My New Toy
09-24-2012, 06:24 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
My New Toy
Drove this back from Seattle over the weekend. 20mpg the first couple tanks, no worse than 17mpg any other tank. Cruises along great a 60-65. Any faster and a new change of underwear is necessary.
Camping back in Montana
Camping on top of Lookout Pass on the way home. I did NOT bring enough blankets with me...and didn't feel like figuring out the heater in the middle of the night once I realized how cold it was going to get...The lower bed layout. Starts as table with benches on either side, table drops down to form bed.Upper bed folds down to sleep two, and covers over the cab area opening so you've got more privacy.
Dash and cluster in pretty darn good shape
Front wheel bearings need a repack, gas gauge drops to empty after about 30-40 miles, and just needs some fluid changes and flushing. Otherwise there's really nothing wrong with it. 48,000 original miles. Engine power, lack of oil leaks and almost non-existent wear on the gas/brake and clutch pedals seems to confirm the low miles. Drivers seat is the most uncomfortable thing I've ever sat in...and the interior could use a new paint color. Oh, and the fridge doesn't work. Sink, stove and heater do work.
It's a 78 Chinook, Newport edition (not sure what that means, yet. I think there was a newport and an omega model). 77 was a lower profile with a pop-top. Probably better gas mileage, but I like this taller fiberglass body with no pop-up. 79 they changed to the new 2wd body style and maybe changed to a Mirage? Anyway, 78 was the last year for the Chinook, from what I've been able to gather. I think they were all white with brown stripes. Whenever a previous owner painted the inside, they painted the stripes on the outside, too.
Oh, and it's a 5-speed.
Camping back in Montana
Camping on top of Lookout Pass on the way home. I did NOT bring enough blankets with me...and didn't feel like figuring out the heater in the middle of the night once I realized how cold it was going to get...The lower bed layout. Starts as table with benches on either side, table drops down to form bed.Upper bed folds down to sleep two, and covers over the cab area opening so you've got more privacy.
Dash and cluster in pretty darn good shape
Front wheel bearings need a repack, gas gauge drops to empty after about 30-40 miles, and just needs some fluid changes and flushing. Otherwise there's really nothing wrong with it. 48,000 original miles. Engine power, lack of oil leaks and almost non-existent wear on the gas/brake and clutch pedals seems to confirm the low miles. Drivers seat is the most uncomfortable thing I've ever sat in...and the interior could use a new paint color. Oh, and the fridge doesn't work. Sink, stove and heater do work.
It's a 78 Chinook, Newport edition (not sure what that means, yet. I think there was a newport and an omega model). 77 was a lower profile with a pop-top. Probably better gas mileage, but I like this taller fiberglass body with no pop-up. 79 they changed to the new 2wd body style and maybe changed to a Mirage? Anyway, 78 was the last year for the Chinook, from what I've been able to gather. I think they were all white with brown stripes. Whenever a previous owner painted the inside, they painted the stripes on the outside, too.
Oh, and it's a 5-speed.
Last edited by 83; 09-24-2012 at 06:35 AM.
09-24-2012, 06:31 AM
#2
Registered User
I envy you.... Seriously though, awesome find! I've always wanted to find one in pristine condition and do a 4x4 conversion!
Example: (more pics /info at http://www.toyotamotorhomes.com/nolan's_76_chinook.htm)
Example: (more pics /info at http://www.toyotamotorhomes.com/nolan's_76_chinook.htm)
09-24-2012, 06:40 AM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Yeah, 4x4 would be bad a**. As mine sits, I'm very glad it's so low to the ground...it's a little top heavy and wobbly. I'm sure anyone doing a 4x4 conversion would address this somehow. Maybe it's actually just the suspension on mine that makes it wobbly, and not the center of gravity.
It's not going to go everywhere a 4x4 would, but I LOVE the gas mileage. I heard they were very very low to the ground; no clearance. I found that's not true. It's got about the clearance of my Subaru Loyale. It's the length that will get you on approaches and such. That big extension off the back will scrape bottom on steep sudden climbs or descents. But the undercarraige has enough clearance for where I'll mostly be taking it.
As long as I treat it nice, a 4x4 conversion some years down the road is always an option.
It's not going to go everywhere a 4x4 would, but I LOVE the gas mileage. I heard they were very very low to the ground; no clearance. I found that's not true. It's got about the clearance of my Subaru Loyale. It's the length that will get you on approaches and such. That big extension off the back will scrape bottom on steep sudden climbs or descents. But the undercarraige has enough clearance for where I'll mostly be taking it.
As long as I treat it nice, a 4x4 conversion some years down the road is always an option.
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