Rusker

I look forward to your updates as I'm going to be doing similar upgrades.

I just finalized my vacation for next year, and we've decided we'll be taking the chinook on a 2 week+ roadtrip. I have a lot of work ahead of me to get this done, and as reliable as possible.

83

A lot has happened...wiring is almost completely done, propane is almost ready to be hooked up, new water pump, oil pump, radiator and general tune up.

I took out the old ceiling vent, which was sealed shut, and put one in that would actually open and vent. Just had to cut the hole a little wider. No fun being out in 95* weather with a sawzall cutting fiberglass...but it's done and it's a huge improvement. Also put a roof rack on for the canoe. Haven't tried getting it up there yet...that should be fun.





Also got new tires all around, and new wheels on the back. You can kind of tell.

Interior is coming together. I realized I'm no good at doing counter top...so the counters in there now are temporary. I bought some stock pre-made counter from Lowes and I'll put that in soon.





Got my stereo all hooked up and it's the best sound I've had in a vehicle...possibly ever. But then my newest vehicle has been a 93. Still...



I've been using it on the weekends and now that it doesn't feel so gutted inside it's much more comfy to sleep and hang out in. But I still have to cook on my coleman outside, and have no electricity so I use a headlamp, and have to pack backpacks and bins like I'm car camping. It will be nice when I can have things in cupboards, drawers, and cook inside and use lights. Right now it's just kind of way better than sleeping in the back of my truck, but doesn't quite feel like an RV.

I'm taking it on an out of state trip in September, and I'm hoping it'll be fully functional by then.

Rusker

Wow, it's really coming along.

Are you replacing all of the propane lines?

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

She is coming along great.

Do you still have your 83?

83

No, not all the propane lines...probably wouldn't be a bad idea. But I'm replacing any that are damaged, and any that don't fit anymore because of new appliances that have different dimensions or the hookup is in a different place.

And no...it was a hard decision, but I sold my 83.

DirtyOregonKid

Sub'd. Been toying with the idea of rebuilding a yota camper for a while now.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

JK

83

I know!

Rusker

Keep an eye out and jump on it while you can. They are getting harder and harder to find depending on what you're looking for. I'd like to eventually swap my camper over to a 4x4 body one day.

83

Yeah the littlest campers seem to be popular right now. Or maybe they always were, it's just that I'm paying attention now...

Chinooks come up pretty often, if you're willing to travel. Mostly northwest and southwest, some southeast. Price is rarely below $1500.

hambob

Looking good. Subscribed.
Thanks for sharing

83

Got both my cabinets up, so I also have light now, and a fan. Took it on a nice long trip: Montana to Idaho to Utah to Colorado to Wyoming and back home again.

Got between 17 and 22mpg the whole way!

Lons81

iTrader: (2)

Getting some interior work done, congrats. Impressive mileage on your trip.

Rusker

Awesome. How'd she do on the trip? Handle the mountain passes ok?

83

Yeah, it really does pretty good. I mean after being used to old 4 cylinder Toyotas with well over 100,000 miles on them, this truck was no surprise.

It does pretty much just as well as my 83 4x4 did.

RobotMoose

iTrader: (1)

Well, I'm sold.
I think my next project will be a chinook!
Great work, 83!

83

Hey thanks.

You definitely won't see any hardcore buildups or fabrication from me, but I do what I can.

These are really fun vehicles.

83

A little work. Got around to the headgasket. Pretty straightforward. The only things that gave me trouble were the exhaust manifold studs (stripped) and getting the distributer in exactly right.









And new flooring.

dsal_86Yota

Looks awesome. I would love to find one but I would want to make it 4x4 so I could use it hunting up in the mountains. Still would be sweet to have even the basic 2wd, We were behind one coming down the highway this summer and it was going up a hill, there was about 6 cars behind it. LOL my wife said If I got one its gotta have more power then that haha. Think a 3.4L and 4x4 would make it super sweet.

aviator

She's looking better and better Zach... project is really coming along... impressive mileage on that trip... personally I would have replaced all the propane lines rather than take a chance on the 35 yr old ones but if it's good for you... you'll need an RV ladder of some kind to get the canoe up on the roof... hope it's a light weight one and not a cedar strip for the sake of your back lol...