Making the change

Issues pertaining to the TGB/C30X series engine and driveline issues
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Brick
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:13 am
Location: BC

Making the change

Post by Brick »

Hi everyone, I just signed up, have read every volvo post, and thought I had better introduce myself. I love the C300's, I am torn between getting a C303 or a 306. I like the simplicity of the volvo over the pinz. Is this a right impression?

Currently I drive a Mitsubishi Delica, which is fine for very light offroad, and good on the hwy. But it lacks in the expedition side of things. So does anyone have a rough estimate on yearly repair costs? And have you come across many parts that are unavailable?

Thanks.
Josh.

Here's a few pics of my Delica.

Image

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todds112
Posts: 666
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 5:45 pm
Location: Jackson Hole, WY

Post by todds112 »

Never owned a Volvo, but it would seem to me the Pinz isn't any more complicated. Maybe in a couple areas: dual carbs, independent axles vs. straight. But the Pinz is air-cooled, so no radiator, water pump, etc.

I also understand that parts are much harder to come by for the Volvo's.

I have not owned both, only a Pinz.
1973 712M
Brick
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:13 am
Location: BC

Post by Brick »

Thanks... so the parts on a pinz are easy to find? How much is maintanence on a pinz? I would be going on long trips, is there an overdrive available for them?

I really am drawn to the volvo's though, although i havent done that much research on the pinz.
todds112
Posts: 666
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 5:45 pm
Location: Jackson Hole, WY

Post by todds112 »

There is a high speed transmission that can be put in to improve highway speed. As far as long trips go, they are really loud, not insulated very well, etc. They weren't really designed for highway travel. The 710K (4x4 hardtop) would be better than an "M" model (softtop). A 712K (6x6 hardtop) would be really sweet, but are pretty rare in North America.

Maintenance is like any other 35 year old vehicle. Monitoring fluids and changing them. Things will break, but most repairs are fairly straightforward. Occassional electrical bugs, usually due to dirty or corroded contacts and grounds.

Some parts are more pricey than others, but overall no more than other European car parts. Some people really pump lots of $ into them on improvements and upgrades. I kept mine pretty stock. There still seems to be plenty of parts out there, new and/or used.

I really like the Volvo's too. It was parts availabilty and locating a nice truck in the first place that swayed me to the Pinz. Once I decided I had to have a Pinz, I knew I had to have a 6x6 one. I really love mine and have had alot of fun in it.
1973 712M
Jim Molloy
United States of America
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Joined: Sun May 30, 2004 2:16 pm
Location: Sheridan, Oregon
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Post by Jim Molloy »

Josh,

Nice photos of the Mitsubishi! Sort of like a mini-VW Syncro or maxi-Haflinger.

As far as Volvo C-series trucks go, parts have not been a major issue for me not a problem thus far. I have owned a 1975 TGB11 4x4 since 2004 and have put over 70K miles on it. It is used on a daily basis and has seen everythig from Interstate cruising to very technical off road trail work. A couple of years ago, we spent a few days camping along the Squamish River with friends from Vancouver. This coming spring, we plan to take our Volvo 6x6 ambulance-turned-camper (now powered by a Mercedes OM617A turbo-diesel motor) for a run on the Whip Saw trail.


As far as complexity goes, I have no doubt the Volvo is a simpler machine to maintain that the Pinzgauer. Driveline componenets are very basic in their operation. Actuation of differential lockers and 4WD are engaged with vacuum as opposed to the Pingauer having a series of master and slave cylinders with all its related hydraulic plumbing. The Volvo does not have a pair of rings/pinions in each differential housing. The Volvo does not have the offset tire stance as seen with the Pinzgauer. The Pinzgauer was the replacement of its older yet smaller brother, the Haflinger. The parts manuals for the trucks tell the story. The Pinzgauer manual is nearly three times as thick as the Haflinger manual.

I do not want to give you the wrong impression about the Pingauer. It is a great truck. The fact that it is an air cooled motor certainly simplifies the power plant cooling issue. They are very well made and should last for years if well maintained. As with western Oregon, I suspect you would be happier with a hard top version of either the Volvo or the Pinzgauer.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Jim Molloy
Waldersee Farm
http://www.northwestmogfest.com
http://www.volvo4x4.com
milesdzyn
Posts: 550
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:32 am
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Post by milesdzyn »

Hey Jim, I sure would like to see some pictures of your Volvo Camper conversion. I've allways liked the Volvo Fire and Ambulance trucks, almost bought one from europe but shyed away due to not knowing how hard it would be to import it on my own.

Josh, nice Delica. The Volvo Pinzgauer dilema is a toss-up as far as I'm concerned. I don't own a Volvo but did quite a bit of research into them as well as the Pinzgauer. I ended up with a Pinzgauer but would have been just as happy with a Volvo, in either case for me it had to be a 6x6.

As far as the solid axle vs. independent, they are both limited in travel in stock form, and in my opinion should stay that way. You may get some more out of the Volvo with custom work if thats your goal.

Get what you want, either way you won't stop smiling for a month straight. :lol:

Miles
Lots of Pinz pictures here.......
http://picasaweb.google.com/pinzgauer.depository.1

'73 Pinzgauer 712M
Brick
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:13 am
Location: BC

Post by Brick »

todds112 wrote:There is a high speed transmission that can be put in to improve highway speed.
Thanks todds112,

Is the high speed transmission made for both the volvo and the pinz? Or just one of them? Do you lose a lot of low end power?
Jim Molloy wrote: As far as Volvo C-series trucks go, parts have not been a major issue for me not a problem thus far.

Thanks Jim,

That was a real excellent response (so informative). I sure would like to pick your brain over coffee someday. Maybe get to go for a ride in the volvo? I really am drawn to the volvo's over the pinz (no offense to the pinz drivers). I am currently living in northern BC (closer to Alaska) but will be moving to Vancouver in march. From there its only a quick 6 hours or so to oregon... would you mind showing a noob around? *grin*
milesdzyn wrote: Get what you want, either way you won't stop smiling for a month straight. :lol:
Miles,

You hit the nail on the head. Both the volvo and the pinz make me grin already. I can only imagine driving it daily. I cant get them out of my mind.


Thanks everyone for being so welcoming. I must say this is a great forum.

Josh
Captain Crank
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:38 pm
Location: Hamburg Mn USA

Re: Making the change

Post by Captain Crank »

Hi Josh,

Welcome. I'm kinda new here myself.

Waiting for a 303 to be delivered.

Are you a Ninja?

John




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Jim Molloy
United States of America
Posts: 364
Joined: Sun May 30, 2004 2:16 pm
Location: Sheridan, Oregon
Contact:

Post by Jim Molloy »

Josh,

You would be surprised at the number of folks from BC that come down to annual NWMF event every August. When we make our next off road trip in Canada next spring, you should be well established in Vancouver.
You will be more than welcome to drive the 6x6 camper but you must keep in mind that its powerplant will not be original. The five cuylinder Mercedes turbo-diesel is a phenomenal option in the Volvo C-series. Same HP, greater torque, higher redline and better mileage. That is a combination that is hard to beat.

Send a contact e-mail through either of the sites listed below and I can then give additional contact information. I would like to hear more about your Mitsubishi as well.

Take care.

Jim Molloy
Waldersee Farm
http://www.northwestmogfest.com
http://www.volvo4x4.com
Indiana Drew
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:45 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Post by Indiana Drew »

Jim Molloy wrote: The Volvo does not have a pair of rings/pinions in each differential housing.

Jim Molloy
Waldersee Farm
http://www.northwestmogfest.com
http://www.volvo4x4.com
Jim

What is the mechanism in the Volvo axles that functions as a diff lock without ring and pinion? One day I'd like to have a C304 and have been interested in the possibility of axle gear ratio changes ...
Indiana Drew

No Pinzgauer/Volvo Yet ...
G500 280GE
Jim Molloy
United States of America
Posts: 364
Joined: Sun May 30, 2004 2:16 pm
Location: Sheridan, Oregon
Contact:

Post by Jim Molloy »

Drew,

Each Volvo axle differential housing has one ring and pinion set. Each Pinzgauer differential housing has two ring and pinion sets.

Jim molloy
Waldersee Farm
http://www.northwestmogfest.com
http://www.volvo4x4.com
Indiana Drew
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:45 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Post by Indiana Drew »

Jim Molloy wrote:Drew,

Each Volvo axle differential housing has one ring and pinion set. Each Pinzgauer differential housing has two ring and pinion sets.

Jim molloy
Waldersee Farm
http://www.northwestmogfest.com
http://www.volvo4x4.com
Got ya - Volvo axles are solid - Pinz has independent axles - I misunderstood what you were explaining ... So Volvo axles could have ring and pinions changed like I change them in my G? That is assuming there are different ratios available ...
Indiana Drew

No Pinzgauer/Volvo Yet ...
G500 280GE
Brick
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:13 am
Location: BC

Post by Brick »

Jim Molloy wrote:Josh,

You would be surprised at the number of folks from BC that come down to annual NWMF event every August. When we make our next off road trip in Canada next spring, you should be well established in Vancouver.
You will be more than welcome to drive the 6x6 camper but you must keep in mind that its powerplant will not be original.

Jim Molloy
Waldersee Farm
http://www.northwestmogfest.com
http://www.volvo4x4.com
Thanks again Jim.

Sorry I dropped off the face of the planet for awhile. I went out east on vacation and just got back. I would love to get a drive in the 6x6 camper, even with the different engine. I just want to get a general feel for the vehicle itself. Keep me posted as to when you are coming up, I'd love to tag along a bit.

Now I just have to keep my eyes out for one. If anyone knows one that is mechanically solid but needs lots of work give me a heads up.

(John, I am only a "part-time" Ninja)

Josh :D
Captain Crank
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:38 pm
Location: Hamburg Mn USA

Post by Captain Crank »

Brick wrote: (John, I am only a "part-time" Ninja)

Josh :D
That explains why I can still see you......Image
Brick
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:13 am
Location: BC

Post by Brick »

Captain Crank wrote:
Brick wrote: (John, I am only a "part-time" Ninja)

Josh :D
That explains why I can still see you......Image
Or can you? Perhaps that's a decoy! :wink:
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