The Dwarf Forest Buffalo

[Fergie]

This is a long term project, meant for tripping with the family, both backcountry and on-road.

Not a bad start for $250.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/Image-11.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/Image-10.jpg

Stay tuned.

[BIGdaddy]

Howdy, sir!

Do you think you could snap some good pics of the interior? I almost pulled the trigger on the one that was for sale on this board a few months ago, but never could tell what the interior dimensions/loadout was like.

thanks!

[Fergie]

I certainly will.

One of the reasons we went for one is the wife approved of the size and possible layout for sleeping the two of us, a 2 year old and a 1 month old.

I'll get the photos tomorrow sometime.

G

[xkid]

Kinda groovy.What make is that.

[Fergie]

1977 Toyota 2wd.

[Maximus Ram]

Very nice...what's does it need to get it "road-worthy" ?

[Fergie]

Engine, Transmission, front suspension...mojo.

[Maximus Ram]

Engine, Transmission, front suspension...mojo.

Oh, is that all...:jump:

Looks like so fun time at the wrecking yard and peruseing craigslist:wings:

[TACODOC]

Nice!!! Love those.

[Colby Jack]

Awesome title/truck name. Those Chinooks are a sweet set up in my mind.:cool: What are your plans for a powerplant and drivetrain? Is it 4wd?

Colby Jack

[Fergie]

It will be 4wd...it isnt currently.

I'm not sure which way I'll go with it...could be truck based, or UV based.

For engines, I may go for a 2rz or 3rz 4 cylinder, or may go the Atlas 3.7/4.2 I5/I6 route from a TrailVoy.

I honestly have no clue, this is a blank canvas, and for $250, it is an OK deal...:D

[TACODOC]

I hope you keep it Toyota ;)

[Fergie]

I hope you keep it Toyota ;)
T100 maybe?

[tanglefoot]

T-100 would be a great platform! ...unless there are some complications I don't know about.

I've seen one on a early 90's Toyota 4x4 mini-truck and one fashioned onto a 1st-gen Tundra.

Toyota Chinooks sure are great--it's too bad they stopped making 'em!

[Fergie]

Got it home yesterday, and off the trailer this morning.

I thought of a pretty good way to get the front rolling...can you spot it?

Also, shameless plug for the Bushranger X-Jack from Sierra Expeditions (http://www.sierraexpeditions.com). The jack made some quick, safe work of lifting the vehicle.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook016.jpg

[Maximus Ram]

Nice.
A thought...could the back half be mated to a newer donor truck that the bed is wrecked ? This would seem to expidite and simplify things.

[TACODOC]

There was a build like that (Irbis IIRC) where he mated one of these to a first gen Tundra.

[Fergie]

Howdy, sir!

Do you think you could snap some good pics of the interior? I almost pulled the trigger on the one that was for sale on this board a few months ago, but never could tell what the interior dimensions/loadout was like.

thanks!

With a kitchen remodel that had to be finished before Thanksgiving, and some other pressing issues, it took me a bit to get the pictures, but here they are:

Exterior:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook020.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook017.jpg

Driver's rear(no pun):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook023.jpg

Passenger Rear:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook024.jpg

Towards the cab:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook019.jpg

Table:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook027.jpg

Fridge, Stove and sink:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook025.jpg

Towards the rear:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook021.jpg

This is the area above the cab; it measures 5'7" wide and 30" deep, plenty of room for a small child:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook026.jpg

The main bed; this bed measures 4' wide and 6'8" long.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook028.jpg

I'm still trying to decide on whether or not to SAS this frame, keep it 2wd and just get the front suspension, or if it makes more sense to swap the camper portion over to another vehicle.

My guess is that I'll do the SAS or a camper swap...time will tell(funds too)

[Mc Taco]

[QUOTE=Fergie;760728]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/1973ToyotaChinook020.jpg

Gavin, I've got to say that I like the dual (I hope) trailer jack stands holding up the front end. Very clever.

[Fergie]

Stu,

Much appreciated, I proud of the solution too! And yes, there are two of them, rated at 1000 pounds each; I think they are sufficient.

[MatthewThompson]

Very cool. It'd be nice to drop all the tin onto a decent running chassis to keep that great 70's overall feel. How's the WB compare to the 4WD 'Yota trucks or heaven forbid, a diesel cruiser?

[Jnich77]

This is kind of a stretch, and would be more than a weekend project, but what about getting a four door four runner and cutting the back off, lengthening the frame and mounting the camper on it? It would be kinda long, but it woudl give you much more space. then you could drop in a Chevy 4.3 and 1/2 ton running gear and call it a day.

[Bogo]

I'm still trying to decide on whether or not to SAS this frame, keep it 2wd and just get the front suspension, or if it makes more sense to swap the camper portion over to another vehicle.

My guess is that I'll do the SAS or a camper swap...time will tell(funds too)

Consider the axle load ratings of 4x4 Toyotas. 1 ton 4x4s were only sold a few years here in the USA and not many made. There was a general lack of 1 ton mini truck demand. The other thing to consider is the gear ratio of the third (differential) in the 1 ton RV axle may be different than any of the standard differentials used on the fronts of 4x4s. They likely have the same mountings, but who knows.

Another thing is I think you have the bad 1 ton axle. There were three 1 ton axles made for chassis/cab trucks. The original is a 1 ton axle and don't overload it. The thing is most RV manufacturers loaded it up to the limit sans people and luggage. Add them and you are over the limit. The axle is liable to break due to flexing under use when used. Style two was a beefed up upgrade and doesn't need replacing. Style three is a true well built full floating axle made for use with dual wheels and is preferred. It has 6 lugs, the other two are 5 lug.

Here, read this: http://www.toyotamotorhomes.com/files/Axle_FAQ.pdf

[Fergie]

Bogo,

Thanks for the heads up on the axle information; I hadnt seen that on the motorhome site yet.

I will be removing the current rear axle to change it to a 6 lug style to match the front, unless I go with a non-toyota set-up, which is not what I intend.

It would be nice to find a set of LC axles to throw under there, maybe some 60 series, or even 80 series ones.

[Fergie]

The interior is now gutted! I'll do my own custom layout as we do not need all the creature comforts in the camper portion.

During the removal process, I found lots of pack rat poop, snake moltings, some old tools, a rusted out swiss army type knife, and all the original service manuals and O&M manuals!

I've been reading up on some cool things that Marlin's people have done, and I think that I will be doing a 3rz 2.7L installation, keeping the 78 body and frame, and doing a SAS.

The only thing that will change this is if I can find a 4wd, 2.7L powered, MT Tacoma for a decent price.

It'll stay Toy.

[java]

love the chinook's. there is one for sale near me but he wants 2500!

[Fergie]

Well, I found a good 1979 4x4 truck to put the Chinook on...damn cheap too! For the time being, I'll stick with the stock engine and everything else, do some PM, and start using the thing. The 3RZ will come later on in life.

[nucktaco]

it would be a bit of a drive but theres a guy here in vancouver selling the running rolling chassis from an 07 FJ for 1500 bucks. would be a neat swap. im gona do it if he still has the chassis in january.

[Fergie]

Amazing how things change and plans get tossed out the window.

The DFB will be up for sale shortly for $350 or $250 without the trailer jacks. Buyer will haul off and will need a flat bed.

Gots me a new toy!

[TACODOC]

Amazing how things change and plans get tossed out the window.

The DFB will be up for sale shortly for $350 or $250 without the trailer jacks. Buyer will haul off and will need a flat bed.

Gots me a new toy!


Que???

[Fergie]

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=836569#post836569

[suntinez]

Gots me a new toy!

You got it? We'll be needing pics :coffee:

[TACODOC]

Got what? That link is to the Chinook...

[Fergie]

You got it? We'll be needing pics :coffee:
Yeah, its effing fawesome!!

Doc, the Chinook got replaced by a more immediate use vehicle. I'll send you some pics later.

[ETAV8R]

Interesting build to be sure. I like that badge on the grill.

[bob91yj]

This looks like a cool project, sorry to see you're abandoning it. I wish I had the room/time/money for it. I'd love to build something like that for my kids to use.

You guys looking to do axle swaps should take a look at some of the housings used by rock crawlers/desert racers.<shameless plug> We're running Diamond Axle housings in our race Jeep, untrussed, get the snot beat out of them, ZERO issues. We're running the 9" thirds in ours, but they are available for Toy third members as well.

[Maximus Ram]

Hey..no secrets, Fergie....:box:
What wonderful new toy did you get...we want to see , too..:088:

[MoGas]

Hey..no secrets, Fergie....:box:
What wonderful new toy did you get...we want to see , too..:088:

Just be patient.......

[Maximus Ram]

Just be patient.......

has never really been one of virtues:peepwall::jump::xxrotflma:hehe::peepwall:

[Fergie]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/IMG00467-20110306-1504.jpg

[Flagster]

The one down at Flagstaff VW?

[Fergie]

The one down at Flagstaff VW?

No...hell no even. I do not believe I will be doing business with them...ever.

I looked at the 1984 they have on the lot. The salesman and sales manager were trying to tell me it was a Westfalia. I informed them that it was a base model Vanagon GL, with an aftermarket Country Homes pop-top, and home made plywood table.

I even went so far as to take it for a test drive, and the thing had a massive coolant leak at the heater core that they would not ackowledge.

In the end, when they would not come down on the 6k asking price, I thanked them for the time and went on my way.

I later sent them a few emails showing them the difference between a Westy and a Vanagon GL.

I intend to drive my new one over there and gloat.

PS - Did you get that 2F book at Bookmans?

[Flagster]

:) LOL I also briefly looked at the vanagon down at the dealer but didn't get past the salesman telling me what a POS my Tacoma was, how VW engines are far superior to toyota, "basically made in the same factory as the porsche"...etc...didn't even open the door to the van to see the custom table before jumping back in my truck and taking off...

Yes to the 2F book...Thanks to Mogas I now have new motivation in the 60...:ylsmoke:...if I can just get around to pulling the engine...

[Maximus Ram]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/IMG00467-20110306-1504.jpg

Ahhh..teaser pic:yikes:

Oh ..the anticipation....:coffee:

[Fergie]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/IMG00469-20110306-1505.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/IMG00470-20110306-1506.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Vanagon/IMG00471-20110306-1507.jpg

No build thread for this one...just going to go out and use it as it is in great condition already.

[kjp1969]

That is very excellent- water cooled stick shift, I hope? The one I grew up camping in was tan. Look for the "smuggler's box" under the driver's seat- perfect for a second battery or just a hidey-hole.

I also fell out of the upper bunk more than once as a youth. Might want to make sure there isn't anything sharp or hard located below.

My Dad and I built a neat jump seat that went back-to-back with the passenger seat, with storage underneath.

We had an '81 which had an issue with the gas tank rusting out very early in life, but above the fuel level. If you smell gas fumes and can't find a leak elsewhere, look there.

Edit with more tips: In the cubby under the rear table is an access plate to get to a cleanout for the water tank- good to know about.

[FourByLand]

I get the munchies just looking at it!!

[Fergie]

That is very excellent- water cooled stick shift, I hope? The one I grew up camping in was tan. Look for the "smuggler's box" under the driver's seat- perfect for a second battery or just a hidey-hole.

I also fell out of the upper bunk more than once as a youth. Might want to make sure there isn't anything sharp or hard located below.

My Dad and I built a neat jump seat that went back-to-back with the passenger seat, with storage underneath.

We had an '81 which had an issue with the gas tank rusting out very early in life, but above the fuel level. If you smell gas fumes and can't find a leak elsewhere, look there.

Edit with more tips: In the cubby under the rear table is an access plate to get to a cleanout for the water tank- good to know about.

Kevin,

Those photos are from when I was a few months old.

The interior is damn near perfect, and the drivetrain has around 60K on it.

The guy I bought it from has a few more in his yard that he has done hi-top and TDI conversions on...great person to buy it from.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/VW%20Van/scan0004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/VW%20Van/scan0007.jpg

[MoGas]

I get the munchies just looking at it!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/Mogas/Fast-Times-At-Ridgemont-High-Spicoli-Van.jpg




:ylsmoke:

[Fergie]

Good-bye!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/Chinook/untitled.jpg