Expedition vehicle: which Pinz is best ?

[ka]

scottish - how do you even sit in up in the driver's seat?? i'm 6' and i'm designing a new roof that's high enough so the truck doesn't bump around to hitting my head!

[Badger]

Plenty of food for thought and good advice there, for which, many thanks !

It seems like the standard petrol engine may be best left in place - perhaps converted to dual fuel use with an additional LPG tank for when that fuel is available.

I'm a little concerned by the comments re cab noise - I hadn't expected it to be worse than my Series II Rover but the consensus seems to be that it is. As some of my shorter trips are about 3,500 miles, much of it on tarmac to cross Europe to reach North Africa, that noise could be a real problem. At the very least I'd have to look at applying some soundproofing...

[ScottishPinz]

No sound (noise) problem with my 710k!
It is a bit tight for head room but its my legs that are long and there's plenty of space to stretch out...

[ka]

you gotta go drive one. maybe your ears wont mind! mine dont on certain days. i'm sure the right material applied as sound proofing will work gr8. the amby's have a head start having the whole rear totally burried by that drop-in box.

we used to use the butal rubber for installing windshields to deaden our turtables in the vinyl days. i think they sell it in sheets with aluminum stuck to it for vehicles now - very expensive, tho, compared to the FRRE SCRAPS we used to go get.

here's a cool site:

http://www.noisekiller.co.uk/materials.php

[pcolette]

This outfit also sells noise deadening material

http://www.cascadeaudio.com/car_noise_control/index.htm

Summit Racing also sells self-adhesive sheets of it that worked very well when applied under the driver and passenger seats and on the bulkhead behind your legs.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku


Paul

[pinzmeister-uk]

We do a full soundproofing kit, including lead blankets for the transmission, and engine cover, my own 712 ambulance camper conversion has the full kit fitted, along with LPG, you can comfortably hold a conversation at 80ks on the motorway.

[Jim LaGuardia]

I wouldn't worry about cab noise, all Pinzies are not noisey, just the worn out ones.
A little soundproofing does help, but most good trucks are compareable to a series Rover. The 712's do have more driveline noise than the 710's, but I have serviced a few very quiet Pinzgauers.
Basically shop for the best truck you can find, then remember that in the end, it is just a tractor that can go freeway speeds and you will be ok.

[psychoman]

I wouldn't worry about cab noise, all Pinzies are not noisey, just the worn out ones.
A little soundproofing does help, but most good trucks are compareable to a series Rover. The 712's do have more driveline noise than the 710's, but I have serviced a few very quiet Pinzgauers.
Basically shop for the best truck you can find, then remember that in the end, it is just a tractor that can go freeway speeds and you will be ok.

Jim - I disagree - my 712M is in good condition (I've driven a few) but is still significantly louder than a Series Landy - mostly body, wind and transmission noise, so nothing to do with wear and tear, and certainly not "worn out" - rather I believe that the noise is inherent to the design.

I agree that you can do a lot to quieten things, and yep, the ambis and Ks are quieter... but I would compare a Pinz at 55mph with a Series Landy at 70mph, noise-wise... Just my opinion, othes may feel differently.

Still love the Pinz tho!

[ka]

the k's are quieter? i heard they were louder due to the metal top holding the noise in. no?

[Badger]

The more I read, the more they sound like Rovers: noisy and unrefined, but rugged and with a character all of their own. maybe that's why those of us that own one or the other look down so disdainfully on everyday blandmobiles...

Gregor from Shropshire Gunbus has been in touch and so I am going to pop over there when I get the chance to have a look at Pinz in the metal. If anything can seduce me away from a Series II Landy it may, just may, be a 718...

[M Wehrman]

Ka, a stock K is quite noisey on the inside,the same difference can be experienced with any sedan v.s. it's station wagon brother. My K after insul mods was perfectly fine for conversation even running 70+. I am not saying that it is as quiet as a late model truck,but I could still appreciate the sound quality of my stereo.
Mark

[Erik712m]

The loudest part of my pinz is the tire's than the fan.. One off the local billionaire's lead clothed his entire 710k pinz. It is quieter than any other vehicle I have owned.

[psychoman]

The more I read, the more they sound like Rovers: noisy and unrefined, but rugged and with a character all of their own. maybe that's why those of us that own one or the other look down so disdainfully on everyday blandmobiles...

Pretty good summary from my perspective! Say "hi!" to Gregor for me...

[Badger]

Well, I've been over to Shropshire, spent several hours with Gregor (a more friendly guy you couldn't hope to meet - he'll be drummed out of the car salesman's club as soon as they find out) and spent time poking around in, and driving, the Pinzgauers.

First thoughts:

1. They are noisy, possibly more so than a Series Rover, but nothing that couldn't be fixed.

2. The 6x6 diesel engined ambulance with an autobox is a superb vehicle but sadly out of my price range. Gregor took it up an almost vertical stack of railway sleepers just to show off, and I was mightily impressed. It could certainly go anywhere I'd want to take it on an expedition with performance to spare.

3. The petrol engined, manual gearbox, 6x6 ambulance is a delight to drive and probably represents, for me, better value for money than the diesel-auto.

4. The ambulance back box is identical on both vehicles and just a couple of inches too low to stand fully upright in, and just a couple of inches too narrow to sleep in laterally.


5. The 4x4 hard top then begins to look more appealing. Okay, so I can't stand up in it, but then I can't in the 6x6 either so I'm not loosing out there. The 4x4 is also more amenable to carrying more than two pax - extra passengers wouldn't relish sitting in the back of the ambulance with no view for 6,000 miles. Gregor mentioned that a solution might be to go for the 4x4 hard top and put an elevating roof on it, say from a VW T3. That idea is beginning to appeal ever more.

[Thomas-E]

Check out this site for some ideas:

http://www.pinzgauer-overland.co.uk/pinzgauerpage.html

Thomas E.
712M (soon to be a camper)
Sonora, CA