[Weekend project]

Is the inverter Hooked up to some sort of house battery so you're not draining while parked 

[Contemplating Solar]

Solar is catching up. We have friends with a 400 watt system. That runs a tv. Lights. PlayStation. Water pump. And fridge full time. An AC unit does take up a lot of energy. They also have about 2k+ in the system  which is pretty pricey  but it's still not enough to run an AC unit  they also have two near 100 pound house batteries storing the solar energy  

If it's just AC you want to run its gonna cost a lot more to do in solar than just a generator.

 

with a few panels storing energy they can run about 2 days with out sunlight. 

Is your rig insulated?  Do you have tinted windows? Tinted windows made a HUGE difference for us 

[My new 1976 dually Chinook]

Thanks guys. I did read somewhere that Rangers and some bronco2s have a 15 inch wheel that will fit. 

The truck is not going to be driven more than a few blocks every once in awhile until we are completely satisfied and ready to take it on the road. 

I'll keep on the look out for some cool wheels. The rear curb weight is around 2800  less now that nothing is in there. I'm sur ri can find a tire that will work  

The suspension was replaced. Shocks and springs. 

The brakes are new. 

Shifts great. 

Drove 115 miles home through the dessert I problems.  was impressed. 

 

At at somepoint a trailer light hook up was added. And some wires reworked. 

We have a disco party light up when we step on the brakes and a turn signal is on.  

with the lights on and brakes on the yellows light up. Not the red. 

[My new 1976 dually Chinook]

The floor is in surprisingly good shape. flat all around. Only small problem area I've found is the step down right before the door is a little chipped and warped.  The roof does have a little bit of sag. Nothing I can't reinforce  specially since the entire inside is getting ripped out and redone, ceiling included. 

I'm not so sure how I'm going to insulate the inside our yota van has double bubble reflectix through out the entire van. And hardwood floors throughout.  It works really well with keeping heat in even in freezing temps.

Ive heard chinook owners using 1inch foam behind there walls to Insulate. I'll have to look deeper into it tho

 

Glad to hear I can swap to single wheels. The dually is cool but I rather not stress it anymore and tolls do cost more with 6 tires.  I'll get under there and check the bearing and make sure nothing is knocking around  

 

is a lift even possible with these old trucks? I like having bigger tires because I do some off-roading here and there 

 

 

[My new 1976 dually Chinook]

The rig itself was fully furnished everything original. I took photos after ripping out the inside. 

Nonidea why it was labeled v6 it's titled a 4

[My new 1976 dually Chinook]

1 hour ago, fred heath said:

Nice looking rig. You paid way too much money for it. It's water over the dam at this point.

Big thing is the rear axle. If it has 5 lugs, it has the semi-float axle. These have been known to break, causing the rear wheel(s) to detach from the axle housing without warning. An upgrade it a 6 lug ff is a definite "must do!".

Hey there Fred. Figured but. You get what you get...  

 

Anyway. I've read a lot about the dually axle and upgrading to the FF.  

was the dually a factory option  I've only seen a few with the welded dually. 

Would a regular 6 lug non dually be a possible option.

im guessing I can't just put regular wheels on my rear with heavy duty tires? 

I can do most of the work but don't have access to my welder or big tools. They are on the other side of the country. How easy are these swaps? 

[What's your rig and where's it at?]

Our chinook is in Tucson. 

The little toyotavan is all over the country now . But originally based in NJ 

[My new 1976 dually Chinook]

Hi there. Long time Toyota lover and full time van lifer in our 1989 yotavan.  

Just bought this 1976 dually chinook. 

I saw a chat about this particular one on here. 

It was listed for 9777$. I drove it home after paying 4400 for it. They installed new front brakes  and all 4 shocks and springs and 6 brand new tires 

It has 92k on the r20 motor. 

I'm a little confused by the dually. 

Any way. We are completely gutting and redoing the inside  Its gnarly in there. Rats did a good number on the wiring too.

The 4 speed shifts and runs well. Carb needs adjusting and a filter. hesitates under hard throttle. 

The rear lights are wired funny and do the disco dance when you're on the brakes

we caravaned back 115 miles no problems at all.

Currently residing in Tucson. Come by and say hey if you're in the area  

You can follow our complete build progress @thegrttoyotavan