1978 chinook 2X into 4X? ? ? ? ? ? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

bayrunner · 02-18-2004, 08:48 AM

HEY guys ____ Any ideas(simplest and easiest to accomplish) out there on how to turn a 1978 Chinook Toyota 2W Drive, 4 speed 20R engine (mini motor home),not sure what rear axel it has ,but it only has a single wheel on each side, into 4 Wheel Drive. I love this thing; it’s like a backpack on wheels. The wheelbase is NOT quit the same lengh as a Toyota long wheelbase rig. The wheelbase is either slightly shorter or longer, I forgot which. I think at the time I was considering making the mods. My friend and I ruled out just taking body off, and putting it over a long wheelbase 4X toy for some reason, things didn’t quite match up. Anyway all feedback welcomed.____ THANKS BAYRUNNER

4RnrRick · 02-18-2004, 09:22 AM

Basically you will need a complete drivetrain swap including a SAS.

At the very minimum you wil need:
New tranny
Transfer case
front axle
cut off front suspension
install hanger
install high steer
make new drivelines

wa4x4boy@yahoo.com · 02-18-2004, 11:34 AM

I actually wanted to see if someone could do that... It would be kinda cool to see.

Jeff S · 02-18-2004, 11:57 AM

I have thought of that too. . Everytime I see one, I think that would be cool as a 4wd.
Jeff S.

keeprunning · 02-18-2004, 06:48 PM

Hey, I have seen something like that. This one is a dually in the back and is 4 wheel drive. I have been keeping an eye on it this past year. I see it everyday on my way to work in a driveway. I keep meaning to go knock on the door. Should I sneek up and take pictures?

bayrunner · 02-18-2004, 08:01 PM

Hey Keeprunning ___ Leave the guy my E-Mail Add. ____ BAYRUNNER

KWTMECH · 02-18-2004, 09:18 PM

A few years back toyota motor company was putting the factory dually axle in those for free because they were breaking the shafts. I wonder if that policy is still in effect?

MoonDog · 02-19-2004, 06:35 PM

I have a friend with an '81 chinook, last time I saw him somewhere along the course of a conversation on the thing he mentioned that the L52 tranny in it had a decent low range and got along ok, and I called him on it because the L52 is a 4x4 tranny. He swore up and down that thats what it had, and discribed it somewhat correctly to me, but it was late and dark so I didn't actually want to crawl under the thing to see for myself.

Suppose the chinook has an L52 tranny with a different tail housing on it? ...if so you could possibly swap the tailhousing that accepts a Tcase, can anyone confirm or disprove this info?

spasch · 02-20-2004, 05:34 PM

From what I have seen under those at work, the retrofit was a G.M. Corp 12 bolt axle(6 Lug).

KWTMECH · 02-20-2004, 06:55 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by spasch
From what I have seen under those at work, the retrofit was a G.M. Corp 12 bolt axle(6 Lug). [/QUOTE

The toyota shafts are beefier than the 12 bolt shafts, have a larger bearing and better bearing/shaft retention. The retrofit of a 12 bolt was probably someone elses idea of a fix

02-18-2004, 08:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
bayrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27313 Location: Eugene ,Oregon__U.S.A. Posts: 70	1978 chinook 2X into 4X? ? ? ? ? ? HEY guys ____ Any ideas(simplest and easiest to accomplish) out there on how to turn a 1978 Chinook Toyota 2W Drive, 4 speed 20R engine (mini motor home),not sure what rear axel it has ,but it only has a single wheel on each side, into 4 Wheel Drive. I love this thing; it’s like a backpack on wheels. The wheelbase is NOT quit the same lengh as a Toyota long wheelbase rig. The wheelbase is either slightly shorter or longer, I forgot which. I think at the time I was considering making the mods. My friend and I ruled out just taking body off, and putting it over a long wheelbase 4X toy for some reason, things didn’t quite match up. Anyway all feedback welcomed.____ THANKS BAYRUNNER

02-18-2004, 11:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
wa4x4boy@yahoo.com Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20091 Location: Bothell, Wa Posts: 155	I actually wanted to see if someone could do that... It would be kinda cool to see. __________________ 1981 Toyota short bed, power nothing Wish I had somthing better to say...

02-19-2004, 06:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
MoonDog Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3455 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 920	I have a friend with an '81 chinook, last time I saw him somewhere along the course of a conversation on the thing he mentioned that the L52 tranny in it had a decent low range and got along ok, and I called him on it because the L52 is a 4x4 tranny. He swore up and down that thats what it had, and discribed it somewhat correctly to me, but it was late and dark so I didn't actually want to crawl under the thing to see for myself. Suppose the chinook has an L52 tranny with a different tail housing on it? ...if so you could possibly swap the tailhousing that accepts a Tcase, can anyone confirm or disprove this info? __________________ '84 Toyota HooptieRunner

02-20-2004, 05:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
spasch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7461 Location: Lincoln, CA Posts: 273	From what I have seen under those at work, the retrofit was a G.M. Corp 12 bolt axle(6 Lug). __________________ Idle hands are the devil's playground. Squirrels are the devil's oven mitts.

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02-18-2004, 09:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
4RnrRick Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3933 Posts: 3,888	Basically you will need a complete drivetrain swap including a SAS. At the very minimum you wil need: New tranny Transfer case front axle cut off front suspension install hanger install high steer make new drivelines

02-18-2004, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jeff S Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Member # 24064 Location: Spokane Posts: 291	I have thought of that too. . Everytime I see one, I think that would be cool as a 4wd. Jeff S.

02-18-2004, 06:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
keeprunning Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27332 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 9	Hey, I have seen something like that. This one is a dually in the back and is 4 wheel drive. I have been keeping an eye on it this past year. I see it everyday on my way to work in a driveway. I keep meaning to go knock on the door. Should I sneek up and take pictures?

02-18-2004, 08:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
bayrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Member # 27313 Location: Eugene ,Oregon__U.S.A. Posts: 70	Hey Keeprunning ___ Leave the guy my E-Mail Add. ____ BAYRUNNER

02-18-2004, 09:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
KWTMECH Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13786 Location: moved 7 miles to colfax, ca. Posts: 4,234	A few years back toyota motor company was putting the factory dually axle in those for free because they were breaking the shafts. I wonder if that policy is still in effect?

02-20-2004, 06:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
KWTMECH Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13786 Location: moved 7 miles to colfax, ca. Posts: 4,234	[QUOTE]Originally posted by spasch From what I have seen under those at work, the retrofit was a G.M. Corp 12 bolt axle(6 Lug). [/QUOTE The toyota shafts are beefier than the 12 bolt shafts, have a larger bearing and better bearing/shaft retention. The retrofit of a 12 bolt was probably someone elses idea of a fix