Introducing my new rig: The Phoenix

[datrupr]

Very nice Ed. Good job.

 

[articulate]

That's a fantastic looking machine, Ed.

The question begs itself: what'd you do with the 40 and the Horizon? Or what are you going to do with those?

Any particular reason for the Pinz purchase? Did you wake up one day and say, "I think I'll go find a Pinz . . . " or did a deal fall your way? I'm curious for more of the story.

Although, you know - c'mon now - paint it with the big white circle and the red cross in the middle and we have the ubiquitous Overland Journal medical editor's rig in all it's glory.

 

[DaktariEd]

That's a fantastic looking machine, Ed.

The question begs itself: what'd you do with the 40 and the Horizon? Or what are you going to do with those?

Any particular reason for the Pinz purchase? Did you wake up one day and say, "I think I'll go find a Pinz . . . " or did a deal fall your way? I'm curious for more of the story.

Although, you know - c'mon now - paint it with the big white circle and the red cross in the middle and we have the ubiquitous Overland Journal medical editor's rig in all it's glory.

Well, honestly, it fell in my lap. I was starting to do research for a Pinz 710K that I could transform into a poptop like the Sportsmobile, add cool stuff, solar collectors, etc. But here it was, about 3 years sooner than I had planned. What could I do? Let it slip through my fingers? I think not!

At the moment, the cash reserves are rather low now. So I will table the idea of adding my own interior for a while at least. But if I get a good contact who will do the poptop at a great price, who knows?"

The FJ40 and the AT are both still here, taking up garage space. Which is why my friend Ed is building on a drive-through garage addition to accommodate both the Pinz and the 40 together.

 

[jeffryscott]

It is a thing of beauty Ed, so glad it is finally "ready." When can we go play? I really want to see this in person.

 

[7wt]

Super nice find! I have always loved the Pinz'. Maybe one day when you get tired of it....

 

[desertgirl66]

Ed, that is soooo you! Really fits the "Rambo" image~~

I love the looks of that Pinz and you will be unstoppable:smiley_drive:

Congratulations!

 

[mountainpete]

What an amazing machine Ed! The jealously level is extremely high!

You mentioned a 0-60 in 21 seconds.... what's it like on the highway?

 

[DaktariEd]

Ed, that is soooo you! Really fits the "Rambo" image~~

Oh, no! Not Rambo. I hate Rambo!
I'm more of a "live long and prosper" kind of guy! So, it would be more like, "now that was a most logical purchase, Ed."

You mentioned a 0-60 in 21 seconds.... what's it like on the highway?

Well, Pete, actually it was only 0 to 50.
On the highway, it's pretty good. Handling is very different. I am going to have to get used to that. And the turning radius is very tight. I can do a U-ey with just a little touch of the shoulder on one side.

Cheers!

 

[jingram]

Simply Awesome!! Looking forward to some interior shots!

 

[IronSmiles]

Why I have I never seen that beast before? I have no idea what it is but I love it, haha! It's like a desert machete on wheels!

 

[Pskhaat]

It even looks like it has gunwhales!

 

[upcruiser]

Wow, fantastic looking Pinz! Its nice seeing some engine shots too, I appreciated that. Looking forward to seeing some interior pics. I'm curious as well to hear more driving impressions of it. Is the drivetrain whine bad on the higway? Any mpg figures yet? The specs for those Pinzes is inredible. What is it, a 12,000lb tow rating and 1 ton payload? I love it.

 

[DaktariEd]

It even looks like it has gunwhales!

LOL...well, actually that's pretty close. The rub rails (I think that's the correct term) are larger than stock. The previous owner replaced the originals with some type of Hawaiian hardwood. They need a little TLC.

...I'm curious as well to hear more driving impressions of it. Is the drivetrain whine bad on the higway? Any mpg figures yet? The specs for those Pinzes is inredible. What is it, a 12,000lb tow rating and 1 ton payload? I love it.

Driving on roads is interesting. Application of the brakes causes a major nose-dive. Something that will require a lot of adaptation. The brakes are drums and just don't have the stopping power of disks that's for sure! I'll be trying to find some dirt roads in the coming weeks to try out the handing there. I haven't experienced it yet, but others in-the-know have counseled me on the tendency of the vehicle to lift a wheel and/or become "tippy" at times.

As for drivetrain noise, no, it isn't very whiney at all. The PO did some type of balancing along the entire driveline.

No mpg figures yet; I haven't drawn down the tank enough yet. Jake installed a very cool fuel management system. As I drive I have an LED strip (a mixture meter) that indicates how rich/lean the current mix is. If need be, I have a knob (potentiometer) that I can tweak the mixture on the fly to enrich or lean-out the injected fuel.

Pinzgauer Specs:

Yup...towing capacity is about 11,000 lbs, it weighs ~4600 lbs, and can carry 2200 lbs (minus the 200 lbs in batteries it already totes!).

 

[DaktariEd]

I filled up the gas tank for the first time today.
I'm hoping it was a fluke: 11 mpg :yikes:


I also posted some interior photos for those who asked....
The Phoenix, Interior

 

[gjackson]

Wow!!

(Wanna trade it for a 110?! )

cheers