Newby looking at Pinzgauer

[JimmyC]

I have never owned a Pinzgauer but think I want to buy one. I use to have Dodge Powerwagons but got away from i for a few years. I have a camp in the Blueridge mountains and will probably use it there, mostly for ice cream runs on hardtop, but also to use on dirt roads when they get washed out and maybe for hauling stuff when doing hiking trail maintenance with a club. Here are some questions:

1. I have only looked at 710Ms. I understand the 712M has an extra axle and longer bed, but I am wondering what people with more experience think about their relative merits.
2. I looked at a very nice 710M but it had aftermarket wheels. The wheels were Dick Cepek 17" and had 33 x 12.5 x 17LT tires. This is a bit bigger in diameter and wider than the stock tires (31 x 10?) which worries me. What have others experienced with tires this big? I am worried about rubbing, over stressing stuff, and the steering being to heavy for my daughters and GF.
3. The shifter was very vague. There was no sense of gates, no spring centering, and reverse was not straight up from first. Is this just the way they are?
4. It seems that nice 710Ms are in the $14 to $16k range. Is this about right?
5. Anything I need to watch out for?

[westernair]

If you can afford a 712 you will be more happy with it. Drives hardtop better, dirt trails better and has more room. Having had both I can say I was more happy with the abilities of a 712.
Those tires and rims should be fine on the truck. Nothing taller or you will have problems. Shifting sounds like you would need a shifter rebuild kit. Not that big of a deal. Maybe someone knows the truck you are interested in. Who is selling it? Might find someone that knows the truck.

[westernair]

Rust in the body is a big issue. Try and find as dry of a truck as possible

[JimmyC]

I do not want to say whose truck until I get their OK. I am going to look at another 710M this afternoon. After that I will have twice as much experience! It has regular size tires and I am curious to see how it effects steering effort. I have a girlfriend and 4 daughters that are just a bit above 100 pounds. I also found the clutch a bit heavy for the girls on the one I looked at, particularly as the motor is not that big. Is there anything that can be done about that?

[edzz]

I would expect them to get used to the clutch. I would expect the steering to be more or a problem for them especially if running oversize tires.
As has been mentioned the shiftier mechanism can be rebuilt at the base of the shift lever and also the plastic bushings at the transmission both easy and fairly cheep.
That said its never going to have a tight "gated" shift like a Ferrari.

[krick3tt]

I never noticed a 'gate' on my 710...I did on the UniMog 404. Reverse is (in my opinion) very similar to a VW...not straight up, but push down and to the right. Keeps from shifting to R from 1st.
If you think the engine is too small, you can change it but then you don't have a pinz but only a pinz looking thing. If you think the engine is too small, perhaps the pinz is not the vehicle for you.
Certainly not going to compare it to a power wagon.
Drive one and check it out before you buy...seriously, try both the 710 and the 712. I have friends with 712's and they are off road better than my 710 but I am used to the 710 and it makes for
a very entertaining ride.
712...Extra axle .. two more tires, more brakes and more length, but increased off road comfort. Can also haul more, by the very capacity of the length.

Check here for more info http://www.sdp-pinzgauer.org/

Happy trails

[JimmyC]

I am happy with the power. Just saying small engines usually do not have much clutch pressure because they do not have to handle much torque. It loked like I could make the lever longer. Will be interesting to see how the clutch feels on the one I am seeing this afternoon..

[TechMOGogy]

mirror of the old SDP site
http://madscientisthut.com/sdp-pin/html/site_map.html

[JimmyC]

Thanks for sharing the site. Good reading tonight.

I saw the second Pinzgauer today but could not drive it as the carbs were off. I was able to feel the steering weight parked and it seemed similar to the other truck. The truck had the original wheels but the tires were bigger than standard. The clutch pedal was significantly lighter and the shifter was far less vague. I am supposed to be able to drive it early next week.

[TechMOGogy]

Fill in your location in your profile so we know where you are.
There also may be someone close to you that could let you drive both so you get feel for them.

[JimmyC]

I am in Lafayette, La. I have a camp in Highlands, NC, and I will be in Phoenix and Sedona soon

[JimmyC]

Bought the first one. I guess it was love at first site. Headed to pick it up Monday. Should be home Tuesday.

[EmbarkChief]

Congradulations! Can't wait to see pics!

[Dogslovetrucks]

Sweet- Congrats! Now post pics!

[transalpian]

So what did you get? I see where the nice looking one in Texas is sold and it had Cepek wheels...

Is it now yours?