krj

I'm rebuilding an '83 22r. Haven't rebuilt an engine in a number of years, and never a Toyota, so I'm doing it slowly and methodically, hopeing to learn alot as I go. Got into the top end yesterday and the first thing I noticed was a crack in the first rocker valve assembly support. Looked slight at first, but once I removed the assembly and the retaining screw holding the support to the shaft, it broke in two pieces. Seems to raise a couple questions; can I simply replace the support with one from a junk yard? If so, what years are compatable with the '83. If not, do I have to replace the entire assembly. Again, if so, what years are compatable? More importantly, what causes a stout piece of metal such as this to crack in half within 2cms of a mounting bolt and what does it say about the condition of the rest of the engine? My other question is in regards to the water pump. Specifically, is there any way to test it? I'm all for blindly replaceing parts while "your in there", but the water pump doesn't seem that hard to get to and they are not exactly free. Thanks for the advice, Kevin

Tomorrow I will start tearing into my newly aquired '83 Toyota 4x4 22r. Its got 211K on it. Runs but throws, or, as some may say, sprays like a firehose, oil out of the timing chain cover. Drove it around the guys yard (long enough to determine that 4wd worked) & it was completeley gutless. Not too surprising for a truck advertised with a spray painted sign for $500. $400 & a reluctant friend later, it was towed to my yard. With all this said, I'm not looking for a diagnosis, as I expect a full rebuild & then some! What I am looking for is any input or suggestions in regards to horsepower or effiencey(read gas milage) improvements that could easily be done through the course of an engine rebuild. I know there is at least one person on this site who is SUPER pro turbo. Lets hear it! Any info will be welcome. This rebuild is part of a larger project; this truck will eventually house a '78 Chinook camper. For more info, pics, & to give feedback, check out the " '78 Chinook Newport rebuild" thread in the "tech issues" forum. Thanks for your info & time. Kevin

What model Chinook are you working with? I'm remodeling a '78 Chinook Newport & have removed all the windows. They are intact & I will not be reusing them. On my maiden voyage @ least one was operable & neither leaked, through both rain & snow. The drains that Maineah talks about are a good place to start. My rig came from the desert & drains on all windows were clear. Living in the cold & wet N.W. I could see them clogging in a hurry. Good luck, Kevin

Finally got around to lifting the camper off. Took a little figuring, but I finally rigged up a system so I could pull off the camper & put it on a trailer for mobility. Could have had a neighbor lift it with a tractor but I didn't want to rely on others whenever I want move it. Will also be used to yank the engine of the '84 4x4 I scored for $400. Next step stripping the rear of the truck and rebuilding the engine. Oh yeah, & trying to get all the paint ball paint off the truck! Anyone have any suggestions on that, power washer didn't touch it.

Hey Sean, I've recently purchased a '78 Chinook Newport as well. I have no idea where the vin is, but thats not why I'm writing. She came mostly gutted and I have since finished that job. Looking at a complete remodel, from the fiberglass up, and am curious of the original layout. I'd also love some pics of the exterior door knobs, as mine came with a very crappy "aftermarket" cob job. Look forward to seeing some pics of your rig. Kevin

Well its bugun. The '78 Chinook Newport isn't the perfect unit (as Baja said, the lines are a little dated), but it was a good deal and I think it will be a good intro project. Completely gutted her last weekend. I'm in the planing stages now and am open to suggestion. I drew up the floor plan on AutoCad and once I figure out to get said drawing over here, I will. Hope to lift her off the frame this weekend. Also have to go look at an '84 4x4 as a potential transplant rig. Needs an engine rebuild but I think I can get it for under $500. Is anyone out there familiar with the Chinook Newport? I'm kind of curious as to the original layout. I'm also looking for info on the door latch system. Mine came with an "aftermarket" kit; a carrage bolt and nut on the bottom and an ill fitted dead bolt on the upper door. Always, all info and help is appreciated. Kevin P.S. Just tried attaching a couple of pics and, as is my experience, the 'browse' box goes blank and I get nothing. Son-Of-A! Any suggestions? I really like all the thumbnails folks put in their posts. How do I do that?

Hey Wes. Looking at starting a similar project myself. I'll start gutting my '78 Chinook this weekend, still thinking about and looking for the truck to move it onto. Your question about the insulation caught my eye. The Chinook also has curved/angled walls so I am going to looking into spray foam insulation. I know its kind of spendy but if it can serve multiple purposes, i.e. can it be smoothed out and coated directly removeing the neccessity of paneling, it may be worth it. Just a thought, haven't gotten close enough to look into it yet. I, like you, have welding experience but no fiberglass experience. Looking forward to learning something new. Hows the project coming along? Throw up some pics. Good luck, Kevin

Well, she's been for sale for going on 2 weeks now, without a single call, so it looks like I have a project on my hands! Actually, I can't wait to rip into her come Saturday morning. T minus 5 days and counting! Still waiting to hear from the local junkyard about the '87 4x4 v6 I could transfer the 'camper' onto. In the mean time, I've come across an '89 4x4 v6 which has been rolled. The price is right, its got less rust, nice wheels and tires, a cracked topper (source of fiberglass and a couple good windows) transfer case, tranny, etc., but a bent frame (so not a transfer candidate). How hard would it be to transfer an '89 3vze engine and entire 4x4 running gear into/onto a '78 pickup chasis? Keep in mind the 'camper' is going to be removed either way so it would be just the cab and bare frame for the potential swap of engine and driveline. As always, thanks for all the great advice. Once I start the project I'll start a new thread & keep you all posted.

Good stuff. If you do find any more info about this, I'd love to know what he used for the rear dually axle. Also looks like he upgraded the fronts.

Yeah, thats the one alright. Kind of looks like Morks egg huh? Your right, it definetly doesn't have the practicality of either the pop-up or the Rader. Problem with the pop-up's, at least for me, is insulation. I'll be using this in the winter and I'm guessing the pop-up section doesn't have much of an R value! The door is in the rear. It's a dutch style door; 2 pieces. From the inside it looks like an emergency exit door of a plane. If I were to keep it and straighten the lower walls, would have to let the door section ride. The rear axle is single wheel, with a pretty low weight rating, I want to say less than 2500lbs. As far as interior layout I was thinking bench/bed along drivers side. Passenger side would be counter/table and stove(coleman 2 burner) location. Cabover would be storage and dog bed. Hopefully more storage under and at end of bed as well as underneath of other side. It's currently for sale at a local Park-&-Sell joint as well as in Craigs list. If it sells and I can make a couple hundred for my drive time, great. If not, I've got myself a project! We'll see, leaving it up to the fate of sale. I tried to attach a pic of the rear but, again, was unsuccessful. Site allows me to browse to my photos, I select one, click on 'attach this file' than attachments box just goes blank. Suggestions?

Thanks for the input Baja. Just got back from the morning dog walk, where I solve all my problems, & was thinkinking something similar. My Chinook is not the pop-up style. I tried uploading a pic the other day with no luck (any suggestions), but if you go to 'Manufacturers' on the home page, theres a picture of it under 'Chinook, 78'. I'll try putting the pic in on my profile. If I can't unload it and make a couple hundred bucks, here is what I was thinking. Cut it along the "belly", reuse the fiberglass and add some more to make verticle lower walls. Figure this will add some needed storage space. As far as the interior,something along the lines of what you were talking. Was thinking about mounting a metal futon frame along 1 wall for easy fold up. I am definetly open to suggestions. I don't plan on doing any real 4x4ing, just want the extra clearance and traction in snow. Even if this isn't the perfect template to start, it will serve as great practice. Have I mentioned that I have no experience what-so-ever in fiberglass work!

MADE IT! She ran like a champ from the 90 temps of NV & AZ through the 2" of snow, 30 temps and blizzard I woke up to this a.m. Leaked a bit of oil somewhere in the front of the engine (any likely sources) but outside of that she was great. I'm not sure whether I'm going to keep her, the angled walls lead to some space restrictions. For example; the cabover measures less than 5'6" across and I'm 6'. Also eats into storage space up high and down low. The straight walls of a SunRader seem a lot more useful. We'll see, either way it was a good time and there will be more to come.

The toolbox is packed. I generally try to travel with just a carry-on, but in this case I think the additional $15 baggage fee will be worth it. Thanks for the heads up on the temp., I'll go easy on her. As far as the '87 4x4, not yet. The yard had hauled it off of someones property, a past renter had left it there. Legally, they need to contact the titled owner of the truck before they can sell it, so we'll see. In the mean time, I've come across a '94 Mazda b3000 v6 4x4. Haven't looked at it yet, but had the seller go out and check the GAWR rating and he says it's 4580 lbs in the rear. Much more than the tacomas, 3180lbs. I don't have any experience with Mazdas, anyone out there have Mazda knowledge or opinions.

Monty, would love to pick your brain sometime about camper swaps and axle weight concerns. Very new to this, but ready to jump in with both feet. Drop a line anytime you get a chance. Thanks, Kevin

Thanks for the input and support. Supposedly she "runs great, doesn't burn any oil, just got back from a trip". For $1000, we'll see. Definetly be checking tires and fluids. Since both you guys have Raders, and fine looking specimens at that, I'll throw out a Rader frame question. Came across a mid 80's Rader for sale here and was crawling around underneath today and noticed what I thought may be frame cracks. Thing is, they're on both sides of the frame, in the same place (right behind the rear mount for the rear leafsprings) and look pretty clean, and there was a 6" to 8" piece of rectangular tubing above each. Normal frame construction, normal frame crack and repair? Grass was pretty high couldn't tell if there was obvious sagging. As always, thanks for all your sage advice, us newbies appreciate it!

Hi all. I'm flying to Vegas (Montana to Vegas, $39 one way!)on monday to buy a '78 Chinook. Any big issues I should be looking into before I start heading back with my new prize. I'm more concerned about potential safety issues than anything else, but any advice or hint that would make my trip go as smooth as possible will be welcome. I also found a repoed '87 4x4 v6 pickup at a local junk yard today, hmmmm.

Got through the whole thread, looks like a fun project. I've been under the assumtion that I would need to find an old one ton truck to transfer a camper on to (hence all the questions about dually's etc) but you have used a regular old 1/2 ton(?). Any worry about the bearings being able to handle the weight? Sounds like your not the first one to do this. Could see the advantage of the Tundra axle, but it's still a 1/2 ton axle. I like the Chinook conversion idea as an option, at least as an easier intro into these projects. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

Hi out there. Another newbie question. Checking out Yotahomes for sale online and came across my first model with 2 rear axles. Its a 21' dolphin with 2 dually axels in a row. I'm sure it's normal, but I haven't seen it, whats the scoop?

Whoa, checked out the sawzall thread, apparently your the man! Nice work. I don't want to sound like a kiss behind, but we think alot alike. I've been looking at making a custom rig, sans most creature comforts, similar to what you've done; more so for skiing (hence the 4x4 desire). Have also been pipe dreaming about the removable idea! I was thinking sealing the cabover part of the camper, not cuting the roof of the 4x4 cab I use, and making a canvas, or other material, closure for both the truck and camper. Maybe seal the two together with a boot similar to those used on truck toppers. Would love to hear if you've pulled it off yet. I've only gotten as far as the SuperCamper in the Sawzall thread so if you've done it and it's on there just let me know. As always, any info is greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work. Kevin

Thanks for the input. I've found an 85 sunrader (looks to be the same as in your pic) right down the road from me. Rough shape, but I think it's workable. The 2 front windows are cracked, any sources for new windows. Also, what years did toyota make one ton dually 4x4's? Alternatley, could I take a 4x2 rig, beef up rear suspension and swap out a 4x4 driveline thus avoiding removing camper and putting it on another truck. One more question. Can a v6, say a 3vze engine fit in a mid 80's toyota? Thanks again for your help. Kevin

Hello out there. I'm new to this site and looking for some info. I would like an 18' 4x4 rv but there not so plentiful and out of my price range. So my idea (read pipe-dream) is to build one. Has anyone out there done this, or have any info on doing it? Some more specific questions: what years did Toyota make one ton dually, 4x4's, did they make any v6 one ton dually's, if not, can a v6 be put in, if so, what years and engines are compatable? Do the 18' have the same wheel base as the pickups? Any info or other sources will be greatly appreciated.