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decisions decisions.....

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:11 pm
by yaknowthatguy
so I'm debating some options.... And essentially it goes like this - make the 712 a full hardtop (has some merit), or partially hard top (cab....with the rest being soft top). Gotta keep the cab hardtop for reasons that will be divulged later.....

First - opinions?

Second - anyone done it? I see pictures of 712K-type trucks, but am curious how they got that way. And to be specific.... this will not be a 5 door, it'll just have the usual 3. The place I run into real questions is how to do the stretch, and am guessing I'd need another 710 top to do it.....which may be quite spendy when it's all done.

thanks for the opinions all!

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:40 pm
by BobbyD
There are stock 712k's out there, but very few were made and less made it to the US.

I have always looked wishfully at Brian's video located here... http://www.youtube.com/user/ExpedImport ... wTK_jkar08 . At 21 seconds, pause the video and view a 712DK configuration. A quick google of "712dk pinz" will give you a few other images to work with. I like having an area that is able to be open/truck bed like.

Moving the front roll bar is the easiest part. Finding a used hardtop from a 710 or fabricating the top and sides from scratch would be the hard part for me. A couple of members have done the conversion (Eric712).

just 2 cents...

Robert

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:22 pm
by Thomas-E
For a Cab Top, I had a local welder fab one up for me, pics on the yahoo pinzgauer group site in the Photos section, and in the "Toms 712M" album. This was a copy of a design by Phil Kalamaros who no longer markets these. The pics show a few changes to his design, particularly the overhead console and heavier square tubing in the framework for both the top and the back (hopefully gaining greater roll protection.)

I have seen one idea for the "m" model pinzgauers where you use aluminum skin attached to the original bows that supported the soft top. You would have to fab the rear and a taller door.

I only wanted a cab top so that I didn't loose my pickup truck capability, as I have occasionally haul pallet loads of about 3000lbs. :shock:

Currently I am finishing up a slide on camper for my 712, keeping my ability to remove it and haul loads. My 712m is mostly a pickup truck! :P See the Yahoo Pinzgauer group photos of "Toms Camper".

Hope this gives you some options.

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:21 pm
by 4x4Pinz
I chose to make an insulated hard top for the rear. I made it in two pieces so that it could be removed as needed. The sides are made from two 710 tops which are attached using the "c" channel used for mounting most RV canopies to the vehicles. I can slide the sides off if they are not needed. I tied the supports into the same mounting holes used for the original top and just fabricated up the supports needed for the metal skin. There is 3/4" insulation between the outer and inner layers. The corners are reinforced with 16ga metal so there is no deformation when contacting those low hanging branches. This platform has given me a place to mount my Yakima rack and a bracket to hold the front door tops when not installed.
Image

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:07 am
by M Wehrman
My path..

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:07 am
by 4x4Pinz
Mark, I almost put one of your pictures up as an example, glad you chimed in. You should show the inside.

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:58 am
by Erik712m
I went full hard top for dust control. Don't think you're going to find two k,tops any more tho. Marks looks nice also look at tonys aka pinz doctor.

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:43 pm
by audiocontr
M Wehrman wrote:My path..

want!

Re: decisions decisions.....

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:06 pm
by Erik712m
Just realizing you have the trophy truck with Dave's top. Might look at cutting it on the back half of the rear window and adding filler for the roof also creating a larger window on the sides.