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The $500 Chinook takes a trip


Dick Rettke
 

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I can tell you we replaced our engine 33Re with a Jasper for 3700 - it is not cheap to go this way, however, we now have a 01 model.? -=dr=-
?

-------Original Message-------
?
From: W0AH@...
Date: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 12:02:12 AM
Subject: [toyota-campers] The $500 Chinook takes a trip
?
After buying the 1976 Toyota Chinook that lay abandoned in a neighbors field
for over 4 1/2 years (reported here a couple of weeks ago), I finally got it
ready for it's first trip this past weekend to Panarama Point, the highest
point in Nebraska, where I operated a ham radio contest. ?I had this
unreasonable, compulsive desire to drive her to Nebraska for the contest
since I bought her July 3. ?The round trip distance was almost 500 miles from
here near Pikes Peak. ??In the past two weeks I spent over 20 hours cleaning
the cabin and cab, rewiring the tail lights, replacing the horn, adding a new
12 volt battery, making sure the electrical converter was wired and working
properly before using it, replacing some of the water tubing to/from the
sink, and replacing many of the rusting nuts, bolts, and screws. I also
bought a porta potty at Walmart. ?I also bought the Chilton Toyota pickup
repair manual and intended to try to to some of the maintenance, but ran out
of time- and had the wheel bearings repacked and the right front caliper and
front rotars and break pads replaced at a local repair shop where they also
took the good 16-ply tires off the dualies and put them on the four wheels
with balancing. ?They also replaced the transmission oil and the belts. ??
Cost was $300. ?At another repair shop, I had the spark plugs, points, and
condenser replaced and the timing adjusted and a compression test. ?Cost was
$200. I asked both dealers to eyeball the Chinook for any problems. I got
fairly clean bill of health, but was told by repair shop #2 that i better
take my credit cards with me for the trip! ?I added the Chinook to my AAA
coverage for $25, but was told it didn't take effect for 5 days, so I was
prepared, if necessary, to spent 5 days with the broken down Chinook ?:-) ??
Luckily, that wasn't necessary, and I didn't need my credit cards either. ?I
drove 200+ miles to the Panarama Point in Nebraska, Saturday morning, and
returned, via Cheyenne WY, on Sunday afternoon and evening. No problems,
except I needed to add a quart of oil every 150 miles, more often than I had
to stop for gas! ??The almost clean bill of health included a compression
test which was cylinder #1- 85 psi, #2- 105 psi, #3- 100 psi, #4- 95 psi. ?
Guess my engine needs new piston rings and probably a lot more. ?The engine
starts easily and sounds fine. ?I can go over 65 MPH on the level at 5000'
ASL, much less going up hills especially near home at 9000' ASL. ?
I paid $500 for the Chinook and have put about $700 in to it since. ?Auto
repairman #2 said just drive and enjoy her, but have your credit cards
handy...it's not worth putting a lot more money into her. ?Yep, I knew a $500
motorhome would have a lot of problems and also be a good gunea pig for
learning a little auto mechanics, maintenance and repair of body rust,
fiberglass damage, and motorhome appliances. ?So far it's been a lot of work
and a lot of fun. ??Unless the stock market and my stocks (my retirement
funding) do a quick reversal, I'll have my gunea pig for a while! ?I may
drive her down to Mexico in September where I can have the engine overhauled
at a shop rate of $10 or $15 an hour, compared to $60 an hour up here, or
maybe I'll just drive her as is.
The cabin has actually cleaned up quite nicely and is attractive. ?I'm
repairing some of the Toyota body rust and plan to repair a few places where
the fiberglass is scraped or cracked. ?Plan to repaint the cab. ?She will
look presentable after all that. ?It may be too late for this old dog to
learn enough auto mechanics to do anything serious, but I can do all the
maintenance from now on and minor repairs. ?Do the affianados here think I
should -
1) have the engine overhauled here for mucho $$$$
2) Buy a replacement engine
3) Put the Chinook camper on a different Toyota chasis with a good engine
4) drive to Mexico- I plan to go there in any case- and have the engine
overhauled there for $$ pesos
3) drive her and enjoy her as is
4) put her back out to pasture where she was resting peacefully until July 3rd
Doug in Woodland Park CO

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After buying the 1976 Toyota Chinook that lay abandoned in a neighbors field
for over 4 1/2 years (reported here a couple of weeks ago), I finally got it
ready for it's first trip this past weekend to Panarama Point, the highest
point in Nebraska, where I operated a ham radio contest. ?I had this
unreasonable, compulsive desire to drive her to Nebraska for the contest
since I bought her July 3. ?The round trip distance was almost 500 miles from
here near Pikes Peak. ??In the past two weeks I spent over 20 hours cleaning
the cabin and cab, rewiring the tail lights, replacing the horn, adding a new
12 volt battery, making sure the electrical converter was wired and working
properly before using it, replacing some of the water tubing to/from the
sink, and replacing many of the rusting nuts, bolts, and screws. I also
bought a porta potty at Walmart. ?I also bought the Chilton Toyota pickup
repair manual and intended to try to to some of the maintenance, but ran out
of time- and had the wheel bearings repacked and the right front caliper and
front rotars and break pads replaced at a local repair shop where they also
took the good 16-ply tires off the dualies and put them on the four wheels
with balancing. ?They also replaced the transmission oil and the belts. ??
Cost was $300. ?At another repair shop, I had the spark plugs, points, and
condenser replaced and the timing adjusted and a compression test. ?Cost was
$200. I asked both dealers to eyeball the Chinook for any problems. I got
fairly clean bill of health, but was told by repair shop #2 that i better
take my credit cards with me for the trip! ?I added the Chinook to my AAA
coverage for $25, but was told it didn't take effect for 5 days, so I was
prepared, if necessary, to spent 5 days with the broken down Chinook ?:-) ??
Luckily, that wasn't necessary, and I didn't need my credit cards either. ?I
drove 200+ miles to the Panarama Point in Nebraska, Saturday morning, and
returned, via Cheyenne WY, on Sunday afternoon and evening. No problems,
except I needed to add a quart of oil every 150 miles, more often than I had
to stop for gas! ??The almost clean bill of health included a compression
test which was cylinder #1- 85 psi, #2- 105 psi, #3- 100 psi, #4- 95 psi. ?
Guess my engine needs new piston rings and probably a lot more. ?The engine
starts easily and sounds fine. ?I can go over 65 MPH on the level at 5000'
ASL, much less going up hills especially near home at 9000' ASL. ?
I paid $500 for the Chinook and have put about $700 in to it since. ?Auto
repairman #2 said just drive and enjoy her, but have your credit cards
handy...it's not worth putting a lot more money into her. ?Yep, I knew a $500
motorhome would have a lot of problems and also be a good gunea pig for
learning a little auto mechanics, maintenance and repair of body rust,
fiberglass damage, and motorhome appliances. ?So far it's been a lot of work
and a lot of fun. ??Unless the stock market and my stocks (my retirement
funding) do a quick reversal, I'll have my gunea pig for a while! ?I may
drive her down to Mexico in September where I can have the engine overhauled
at a shop rate of $10 or $15 an hour, compared to $60 an hour up here, or
maybe I'll just drive her as is.
The cabin has actually cleaned up quite nicely and is attractive. ?I'm
repairing some of the Toyota body rust and plan to repair a few places where
the fiberglass is scraped or cracked. ?Plan to repaint the cab. ?She will
look presentable after all that. ?It may be too late for this old dog to
learn enough auto mechanics to do anything serious, but I can do all the
maintenance from now on and minor repairs. ?Do the affianados here think I
should -
1) have the engine overhauled here for mucho $$$$
2) Buy a replacement engine
3) Put the Chinook camper on a different Toyota chasis with a good engine
4) drive to Mexico- I plan to go there in any case- and have the engine
overhauled there for $$ pesos
3) drive her and enjoy her as is
4) put her back out to pasture where she was resting peacefully until July 3rd
Doug in Woodland Park CO


 

--- In toyota-campers@y..., W0AH@A... wrote:
After buying the 1976 Toyota Chinook that lay abandoned in a
neighbors field
for over 4 1/2 years (reported here a couple of weeks ago), I
finally got it
ready for it's first trip this past weekend to Panarama Point, the
highest
point in Nebraska, where I operated a ham radio contest. I had this
unreasonable, compulsive desire to drive her to Nebraska for the
contest
since I bought her July 3. The round trip distance was almost 500
miles from
here near Pikes Peak. In the past two weeks I spent over 20 hours
cleaning
the cabin and cab, rewiring the tail lights, replacing the horn,
adding a new
12 volt battery, making sure the electrical converter was wired and
working
properly before using it, replacing some of the water tubing to/from
the
sink, and replacing many of the rusting nuts, bolts, and screws. I
also
bought a porta potty at Walmart. I also bought the Chilton Toyota
pickup
repair manual and intended to try to to some of the maintenance, but
ran out
of time- and had the wheel bearings repacked and the right front
caliper and
front rotars and break pads replaced at a local repair shop where
they also
took the good 16-ply tires off the dualies and put them on the four
wheels
with balancing. They also replaced the transmission oil and the
belts.
Cost was $300. At another repair shop, I had the spark plugs,
points, and
condenser replaced and the timing adjusted and a compression test.
Cost was
$200. I asked both dealers to eyeball the Chinook for any problems.
I got
fairly clean bill of health, but was told by repair shop #2 that i
better
take my credit cards with me for the trip! I added the Chinook to
my AAA
coverage for $25, but was told it didn't take effect for 5 days, so
I was
prepared, if necessary, to spent 5 days with the broken down Chinook
:-)
Luckily, that wasn't necessary, and I didn't need my credit cards
either. I
drove 200+ miles to the Panarama Point in Nebraska, Saturday
morning, and
returned, via Cheyenne WY, on Sunday afternoon and evening. No
problems,
except I needed to add a quart of oil every 150 miles, more often
than I had
to stop for gas! The almost clean bill of health included a
compression
test which was cylinder #1- 85 psi, #2- 105 psi, #3- 100 psi, #4- 95
psi.
Guess my engine needs new piston rings and probably a lot more. The
engine
starts easily and sounds fine. I can go over 65 MPH on the level at
5000'
ASL, much less going up hills especially near home at 9000' ASL.
I paid $500 for the Chinook and have put about $700 in to it since.
Auto
repairman #2 said just drive and enjoy her, but have your credit
cards
handy...it's not worth putting a lot more money into her. Yep, I
knew a $500
motorhome would have a lot of problems and also be a good gunea pig
for
learning a little auto mechanics, maintenance and repair of body
rust,
fiberglass damage, and motorhome appliances. So far it's been a lot
of work
and a lot of fun. Unless the stock market and my stocks (my
retirement
funding) do a quick reversal, I'll have my gunea pig for a while! I
may
drive her down to Mexico in September where I can have the engine
overhauled
at a shop rate of $10 or $15 an hour, compared to $60 an hour up
here, or
maybe I'll just drive her as is.
The cabin has actually cleaned up quite nicely and is attractive.
I'm
repairing some of the Toyota body rust and plan to repair a few
places where
the fiberglass is scraped or cracked. Plan to repaint the cab. She
will
look presentable after all that. It may be too late for this old
dog to
learn enough auto mechanics to do anything serious, but I can do all
the
maintenance from now on and minor repairs. Do the affianados here
think I
should -
1) have the engine overhauled here for mucho $$$$
2) Buy a replacement engine
3) Put the Chinook camper on a different Toyota chasis with a good
engine
4) drive to Mexico- I plan to go there in any case- and have the
engine
overhauled there for $$ pesos
3) drive her and enjoy her as is
4) put her back out to pasture where she was resting peacefully
until July 3rd
Doug in Woodland Park CO

Doug.

The compressions are low but fairly even. The rings may re-seat
after some more gentle driving. However if the problem is valves
they will get worse. I would have the valves checked/adjusted
soon.

This is where that differential compression test is best.
It will tell you what is leaking. (See previous post in
Archives). I recommend you have one run before you put
any bucks in that engine.

It's too early to write off your engine yet, but take a look
at DOA Racing. com . They sell a 22re especially built up for
Toyota RV use. If you restore the rest of the rig and since
you are in at such a low cost, the price of that extra power
engine may be worth it.

Jack A2


Christopher Darilek
 

Doug,

I've been dreaming of finding a Toyota Chinook popup camper, say, does your
have AC in the cab (running off the engine) originally (I'm not asking if it
still works..)? Also, you say it can do over 65 on level ground - how slow
is it on the hills? I've been driving Volkswagen camper vans (1967 to 1981
models, air-cooled) and am sick of a lack of power. Of course I might not
mind so much if the rig had AC. So, how would you describe the power coming
from your Chinook? Well, I think even if you say it's slow like a school
bus I might still dream of finding me one just for the reliability that
comes from Toyota..

BTW, I think you should have the valves checked out on your '76, possibly
needs new valve guides, but I wouldn't jump to a new or rebuilt engine just
yet. Good luck!

Thanks!
Christopher Darilek
Austin, TX

----- Original Message -----
From: <W0AH@...>
To: <toyota-campers@...>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 12:02 AM
Subject: [toyota-campers] The $500 Chinook takes a trip


After buying the 1976 Toyota Chinook that lay abandoned in a neighbors
field
for over 4 1/2 years (reported here a couple of weeks ago), I finally got
it
ready for it's first trip this past weekend to Panarama Point, the highest
point in Nebraska, where I operated a ham radio contest. I had this
unreasonable, compulsive desire to drive her to Nebraska for the contest
since I bought her July 3. The round trip distance was almost 500 miles
from
here near Pikes Peak. In the past two weeks I spent over 20 hours
cleaning
the cabin and cab, rewiring the tail lights, replacing the horn, adding a
new
12 volt battery, making sure the electrical converter was wired and
working
properly before using it, replacing some of the water tubing to/from the
sink, and replacing many of the rusting nuts, bolts, and screws. I also
bought a porta potty at Walmart. I also bought the Chilton Toyota pickup
repair manual and intended to try to to some of the maintenance, but ran
out
of time- and had the wheel bearings repacked and the right front caliper
and
front rotars and break pads replaced at a local repair shop where they
also
took the good 16-ply tires off the dualies and put them on the four wheels
with balancing. They also replaced the transmission oil and the belts.
Cost was $300. At another repair shop, I had the spark plugs, points, and
condenser replaced and the timing adjusted and a compression test. Cost
was
$200. I asked both dealers to eyeball the Chinook for any problems. I got
fairly clean bill of health, but was told by repair shop #2 that i better
take my credit cards with me for the trip! I added the Chinook to my AAA
coverage for $25, but was told it didn't take effect for 5 days, so I was
prepared, if necessary, to spent 5 days with the broken down Chinook :-)
Luckily, that wasn't necessary, and I didn't need my credit cards either.
I
drove 200+ miles to the Panarama Point in Nebraska, Saturday morning, and
returned, via Cheyenne WY, on Sunday afternoon and evening. No problems,
except I needed to add a quart of oil every 150 miles, more often than I
had
to stop for gas! The almost clean bill of health included a compression
test which was cylinder #1- 85 psi, #2- 105 psi, #3- 100 psi, #4- 95 psi.
Guess my engine needs new piston rings and probably a lot more. The
engine
starts easily and sounds fine. I can go over 65 MPH on the level at 5000'
ASL, much less going up hills especially near home at 9000' ASL.
I paid $500 for the Chinook and have put about $700 in to it since. Auto
repairman #2 said just drive and enjoy her, but have your credit cards
handy...it's not worth putting a lot more money into her. Yep, I knew a
$500
motorhome would have a lot of problems and also be a good gunea pig for
learning a little auto mechanics, maintenance and repair of body rust,
fiberglass damage, and motorhome appliances. So far it's been a lot of
work
and a lot of fun. Unless the stock market and my stocks (my retirement
funding) do a quick reversal, I'll have my gunea pig for a while! I may
drive her down to Mexico in September where I can have the engine
overhauled
at a shop rate of $10 or $15 an hour, compared to $60 an hour up here, or
maybe I'll just drive her as is.
The cabin has actually cleaned up quite nicely and is attractive. I'm
repairing some of the Toyota body rust and plan to repair a few places
where
the fiberglass is scraped or cracked. Plan to repaint the cab. She will
look presentable after all that. It may be too late for this old dog to
learn enough auto mechanics to do anything serious, but I can do all the
maintenance from now on and minor repairs. Do the affianados here think I
should -
1) have the engine overhauled here for mucho $$$$
2) Buy a replacement engine
3) Put the Chinook camper on a different Toyota chasis with a good engine
4) drive to Mexico- I plan to go there in any case- and have the engine
overhauled there for $$ pesos
3) drive her and enjoy her as is
4) put her back out to pasture where she was resting peacefully until July
3rd
Doug in Woodland Park CO


 

I'd go with the valve guide replacement. I don't know what the
compression should be but 90 psi out of a 70's low compression 4
beater sounds pretty good. The guides are probaly dryed up and are
letting alot of oil in. Parts are cheap but it is a labor intensive
job.

When do we get to see the pictures?

Good Luck

Mike

--- In toyota-campers@y..., Christopher Darilek <cdarilek@d...> wrote:
Doug,

I've been dreaming of finding a Toyota Chinook popup camper, say,
does your
have AC in the cab (running off the engine) originally (I'm not
asking if it
still works..)? Also, you say it can do over 65 on level ground -
how slow
is it on the hills? I've been driving Volkswagen camper vans (1967
to 1981
models, air-cooled) and am sick of a lack of power. Of course I
might not
mind so much if the rig had AC. So, how would you describe the
power coming
from your Chinook? Well, I think even if you say it's slow like a
school
bus I might still dream of finding me one just for the reliability
that
comes from Toyota..

BTW, I think you should have the valves checked out on your '76,
possibly
needs new valve guides, but I wouldn't jump to a new or rebuilt
engine just
yet. Good luck!

Thanks!
Christopher Darilek
Austin, TX

----- Original Message -----
From: <W0AH@A...>
To: <toyota-campers@y...>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 12:02 AM
Subject: [toyota-campers] The $500 Chinook takes a trip


After buying the 1976 Toyota Chinook that lay abandoned in a
neighbors
field
for over 4 1/2 years (reported here a couple of weeks ago), I
finally got
it
ready for it's first trip this past weekend to Panarama Point, the
highest
point in Nebraska, where I operated a ham radio contest. I had
this
unreasonable, compulsive desire to drive her to Nebraska for the
contest
since I bought her July 3. The round trip distance was almost 500
miles
from
here near Pikes Peak. In the past two weeks I spent over 20
hours
cleaning
the cabin and cab, rewiring the tail lights, replacing the horn,
adding a
new
12 volt battery, making sure the electrical converter was wired
and
working
properly before using it, replacing some of the water tubing
to/from the
sink, and replacing many of the rusting nuts, bolts, and screws. I
also
bought a porta potty at Walmart. I also bought the Chilton Toyota
pickup
repair manual and intended to try to to some of the maintenance,
but ran
out
of time- and had the wheel bearings repacked and the right front
caliper
and
front rotars and break pads replaced at a local repair shop where
they
also
took the good 16-ply tires off the dualies and put them on the
four wheels
with balancing. They also replaced the transmission oil and the
belts.
Cost was $300. At another repair shop, I had the spark plugs,
points, and
condenser replaced and the timing adjusted and a compression test.
Cost
was
$200. I asked both dealers to eyeball the Chinook for any
problems. I got
fairly clean bill of health, but was told by repair shop #2 that i
better
take my credit cards with me for the trip! I added the Chinook to
my AAA
coverage for $25, but was told it didn't take effect for 5 days,
so I was
prepared, if necessary, to spent 5 days with the broken down
Chinook :-)
Luckily, that wasn't necessary, and I didn't need my credit cards
either.
I
drove 200+ miles to the Panarama Point in Nebraska, Saturday
morning, and
returned, via Cheyenne WY, on Sunday afternoon and evening. No
problems,
except I needed to add a quart of oil every 150 miles, more often
than I
had
to stop for gas! The almost clean bill of health included a
compression
test which was cylinder #1- 85 psi, #2- 105 psi, #3- 100 psi, #4-
95 psi.
Guess my engine needs new piston rings and probably a lot more.
The
engine
starts easily and sounds fine. I can go over 65 MPH on the level
at 5000'
ASL, much less going up hills especially near home at 9000' ASL.
I paid $500 for the Chinook and have put about $700 in to it
since. Auto
repairman #2 said just drive and enjoy her, but have your credit
cards
handy...it's not worth putting a lot more money into her. Yep, I
knew a
$500
motorhome would have a lot of problems and also be a good gunea
pig for
learning a little auto mechanics, maintenance and repair of body
rust,
fiberglass damage, and motorhome appliances. So far it's been a
lot of
work
and a lot of fun. Unless the stock market and my stocks (my
retirement
funding) do a quick reversal, I'll have my gunea pig for a while!
I may
drive her down to Mexico in September where I can have the engine
overhauled
at a shop rate of $10 or $15 an hour, compared to $60 an hour up
here, or
maybe I'll just drive her as is.
The cabin has actually cleaned up quite nicely and is attractive.
I'm
repairing some of the Toyota body rust and plan to repair a few
places
where
the fiberglass is scraped or cracked. Plan to repaint the cab.
She will
look presentable after all that. It may be too late for this old
dog to
learn enough auto mechanics to do anything serious, but I can do
all the
maintenance from now on and minor repairs. Do the affianados here
think I
should -
1) have the engine overhauled here for mucho $$$$
2) Buy a replacement engine
3) Put the Chinook camper on a different Toyota chasis with a good
engine
4) drive to Mexico- I plan to go there in any case- and have the
engine
overhauled there for $$ pesos
3) drive her and enjoy her as is
4) put her back out to pasture where she was resting peacefully
until July
3rd
Doug in Woodland Park CO