WANTED: 712 or 718

[Idiot'sArray]

Hello Everyone,

I'm seriously in the market for a 712 or 718.

If I could wish a 718K, MK, FW into my hands I'd back flip for joy. I'm also more than willing to put the time (and money) into making any M, T, W, or AMB to fit my needs.

If I find a 712 I will likewise be upgrading it to make it what I need.

In about a years time I have to do some field research and will be living and exploring out of whatever Pinz I get for about 30 months, so I want to be choosey. My dad and I are going to spend the next year or so making the Pinz perfect for my needs. Basically a Pinzgauer based father/son project.

I've checked with: SAV, Cold War, Haflinger technik, shropshiregunbus, staufferclassics, gauer garage, this site, craigslist, e-bay, and others! Many have great options but I wanted to see what else is out there.

If there is a private owner that has been looking for a worthy person to take their Pinz off their hands, consider PMing me. I will be showing whatever Pinz I get a crazy amount of love and adventure.

Thanks,

The Idiot

[TechMOGogy]

Hey idiot
where are you located?
Best to fill in your profile so your not importing one from Africa

[audiocontr]

We all have 712s that are for sale given the right offer.

Good luck on the 718.


Whats your budget?

[Idiot'sArray]

Hey All,

Well the budget is anywhere from 10-50k. I'll eat top raman for a year if it gets me the Pinz I want.

I live now in California so I know my import and registration options are limited to 74 and below. I have wonderful and trustworthy family in other states that could legally own the Pinz, and I'll just barrow it for my travels, so California's restrictions arent too much of a worry.

A 712 no matter what the body will be heavily modified/upgraded. That could mean anything from an engine swap (as though it that's easy!!!) to diesel, changing drums to discs, and more.

A 718 from Europe has many of those things but they are2 x the price and I gotta pay to ship it.

Best

Idiot

[Idiot'sArray]

On my Pinz spreadsheet I have 11 possible options. 2 718 and 9 712. Ranging in price from 12,500 to 49,500. These prices include all shipping from the Pinz location to my door.

Oh by the way, a general thank you to all those who contribute to the content of this site. I've learned so much!

Best,

Idiot

[audiocontr]

I'll sell you mine for $35000.

I highly recommend you narrow your price range to something a bit more studied. It's tough for us to take tire kickers serious, especially those spending daddy's money.

What's your primary vehicle?

[David Dunn]

Welcome to the Pinzgauer insanity.
I've literally have owned all the different numerical Pinzes (4) and can say the TDs are the most civilize, they are the most expensive, both to obtain and purchase parts for in the US.
In pure numbers, over 17000 710/712s were produced from '70 to '86 and going from what I know on the TD's VINs, I estimate at less than 8000 716/718s made from '80 to the end of production in '07/8 . VINs were continued when production was shifted from SDP to ATL. My 718K is #6725, and there weren't a lot made after it.
Importing federally, you are still caught by the 25 year rule, so currently a 1990 or older manufactured year is where you're at and there were less than 1500 TDs made, 716 &718 ( P80s and the P90s were just starting).

Economically ( IF that can be said around a Pinzgauer ) , start with a 710 or a 712 to see if you like it before jumping into the deep end . If you're still into them after a year or so, you could sell it and "upgrade" to what you want. If not, you're outlay wouldn't be so much to recoup.

It would be nice if you weren't so vague on your location in your profile.

[CentAr712]

I think that if you can afford up to what you say you can and are considering so many performance mods to the Pinz such as disk brakes and engine upgrade, perhaps you should explore options such as a U1300 Unimog for example; there may possibly be a different truck out there that can be closer to what you want, straight out of the box without so much work and conversion involved. I would just explore many options before I went through all the time and expense of building what may already be available.

[Idiot'sArray]

Great information everyone!

So, unfortunately I haven't had that many opportunities to kick too many tires. I've driven a few and reviewed just about everything that months of searching on the internet can get ya. Asking this great forum for help seemed like the next step. No daddy's money here, folks, been off the teet since joining the marines at 17. Dads just the excited wrench who wants to teach me a few things about automobiles before I live out of one for a while. I've been saving pennies for years to be able to do this right. For a while it was going to be a sportsmobile, but then I saw a Pinz

I'm currently in Santa Cruz but often travel up and down the West Coast and inland a bit, rarely crossing the Rockies. My primary vehicle is a 2001 VW Golf TDI. I love it but it cant handle anything more than washboard roads. I've been riding shotgun in friends trucks for too long.

Taking out the outliers, I would spend 20-25k for a well put together 712 and 30-40k for a 718.

Cheers!

Idiot

[Idiot'sArray]

I did consider the U1300 and am actually hoping I can drive one soon, but I'm often in urban environments and I wanted something with a smaller foot print.

You are right though, ultra capable, and more to spec. as a straight purchase.

Thank you for your input!

-Idiot

[McCall Pinz]

The improvements you're talking about for the 712 Pinz will be difficult. Maybe you can pull them off, but it won't be easy or quick. You might consider a Volvo 303 as a starting point instead of a Pinz, I've heard disc brakes and engine mods are easier and the road manners are better. Does IE still have the 718s available?

[David Dunn]

The SBUs are 2 1/2 weight of a 712 to start and are slower (at best). Upgrades are expensive.... can we say Mercedes? The engines varies from a OM352, OM252A and OM366A( the later 2 are turbo'ed). Great trucks, but Pinz parts are are cheaper, in comparison ( a great deal on a used SBU's OD 7 years ago was $6k).

IF Scott has one of the 718 left, he would be the best source as he is very reputable.

He also has some M1078s ... he must figured that if I can work on a FMTV, anyone can.

[Idiot'sArray]

Looks like Scott took the yellow 718 off the website so I dont know its status. It was listed at 80,000 and was a 1993, so too expensive and to young!

[David Dunn]

Looks like Scott took the yellow 718 off the website so I dont know its status. It was listed at 80,000 and was a 1993, so too expensive and to young!

Don't go by the web. Call or email him.

The trucks were in Vallejo. No importation problem, and many of the other states have already registered some of them ( just don't hold your breathe for Cal)

They were US military and heavily modified for SOCOM,
Some items wouldn't be as originally built, but they're in the country.
There is something to be said to be able to kick tires vs. trusting someone 6000 miles away with photos, and find out you were sold a POS, and no recourse.

[audiocontr]

so you plan on dumping the TDI and driving the pinz all the time?