hello all - first post here, and I think it's probably my best chance at getting some real answers and ideas for doing a diesel conversion.

I have a 1973 Pinzgauer 710M. If you've never seen one, check them out on google images, they are a big ball of fun Problem is that they are a little underpowered, especially at altitude (I am back and forth between Colorado and Wyoming). So I am on the quest for the holy grail of pinzgauer modifications - the diesel repower. The 716 and 718 model Pinzgauers had VW diesels in them, but they cannot legally be imported for several more years. The stock motor is an I-4 2.5l air cooled gasser from Volvo. Sounds a lot like a VW bug.

There is a gentleman in the UK who will repower them, and he uses a Mercedes inline 5 - but he's pulling them out of Sprinter 310 vans. They are non-turbo, but do have a manual transmission. This is close to what I'd like to go after. Problem is that he isn't real forthcoming with help, and I can't exactly ship my truck to Britain for a repower. I'd also, ideally, like a turbo version to help with smoke, power and altitude. I also want to retain a manual transmission. The advice I've been given is to get the Mercedes 617 and go from there. He says in the info he gave me that he has new oilpan, pan pickup, engine and transmission mounts fabricated, then converts the truck to 12v. I'd like to keep the truck 24v and rewind the starter and alternator if at all possible.

So here I am. Little information, and trying to do the homework before diving into something insane. Based on trusted advice I'd like a turbocharged 617 if possible, and keep the truck manual. Seeing how the bulk of these motors were hooked up to auto trannies, where do I go from here?

Any and all advice will be appreciated. I have a mechanic who is willing to undertake the task at cut rates, since there are quite a few pinzgauers in my area and it's a market he'd like to break into. But I need to do my homework ahead of time and get as much figured out as possible. I realize I'm opening a big can of worms....but maybe they will just catch something good.

many thanks!
yaknowthatguy

 

Hmmm. I will get back to yu on that! I am sure somebody will beat me to the info your looking for.

 

I believe the Mercedes engine he is using is the OM617 super turbo diesel.They will absolutely run forever with a good maintenance plan.I am planning a swap into my 1990 Mercury Blue Max Cougar, and later, one into my 2001 Ford Ranger.They are not powerful but can be tuned to 145HP and roughly 220lbs,IIRC.They come in 81-85 300D and SD Mercedes.These are the easiest to swap because they are completely mechanical,no electronics.They can be had fairly cheap because the cars are usually wrecked or rusted out.Do a search on here for OM617 and Mercedes.

Here's some links for more info.
SuperTurboDiesel.com- Performance Mercedes turbo diesels
Mercedes OM617 & Variants
Mercedes-Benz OM617 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ever wonder what the Mercedes tri bar emblem was far?
Here it is.

 

ben2go - thanks a bunch, that's good data and helps me get started. I really want to obtain a mechanical motor as opposed to all the electronics, partially for the design aesthetic of the pinzgauer, and for some other reasons as well. The stock Pinz motor sits around 80hp I think, so even getting up to 100 is more than plenty. what part of upstate SC are you in? I have spent some time in both Greenwood and Greenville, and used to live in Charleston....

any ideas for tying the pinzgauer transmission to the 617? I think the 617 motors were typically attached to auto transmissions, so I have to come up with a flywheel somewhere.... unless I'm totally clueless, which I will allow (I'm mechanically inclined, but not been into the guts of a motor/tranny so far - this will be a good learning experience).

 

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You're welcome.I am at the SC/NC state line in norther Spartanburg county.Actually,I'm about 10 minutes from the NC state line.I visit Greenwood and Charelston a few times a year.The girl friend and I shop in Greenville almost every week.

I am not familiar with your Pinz.Some people keep the Benz auto and adapt it to a divorced transfer case,while others make an adapter to mate the 617 to their transmission.I haven't done a 617 yet.I am still researching this,but I have a plan.

MY POST FROM ANOTHER FORUM CONVERSATION.May give you some ideas.
s10 5-speed conversion

"I am planning an OM617 conversion on my 1990 Mercury Blue Max Cougar.My plan is to use a Mercedes manual transmission bolt on bell housing,240D flywheel and pressure plate.Then use a stock 5.0L Thunder Bird/Cougar M5R2 5 speed or a Camaro/Firebird T56 6 speed transmission and the appropriate pressure plate.The transmissions I listed have the shifter in the wrong location for a truck,but you get the idea.Just use the transmission of your choice.You may need a spacer/adapter to mate the transmission to the bell housing.I am hoping that I can get away with re-drilling the bell housing or transmission mounting flange."

NOTE
The only thing I didn't mention here is the pilot bearing/bushing.I will machine the flywheel and make an adapter for a sealed pilot bearing to fit the transmission shaft when I decide on a transmission.Sealed pilot bearings last way longer than bushings or those needle bearing style that replace bushings.

I hope this helps.It's the easiest way I have found to do it with the least amount of machine and custom work.

Seaglf has posted some good info on your rig.Thanks seaglf.

 

thanks dude I have been looking at those Panzgauers for awhile now. They also make the drive train for the VW Vanagon Syncro, and the Mercedes Gwagon. I have been wanting some kind of Off road camper and have considered a Panzgauer, But have also been considering a early model Hummer, and buying the Ambulance top, then biulding a camper out of that.

 

Well worth it. What a lot of guys do is buy the Pinz 712AMB which is the 6wheel Ambulance conversion, and then modify the ambulance box. most of the ambulance modules are in really good shape inside, with 4 cots set up like bunk beds, two on each side. get rid of the bottom cots and install shelving/etc, and keep the top ones to sleep on. Plus the ambulances comes with an Eberspacher heater, a lot like a Webasto - so burns a little fuel to keep the inside of the box nice and warm at night. One down side - not much ventilation in the back, and there is NO a/c on a Pinz, so if you go to inherently warm areas keep that part in mind.

You can often find a 712AMB for around $15k or so. Check out Welcome to Cold War Remarketing! and Swiss Army Vehicles - The Prime Pinzgauer and Unimog Source for a feel on what dealers have. I imagine that this would be far cheaper than buying a Hummer and converting it.

 

If you can get it to work, it'll peg the "Cool-o-meter". Be damn sure to post the whole recipe, pix and all. There's a Pinzgauer out here on the Island. The lady who owns it bought it in San Antonio. Next nearest place who's got'em is in Arkansas.

I've been threatening to get one, myself, and the ambulance would make a damn good day-tripping fishing buggy. I like having a shady place for a nap.

 

Swiss Army Vehicles is in Arkansas, so a pretty reliable place to purchase by all accounts.

You may be pleasantly surprised with a 710M - I can sleep in the back of mine no problem. it's wide enough for two quite comfortably. I'm going to put a wood deck down in the back with a foam layer on top to sleep on, and there's PLENTY of room underneath it for gear. You could lay straight out in the back comfortably if you're up to about 6'6".... so a 712 is just more room for gear, and not necessarily for more room.

if I do pursue this, and I'm surely itching to, I'm going to document it end to end with photos and parts lists. This would be the coolest mod ever on a pinz here in the US. Other diesels have been done, but it's usually the 1.9l VW, and it makes the truck gutless (from what I've been told). if I can get the information together to do it without going bonkers, I'm all for it. The loose end right now seems to be the bellhousing/flywheel/transmission issue. I'd like to keep the stock transmission if possible, so figuring out the adaptation between the tranny and engine is the blank area, and probably where I need the most help. If I could score an OM617 with a 5 speed that would be great, but I dont know if I can get it to mate up to the transfer case without crying...that and I understand they're sorta rare. I'd take a non-turbo version if I had to, and just watch the pyrometer carefully.....but with the altitude I'd much rather have a turbo if I can find one.