I just recently got my hands on a 1977 Toyota Chinook. I'm planning on converting it to a 4x4. Ideally, I'd like to use a first generation Tacoma extended cab v6 4x4. Does anyone know where I can find photos of this? I've seen all of the regular cab photos, but I'm really interested in seeing how a extended cab Toyota would work with a Chinook mounted on the back. Thanks!
Toyota Chinook
- Thread starter CoreyF
- Start date
juicebox
Adventurer
Is it like this?
I don't understand your plan... Are you going to do an engine swap, or swap the chinook camper thing onto a first gen Tacoma? As far as engines go, I'd shy away from the 3.slow (3.0L v6) and aim for the 3.4L or a 22re 4cyl with 5.29's.
I'd keep the old body and take the 4x4 from an '83-'85 and put a 22re in there. I don't think a 3.4L would fit in an old engine bay.
I don't understand your plan... Are you going to do an engine swap, or swap the chinook camper thing onto a first gen Tacoma? As far as engines go, I'd shy away from the 3.slow (3.0L v6) and aim for the 3.4L or a 22re 4cyl with 5.29's.
I'd keep the old body and take the 4x4 from an '83-'85 and put a 22re in there. I don't think a 3.4L would fit in an old engine bay.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
I think somebody here swapped a Chinook onto a 1st gen Tundra. IMO that would be a much better swap. The 3.4 is a stout motor but it's not very powerful. The 4.7 in the Tundra would make a much better platform for a camper and would probably yield about the same MPG.
Thanks for the info guys. Right now, I was thinking about using a 1989 Toyota single cab 4x4 V6 and transferring the Chinook camper onto it. The wheel base is similar so it looks like a more straight forward swap than using a Tundra. I do really like the idea of swapping the 20r motor in it to a 22re, throwing a straight axel on it, a transfer case and some BFG All Terrains. The Chinook only has 87,000 miles on it so I'd feel bad not using it. Thanks again.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
Have you seen this transplant on the same generation Truck as the '89?
I don't know, if it were me, and if the cab is in good shape, I'd retain the cab and then do the engine and 4wd swap if needed. I'm a sucker for those classic lines and the quad round headlights.
It would be a bit of work to prep a pickup chassis for the Chinook body. I would hazard a guess that an engine swap and 4wd conversion might be easier.
The 3VZ-E 3.0L in the '89 isn't considered Toyota's best engine, but it's really not that bad. It carries the much larger Toyota RVs around just fine and is long-lasting. It sounds like the head gasket issues have pretty well disappeared by now.
Still, consider keeping that '77 cab-chassis under it. That vintage look is tough to beat:
Have a look at Nolan's build (the brown one). There's a lot you can do with the 20R and the original cab-chassis:
http://www.toyotamotorhomes.com/nolan's_76_chinook.htm
I don't know, if it were me, and if the cab is in good shape, I'd retain the cab and then do the engine and 4wd swap if needed. I'm a sucker for those classic lines and the quad round headlights.
It would be a bit of work to prep a pickup chassis for the Chinook body. I would hazard a guess that an engine swap and 4wd conversion might be easier.
The 3VZ-E 3.0L in the '89 isn't considered Toyota's best engine, but it's really not that bad. It carries the much larger Toyota RVs around just fine and is long-lasting. It sounds like the head gasket issues have pretty well disappeared by now.
Still, consider keeping that '77 cab-chassis under it. That vintage look is tough to beat:
Have a look at Nolan's build (the brown one). There's a lot you can do with the 20R and the original cab-chassis:
http://www.toyotamotorhomes.com/nolan's_76_chinook.htm
Tanglefoot- you're right, I really like the classic look of the older Toyotas. It's hard to beat.
Anyway, I've decided I'm going to do the 4x4 conversion and keep the original cab. I'll start it in about a month when I visit my family in California (Dad has all the tools.) I'm just not sure how to go about the 4x4 conversion. Would it just be swap in a solid front axle, transfer case, transmission, drivelines and a 22re motor? Or could one of you point me in the right direction? Also here's some photos of the '77 Chinook. Drove from Boise to San Jose and back in 30 hours. The Chinook made it the full 700 miles without a hitch.
Anyway, I've decided I'm going to do the 4x4 conversion and keep the original cab. I'll start it in about a month when I visit my family in California (Dad has all the tools.) I'm just not sure how to go about the 4x4 conversion. Would it just be swap in a solid front axle, transfer case, transmission, drivelines and a 22re motor? Or could one of you point me in the right direction? Also here's some photos of the '77 Chinook. Drove from Boise to San Jose and back in 30 hours. The Chinook made it the full 700 miles without a hitch.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
That's a really nice looking 'Nook.
You don't need to do an engine swap to do a 4wd swap. The early 1st-gen Toyota 4wd Trucks had the 20R, the L43 4-speed manual and the RF1A transfer case.
Something else to think about: do you really need 4wd? What kind of terrain would you like to traverse? People have been exploring the backwoods in 2wds for decades. A 2wd truck platform is usually pretty capable, especially with the weight of the camper on the back. You could swap in a 2-speed transfer case or doubler box for the low-range gearing--in my opinion, the best part of a 4wd. You could add a differential locker in the rear end and carry a pair of tire chains and a few recovery tools. I do most of my backwoods exploring with just the low-range and the rear locker (front hubs unlocked). BFGoodrich makes the All-terrain KO in LT195/75R14...you could slip a set onto those awesome original wheels...
You don't need to do an engine swap to do a 4wd swap. The early 1st-gen Toyota 4wd Trucks had the 20R, the L43 4-speed manual and the RF1A transfer case.
Something else to think about: do you really need 4wd? What kind of terrain would you like to traverse? People have been exploring the backwoods in 2wds for decades. A 2wd truck platform is usually pretty capable, especially with the weight of the camper on the back. You could swap in a 2-speed transfer case or doubler box for the low-range gearing--in my opinion, the best part of a 4wd. You could add a differential locker in the rear end and carry a pair of tire chains and a few recovery tools. I do most of my backwoods exploring with just the low-range and the rear locker (front hubs unlocked). BFGoodrich makes the All-terrain KO in LT195/75R14...you could slip a set onto those awesome original wheels...
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tanglefoot
ExPoseur
Does it have torsion bars up front? If so, you could crank them a bit to get an extra inch or so up front. Check the alignment afterwards.
On the back, some longer spring shackles can give you an extra inch or inch-and-a-half.
Lifting the front more than that would likely require some custom hardware. In the back, a spring-maker could probably build you some spring packs with more arch. You could also do a spring-over conversion in the back but that would give you around 5" of lift. If you do go with a solid-axle up front, a spring-over conversion in the back would be a good way to level things out, depending on which front springs you use.
On the back, some longer spring shackles can give you an extra inch or inch-and-a-half.
Lifting the front more than that would likely require some custom hardware. In the back, a spring-maker could probably build you some spring packs with more arch. You could also do a spring-over conversion in the back but that would give you around 5" of lift. If you do go with a solid-axle up front, a spring-over conversion in the back would be a good way to level things out, depending on which front springs you use.
Perfect, I may crank the torsion bars a bit, but it looks like I'm going to be doing some custom work on it. I have Jeep solid front and rear locker axles that are a few inches wider that I'm going to make work on it. Give it a little bit wider of a stance and throw some BFG 33's on it.
Heres a list of some stuff I have planned for this thing, both short and long term.
Insulate and re panel the camper
Install light bar
Front bumper w/ 8,000lb winch
Rear bumper w/ storage for fuel cans
Front/rear axle swap
33" BFG AT tires
New front shocks
New rear springs
Down the road...
22re motor
4x4 conversion
Heres a list of some stuff I have planned for this thing, both short and long term.
Insulate and re panel the camper
Install light bar
Front bumper w/ 8,000lb winch
Rear bumper w/ storage for fuel cans
Front/rear axle swap
33" BFG AT tires
New front shocks
New rear springs
Down the road...
22re motor
4x4 conversion
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Something to consider....
If you plan on going on any rough/twisty roads: That heavy camper is going to rock back and forth, somewhat independently of the cab, so make sure that whatever material attaches the cab to the camper is flexible enough to do this without cracking or leaking. I'm guessing it was some kind of rubber boot material but after nearly 40 years, that could be dried out. You might even consider just replacing the seal with something new, as technology has developed a lot since 1977.
If you plan on going on any rough/twisty roads: That heavy camper is going to rock back and forth, somewhat independently of the cab, so make sure that whatever material attaches the cab to the camper is flexible enough to do this without cracking or leaking. I'm guessing it was some kind of rubber boot material but after nearly 40 years, that could be dried out. You might even consider just replacing the seal with something new, as technology has developed a lot since 1977.
java
Expedition Leader
Im confused. cranking torsion bars or Putting jeep solid axles under it? Then you will need to change the entire front suspension... Not sure if the frame dimensions are the same as the later model trucks, but trail gear makes a reasonably priced SAS kit for the mid 80's trucks.
which axles? im not sure a d30/35 combo will be very happy under the camper.