Moab, Needles, White Rim.. Gwagen upgrades

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

I've been trying to get back out there for a few years now. I can suddenly make the trip work. I'm taking the old Puch 300gd G-class to southern Utah for much of April after some weekend test runs at Mogfest and Death Valley showed me some areas that needed attention. I'll post some pics here when I can get around to it, which will likely be when I stop in Moab (where the net is available). I'm working to get the G into shape for the trip. It doesn't have the room for sleeping in like my 303 or Pinz did but I'm making it work. I'm installing a small Dometic fridge this week, along with new headlights and a rebuild kit for the clutch master. Some additional sound insulation and cargo area carpet was just completed and a small bed is being fashioned. The ceiling is getting a couple of cargo nets for storing clothes/hats in and the driveline is getting all Redline oils. I think the rest is good to go, hopefully.

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

Tons of work being done before the G's big trip and it's almost over. One little item was a headlight upgrade. I've been wanting to get some Hella E-codes with city lamp for a year now. I finally made the order with Rallylights.com and looked into changing out the city lamp blub to get a better "parking light" effect. After some research, I found out a great solution. I got the BA9S-AHP9 from superbrightleds.com. You have to lightly pry out the bulb mount from the headlight and tuck the LED under because the head is too big to go through the original hole (that's what she said!).

The effect is really nice and now with my rear lamps converted as well, I could leave the parking lights on all night without draining the battery. I think they are now more noticeable and have the parking-light color instead of that headlight barely-on look the little tungsten bulbs give. The color looks a little less extreme-amber than the camera is showing. Sorry for the crappy call phone pics.

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

For budget reasons, I couldn't get the sound matting (from heco.net) that I normally use on project trucks and settled on this not-so-bad jute/alum. stuff. Auto/outdoor carpet will go over top and they will be glued together but I am not gluing the insulation to the floor! (dont ever do that)

The main part of the bed is done. There is an extension that is folded down when the seats are put forward which provides almost 6ft. of sleeping room. It is attached at the front of this piece via a piano hinge and has two 2x2's for support. The fridge is mounted on the far right rear corner and wired directly to the battery with a new switch on the shifter console. It can be left on all night as its a Danfoss compressor type. I'll post the completed stuff soon.

[eToothpaste]

The G looks awesome. Wish I could come see it, but I'll be a few weeks behind in arriving to Moab.


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[crcpinz]

Vince, you have a beautiful G. Do you feel a 300 is enough of a motor? I have friends who say nothing less than a 500 will move a beast that is so heavy. Your thoughts? I would love to have one of these in the medium future.

[VinceAtReal4x4s]

Thanks. Yeah too bad schedules are always crossed up when it comes to people meeting in Moab. Ive tried in the past to meet people but its always very tough with timing. You do happen upon a lot of interesting people though, even if you don't try.

I guess the motor is like the motor in the Pinz. Some people always want more but if you have driven a really underpowered 4x4 (Like a 109" land rover with the 2.25ltr motor or a 404 Mog) then something like a Pinz or a diesel 300 G will feel like a race car. Mine is a turbo and has well over 100hp and the G is a two door; I think it moves fine. It does need an overdrive, but isn't that the case with all these trucks? I would not want a G500 with its computer systems, overly safe looks and 13mpg (oh and price). I can put a newer diesel and 5 speed in the G but that would cost some major money. For now I'll stick to 65mph with some rev noise.

I just picked up a discounted Bosch AMG battery today (which are US made, while many batteries are not) so I'm pretty much broke now. I hope this one lasts a while and keeps the fridge happy. The fridge has a multi position sensor to shut itself off if the voltage drops below a certain level.

After this latest battery research session I learned that Excide, some Diehards, Bosch, Odyssey and Interstate are the few main players that make batteries here still. Optima has had a hurt reputation after moving production to Mexico. Diehard has done the same but only certain group sizes seem to be affected. Their Platinum line are actually Odysseys with different labeling which is nice but they are $230 compared to Bosch AMG's that average $189 (Mine was $170 in a group 49 from pepboys.. ask them to price match!)

Ill post more soon... working like crazy.