Scratch-Built Body (Pinz/Mog Style)

[Revco]

Anyone here ever built an entire body from scratch?


I've always loved the look of the foreign military vehicles like Pinzgauers, Unimogs, and Laplanders. I know I'll never be able to afford one, but I do think alot about building a cheap-homebuilt version. The main thing is finding a suitable foundation to build from. I've considered finding a Jeep TJ or YJ chassis, something like a rollover salvage-title type, and making a few upgrades to the drivetrain like lockers, t-case, etc., beefier suspension components, and some bigger rubber. Then building a full aluminum body in the style of the Pinz/Mog/Laps. You know, high approach/departure angles, narrow, somewhat short wheelbase. Just a simple vehicle built to endure any terrain.


The more I think about it, the more I want to do it. I've thought of starting out with a simple 1" square tube, fully-welded aluminum structure or "skeleton", then skinning it in 1/8" sheet aluminum, again, fully-welded. Making use of all body space by integrating storage, winches, lights, etc into the body. Some cheap and simple 1" insulation on the inside and skinned in canvas-wrapped ABS plastic, and using travel trailer components such as windows, etc.


I'm a hot rodder, chassis builder, and metalshaper, so this seems simple to me. Plus I used to be a commercial sign fabricator and did alot of custom aluminum work, so it just makes sense to build it out of aluminum to reduce weight and keep the center of gravity down low. All in all there'd only be a few thousand dollars invested in the donor chassis, upgrades, and materials, the rest is free labor done by me.


I drew up some rough drafts on MS Paint, but my hard drive crashed and I couldn't recover them, so I'm working on drawing up another when I get some time.


I dunno, maybe I'm floating around in la-la land with this insomnia. Someone tell me this is a stupid idea and I'll go back to my corner.:costumed-smiley-007

 

[bronconite]

There is a guy who built a homemade H1 body on an F150 frame. http://www.truckblog.com/5296-how_to_build_the_ford_h150_an_f150_converted_into_a_h1_hummer here is a lengthy thread on his build http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25748 you may have to join to see the pictures.

 

[scottishpinz]

As a Pinzgauer owner I would say that part of the vehicle's appeal is its centre tube chassis, internal drive shaft, independent suspension, portal axles and diff locks. The body is the easy bit!! Making a vehicle that looked like a Pinzgauer might be fairly easy. Would that vehicle perform like a Pinzgauer, well, I think not!! The three vehicles you mention are all available second hand ex-army for not a lot of money. Any custom build I have ever read about has taken hundreds of hours and $$$ to complete.

I love custom projects so in that respect I say go do it. But if you are looking for a cheap easy option I say go back to your corner

 

[Revco]

Maybe easy to find in Scotland, but not in Texas! I know what you mean about the specific parts that make the vehicle what it is. I suppose building something like this would cause a stir among the purists and owners of the real deal, and it would end up being stupid, kinda like a fiberglass '32 Ford, or one of those '49 Ford body kits that they bolt onto a 90's Thunderbird, puke!

I guess in all of my excitement about doing the fabrication fogged my overall view of the end results...which is the fact that it would never be the real thing, so why waste my time and money trying? Maybe one day the planets will align and I'll pick up a real one.

Oh well, back to my dark corner.

 

[mogwildRW1]

You'd be suprised how easy they are to find:

Texas: http://www.tawd.com/ (not sure they still sell vehicles, but worth checking, they used to sell mogs)

but the real dealer is in California:

http://www.expedition-imports.com/c...PkH/category/vehicle_inventory.category_name/

Scott has a good inventory, is well known in the mog industry (and pinz), and sells parts and does repairs.

I echo scottish pinz's comments, putting mog axles under something does not make it as capable as a mog, or a pinz, or similar. These vehicles are a culmination of the complete design, all components working together to make them as capable as they are. You'd spend more money trying to build one than to start with one.

 

[RHINO]

i dont think you can build it for less than buying one. they are pretty easy to find used in the USA, i prefer the volvo c303 myself.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I believe buried deep in the archives of this site or I8mud is a post describing the build of custom camper body atop an FJ60/62 frame. The builder is a Canadian from BC if IRCC.

Jim

 

[UK4X4]

Pinz- slow not at all powerfull and in my experience can't even keep up with a jeep on 33's with no diflocks

Just don't have the accelaration to climb well on loose sand dirt even when fully locked.

I do love the square military looks - similar to the forward control landies

No if you started with any US truck chasis and running and added lockers front and rear you'd you have a fast capable starting point.

Add your aluminum body and I think you'd have an aswome vehicle and keep up with traffic on the freeway

 

[Revco]

UK, that was kind of the idea..Readily available parts being the main thing for me. I don't think Autozone has much for a Pinzgauer. By using a common chassis & drivetrain found here in the US, outfitted with lockers and other doo-dads, then a simple aluminum body built on top. The only real modification to the chassis besides upgrades would be moving the pedals and steering box forward. I've looked at Pinzgauers, Unimogs, and Volvos C303's here in the US and they are priced too high for something that wouldn't be a daily driver. If I built this thing, it would be a multi-purpose vehicle that could run down the interstate at 70mph, make a grocery store run, and perform well on the trail.

 

[mogwildRW1]

My mog will do 112km/h :ylsmoke: That's top speed though, it cruises at 106km/h all day long (on the flats, mogs...don't like hills ) pulling an impressive 15mpg.