Looking for first hand Pinzgauer info.

[Ruffin' It]

Ok, somebody please talk some sense into me. I have a long and elustrious history of doing dumb things.
I am in the process of making up my mind on my new expo vehicle. I know I should be buying a FJ80 but I keep thinking that a Pinz would be so much fun. I was thinking that a small RV roof mount A/C and heater unit would deal well with HVAC duties, but the ride and noise is what I am worried about. I have a kick-butt girlfriend now that I very much want to remain interested in off-roading and two big, old dogs that can't get bounced around too much.

How loud are they? How smelly? How drafty? How rough? How tireing to drive on long trips? How prone are they to prompting roadside adventures (i.e. breaking down)?

Can someone campare these (and any other traits you think would be important) to things like a Disco, a Jeep, and Series Rover, etc?
I don't generally do really hardcore trails and prefer long trips on and off road. I have a lot of expereince with old British cars and they never bothered me, but would a trip from LA to Alaska just be torture in a Pinz?

Thanks

 

[viatierra]

Dude, go drive one. They are a blast to cruise around in, but I woudn't one to be my main road trip vehicle.

I'm sure others will have more info... My buddy had one for quite awhile. It's a 60's era vehicle so count on it being rough. The suspension has zero flex and you sit right on top of the front axle. I think the real deal breaker for you should be the 50-55 mph top speed.

 

[Ruffin' It]

Yeah, I'm dying to drive one. If I knew someone anywhere near me that owned one (or even knew of one for sale), I'd be all over it.
I'm expecting the ride to be on the rougher side, but have heard people say that the 4 wheel coil spring independent suspension "isn't bad". "Isn't bad" can cover a lot of ground though. "Isn't bad for a Lexus" is much different than "isn't bad for a shopping cart". I know one guy mentioned that his wife would sleep in the back while they drove down the road. But if his wife can sleep like my girlfriend then that doesn't help much.
Sound is almost as important. My hearing isn't good, especially in my right ear, so that could make conversations tough with passengers.
I'm hoping for (theoretically) a 4X4 version with the 65 mph top speed as opposed to the 6X6 version with the 55 mph top speed. But, the increase room and traction might be worth it.

If anyone in the Southern California/Western Arizona/LV area has one they want to rent out for a weekend so I could take it for an easy off road camping trip, I'm all ears! :sombrero:

 

[Robthebrit]

there are loads of pinz's in LA, I am sure I can find somebody who will take you for a spin. If you are still looking in October go out to mogfest at Calico and you'll see every form of pinz there is including a fairly new diesel.

I have driven a lot in them and I don't think they are as comfy as a Unimog which is saying something, they just seem a little more bouncy from being lighter. They are about as loud as unimog but in a different way, its a higher pitch noise because the engine spins so much faster. They do seem to take sound insulation better than a mog, you can get them pretty quiet but its a lot of work.

They are old engines with carbs so they can be hard to start, there is a company call GoatWerks that makes fuel injection kits and it makes all the difference. As for speed a 4x4 will do 60 and if its not loaded to gross and it will hold speed on hills.

As compared to the other vehicles you mention for comfort there is no comparison, the others win hands down.

Unless it was fitted out with a few creature comforts I would not want to drive a Pinz from LA to Alaska, thats from somebody who has driven old unimogs thousands of miles, if nicely fitted out they can be quite comfy.

Remember they are air cooled engines so cabin heat can be an issue, especially in the soft top models where things don't fit so tight. I would definitely install a gas powered espar airtronic.

 

[jh504]

Iv never driven one but there is one here for sale from the Swiss Army. It is in great shape, and me and my buddy have been drooling over it. The guy is asking $8,000.

 

[Juntura]

A friend of mine has one at his cabin. Great offroad and fording the river at his back door, but not so fun on the highway. I have only driven it 3 or 4 times but had a GREAT time. He bought it instead of a crew cab Polaris Ranger because it was cheaper, could haul more, and could drive on the road.

When I say it is not fun on the highway I mean it. We trailer it back home for servicing rather than drive in it for 3 hours.

 

[Ruffin' It]

Thanks Rob (and everyone), I appreciate the help. I really hope I've made up my mind before October. My Disco is going up for sale as soon as the dealer sorts out the oil burning issue and I don't want to be out of a rig for more than a couple weeks. If you happen across someone in the general Southern California area that wouldn't mind giving me a ride for a little while, that would be great. But don't go too far out of your way. The offer in and of itself is really nice of you. I don't know if you remember, but you offered me a ride in your Mog before I decided that they were just a big larger than what I want, thanks for that offer too.

I would definitely plan on doing some things to make it more livable if I were to go the Pinz route. Up rated shocks (Bilstein if possible, maybe Rancho, maybe something custom) would be done right off and I would go for the aftermarket fuel injection system as well as aftermarket seats shortly thereafter. Sound deadening would also be a very high priority. I would run ATs (to help a little), plaster the thing with dynamat and carpet the interior.

I wouldn't expect anything close to my Disco in terms of comfort, but I don't want anything worse than a Series II Rover. I know I am really better off with a FJ80, but my heart really belongs to older vehicles.

there are loads of pinz's in LA, I am sure I can find somebody who will take you for a spin. If you are still looking in October go out to mogfest at Calico and you'll see every form of pinz there is including a fairly new diesel.

I have driven a lot in them and I don't think they are as comfy as a Unimog which is saying something, they just seem a little more bouncy from being lighter. They are about as loud as unimog but in a different way, its a higher pitch noise because the engine spins so much faster. They do seem to take sound insulation better than a mog, you can get them pretty quiet but its a lot of work.

They are old engines with carbs so they can be hard to start, there is a company call GoatWerks that makes fuel injection kits and it makes all the difference. As for speed a 4x4 will do 60 and if its not loaded to gross and it will hold speed on hills.

As compared to the other vehicles you mention for comfort there is no comparison, the others win hands down.

Unless it was fitted out with a few creature comforts I would not want to drive a Pinz from LA to Alaska, thats from somebody who has driven old unimogs thousands of miles, if nicely fitted out they can be quite comfy.

Remember they are air cooled engines so cabin heat can be an issue, especially in the soft top models where things don't fit so tight. I would definitely install a gas powered espar airtronic.

 

[scottishpinz]

Pinzgauer

I have 710k 4x4. Suspension is really good over the rough, the military use these here in UK for sensitive electronics as the ride is smooth compared with Landrover. Its 1970s technology at its best, that's why the design was in production into the 80's and even the last Pinzgauers were very similar.

We have had ours all over Europe and round Iceland last year.
http://bagsfirstaid.co.uk/Pinzgauer/Trips.html

 

[ntsqd]

Is that guy up in Big Bear still selling them? He was on the North side of the 4 lane main drag East of the village (or whatever they call that little area).

 

[Rallyroo]

Is that guy up in Big Bear still selling them? He was on the North side of the 4 lane main drag East of the village (or whatever they call that little area).

Are you talking about place with two of them on the driveway/parking lot? One orange and forgot the other color.

 

[rynosurf]

There is a used lot in Ramona (near San Diego) that had a few, they might let you test drive one.

 

[rynosurf]

I think this is the place. This one is priced high but it is already set up, they used to have others http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/ctd/1196511347.html .

 

[ntsqd]

Are you talking about place with two of them on the driveway/parking lot? One orange and forgot the other color.

Last time I was up there, a while ago, there was a spot that had 3-5 of them. Can't say that I recall a yellow one up there. I have seen the one above linked in the past.

 

[chubchaser60]

yes the guy in big bear is still selling them

 

[bpj911]

Opinions are like...

You fill in the blank. I have had about 15 Pinzgauers in the last 8 years or so. I don't have one now but will own another. The are very reliable, I daresay more reliable than any older vehicle I have owned which includes a LOT of vehicles including Cruisers, Rovers, unimogs, etc.

Compared to a 1975 FJ40 as it's about the same wheel base really and is a high quality vehicle.

-both reliable
-both noisy, Pinz is probably noisier
-hydraulic lockers-Pinz
-heater-sucks in the Pinz unless it's a K model
-3 point seat belts in the Pinz for sure, can't remember in the FJ
-air cooled- there are obvious pros/cons here. I prefer air cooled personally but I really think that the water cooled engines probably last longer.
-Pinz rides better than a LOT of vehicles particularly any trucks made with leaf springs. The only truck I would consider to ride great off road (stock)is an M37. I would say the Pinz rides better than an FJ60 even.
-Both are easy to work on. You have to be open minded to get to this conclusion.
-comfort-pretty subjective. I would consider the comfort to be above an FJ40 but not the heater.
-steering-PINZGAUER ALL THE WAY.

There's a lot of variables but the Pinzgauer is an 80's vehicle built in the 60's and 70's is how I see it. I am not a brand loyalist and I currently have a 66 SIIA and a 52 M37 in my toy fleet. I will get another Pinz one of these days when the right deal comes along. They are a great truck. The Pinz's real downfall is in the cost of ownership if you are not able to repair/maintain it yourself. I can fix it myself so it's not that big of a deal. If you aren't able to and don't live near Jim Laguardia or Dennis Williams or any of the other Pinz repair shops then you may have some issues getting it repaired locally. Mechanics aren't often willing to learn to fix something like a Pinz despite it being very easy. Good luck.