Jump to content

Sunny the '78 Sunrader


Sunny78

Recommended Posts

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum and very excited to learn all about my new ToyHome. I recently bought a 1978 Sunrader and am really looking forward to starting some projects on it. I thought I would make a new post to introduce myself and Sunny to the community, shes a little funky and needs a good amount of work, but shes a Beauty!

I am trying to prioritize some different projects, but up on the list for the next couple weeks will be fixing some electrical issues (tail lights aren't functioning properly), as well as ripping out the dinette benches and counter/cabinets. I am going to eliminate the refrigerator as well as the stove/oven and replacing with a 12v top load fridge and using a camp stove for cooking, That way we will have much more counter space if not using the camp stove. I also have 4 new tires that I am planning on mounting up soon, and I will be replacing the water systems (tanks, pump, heater, etc.) in the near future.

I have just finished installing a new window on the drivers side of the camper and epoxied the cracks in the front wrap around window as well. Also, just replaced the top vent cover so now she's all water tight once again! Thanks god, because it is STILL SNOWING here in Lake Tahoe! Man, this winter season has been non-stop :)

I will try my best to keep this post up-to-date as I make progress on her. Along the way, any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

-Graham

 

3BD8AB00-9FBC-4BB1-BCBE-4C0DE1FB48B9.JPG

74C425CF-776D-47BE-94C9-FA94B9BC297E.JPG

5F66F1A2-7876-4FD7-B039-DDEAF4885750.JPG

F8D65AD7-095C-4E3E-BBA6-07B2D9CBA92A.JPG

IMG_1450.JPG

IMG_1452.JPG

IMG_1453.JPG

IMG_1454.JPG

IMG_1455.JPG

IMG_1456.JPG

IMG_1457.JPG

IMG_1462.JPG

IMG_1463.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, moalaska said:

Prioritize sourcing a proper 1 ton axle if it doesn't have one.   

Looks like I will be rebuilding the axle I currently have and going with single wheels. From what I understand this G082 axle is just fine with SWR on this rig because I am only about 3700 lbs wet. The tires I got are 8ply load range D so should support the weight just fine. Can anyone confirm?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Sunny78 said:

Looks like I will be rebuilding the axle I currently have and going with single wheels. From what I understand this G082 axle is just fine with SWR on this rig because I am only about 3700 lbs wet. The tires I got are 8ply load range D so should support the weight just fine. Can anyone confirm?

I would have the axle shafts magnafluxed before reinstalling. These axle shafts are no longer available. Remember you got over 40 years of “foolie” weight that may have already degraded the steel. Switching to singles is no guarantee you won’t drop an axle. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good call Fred. I will have to look into that. are you sure that the axle shafts from the G082 axle are no longer made (or available anywhere old-stock)? I could have sworn I found a source for them recently, but can't seem to find it now... anybody else have any insight? hmm... Does anyone know of the process to swap axles on this rig if I do end up finding a 1-ton FF? I read I would need to modify the drive shaft to be able to bolt up. Are there any other modifications to be done? Just looking for the least labor intensive/ cheapest option to make my rig safe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Sunny78 said:

Good call Fred. I will have to look into that. are you sure that the axle shafts from the G082 axle are no longer made (or available anywhere old-stock)? I could have sworn I found a source for them recently, but can't seem to find it now... anybody else have any insight? hmm... Does anyone know of the process to swap axles on this rig if I do end up finding a 1-ton FF? I read I would need to modify the drive shaft to be able to bolt up. Are there any other modifications to be done? Just looking for the least labor intensive/ cheapest option to make my rig safe.

I spent months trying to find them. The local Toyota dealer actually searched Japan for any NOS axles with no luck. 

The left and right axle shafts are interchangeable on the GO82 (i.e. same length). If you finds shafts that ask for driver or passenger side they won’t work. They’re for the 7.5 r&p.

If you can find a shop to magnaflux the shafts (bearing area especially) that would be the cheapest route to take. If all good, reinstall with new bearings and single wheels. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, fred heath said:

I spent months trying to find them. The local Toyota dealer actually searched Japan for any NOS axles with no luck. 

The left and right axle shafts are interchangeable on the GO82 (i.e. same length). If you finds shafts that ask for driver or passenger side they won’t work. They’re for the 7.5 r&p.

If you can find a shop to magnaflux the shafts (bearing area especially) that would be the cheapest route to take. If all good, reinstall with new bearings and single wheels. 

Would it be a good idea to source a G082 axle from a similar year pickup that has single wheels? That very well might be an easy option for me.

If so, would anyone know what years used this axle? I believe they were in high-ace vans similar years also.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pick and Pull places are being really thin on old trucks. Your model was built from 1972-1978, good luck.

While the truck's axle may be less abused, but it would have a zillion miles on it.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I literally just pulled my Sunrader also referred to as "Sunny" off the Toyota chassis. And now my full floating 1 ton dually axle is for sale! I'm a little north of you in Bend Oregon 

https://bend.craigslist.org/pts/d/redmond-toyota-6-lug-full-float-dually/6857624889.html

 

If you haven't already seen this unfortunate event I will link that as well. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCoTfAt2R9w&t=18s

 

Not trying to scare monger you into buying my axle. But I personally think you might be heading in the wrong direction with single tiny wheels...

 

Drive your camper up to Bend and we will change the axle in the driveway!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, linda s said:

Tahoe to Bend is not that far. Plus an experienced mechanic to help you do the job. This is a no brainer. Please take him up on it

Linda S

You’re right, not too far. And the offer is great, but I’m not in a place to move that quickly with this project yet. Looking to get all my ducks in a row and figure out what direction I’ll be going with this overhaul so I can get a budget plan laid out. Thanks so much for the help everyone! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, fzj80joe said:

If you haven't already seen this unfortunate event I will link that as well. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCoTfAt2R9w&t=18s

Hey Joe, not trying to jump down your throat here - and it's been about a month since I watched that video - but wasn't the issue that the shop screwed up putting the wheel on? And that was their last straw so they moved on... The failure was human error not due to single wheels.

I'm interested in this because I'd like to eventually have a 18ft Sunrader with a replaced rear axle that isn't dually. Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed. Lug nuts are important!

also, I’m leaning toward the option Neil mentioned.

What is the best/easiest axle I can swap into my 17ft Sunrader that I can run single wheels on? I would rather not have duallys if not needed.

Edited by Sunny78
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been doing some reading about a possible Dana 60 rear axle swap.. can anyone post a link to the post that Fred made about this? Or are there any other threads similar? I can’t seem to locate...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Sunny78 said:

I have been doing some reading about a possible Dana 60 rear axle swap.. can anyone post a link to the post that Fred made about this? Or are there any other threads similar? I can’t seem to locate...

The swap I did will run you about $4K if you farm the work out. The $850 axle with help installing is a deal. You’re probably looking at less than $1k. Yes, you’ll still have duelies but your best bang for the buck. IMHO. Fred

The spring perches will have to be relocated and I’m not sure about the shock mounts (never done a Toyota axle). Still way cheaper than any alternative. 

Edited by fred heath
Link to comment
Share on other sites

With single wheels you will be facing stability and cornering problems. That's why boundfornowhere sold their Sunrader after all that work. Another whole set of crap to deal with instead of just getting it done for a great price. 

Linda S

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, linda s said:

With single wheels you will be facing stability and cornering problems. That's why boundfornowhere sold their Sunrader after all that work. Another whole set of crap to deal with instead of just getting it done for a great price. 

Linda S

Singles have more sidewall flex. Rear tire sidewall flex along with body roll will give you really wonky steering, that's my guess on what boundfornowhere was experiencing. Plus being 4 wheel drive sitting higher they were more top heavy than a 2 wheel drive. Maybe there is a correct single tire and suspension choice. Some of it might be custom!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well from the point of view of this thread custom means expensive. He's saving so much money with the dually that is being offered. 

Yes boundfornowhere had perfectly viable options. They rebuilt the coach but did no wrenching and never asked here for suspension help. My friend Jerry did the same front range full float conversion and had no problems. Larger E load range tires don't flex much

Linda S

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, TigersRreal said:

Hey Joe, not trying to jump down your throat here - and it's been about a month since I watched that video - but wasn't the issue that the shop screwed up putting the wheel on? And that was their last straw so they moved on... The failure was human error not due to single wheels.

I'm interested in this because I'd like to eventually have a 18ft Sunrader with a replaced rear axle that isn't dually. Cheers!

I don't want dailies either. I was going to put a chevy 14 bolt under there but decided it wasn't worth keeping the toyota chassis at all. Its sad because we own 4 other toyota's but I personally don't think the little pickups can perform in the way I want. 

 

However converting the toyota axle to singles is pretty narrow. I can't imagine it handles great but I'm not speaking from experience. I thought about pulling the hubs off my land cruiser and trying them on the camper to convert to single wheels and 6 lug. then I could run a 16" tire rated for 3000lbs. 

 

Edited by fzj80joe
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Odyssey 4x4 is single rear wheel, I can't speak too much about the stability since I only drove it about 300 miles after buying it before pulling it apart and starting the rebuild. That being said, it never felt tippy or sketchy at all. Turns were fine and it was happy cruising at 55 down small curvy roads. I did not take it offroad, so I cannot speak for steep angles, but I don't see any problems with it. 

The suspension is nice and stiff and has no sag, perhaps it would be a bit more white knuckle if it had soft rear end suspension, but that was not my case. Mine also has front as well as rear sway bars which seem to perform great. The biggest concern in my opinion is a rear tire blow out at highway speed, it would be pretty hard to keep control of it.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Odyssey 4x4 said:

My Odyssey 4x4 is single rear wheel, I can't speak too much about the stability since I only drove it about 300 miles after buying it before pulling it apart and starting the rebuild. That being said, it never felt tippy or sketchy at all. Turns were fine and it was happy cruising at 55 down small curvy roads. I did not take it offroad, so I cannot speak for steep angles, but I don't see any problems with it. 

The suspension is nice and stiff and has no sag, perhaps it would be a bit more white knuckle if it had soft rear end suspension, but that was not my case. Mine also has front as well as rear sway bars which seem to perform great. The biggest concern in my opinion is a rear tire blow out at highway speed, it would be pretty hard to keep control of it.  

Thanks for the insight, what is your axle and suspension set up?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's the stock 1990 4x4 axle, I believe an 8" with the 4-pinion v6/turbo differential. It has a beefy 8-leaf pack with what looks to be a heavy duty helper spring on the bottom.  It looks to be a standard sway bar, (not shown in after photos), and I put on a set of Bilstein shocks which I have yet to drive on (also not in after photos).

Included is a before photo featuring all parts as well as the photos of the semi finished rebuilt / install. 

 

IMG_0571.JPG.798a0b1aaecce4e7e0d9079e56f0f44b.JPG

IMG_1563.JPG.59dd5d55ed233633d7404d2c58565eb4.JPG

IMG_1560.JPG.68b03549a9a71bf1baff9d7a28920374.JPG

IMG_1564.JPG.a3eff07a9c60f8b02f58e72749ad3106.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Odyssey 4x4's axle is wider than a 78 axle. They went from 55 inches to 58. Also in 1989 with the introduction of the V6 the frames were upgraded. Add the that his wider 15 inch wheels and tires and it all adds up to more stability on the road. 

Linda S

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Who built the spring pack? My 87 Nova Star had a 8 leaf pack but it did not have the leaf retaining bars like the newer stuff now has.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hey everyone! Super stoked to get a chance to post an update on Sunny. We’ve got her pretty much gutted and I am in the process of fiberglassing holes that were created by removing the appliances. Lots of sanding!

 We will be going with all new cabinets, dinette as well as new electrical, gas, and water systems. Systems will be pretty minimal.

I will have hot water for sink/ outdoor shower, fresh and gray tanks, pump and heater.

Gas will include three lines: one for stove top, another for my mr. buddy heater, and the last to the water heater.

Electrical will be coming from my coach battery up front. I have 6 circuits I’ll run from a new fuse panel: inverter, lighting, water pump, hood fan, usb hub, and cooler/freezer. I plan on running some solar some day!

The cabinets and dinette I am planning on building myself, and will feature much more storage than the previous original set up. There will be folding seats at the dinette that we can put larger items in and several drawers under the main counter where the oven used to be.

here are some shots of the gutting process, enjoy.

-Graham

A595247C-9B43-4A75-A79C-38EC81F29412.jpeg

F867DF23-652B-48A8-B4FC-9C9D4C6DD1E1.jpeg

DE40F1E9-5182-4798-A53A-F9520F88D688.jpeg

F4E4B171-6E1E-4FC4-B4E2-EF02F8B7B42D.jpeg

B32D3B23-5DB9-48B9-A027-3836FAA2D033.jpeg

08D4E65F-78F4-4ECD-9689-52FE2F88D0D5.jpeg

15EAC5D6-2EFE-463E-9041-81246CC1062A.jpeg

26CC1D32-2292-4A9B-9C59-8F14EFEE8A8A.jpeg

2318C92B-9CBD-4B5F-8022-4A8ABF750C54.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

update!

We have been hard at work rebuilding the interior after gutting almost everything out of Sunny.

We now have almost all electrical hooked up and running. I have designated the spot above the old refrigerator as the panel for the 12v circuits. The counter top on that side will have a hinge to access the panel if we need.

The passenger side bench which will be used for storage is just about finished, and I've began work on the driver side bench and counter. The driver's side bench will be the home of the fresh water tank and water pump as it was in the original set up (much more insulated now though) with the grey water tank residing under the sink. I have yet to fully figure out the layout of this main cabinet, but it will have some drawers and some doors and hopefully utilize as much space as possible.

Also, there are a few more studs that we need to fiberglass onto the walls in order to insulate and hang wall panels.

After the framing is finished we will complete the rest of the electrical circuits and mount the exhaust hood above where the camp stove will go (factory spot just a little higher up toward the ceiling) as well as begin work on running the LPG and water lines and such.

Overall we are getting very excited with the progress and can't wait to share the next steps with you all.

 

57828226418__CBD42FA6-FEEE-40BB-99D8-790B23523279.JPG

57835118141__17295111-5A60-480B-83A7-BA375EC8ADD1.JPG

57835118977__51D9B43D-5A92-49CC-BC31-66ABB3D5E1E5.JPG

IMG_1622.JPG

IMG_1655.JPG

IMG_1658.JPG

IMG_1667.JPG

IMG_1668(1).JPG

IMG_1669.JPG

IMG_1670.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 11 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Hey thanks Fly Juice!

your post reminded me I haven’t done an update in a while. So, here’s some more photos of our restoration.

 

We did a new sounds system with pioneers all around. I ended up finding some seats for sale on a local garage sale page from a 2004 Subaru Forester and they worked great, also added some new carpet in the cab to go with them. Also, I swapped the old map light with one from a newer 4Runner.

 

We finished up the main kitchen cabinet and plumbing for sink and outdoor shower. We went with a ventless tankless water heater which works great. It hides behind the counter near the back door and is mounted to account for its clearance requirements. We are running 5 gal propane, 13 gal fresh water, 16 gal grey.


I redid the bed and brought it out 6 inches or so, that way a full size mattress fits well side to side instead of the original “slide out king” style one that covers up the dinette area.

 

And to top it off, Sunny got some new plates.

 

-sorry about the sideways pictures, wasn’t sure how to fix that

 

9CBFC813-AFE8-44E5-90F4-6F64504152F0.jpeg

 

5CCD7014-8767-4DCB-8779-33524964B2C0.jpeg

 

50D17348-3A9B-40CC-B231-9EA8076D3015.jpeg

 

B54F0C52-5F70-4EB7-94DD-0E561779B272.jpeg

 

822656D2-AB7B-4095-862A-7B54702647E3.jpeg

 

0C19836E-89E8-45F6-A75E-D3EEE68AC3D8.jpeg

 

8A84FD18-A7B9-4E7C-8CA5-1F7247C95720.jpeg

 

4851F453-198D-432B-985B-01068F795707.jpeg

 

AFC6E5E2-B3A1-4980-A1B9-4963090DFB10.jpeg

 

9ADE2B62-B5E3-4539-9E9C-D0E148C41B7B.jpeg

 

0146356D-E395-4C0B-99EF-0CB7A08D1B89.jpeg

 

552B08CA-BD7F-4A96-88FB-119154F2C1AB.jpeg

 

BD8AA95D-15B7-411C-A637-F346FC9C929B.jpeg

 

7810166F-D14D-4DD2-82E7-0BB58062AA63.jpeg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Forester seats were pretty easy. I drilled new thru bolts with lock nuts on the back two seat mounts. I used the same bolts and nuts for the front mounts which I was able to keep on the front seat mounting rail with no modification other than the mount near the door was moved out And drilled wider. I basically went off of that front rail and figured out where the other mounting spots landed.
 

The seats ride a bit higher, but I’m only 5’8” so my head isn’t quite hitting the roof. The seat belt females from the seats were removed and I used the stock seat belt from the toyota. They do sit pretty close to the doors because I didn’t want to go tighter in the middle.

Edited by Sunny78
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...