MontanaChinook

Interesting... It seems like we can see from the photos that my windows and gaskets are a little different... But you're basically saying - if I get the gaskets out, I have a good chance of breaking a window, but even if I get them out ok, I won't be able to get new ones back in? If my windows are the same as yours. Linda it sounds like you've done this before? What's your take?

Yes, but it is a gasket, holding the window in place. Might not make a difference, but unless it's really expensive (which it doesn't look like), I don't see much reason not to replace them. So much is going to be new on this thing, it doesn't seem right to have old cracked, shrunken, hard gaskets. I think if I had just bought this thing and used it "as-is", your suggestion would be a great one. As it is...it's getting a pretty serious make-over.

I'm definitely going to do it, so I'll report back. Paycheck by paycheck.....

Great! Thanks. Yeah, looking at that site after reading the weep hole thread is what really got me thinking. It would be great if they just came out, and new ones pushed in.

My cooling systems & flexibles radiator was all metal.

Is this cooling systems & flexibles? My gandad was president or Vice President of that company at some point, so when I needed a new radiator for my truck, I got one through him. I remember it cracking within a few months...

78 Chinook. I'll take a photo when I get home from work.

Exterior window gaskets. The rubber ones. They have hardened and shrunk, so in each corner you can see them pulling away frome the frame, out onto the visible surface of the windows. They're out a good 3-4" from the corners, where they should be. I don't know how much of a difference they make structurally for the window, or water sealant wise, but it seems not good that they're pulling away. Anyone replaced theirs? I'm probably only doing this if it doesn't require taking the windows out. I was going to just start pulling on them, and see if they came out, and then if I could find a replacement....but figured a little research would be good before I just start digging in.

Just did a quick google search on it. Looks promising! Thanks. It seems like vinegar is also a good option.

I think at some point, until general feelings on the environment change, most things that really WORK, without humans having to do half the work, will be TOXIC. Either that's just the way it is and "natural" fixes just don't work as well, or enough demand from consumers is not there to do the research to find non toxic solutions for things like rust remover, cleaners, non stick surfaces, that really don't take a lot of work on our part, instead of doing the job all by themselves. My uneducated opinion.

Right. I found out the hard way that if you order a boot from marlin, you get the little rubber boot that squeezes over the stick-to-tranny connection, keeping out crud. Unseen below the outer boot. The other one (not sure what the technical name is) covers the hole in the cab that the stick comes through, and is screwed into the sheet metal. This is the one you're looking at while you sit I the truck.

Post photos. Could be the holes for a mechanical fuel pump, in which case I think you'd be fine. But you never know...could be an oil galley you're trying to tap into..!

Yes. I won't be able to comment on how well it works until summer...and even then, I bought my Chinook last fall, so I won't have "previous summers" to compare it to. I guess if it sits out in the sun, and there's a 20 or so degree temp difference, I'll be able to say it works. I'm using it and just some 1/8" closed cell polyethylene foam. I think I'll put the foam on the backside of the wall panelling when it goes up. That way I've got an air gap. The foil is right up against the fiberglass.

Thanks! Some of this will be for if I park somewhere in Southern Utah, and backpack for a couple nights. I'd probably have some stuff inside that I don't want to bake, but...you never know, someone might mess with the shades if they're outside. I guess my best bet would be to make some that will work inside or outside, depending on what I need at the time.

Yeah if you're doing other insulation, I'd say about any reflective foil, installed correctly, is going to be fine. The foil basically has no R value, from what I hear. If there is, it's maybe just under 1. The foil is to reflect radiant heat from the sun. Then you leave an air gap, then you put whatever insulation you're using for R value. I did Radiant Barrier double bubble insulation. Not cheap, and I had to buy a roll, which it turns out is WAY too much for my little Chinook. I mean I expected leftover, but I didn't even use 1/4 of what came in a roll. Then I'm just using really thin closed cell foam, in a roll. As thin as it comes, I think. My walls are thin, and any insulation is better than none, which is where I started with the walls. Personally I was more concerned with the hot sun baking everything inside, than I was with real insulation. I'm in the intermountain west. Sun is the biggest issue. I don't plan on winter camping, really, so my biggest concern was radiant heat, then I figured why not throw in some R value with foam, as well as a little sound insulation.

That all-rite site is pretty interesting. They do sell weep holes. No idea if all weep holes are a standard size, and they don't elaborate on what they're selling. I also noticed they sell wall paneling. It looks like it's all some manufactured material? So even the "wood" is just a design, and not actual wood?

Well of course that's the plan. You wouldn't believe how much extra foil I'm going have to left over. So of course, all the windows will be getting custom shaped reflective sun shades. I probably won't actually back the curtains with them...but I will have reflective shades for each window. And probably still more foil insulation than I'll ever know what to do with. I should actually just make a cover for the entire Chinook. Fold it up and bring it with me wherever I go. When I park out in the sun, I'll just use it like a giant RV cover, and no radiant heat will even touch the outside!! I honestly almost have that much foil...

Yeah, as long as I'm in the Chinook, no mind control can get to me!!

Progress. New converter is in and 120V is wired, new furnace is in place but not wired or connected yet, and I've got the foil insulation everywhere except the cab-over. I also sealed the windows as best I could, but I think some of the moisture is from the rubber and other seals in the window tracks, not the actual frames...so we'll see how dry they stay. Luckily it's not as much of an issue where I live.

I like the round sinks the Sunraders seem to have. I may get one for the Chinook.

I actually meant rear leaf springs. Sorry, was slightly off topic. I was thinking of replacing the leaf spring pack on the Chinook, for a couple days there, but instead I ordered the Monroe load leveler rear shocks, and I'm going to add one leaf to each side. A little cheaper that way. I also did order those front springs. Going to feel like a new vehicle! It will have dropped a considerable amount of weight from how I bought it, too.

Nice vent! It looks like on my Newport, the vent is 14". I don't know what to do about the fact that it's sealed shut right now...get it unstuck and re sealed, or just pull it out and put in a new one. I do think its important to have a way for hot air to escape UP. I guess I'm lucky since this is my first motorhome. I have nothing to compare it to, so I'm just going with it. My roof doesn't have sag. I agree. It's one thing to build/ engineer something. It's another to try to fix and make better what someone else already under- engineered.

If you're going to find them anywhere, it's there. I think there just aren't a lot of people who know a lot about Chinooks, period. Personally I don't see any more extra-specialized knowledge of any Toyota motorhome style here than I do there. There are a few people who know quite a bit, and a lot of people who know a lot about bits and pieces but not necessarily the whole. Just like here. From the knowledge you seem to have, I'm surprised you're looking to either group for advice here. I would think if anyone can figure out a solution to something like this, it would be you.

Choke? I've never heard that term, either. Whatever it is, it's what controls the high idle speed, so yes, what kicks up the idle when it's cold, so your engine reaches operating speed faster, then kicks it back down once its warm. He's just calling it a made up name.

Where did you say you've seen replacement leaf spring packs that fit Chinooks? I don't really know how they are measured, to find them on my own...