Multiple frames welded together to raise the camper was clever. I'm glad you had a good experience. I've just started the process of either buying a 4x4 Chinook or looking for a donor vehicle to swap with the one I have.
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Morax: Yeah, I've posted in that a few times. In fact, it's how I found my Chinook, when a member mentioned he'd traded his in at a dealership outside of Portland. That's a funny story... Also, there's a very active group on Facebook called Toyota Motorhome Club with a bunch of Chinook owners...
Chinooks
Fellow Portlander here. I bought a '77 Chinook last year and had the same dreams. I chuckled when you described the angst of a daily commute in a rickety old truck in the city. Anyways, I keep going back and forth over keeping it or selling it. Love your build thread. Maybe I'll hold...
They're pretty sturdy. Mine doesn't droop. I plan on adding solar panels as well in the future. I saw a video of a guy that had a Chinook with solar on top and a surf board strapped to the inside and it held up.
I just recently bought a '77 Chinook. I thought about the 18' Sunrader as well but I'm happy with the Chinook. It's small enough to park and drive with little effort. The engine is loud and the original seats aren't the best. But I just love this thing. I look forward to fixing it up and making...
Chinook Love
Just bought a '77 Chinook that's going to need some work. (Naturally) Don't care. I love this thing. Really enjoyed both your Chinook builds. Thanks so much for posting. Also, you and your wife, you're my heroes. Please keep posting.
Thanks for all the great info, everybody. The van is ugly as sin yet it appeals to me. Gonna take a look at it later this week. Out of curiosity, when you say parts are hard to come by, does that mean junkyard expeditions or is it still possible to get parts at an auto store. Thanks in advance.
Have the chance to buy one of these vehicles for 800 bucks. The seller says it needs either a fusible link or an alternator to charge. I don't mind putting some time & money into this. Is this a good deal?
Frenchie, I'm looking for something I can take off road here in Maine and eventually the mid west and Mexico. Not opposed to something basic and upgrading over time. Not looking for something that runs over boulders. Any thoughts about 4x4 as opposed to 2wd with good tires? Thanks.