Toyota chinook 4x4

[4xchinook4]

Here we are 7 years later. !
Bought just the chinook truck ,77, as my 1st car actually for 1200.
Was gutted and total eye soar I'll admit. But I could help but fall in love ever day more and more with it.
After some exploring through the CO backcountry. Going everywhere the rwd dual 14" rims would take me on my street weenie tires. And getting stuck plenty of times.
I found myself at a crossroads. Sell the Nook. Or take on the challenge idea of going for a 4x4 swap/ build.
Still not regretting it, I went with Build.

And after probably thousands of hours or trying to learn on the fly how to build cabinets
(Seriously. It embarrassing, but I remember trying to use a paper stapler to hold 1 x 2's together) to
replacing a burnt out clutch. And so much more. I finally am a few months away from my dream rig.
So here are some pics to show you the timeline of the build.

Currently :
(All Toyota/ DIY)

1980 cab/ frame
1988 Long Block 22r
1993 EFI 22re
LCE Header/ cam / ignition
1983 5 speed (L-52 )
1980 t-case
1991 rear axle
4.88 thirds
31 x 10.5 r15
1977 fiberglass camper shell

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[4xchinook4]

88' 22r long block
83' 5 speed
And running the wiring harness for the EFI from the 93' Donor Truck.

And honestly, a night and day Difference from the old Weber 32/36 carb.

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[4xchinook4]

Some photos through the years of building the interior. Of the different floorplans that's lasted about 2 years each. There is at least 1 inch of the styrofoam board Insulation w/ reflective lining on the side facing into the camper.
Since I was anticipating camping in colder climates between CO and AK.

However most locations have been through the midwest and east coast and the south.

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[4xchinook4]

2013, 2014 was the 1st build I tried my hand at. Obviously nothing to write home about. But I was stoked and couldnt wait for some adventure. So the 1st day got it to run. Went to my nearest walmart and slept in the parking lot.

The layout worked . But be far better improved and better use of the space.
Still, had some of the best memories in there.

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[4xchinook4]

2015 , 2016

The second floor plan was a major setup up from the 1st. But still didnt know what I was doing. . Traveled to and from NY and CO and everywhere in between for these 2 years. .
Went from 2 opposing 4ft benches .

To one long 6 ft bed . And an opposing 3 ft bench.
With a 5 ft counter and 2 ft wide closet.
The bench was open face underneath to get storage items more easily .

This forsure was my highest seating capacity.
But lacked some counter space. Since most the counterspace was occupied by the stove and sink.

Also needed some smarter storage space

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[4xchinook4]

This was also my 1st time the truck had some form of a heater with the Olympian wave 3 propane heater.

LOVE that thing. Little small for the space. But on decent weather nights. It definitely helped keep the chill off. Did me almost no good if the weather dipped below freezing tho. .

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[4xchinook4]

2017, 2018

After trying out and practically living in the 2015/16 floor plan. For winter months in Upstate new york. And Minnesota, near Duluth.
And eventually making it back to CO.
I realized there were some major adjusted needed. Such as the carpet. That needed to go. Although I loved the feel of the Shag.!

Also the heater location needed to change. I need more countertop space. Smarter storage. And I wanted a "comfy"
Couch feel vs the bench.
Thus the 2017, 2018 build began.

Hickory hardwood floors
Over head can storage with some recessed lighting
7' counter space minus the sink (so more like ~6 ft)
Dual open air closets .

Heater relocated to mount on the door To face the camper as a whole. Since it was an infrared heater style.

And an "L" shaped bench to allow for more of a nested feel when your lounging. Had more more of that kick back relax feel to fall into.

I loved this build . Had cooler storage above the wheel well. And that portion of the countertop lift as well. To access the cooler without needing to take the cooler out.
Plus, that same section also slide out on drawer sliders to act as a quick table for 1 set up.

And as you see in the photos. The bench had a kick up face that supported the final corner needed for the "bed mode"

In all my builds , because it's such a small space. Any conversion of the space. I wanted to be nearly instantaneous. 15 sec. Or less. And both the second build and this third one. The bench to bed conversions . Were just that.

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[4xchinook4]

2017/2018
Or
3rd interior build

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[4xchinook4]

2019 /2020

After enjoying the 3rd build design (2017/2018)
. I realized there where a lot of flaws in it.
One being; when I hit the trails EVERYTHING was EVERYWHERE.! All my cabinet items, my cans of food, my clothes were a mess.

Solution, locking doors and drawers, and actually put a door on my closet! .

Also, I wanted a little more counter space.

Using the truck for much longer than a few days to now few weeks. And even a few months. I wanted a fridge vs my cooler.

Lighting, I wanted to get better lighting in the cabin. The previous set up was good. But more a "mood" level set of light. Because I still found myself using a flashlight in. Some moments.

Also. As much as I loved the the Olympian wave 3 heater. It was time for a better approach. I didnt want to just " keep the chill off on a cold summer night. I wanted to enjoy my time and not fret even in winter. .

Roof rack. Something I've been wanting for a very long time. But ofcoarse there is no "bolt on" full width roof rack for a toyota chinook unless you fork the money for a custom build. And being on a tight budget. (And enjoying the challenge of making my own solutions) . I needed to figure out how to make my own. .

This along with a few other things like a rear cabin radio independent of the front. Were my main upgrades .

The over driving force for this 4th build though. Was "Smarter use of storage" from the last
And entertaining value. The long "L" bench
Was great! But I realized having a table to eat, play cards or do office work on would be a lot nicer than reaching across or over to the countertop everytime.

So here she is, as she sits today. Not complete but close.

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[4xchinook4]

12v Aplicool fridge freezer
12v diesel heater
More USB outlets placed conveniently through out the cabin.
Bluetooth radio,
Led strip lighting through out, and all lighting comes to dimmer switch.
Inverter.

I dont use or draw too many amp hours .
But with the upgrades. It all justified the purchase of a secondary "house" battery, which was a Marine/ RV, deep cycle from NAPA . To run everything.
It itself now has 3 charging sources. The Alternator,, shore power, and 100w of Solar.
.
so far, all is ship shape.


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[4xchinook4]

Roof rack is made of the ½" x 1½" rectsngle tubing chrome that you see at department stores that's used to hold clothes

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[4xchinook4]

Currently working on the trucks 1st ever center console aswell

The idea, is for it to run flush with the campers floor, . And then the flooring will continue onto the console

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[VanWaLife]

She's a beaut! I'm curious what sort of mileage you get on the highway, and whether engine noise is an issue in the cab.

 

[4xchinook4]

She loud but not terrible. I'd admit . My standards are much lower than you're usually standards for living in 2020. And this is 1980.
But it's been my daily for years . .

If you want a comparison I'd say road noise of a 1st gen runner maybe. If you've ever been in one.

Also mileage is a give and take. At best. . 22 mpg.

At worst 16.

But that was before the rack. Have driven anywhere for a couple months now .

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[4xchinook4]

Actually heres a good reference.

Those in the front seat can easily have a conversation. And those in the back can too with eachother. But it's a little tough to do see between the 2 areas.

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