Getting the tired look out of a 77 Chinook
07-14-2012, 07:49 PM
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Getting the tired look out of a 77 Chinook
Hello. We just bought a 77 chinook with a decent running 20r at about 133,000 miles. I think the timing chain hopped a tooth but Chilton will help me with that one.
But I do want to raise it up a few inches, or at least get back to factory height.
I don't have the money to put the Chinook body on a newer 4x4 but man, they look sweet.
Does anyone have the specs on the front springs for replacement and where to get them?
I was thinking about putting 1" wheel spacers to help with the driving sway and a heavy load tire (d+). I know this is overloading a already over loaded rear 5 lug axle. Is this a bad idea or a terrible idea? i'm ok with bad ideas.
I was told helper springs for the rear leafs will wear out sooner than later and a air ride system was suggested. Any good no frills air ride system to suggest? Or is just getting heavy duty replacement leaf springs all that's needed, if so where should i get it?
Never gave much thought into shocks. The originals are so small i don't think there is much room for improvement.
thank you to all that read this and reply's are greatly appreciated.
But I do want to raise it up a few inches, or at least get back to factory height.
I don't have the money to put the Chinook body on a newer 4x4 but man, they look sweet.
Does anyone have the specs on the front springs for replacement and where to get them?
I was thinking about putting 1" wheel spacers to help with the driving sway and a heavy load tire (d+). I know this is overloading a already over loaded rear 5 lug axle. Is this a bad idea or a terrible idea? i'm ok with bad ideas.
I was told helper springs for the rear leafs will wear out sooner than later and a air ride system was suggested. Any good no frills air ride system to suggest? Or is just getting heavy duty replacement leaf springs all that's needed, if so where should i get it?
Never gave much thought into shocks. The originals are so small i don't think there is much room for improvement.
thank you to all that read this and reply's are greatly appreciated.
09-26-2012, 12:01 PM
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Nice Chinook those things are classic!
I would go with new springs in the rear if it is saggy and Rancho 5000 shocks all around good ride and good value for the money... for helpers I would go with Air Ride air bags they let you "pump in" as much extra support as you need when fully loaded or pulling a trailer full of toys and you can easily let it the air out again when you are empty...
welcome to the family by the way... a few other members have these so you should be hearing from them once they find you...
I would go with new springs in the rear if it is saggy and Rancho 5000 shocks all around good ride and good value for the money... for helpers I would go with Air Ride air bags they let you "pump in" as much extra support as you need when fully loaded or pulling a trailer full of toys and you can easily let it the air out again when you are empty...
welcome to the family by the way... a few other members have these so you should be hearing from them once they find you...
12-06-2013, 01:13 PM
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Travis,
I used to own a nearly identical Chinook, only it was a 1975. I thought that was it until I saw the date.
If you want to convert it to 4WD you can do so by doing a solid axle swap in the front and swap the transfer case, and rear axle from any 1979-1985 Toyota 4WD truck, the power steering (for crossover) from an 1986-1994... probably at little as $2000 total if you do all the work yourself.
http://www.trail-gear.com/ifs-eliminator-kit
Do you have any more photos of the truck?
I used to own a nearly identical Chinook, only it was a 1975. I thought that was it until I saw the date.
If you want to convert it to 4WD you can do so by doing a solid axle swap in the front and swap the transfer case, and rear axle from any 1979-1985 Toyota 4WD truck, the power steering (for crossover) from an 1986-1994... probably at little as $2000 total if you do all the work yourself.
http://www.trail-gear.com/ifs-eliminator-kit
Do you have any more photos of the truck?
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