Campers are an acquired taste for many of us. Either you want to live your life on the road or visit the occasional campsite, or you don’t. If your weekend drive is reserved for a high-powered machine that can roast the pavement and make mincemeat of the backroads, a small motorhome like this 1975 Toyota Chinook listed here on eBay may be a tough sell. But automotive enthusiasts take many forms, and if you do fancy the idea of living wherever you pitch your tent, a pint-sized RV like this one could be just the ticket.
Toyota and Nissan pickups were both popular platforms for converting into efficient campers that could navigate tight spaces and provide Japanese reliability while wandering deep into the great unknown. Most of them were 2WD, so your journey was limited to surface roads, but some 4WD Hilux conversions do exist. The camper shell on the back was cleverly Integrated into the body of the truck, and could expand to offer additional headroom once you were parked for the night. As you can see, this Chinook remains highly original inside but does show plenty of opportunities for improvements.
The 20R engine is a workhorse of a motor, and darn near unkillable. While this truck is still chugging along, it does have a few issues. I have to give the seller credit because this listing initially sounded like pure AI slop, but then it goes into some fairly explicit disclosures about issues the next owner will need to resolve. These include a “….severe exhaust leak at the cylinder head, likely cause is a cracked exhaust manifold.” There’s also an oil leak disclosed and some excessive consumption, but with a 20R, you just keep topping it off and driving it without fear. Fortunately, the seller has performed a significant amount of proactive maintenance.
Oof! An automatic in a camper with a 20R isn’t going anywhere fast, especially with 96 horsepower and 122 lb-ft of torque. The seller has replaced brakes, alternator, tires, and drive belts, and has also overhauled the driveshaft and replaced the transmission mount. A valve adjustment was performed and the ignition points were replaced. Overall, this is a solid project with no major rot or body issues, and some basic mechanical reconditioning to sort out. Are you the kind of person who would want to take a Chinook RV like this one on a road trip?
I once owned one and enjoyed it very much. However, mine was a four-speed. The slushbox is a no-go for me. GLWTS.
I can’t imagine why an automatic on a vehicle like this is a negative. It will spend the majority of its time on the highway, heading for the next vacationing destination.
I agree but there’s a certain crowd that prefers a 4 speed in anything. This wouldn’t be more fun to drive with a stick, just make it more of a chore. Granted, the stick might make it feel like you’re not going as slow as you actually are, but you will still be driving a slow, top heavy truck. Still not as annoying as the everything needs an LS crowd
Rough and not ready. Unfortunate and sad, in 2026, this is likely to become a homeless shelter on a street corner near you if it can get there.
Nice find, and considering the age nice condition. Shouldn’t this have dual wheels on the back? I know some years did have the dual and I would want them (maybe an option). I would also want a fresh rebuild on the engine and a manual transmission with as many gears that are compatible.
I would add more horsepower from just a slightly larger bore engine with bigger radiator.
Have a friend who had an import business-for imported used Japanese engines. He had one of these and installed one of the then-Japanese only market Toyota V8’s.
Ran GREAT after that compared to the stock 20R.
A Weber carburetor conversion will really wake these engines up! Been there, done that.
A V8! Now you’re talking!
I have always wondered what if any mods were made to beef up the payload capacity of these Toyotas to haul campers like this. Even lightweight campers are pretty hefty.
They are cool but… dangerously under powerd on Kentucky rds..
Especially when the guy behind you is making a delivery.
Oh my heavens .. what memories this brought back! Sure wish I could have one again.
Very cool, but I’ll take one with a stick shift and a pickup bed instead thank you!