2x4 to 4x4 SAS 1984 Toyota Chinook camper build
Well I am not sure if it is a Chinook as I have only seen one other camper like mine but in the 1970's similar versions they were called Chinook campers but it is close so that is what I will call it. As far as I know this one is pretty rare.
I have been driving it around with no third gear for about 2 years now and it is not ideal. I plan on towing some small trailers, boats, rafts with it this summer so I will need that third gear for big hills.
I picked up some parts this winter for the swap. I got a great deal on a used 5 speed with transfer case, complete rear axle from a 1989-1995 pickup with 4.10 gears, and I also have a landcruiser FJ-60 front axle and springs to put under the front.
I am not going to use the old axle as it is a 5 lug rims (I really hate 5 lug rims, it is a toyota thing as I am sure you all know), and probably has 3.73 gears because of the smaller tires on it. It is also narrower and I look forward to getting this setup a little wider, especially when it gains a little lift. I think it is also sprung under at the moment, but I will have to double check. I am not sure if I will go spring over or under with the back, just depends on how the front ends up, and how much lift I need to level it all out.
I am not looking for a lot of lift just enough to make it a little more truck like, probably 235/75/15 tires, because I have a lot of those.
As far as I can tell my front LC axle and new rear pickup axle will be about the same width. I was also going to use the stock FJ60 springs sprung under and try to reuse the steering links from it too.
I think my FJ-60 springs are wider than my rear pickup springs and am guessing that the front pickup springs are the same width. I would like to re use my springs to save on cost. If this is the case I may have to make my own front hanger, modify one from a manufactuer like allpro or buy a Man-a-Free landcruiser shackel reversial kit and fab something out of that.
I am also wondering about the spring perch width on a solid axle pickup (how far apart are the springs center to center) I need to compare this to my FJ-60 axle for comparison. I am not sure but my axle may be a bit wide and I may have to move the spring hangers in.
I also need to put power steering on it and wondered what may fit. I may have a FJ-60 PS box to use if it will fit. Any suggestions here?
So I was wondering if anyone else has put a landcruiser axle under the front for a SAS swap? What parts did you use and how did it turn out?
Any comments or info here on my proposed project?
I am trying to get as much info ahead of time and get my parts together so I have them all ready when I start. I wan't as little down time as possible.
I will post up some pictures of mine but here is the 4x4 version that I am shooting for.
Well I am not sure if it is a Chinook as I have only seen one other camper like mine but in the 1970's similar versions they were called Chinook campers but it is close so that is what I will call it. As far as I know this one is pretty rare.
I have been driving it around with no third gear for about 2 years now and it is not ideal. I plan on towing some small trailers, boats, rafts with it this summer so I will need that third gear for big hills.
I picked up some parts this winter for the swap. I got a great deal on a used 5 speed with transfer case, complete rear axle from a 1989-1995 pickup with 4.10 gears, and I also have a landcruiser FJ-60 front axle and springs to put under the front.
I am not going to use the old axle as it is a 5 lug rims (I really hate 5 lug rims, it is a toyota thing as I am sure you all know), and probably has 3.73 gears because of the smaller tires on it. It is also narrower and I look forward to getting this setup a little wider, especially when it gains a little lift. I think it is also sprung under at the moment, but I will have to double check. I am not sure if I will go spring over or under with the back, just depends on how the front ends up, and how much lift I need to level it all out.
I am not looking for a lot of lift just enough to make it a little more truck like, probably 235/75/15 tires, because I have a lot of those.
As far as I can tell my front LC axle and new rear pickup axle will be about the same width. I was also going to use the stock FJ60 springs sprung under and try to reuse the steering links from it too.
I think my FJ-60 springs are wider than my rear pickup springs and am guessing that the front pickup springs are the same width. I would like to re use my springs to save on cost. If this is the case I may have to make my own front hanger, modify one from a manufactuer like allpro or buy a Man-a-Free landcruiser shackel reversial kit and fab something out of that.
I am also wondering about the spring perch width on a solid axle pickup (how far apart are the springs center to center) I need to compare this to my FJ-60 axle for comparison. I am not sure but my axle may be a bit wide and I may have to move the spring hangers in.
I also need to put power steering on it and wondered what may fit. I may have a FJ-60 PS box to use if it will fit. Any suggestions here?
So I was wondering if anyone else has put a landcruiser axle under the front for a SAS swap? What parts did you use and how did it turn out?
Any comments or info here on my proposed project?
I am trying to get as much info ahead of time and get my parts together so I have them all ready when I start. I wan't as little down time as possible.
I will post up some pictures of mine but here is the 4x4 version that I am shooting for.
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