealed unit.
Just thoughts and opinions as usual from me and a lot of frustration seeing a great engineering idea struggling.
Scale of purchase and longevity of agreement years in the making and worldwide if they partnered with Benz.
Very serious they should do a quick study right now on a g wagon and prove that there is a long term saving on converting them now to sibs for fleet . Sibs is either economical or not and if they prove their case it could be a upsell by benz for all undelivered versions and also world market. Instant access to world military- what are ABV doing and just how aware of the market are they???????
Under Project Overlander, the Australian Defence Force is spending $4.6bn to buy 7000 trucks, four-wheel-drives and trailers.
Mercedes-Benz won the 4WD contract and, in what is possibly unique in the annals of defence procurement, is delivering its G-Class wagon on time and on budget. It will supply 1200 vehicles over the next three years with a 15-year service agreement.
The G-Class will gradually replace the army's fleet of 4000 Land Rover Perenties, which date from 1987 and are based on the Defender workhorse. The army was forced to switch because Land Rover did not tender for Project Overlander.
Hi okra
mate I am a big time wiki skeptic as well but was simply a google
