THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

I've been running into similar questions trying to locate a small (1/4T) trailer to tow behind my 712. Earlier US trailers I've tried also bind, to some degree. Be sure you've lubed the pintle so the lunette will be able to move. The trailers I tried towed OK, the problem with binding only is eviden...

Hi Ron, I happen to own 3 Imprezas along with my 712. I don't know which Suby you were looking at, but on mine (97 Impreza Outback Sport) the engine bolts to essentially a transaxle, which provides transmission functions and drives the front wheels. An output from the rear of this runs to the rear d...

The first thing I'd do is shut off the main power switch, disconnect the batteries -one from another, so they're separate 12v batteries essentially - and fully charge them. THEN I'd see if there's any problem. I also suspect a dead battery. My truck seems to have trouble keeping an even charge betwe...

Thanks to all for the comments. PinzEOD: Perhaps in retrospect you're right - at least the truck wouldn't have a f***ng hole in it. I was worried that the 'mystery noise' might mean some internal wheel unit repairs, which we've not yet done. We've only removed a front one once to replace a seal and ...

The body bolt is indeed accessable from under the truck, but the nut is sort of captured up in a recessed area. The truck bed is dented enough to make contact with the top of the bolt, so even a box end wrench wouldn't fit in there. The bolt was frozen solidly into the rubber body mount, and the ope...

I was experiencing a noise from the rear of my 712, especially off-road, though not neccessarily locked in. We elevated the rear end and found a knocking noise coming from the rear end, apparently where the parking brake assembly is. The noise only occurred with the rear diffs locked (this would mak...

I always figure that part of knowing how to fix my things is also knowing (hopefully) the things I DON'T know about. And then knowing enough to get help for those things. As far as gremlins go, mine is a turn signal indicator lamp that lights up intermittently. The outside signals still work though,...

I carry insurance from Hagerty on my '73 Pantera, and I agree that they're great to work with. However, when I inquired about coverage for my 712M, I was told they couldn't insure it, or at least would frown upon off-road driving with the Pinz. I couldn't understand why anyone would offer insurance ...

Did you check with Dennis at Linden in Littleton? He sometimes can make house-calls.

FWIW, I run OEM straps on my 712 and have never broken one. I have, however, broken off several lower shock/strap mounting bolts. (all rears) I did this with stock shocks, and with the NAPA shocks which Dennis recommended earlier. I switched to the Rancho shocks and have broken nothing since then. I...

Ahh, there's the problem. I cannot find what size a "standard pintle ring" is. I've searched ebay, etc. and find a variety of i.d.'s and o.d.'s. Can some Pinz owner with a "swiss" trailer offer me any advice? Or measure their lunette for me? I was advised that a U.S. Military lun...

I'm considering building a trailer to tow with my 712, and am concerned with where I would find the correct size lunette ring to fit the Pinz's pintle hitch. Does anyone have a lunette to sell? Or know where I could buy one? Can anybody provide me with the dimensions of a correct lunette ring? ID? O...

Hey you guys, sure sounds like fun. I wish it were a shorter commute from Wisconsin.... Speaking of Spud Guns, I've got a friend, a blacksmith, who made a spud gun from steel. It burns oxy/accetaline (sp?) for fuel. I've witnessed it blow through both windows of a Volvo (accidentally), just about bl...

It could ruin your day! while you are out to play!
Oh I was a poet and I didn't know it!

Hi Dennis, I believe you missed the last verse (as I was taught it).
It goes: But your feet show it; they're long fellows.

As always, appreciating your advice and wit,
Paul

I suppose if you wanted a really big cushy wheel you might be able to use that closed cell foam pipe insulation! I once wrapped a steering wheel in soft suede leather and secured it with some leather lacing - first wrapped the lace one direction with about one loop per inch and then went the other d...