I spotted this and had to stop. It’s like a secret desire I’ve always had but was to lazy to do the work to make one.
It appears to be in the late project stage.
Of course I would love to own such a rig, but for the time and energy that would need to be invested. For now I will just keep tabs on this one and live vicariously through its owners.
I assume it’s just a quirk of perspective, but the top photo makes it look like the front axle is a bit too far rearward. I can’t imagine any reasonable approach to this sort of project other than simply putting Toyota 4×4 running gear under the stock frame. Aside from perhaps having to weld some mounting tabs I suspect it would pretty much bolt on.
I think its a combination of the the camera angle and the larger than stock 30ish BFG All Terrains. Its not necessarily Toyota gear under the frame, the hard core 4×4/rockcrawling community has plenty of experience of using the Domestic 4×4 parts bin to build up Toyotas.
I’d feel comfortable saying that the majority of the older “built” FJs have been swapped over the SBCs. The older GM and Dana axles are quite popular.
This truck has a later model Toyota front axle as evidenced by wearing the OE Aisin locking hubs and 6 bolts holding the wheels on.
Yep just radically wider track width. Would be cop bait out here, you need to have fenders over the entire wheel width.
It is the same here.
Fair enough, it must be other states that either don’t have or don’t enforce the laws, eg the bro-dozer type trucks
Illinois has the same laws, I’ve never been bugged for my Jeeps or the Ram. They weren’t Bromobiles though. My rigs were coated with mud most of the time.. Banned from pressure washes kind of mud..
We’ll see what happens with the X.
Can the 4.3 Chevy V6 swap be far behind? Then you would have something! I like it!
nope. never occurred to me but now that i see it, i want it!
I’ve always wanted to build an “expedition” style RV like this too. By time I did the math on buying it, rehabbing the interior, swapping axles, wheels/tires and drivetrain and incidentals I get snapped back to reality quick.
I’ll stick to lifting my Xterra, stuffing some 33s under it(it already has 4.63 gears and a lunchbox locker) and packing a tent.
You have to keep us updated on this beast though. Maybe you can trade him something for it when its done!
No, I have bigger dreams now but I think they are just dreams.
In every car guys life there comes a dry spell. Don’t give up yet.
I’ve seem a few of these Chinooks around, but most of them are rusted out… but… wow… awesome idea! Actually, MY dream is a Factory Five Shelby Cobra with four wheel drivetrain from a Ford Explorer… speed AND snow capability!
Looks like there was a few factory 4×4’s out there not Chinooks thou. This site is pretty entertaining. By the way on the subject of motor homes Paul I see an Ultravan went cheap at Barrett Jackson this year.
http://www.toyotamotorhomes.com/4_wheel_drives!.htm
I saw that somewhere else. I want one, and to convert its engine-transmission with a VW tdi unit. 25 mpg?
I think I might kill for a normal one. Absence of tin worms here in East Texas so I see a number of the normal 2wd units around. I doubt this could be beat for the right job.
I see a small trailer with fishing gear, camping gear, and a canoe.
Ever since the Top Gear US off-road RV episode I’ve been daydreaming about a (properly capable) off-roader with living space to do my fantasy US road-trip in… this probably isn’ it tbh but it’s not that far off…
They weren’t originally motorhomes but I think the ultimate ‘small’ offroad motorhome would be a Toyota Landcruiser Arkana. They were 13-15 seat tour buses, some had a 3rd axle, and I think most would have been retired from the tourism industry by now.
Agreed!
A few years ago, I was researching a Hale fire pump and ran into a site where the author mounted one on a Unimog with nice tank. Too much rig for my needs, but the expedition camper rig (at http://www.ki7xh.com/camper.htm) he made looked intriguing. The asking price is too rich for my tastes, but the concept looks nice. Now, if I could get my wife off the “hell no” opinion, I might consider such a conversion. 🙂
A Unimog is really the ultimate vehicle with the requisite ultimate price tag.
Hey Michael, could you please tell me where this Chinook is located? I have a’77 Chinook and I’ve got some serious questions to ask this guy.
Thanks a lot
Michael won’t be able to respond….he’s in a place where they don’t have internet, and he’s going to be there for a very long time.
I’ve definitely thought of this myself too. There were a number of other small Toyota based RV’s as well, but I always liked these for the pop top.