4 runner and chinook

[Chucktom]

Ok I've been a long time lurker and I'm totally impressed with the chinook on a newer truck and thus my question.

How ambitious do you as a collective think it will be to cut my 89 4runner and replace the back half with a chinook camper???? Should I attempt it or just shop around for a nice long wheelbase truck. That is increasingly hard to find.

 

[mtnbike28]

If the 4Runner is still nice, I say save it (sell it) and find the truck you want.

 

[austintaco]

I am assuming that you have seen the chinook on a tundra threads that were on all of the Toyota forums?
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/28316-Expedition-Camper-by-IrbisOffroad

Anything is possible with enough time and money. If your other option is to keep looking for a long wheel base truck, you might see where the Tundrook ended up and if it is for sale.

Having a 1st gen 4runner myself, I would also think that you would be asking quite a bit from the 22re or 3.0. Re gearing would be needed, and some engine mods or a swap. I don't think any of the original 4x4 Toyota RV's were known for their power, just their reliability and cool factor.

 

[Clutch]

flip pac is probably a better combo...won't destroy the 4Runner either


did Jason Redwood(?) ever sell his 4Runner/Filp Pac project?

 

[tanglefoot]

I'll have to go out and look but does the 4runner have enough body mounts under the cab portion to allow it to be cut in half? Maybe it does--I guess there are two near the back cab corners by the seat belt anchors.

I would also not recommend cutting a 4runner in half. I'd look for a truck with a rusty bed instead.

Another option (I went this route) is to set a truck camper on the 4runner. That way it can be turned back into a 4runner reasonably well. If the camper has an open floor plan on the front wall, you could cut out the front of the camper and make a pass-thru. I didn't go with this approach though--I kept the camper whole.

 

[Stone_Blue]

Yeah, I wouldnt do it on a 4Runner either...Seems like LOTS more work than a truck you can pull the bed off....I'm sure the 4Runner would NOT have enough, or even strong enough body mounts. Better off just getting a bare chassis, and working from there.

 

[Flagster]

flatbed p/u would be better IMO

 

[swcruiser]

lx450 chinook

The early chinooks were put on 70s era Toyotas and got 20+ MPG. The interior and chinook body was very lightweight. I think this can be done but it depends how much of the original chinook you mean to retain. Is it possible.......

 

[Snorkeld_Zuk]

The early chinooks were put on 70s era Toyotas and got 20+ MPG. The interior and chinook body was very lightweight. I think this can be done but it depends how much of the original chinook you mean to retain. Is it possible.......View attachment 181942

That is sick! Got a build thread on that one? The tundra was pretty sweet too.

 

[Clutch]

The early chinooks were put on 70s era Toyotas and got 20+ MPG.

Those were on the One Ton chassis.

 

[tanglefoot]

Those were on the One Ton chassis.

I don't think they were. I went through some brochures on Toyotareference.com up to 1978 and they don't mention a 1-ton anywhere. I'm pretty sure they were on regular, 1/2-ton chassis with the 20R (which is a "hemi", BTW!). Only the 1985+ cab-over class C Toyota motorhomes were on 1-ton chassis. The 3/4-ton was introduced in 1979 and 1-tons appeared in 1985 but I've never seen Chinooks originally built onto trucks that new.

The weight of the Chinook shell wouldn't be bad on an early 4runner--the Chinook body is likely lighter than the truck camper I have in mine....and with the EFI 22R-E instead of the 20R...better hold on to something! haha

The GVWR of the trucks in 1976 were 3865 lb for short bed and 3920 lb for long bed. 1st-gen 4runner GVWRs are 4800-5180lb. Good to go!

 

[Clutch]

I don't think they were. I went through some brochures on Toyotareference.com up to 1978 and they don't mention a 1-ton anywhere. I'm pretty sure they were on regular, 1/2-ton chassis with the 20R (which is a "hemi", BTW!). Only the 1985+ cab-over class C Toyota motorhomes were on 1-ton chassis. The 3/4-ton was introduced in 1979 and 1-tons appeared in 1985 but I've never seen Chinooks originally built onto trucks that new.

The weight of the Chinook shell wouldn't be bad on an early 4runner--the Chinook body is likely lighter than the truck camper I have in mine....and with the EFI 22R-E instead of the 20R...better hold on to something! haha

hmmm...I might be thinking of different camper then, thought the Chinooks had dual rear wheels.

Thanks for the correction.

were the non pop-ups on the one ton chassis?

 

[tanglefoot]

Are you picturing the larger-bodied Chinook Newport and Omega without the pop-tops? It looks like they had some wider back wheels and tires but I'm pretty sure they are still singles.



There are mentions of Toyota Chinooks on duals around the web. I wonder if they were aftermarket conversions. Still most-likely half-tons though, just with dually wheels or adapters fitted.

 

[CavTrooper]

You are correct Chinook had many variations on the Toyota chassis to include a dually with or without pop-up. My grandfather had a 1-ton cab over dually Chinook it was pretty amazing with many miles logged in the SW and Mexico. There is one like the one you are showing just down the street from me with a pop-up. Might wander down and ask him how much he wants for it.

 

[JasonRedwood]

flip pac is probably a better combo...won't destroy the 4Runner either


did Jason Redwood(?) ever sell his 4Runner/Filp Pac project?

Yeah I sold the 4runner to one buyer, and the flip-pac to another.

I'd break down the costs and amount of time(guesstimate) of this project and then see whats out there in your budget that may suit your needs. The Flip-pac on a 4runner is doable. Durring my project I found myself spending a lot of time on the project that I could have spent camping. Then life changed a bit and I needed a 4 door vehicle that was more baby/wife friendly. HA