712/718 Noob Questions

[Knuckledown]

Interested in the 6x6 Pinz, not sure 712 v. 718. If purchased would want to use this thing for daily driver, as well as for a bush buggy/camper. In both cases, it appears one of the cons for my purposes is that stock highway speeds/gearing top out for cruising speed at 60-65mph, with excursions to 70mph. I have one data point (credible) that this is correct but would like additional info and if anyone has modded one to higher gearing, I would be interested in your experience.

Thanks in advance.

[pinzi]

Well the only weak point would be the hi/ lo transfer case....its fine using it as a off roader an sure no problems on the street but when driving realy long at high speed the oil becomes verry hot and then the bearings start to were.

[rmel]

A 712 at 60mph is just about 4,100 rpm with 32" tires. That rpm
is neither good for the engine or for the driver -- very noisy.

HWY speed for a 712 is closer to 53mph, and a wee bit of a push
but OK cruising speed. Going to 33" tires would reduce rpm by 3%
or a HWY speed bump by 3%. The 712 6x6's just ain't suited for 60 period.

A 710 is a better choice for HWY -- due to the X-case gearing of
1.0:0.88 in High versus 1.0:1.0 for the 712, that's ~14% improvement
that gets you to 60mph at about 3,600rpm and tolerable driving situation.

[Hotzenplotz]

Due to the setup of the drivetrain you can use a 710 transfer case in a 712.
I have been using that setup for four years now, and do not regret the conversion.
It allows for cruising at acceptable rpm's and I never missed the low speed option ...

[rmel]

Yup, I am planning the same conversion for my 712. I have a
spare 710 X-case that is in the process of getting checked out.

The cautionary note is that this replacement is by no means easy.
Although Hotzenplotz makes it look easy

[Hotzenplotz]

letr me show the process with some pics

First you disconnect the hydraulics for the brakes and lockers. Also unpluck the cables for the locker sensors.
unscrew the shock absorbers, the retainers and then bolts holding the body to the tube
Then you can lift the back of the truck like this.




then you can roll out the rear axles together.



the rear view is like this



and the side view



prepare the transfer case
[


and check the witches head



assemble in reverse order, tighten all screws and bleed the hydraulics !

for any question drop me a pm

cheers !

[rmel]

I've done it once on a 710

Tires off method with a hydraulic transmission lift.