Hello...from Bend Oregon!!!

super vw · Post by **super vw** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:41 pm

Well i better first off introduce myself...
My names Jonathan and im currentl;y in Bend, Oregon.
I have a passion for all things auto/mechanic related (im sure many of you do to) and Work as a mechanic for a living at German Master Tech here in bend oregon. We do a lot of restoration work on early Porsches, aswell as performance and service work on porsche, VW, Audi, BMW, Mini and Toyota Land crusiers.
Currently for my personal projects i have going are a 74 VW super beetle im restoring/ upgrading to run as a Solo-2 (Auto-X) racer and a 73 VW Thing (181) thats getting mostly mechanical upgrading (engine related mostly). For my daily driver at the moment i have an 86 VW Vanagon Syncro (4wd) and a 87 Audi 4000 Quattro (4WD W/diff locks center/ rear).

Anyways, i guess i should start talking about Pinzaguers...
Curently i do not own one (thats one of the the main issues here!) but am eager to learn more about them and perhaps find one for myself. My intentions with the pinz are simple... I need somthing that can be driven on the road as a winter daily driver for 6 months out of the year, and taken off road in recreation mode for some adventure/ trekking situations.
I am most interested in the 710K models as they have an all metal enclosed body/cargo area that looks to be easily modified to house sleeping quarters. and looks like its already outfited with a gas heater, and thats important for the winters here(i sure love my Eperspachers in the VW Beetle and Thing!), plus the K just looks way neat over the M! i love boxes on wheels

!

So here are a few questions i have at the moment, i will list them out to make it simple to navigate them.

1: What are the most common fail points of the Pinzgauers mechanic wise?

2: Are Pinzgauers a suitable platform for a daily driver (around 20K miles a year)? will it be reliable with only regular matinance (that is untill things are worn or failed...)

3: how do they drive in the snow (from 3" to 18+" unpacked and packed?) Snow plow use i assume would be exelent?
Well, how do they drive in general really? (remember im use to driving slow VW's and tipy Vanagon Syncros

4: whats the life cycle on the engine, drivetrain and other operating systems on this vehicle? (ex: how many miles out of the engine before rebuild, to how long (on average) do many of the seals..ect last on the drivetrain?)

5: Parts availability?

6:What are things i should be focusing on durring an inspection, other than the the basic operating systems (brakes, suspetion, drivetrain, engine, rust/cancer? Is there anything i should look out for, stuff that tells me to "walk away"?

7: who/ where is the best place to look for clean Pinzgauers in the US? what should i expect to pay for a 710 K ( i have see them mostly around 15K from one dealer)

Ok, thats enough for now... im sure i will have more questions later.

Thanks for your time,
Jonathan

M Wehrman · Post by **M Wehrman** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:10 am

You already know about the Pinz...The K sounds and drives like a VW bus,You already know the tippy thing,and maintenence is on par with the air-cooled VW. Big parts can be expensive,but I haven't had a need for anything more than the normal maintenence items unless tippy thing happens and even that is cheap by todays standards. You need more fluids,more comfy ft seats and good sound proofing Mark

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:56 am

Jonathan....Welcome to the club. I to used to have a VW Westfalia with ambitions to convert a Syncro into a Westy for off road use. That is untill I discovered the Pinzgauers and Volvo C303's. I ended up with a 712M which is currently going through the transformation into a Camper.

1: What are the most common fail points of the Pinzgauers mechanic wise?

Neglect of maintenence and or abuse. These trucks are very straight forward in their design and are for all intents bullet proof if properly maintained.

2: Are Pinzgauers a suitable platform for a daily driver (around 20K miles a year)? will it be reliable with only regular matinance (that is untill things are worn or failed...)

I think so, but others may not agree on this point.

3: how do they drive in the snow (from 3" to 18+" unpacked and packed?) Snow plow use i assume would be exelent?
Well, how do they drive in general really?

I have not had mine in snow yet, but I would think that they may be a little light for plowing?

4: whats the life cycle on the engine, drivetrain and other operating systems on this vehicle? (ex: how many miles out of the engine before rebuild, to how long (on average) do many of the seals..ect last on the drivetrain?)

One of the boards mechanics should answer this one, but it would depend a lot on the use and maintenence.

5: Parts availability?

Great, but a bit pricey on the bigger items.

6:What are things i should be focusing on durring an inspection, other than the the basic operating systems (brakes, suspetion, drivetrain, engine, rust/cancer? Is there anything i should look out for, stuff that tells me to "walk away"?

Same as any other used vehical. But look for signs of sitting as this could mean a lot of replacing rubber parts, hydraulics - seals

7: who/ where is the best place to look for clean Pinzgauers in the US? what should i expect to pay for a 710 K ( i have see them mostly around 15K from one dealer)

15K+ There are a few good dealers I won't recommend one over the others as I bought mine on ebay, I would not recommend it! I did because I knew I would be doing a full restoration, I got lucky at one of the local casinos and figured it for a sign to buy. Just do some research you'll figure it out.

Good luck and get a for sale sign ready for the Syncro. Heck if its in good shape it should fund the Pinz purchase

Miles

Twebba · Post by **Twebba** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:40 pm

Welcome Jonathan,

As others will tell you, you have already discovered one of the best resources on the net for getting good information. (This forum)

Another is the SDP-Pinzgauer site, found here:
http://www.sdp-pinzgauer.org

There's a really good "Pre-Purchase Checklist" on that site that I refered to in detail before purchasing mine. (here's the direct link)
http://www.sdp-pinzgauer.org/html/pre-p ... klist.html
Also - look to the site map for a comprehensive list of other documents and 'tips & tricks'.

It took me over a year of research before purchasing mine, but it was well worth it. If you look hard enough and long enough, you'll find a really good vehicle at a decent price.

These babies are a labor of love and most people put far more $ into them then they get out when (if) they sell 'em.

Good luck, & happy hunting!

super vw · Post by **super vw** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:36 am

well i found a 710K in great condition, it has been repainted factory color... but in gloss, not flat. it has no rust that i can see and the owner confirms no rust aswell.
The diffs have had the ex-2 diff upgrade, everything works. he says everything functions well and overall it runs exelent. the tires are have about 40-60% tread left he says. it has all it's roof whip antanas still inplace. interior looks sound with no damage or decay, seats are nice.
The engine and drivetrain are dry, no fluid leaks. steering is tight he says.

Anyways, its in Texas, and im in Oregon... so i need to do drive it before i do to much. hes asking around $14,500... possibly less.
Sounds like a decent truck for the money.