it's time for the Pinzgauer to eat a Diesel.
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 415
Likes: 16
From: Keller, TX
I wonder if the guys at Advance Adapters would be able to do a one-time or low-volume design? They seem to be pretty popular in the 4wd magazines for a lot of the combinations that people create.
might be worth a phone call...who knows? might save you from looking too much like this guy:
might be worth a phone call...who knows? might save you from looking too much like this guy:
maybe a sbc
Diesel Fan
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Upstate,SC
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.
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.
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
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.
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.
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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.
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.
My decision on getting a Panzgauer rests on cost and being able to do a diesel swap, because the stock engine is underpowered.
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the Mercedes Gwagons drive train was made by Panzgauer, and they had the 0M 617 in the 79-91 300gd/460 chassis. And the 85-91 300gd/ 461 chassis.
the 92-96 G350/ 463 had the 603 6 cyl. which is a bad engine. But the 96-200 G300 had the 606 6 cyl, which was one of there best diesel engines, Its 3 litres like the om 617 but I think its smaller and lighter.
Since Panzgauer made there drive train I'll bet there should be some after market company in Europe that has what you need to mount it up.
Last edited by seaglf; Sep 25, 2010 at 01:03 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
cummins 4bt is way to heavy 750 pounds and way to tall. I have been checking out alot of the info on the VW TDI conversion, and I think that is the best bet. The stock engine only puts out 85 HP and 113 ft/lbs torque. I drive a 2002 VW TDI and that engine is rated at 90 HP and 155 FT/Lbs torque. But there are many after market upgrades for that engine to get 200 Hp and 350 Ft/lbs torque, and the engine is about the same size as the stock one.
But the 0m 617 and 0m 606 are good options and should fit with a little work. Another option would be a 0m642 aluminum v6 diesel from a sprinter van, jeep grand Cherokee or Mercedes. I have seen them on eBay from 5000- 1000, dollars. and they only weigh 460 lbs. And they have a 7 speed transmission. I dont know if it could be mated to the Pinzgauer.
But the 0m 617 and 0m 606 are good options and should fit with a little work. Another option would be a 0m642 aluminum v6 diesel from a sprinter van, jeep grand Cherokee or Mercedes. I have seen them on eBay from 5000- 1000, dollars. and they only weigh 460 lbs. And they have a 7 speed transmission. I dont know if it could be mated to the Pinzgauer.
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 415
Likes: 16
From: Keller, TX
[QUOTE=seaglf;626371]what Island ? I live in the close to Galveston, and that was one of the reasons I want a good off road camper, to go fishing down on south padre, and also to go hunting in remote areas.
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Padre Island, Corpus Christi (we pronounce it "Th' AAhhhhlund")
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Padre Island, Corpus Christi (we pronounce it "Th' AAhhhhlund")
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
[quote=geddy's uncle;626812]
yeah i love it down there the water is much cleaner then around here.
I am a Captain and work on supply boats and research vessels, out in the gulf.
Anyway I have been checking out allot of the Pinzgauers on the internet again and they look pretty cool, But I am still having trouble relating there size to, say a full size van or a unimog, I haven't actually seen one up close and all the pics I've seen where by themselves.
I am a Captain and work on supply boats and research vessels, out in the gulf.
Anyway I have been checking out allot of the Pinzgauers on the internet again and they look pretty cool, But I am still having trouble relating there size to, say a full size van or a unimog, I haven't actually seen one up close and all the pics I've seen where by themselves.
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 415
Likes: 16
From: Keller, TX
OK...size comparison, huh....the troop-carrier configuration, like the one out here, is approx same length and width as a long-body minivan like the Plymouth Grand Voyager, but with much better ground clearance. overall height taller, like maybe 7ft. using the horizontally-opposed engine and putting the whole running-gear nearly linear allowed'em to keep the center-of-gravity pretty low, and the floor fairly flat.
come to think of it, I don't recall seeing people/pinz pix either
come to think of it, I don't recall seeing people/pinz pix either
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
2.4 L VW Strait 6
OK I have done a little research and on the second gen. Pinzgauer starting 1980 they made them with a 2.4 Liter VW strait 6 which is the same as the 1.9 TDI with two extra cylinders, so I'm sure that Pinzgauer parts sellers probably have all the mounting gear and or trannies to fit.
They also produced them with a 4 speed Auto, so you could either use a 1.9 TDI and give it more power or you could find a 2.4 liter strait 6 which would be great. I guess that explains the Pinzgauers with the funny looking front end, they have the strait six.
File:Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle by Nick.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_D24_engine
They also produced them with a 4 speed Auto, so you could either use a 1.9 TDI and give it more power or you could find a 2.4 liter strait 6 which would be great. I guess that explains the Pinzgauers with the funny looking front end, they have the strait six.
File:Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle by Nick.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_D24_engine
