How sweet

[lindenengineering]

Today I delivered my Pinz for transport to its new owner. I am musing about a past 1971 Pinzgauer.

The vehicle started out life as a standard 710M.
Had a 2.7 litre engine, then an OD box. The wheels and tyres even got changed to 305 size tyres.
What did I have in the end was a beast I didn't really like. So I sold it, but not before I sold the engine and stuffed in the original spec 2.5 unit.
Out went the OD box again for the standard gearbox.

I was never keen on the 305 Pro Comp tyres due to their skittish behaviour on ice and snow but in the dry they worked well and gave the truck an appealing look, so they remained. Driving it across town for the first time in a long while I was amazed at the flexibilty of the truck and ease of driving.
If I had to do it all over again the truck would stay standard with the addition of those 305's for summer and something smaller for winter conditions.
So I'm down to two Landrovers and a whole lot of personal experience spending money on a Pinzgauer that I didn't really need to do.
Dennis

[andy]

I'm sure the lucky buyer got a meticulously running machine.

[andy]

On second thought, what was it about the 2.7 and OD box that probably sounded nice in theory, but you didn't like when it was put together? Just curious.

[lindenengineering]

Andy
Well he did get a sweety of a truck complete with a Technotop, Espar 1B1LC and a winch for $12K.
Yes it did run like a swiss watch as I ran it across the city to the transport drop off point.
That's what propted me to post the original message, as I mused the hour away driving it across Denver. What a sweet truck this was.
Best regards
Dennis

[lindenengineering]

The 2.7 engine didn't have the grunt I expected it to have at altitude and it was certainly less flexible than its 2.5 version at any grade climbs.

Coupled to the O/D box, it could scoot along on the flat ok, but again up here at 6000ft the anticipation factor of judging when to change down to keep the coals burning made driving tedious. Really it was like rowing a boat with the gearshifter. Driving is supposed to be relaxing. Driving that 710 with the 2.7/od gearbox combo was like riding one of those tight powerband bikes of the 70's era; never comfortable to do a long run and always thinking miles ahead on what gear you needed to be in to get over the next hill. OR Avoiding transmission rattle/vibration due to torque shock/dynamic vibs.
In short at this height I didn't enjoy driving the beast;
I am sure at sea level it might be different, but as so often happens big bore conversions don't always add up to extra across the range power.

To digress a bit, my 95 Range Rover Classic has a nice flexible 3.9 engine in it and compared to the 95 P38 Rangie with a 4 liter lump the unit just doesn't power up so well. The 4.6 unit is a non too reliable unit in the same vehicle as is really no match for the later 4.0 Bosch engine that talks to the transmission in the Disco 2.
I suppose it just goes to show Steyr had a winner oin their hands with the standard 2.5 lump.
Cheers Dennis

[krick3tt]

Dennis,

I have a 73 710M and was thinking about the conversion to 2.7. Your posts have me thinking the effort may not be worth the expense. There is a leak at the push rod tubes (I am told), so I thought, while it is apart...why not?

Really, is it worth it?

Morris

[andy]

Morris, I don't have a leak (that I know of) but I was going to ask the same question.

I'll change it. Which would have been better the OD unit or just the 2.7? I run at anywhere from 1,100 to about 2,700 above sea level. I can identify with your words about hills, even though the problems on hills (except the slowing down) are usually associated with the nut behind the wheel and not the truck.

[michaelh712]

OK, good questions. What about a 2.7 with EFI? Is the issue more about carbs at altitude, and wouldn't a 2.7 with EFI better meet expectations? Just asking.

[Jim LaGuardia]

With the right cam and a good dyno session, a 2.7L w/EFI would do a bit better on hills

[krick3tt]

Jim,
I was not thinking about the EFI, just running it on the carbs.

So far, no one is promoting the conversion to 2.7L and this really surprises me.
The 'a bit better' does not sound like a valid reason for a change out.

Thanks Jim.

Cheers,
Morris

[ExpeditionImports]

Hi Guys,

Make sure you are comparing the right things. THE BIG FACTOR HERE IS THE OD TRANNY. I am assuming Dennis is referrencing a TD transmission, and if that is the case there is no question the 2.7 mated to a TD tranny is a dog. The gear ratios of that transmission are so high that it loses all low end torque. We have a customers 6x6 with that combination that we will be changing back to the stock transmission due to the over gearing of the TD tranny.

A stock 2.7 with cam and 8.7:1 compression will give you about a 20-23 HP increase. Considering the stock HP, it is a substantial boost in power.

Cheers,

Scott Ingham
Expedition Imports Corp.

[Doug]

All,

Dennis is being very very kind,

Lets see the adventure begins.

Several years ago..... my friend acquired several FJ40's, so to join the crowd and have a little fun, I decided to get a jeep (yes I know) After being removed from the bus that I was under I decided to find a real 4X4. At last I found one of two vehicle's first was a Volvo c303 (on Dennis's lot) and second a Pinz. How convenient, A trip was planned to my wife brothers house in Colorado and near Dennis. After speaking to several people who I would consider in the know the Volvo required two much work for me to undertake. Low and behold there was a really cool bright yellow truck in Dennis's garage. What's that, oh really, is it for sale, when will it be ready, how much...... (Seeing a pinz for the first time realizing that no picture does it justice)

Now, after begging pleading and graveling and swearing it will be my last toy hunny honest. She said yes.

Now having no knowledge of how busy you 4x4 gear guys are in the middle of 4x4 session. I would call Dennis on average once a day maybe even more. Then the email questions. Hey Dennis what does this do and what is that.... oh oh and by the way how does this work......

I do believe I was starting to drive Dennis and his team "crazy".

Then Labor day at 10:00 am in a best buy parking lot waiting on the truck.

There it was, I was more excited than X-MAS morning.


I drove it off the truck, to the gas station and did not stop for at least 5 hours.


Dennis and his team have been exceptional, he truly lives up to his reputation on all the boards. The wait was well worth it. I look forward to the learning process I am about to undertake.

I am sure I will have all the newbie questions for you guys and will try to do my research first.


Doug

dcamp25@gmail.com

[pinzwheeling]

Congrats and welcome to the fold. BTW, if you think that you were obsessed with Pinzi thoughts before, it only gets worse. I'm on my second personal Pinz, and I spend my spare time looking for new ideas, cool videos and posts on this and a couple of other boards. ( I really need to get a life)

I couldn't be happier...

[andy]

Pinzwheeling, you said a mouthful. My wife and daughters call it Pinz Porn.

[pinzwheeling]

Pinzwheeling, you said a mouthful. My wife and daughters call it Pinz Porn.

I was informed last night by my wife that if the word Pinzgauer comes up in converstation again, I will be relegated to the Internet for comfort for the night.