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

So with my Pinzgauer sold the gap has been filled with a VW T5 4Motion

The plan is to make it a true multi purpose vehicle with the ability to carry two mountain bikes internally, sleep in and carry all expedition gear. The vehicle is deliberately on-road orientated with no suspension lift and at this point no extra under body protection. It is however four wheel drive using the haldex system found in many soft-roaders and high performance four wheel drive road cars. I had hoped to find one with the rear mechanical diff-lock but this one ticked all the boxes with spec and doesn't have the diff-lock. My car (Skoda Octavia Scout) has the same haldex system without diff-lock so I'm fully aware where it's limitations are. The tyres are all-season and have the snowflake symbol so count as a full winter tyre. I have a set of steel wheels as well so may save them for a more aggressive winter / mud tyre.

In Iceland we were impressed just where these 4Motion T5s were able to get so I'm sure this will enable us to continue to explore remote rough tracks as well as eat up the motorway miles much quicker and quieter. Still miss the Pinz of course.

The conversion has started. A swivel has been fitted to the passenger seat so that it can be swung around to face the back when camping. This will allow two people to sit opposite a table whilst freeing up the rest of the space for the bed and storage.

Most of the work though will be hidden. Insulation is being added behind the panels to reduce condensation and noise. The insulation is special foil faced closed cell foam with a high temperature adhesive backing. Small spaces are filled with a sheep's wool based loose insulation. I am also having additional power socket and USB charge points put in the back of the van.

The plan is to replace the panels with custom ones including storage pockets into the panel space. These I have yet to fabricate.

Work has continued on the van. A bed platform has been constructed bolted into the existing cargo tie down points and the sides carpeted and cargo D-Rings installed. The bikes will fit even with the bed in use.

Now despite not being finished we couldn't resist a quick trip to the Scottish Highlands. The 120 mile drive north is not something we would have readily done just for a day-trip in the Pinzgauer but the T5 made light work of the miles and we were setting off on mountain bikes just after sunrise.

Nice work, beautiful terrain. Please continue to share your progress and photos!

The build is nearly over. Of course over the coming year I'm sure there will be several tweaks as we use the van and see how it works in use. The bed platform is carpeted and fits perfect. As planned part of it can be folded up, still leaving room for the mattress, and two mountain bikes can be fitted at the side. Getting the finish as neat as this has taken time but I'm really pleased with the results. Looking into getting a Webasto heater fitted for the winter.

Looks like a really clean install.

I like this T5......but I may sell the Unimog and the Pinz and buy this version? https://youtu.be/XWu3LF0-18E

Seikel Extreme T5 is an amazing vehicle, but, BUT kind of missing the point here. I had one of the world's best small wheeled off road trucks, that is the Pinzgauer. Please, please Pinzgauer owners do not under estimate how amazing the Pinzgauer is! If I wanted or needed a compact portal equipped truck it would be Pinzgauer over Seikel Extreme T5 every time!

My ppp (post Pinzgauer project) is about preparing an expedition vehicle for use where travel conditions are not expected to need that off road ability and to be able to travel faster, quieter and with greater economy than the Pinzgauer could provide. This is going in a different direction. It is not as exciting as the 'macho' truck but rather based on a rational "needs analysis"

It is good that you clarify your reasoning for those that might not understand the purpose of another vehicle.

I too feel the pinz is a virtually unbeatable vehicle for the type of adventures I was doing. I have also been driven to search out another type of vehicle for long distance trips without the intention of the type of offloading I used to do. The pinz is for sale and I hope that it gets to another individual that feels the need of the extreme spirit I once craved.

Thanks for posting your build and soon your trips.

Morris

I know what you mean......The Seikel was just a dream......don,t even look at the prices unless your heart is in very good condition....I still have my 710k with Merc Diesel for adventuring, discovering new tracks and lanes here in Eastern Poland (5 years now!).......we were also running a restored diesel UAZ 469b......but for this winter have decided that we need more comfort and power steering so have bought a Jeep Wrangler 2.8CRD.....very impressed with the power of this diesel engine and even more impressed with the fancy system that uses the brakes to simulate the effects of difflocks......damned if it doesn,t actually work?

the fancy system that uses the brakes to simulate the effects of difflocks......damned if it doesn,t actually work?

I noticed that computerized braking/diff lock system when traveling on a rutted Nevada trail too!

After owning a Pinz and helping my son with his off-road Tacoma build, I'd be shunned if I were to sing praises of any jeep much less a cherokee, but the latest model I rented did something I hadn't seen before:
the cruise control not only kept me at speed up hills and on flats as expected, but also shifted the automatic transmission down to slow the vehicle on highway descents.
Probably other new cars do it now too, but it was a nice surprise.

So at last a chance to get away for a few nights with the new van. North into the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and the Isle of Skye. Like entering the set of a fantasy film, especially with the snow and fine winter weather. Van performed great. Glad to have the winter tyres and 4x4, but also nice to travel at 60 - 70 mph in quiet comfort. One thing for sure the newly fitted Webasto heater got a good test!

A few more photos

And the van