Instagram. There are quote a few Chinook owners on there.

I will need to look into doing this as well. I would love to remove the windows and redo the seals, but I would like a little extra insurance until next summer.

 

This photo is as close as I have to a helpful picture for you. I'm not sure exactly where I was in the process, but it looks like I was pretty close to finishing up the job. No special seals and I do remember returning seals to the auto parts store that were wrong. It can be really hard to look up the right parts by application for this thing, so I try to give the parts counter people a break. Still, it can be really frustrating.

 

Thanks for the help, I will try and put this thing together this week.

 

I'm back to tinkering with the Chinook!

A lot has happened in our lives since I last posted here. My wife and I bought a house. We've all been told if we're essential. John Prine got sick. It's like, a weird time in the world. But the constant decay of these trucks stops for no one.

I need help sourcing a heater core for a 73 Hilux with an 18R engine. It's pretty different from the 20r and later cores. This is the rarest heater core in the world, apparently. I would also love suggestions for alternatives. Have any of y'all installed a generic core or gone with a fully electric heater system?

Here are a few shots of what's up with the Chinook:


This is a shot of the truck meeting its new home.


The garage is about as wide as it is deep. The truck just barely fits.


It just fits.


I "fixed" a problem with a draw on the starter batter by adding this cutoff, which is also helpful when connecting the trickle charger.


We were supposed to take a week-long trip this week, but then all hell broke loose we found ourselves lucky to be employed. So, instead of going camping we pulled the rig outside for an evening of house camping. We (sort of) listened to a lecture on the geology of Oregon and used our propane stove and heater.


I bought this 84 Nissan/Datsun (it's one of those weird years with both badges) 720 to help with our house projects and so that I have a commuting rig. It's boss. It has dual spark, which is just weird/cool, and the previous owners did a fine job rebuilding the head. Maybe someday I'll lift the Chinook off the Toyota and put it on this little truck.


Here's what I've been up to instead of working on the truck. This is what 1500 pounds of cement leveler looks like. We now have a little apartment down here.

 

Congrats on the house and the 720.
seems like you got some space to work on your vehicles.
i was looking at houses with my wife and i kept showing her this house she thought was ugly. But i was like "but look at that garage!"
im sure its not any help to you but if you want an extra 18r block, i know a guy.
What differences are there in heater cores btw an 18r and 20 or 22r?

 

Nice. You're just looking for punishment! That's a lot of projects.

Best advice I can give, which I'm sure you've already thought of, is having your heater core in your hand and comparing it to others visually. I mean I can't imagine there's isn't a way to make a different one fit.

One nice thing right now, if you have the money, it's a great time to have a project at home...

My camper is sitting in the driveway right now, ready for a few projects. Unfortunately most of them are exterior projects, and it won't stop snowing!