Kirby

The sway bar is installed! I received all the factory Toyota parts except some bolts and the mounts on the chassis. I had to weld a steel plate for a new shock mount and make some brackets made out of 4"x4" steel tubing for the sway bar arms. I think the angles and dimensions are right, it just looks a bit more frankenstein than factory. Here are some pics of the completed install. So far the suspension upgrades are: salvaged 1-ton axle, new shocks, new steering stabilizer, rite-rite airbags, 6 yokohama tires, and the sway bar. I hope not to be under the rig for a while. We are off to the eastern Oregon desert for a spring break hot springs camping journey. This will be the Rader's longest trip. I have total confidence in the rig; hopefully she has total confidence in me. Allan- I have pics of the factory setup from an '88 1 ton sunrader. I'll post them later, they are on another camera. Let me know if you have any questions on your install.

Just wondering about adding the VW type swivel to the passenger seat of my sunrader so it could rotate 180 degrees and face the rear. I understand the seat cushion will be at the same level as the floor but it seems like it would be a cozy place to read or hang out when camping. Anyone tried this??

If I were in Orlando, FL I would snatch this up. Looks like its in good shape. Just thought I'd let others know.... http://cgi.ebay.com/...317132003r29416 1 day left to bid.

I just weighed my 1983 18' sunrader 2wd at a certified scale for logging trucks. A little gas, some propane, one dog, not much fresh water, no grey water, 1 ton axle. No roof a/c, no generator, no shower/toilet or blackwater tank, no spare. 4740# total. Seems OK to me.

Allen Thanks for the information. I've got some more info after a morning of dead-end phone calls and google searches. Hellwig does not support the 1 ton rear ends. The #7439 will not fit. They used to make one for the 1 ton but the tooling is no longer around. Found a 1992 1-ton box truck in Portland. They will not sell the sway bar seperately. But...all the parts for a conversion are in stock right now: axle, wheels, shocks, springs, sway bar, etc. They want $1000 if anyone is looking. Although they would not sell the bar, they did give me the VIN which is valuable info when part hunting. So here it is: JT5VN94T4N0028967, 1992 toyo 1-ton box truck. I used this VIN to call the local dealership and like magic, they found the exact parts! There are 4 available sway bars in the country (3 now) for this truck. The bar and associated parts is $253 wholesale, about $370 retail. I've got mine on order and will know in a week or so if it fits. I can post part numbers when I receive them. Hope this is helpful. Kirby

I installed the ride-rites on my '84 rader and them took it to the Oregon coast for a long weekend. I think I do need the rear sway bar, currently only have a stock front bar. I think this one will work but not sure http://www.truckspri...-rear-7539.html Any other suggestions. I have the 1 ton rear axle and know the sway bar is NOT interchangable with the 1/2 ton rear. Two week countdown until my wife's spring break where we will be desert hotspringing in the sunrader for a week. Want to get things dialed in before then. Thanks.

I installed the ride-rites on my '84 rader and them took it to the Oregon coast for a long weekend. I think I do need the rear sway bar, currently only have a stock front bar. I think this one will work but not sure http://www.truckspri...-rear-7539.html Any other suggestions. I have the 1 ton rear axle and know the sway bar is NOT interchangable with the 1/2 ton rear. Two week countdown until my wife's spring break where we will be desert hotspringing in the sunrader for a week. Want to get things dialed in before then. Thanks.

Sean I am about to install air bags on my rig today. Not sure about the 4x4 clearances, mine's 2wd. But I do know that the top and bottom mounting plates for the ride rites are assymetrical. The top bracket that mounts to the frame should be oriented so the air bag is slightly INBOARD of the frame. If the bracket is reversed, the air bags will stick OUTSIDE of the frame and could cause tire rubbing. Perhaps they are backwards and it was not an issue on the old axle. I have the new instructions and diagrams if that helps. The axle swap is not that hard if you have a decent work space. Good luck.

Ok, I'll ask this again...differently Rear sway bar- do I need one? I have a new 6 lug rear, 4 new shocks, new steering stabilizer, and all bushings looking good. My ride rites showed up yesterday and I will install them this weekend. I DO NOT have a rear sway bar. The old one did not fit the new axle. The rig seems to handle fine and I'm sure the air bags are going to help. It seems like there are aftermarket bars out there. Any input? Thanks. Kirby

Any update on the led purchase? I would like some led lights also. Thanks.

Glad someone here was able to use that info. I found one last year in a Portland, OR scrap yard- same year and model as my 84' rader. I scrapped the oooo out of that thing. I pulled parts that aren't even broken yet on my rig! CL is such a great resource- too bad a few people are polluting it with scams.

Happy new year everyone! I hope 2010 brings lots of toy RVs out into the sun. I've been thinking about warmer weather and upcoming trips with my '83 rader. I want to finish my suspension upgrades this winter and I need a rear sway bar for the 6 lug rear end that I installed last year. Also want to put the air springs on as well. It seems like the Firestone Ride Rites are the way to go on that. Does anyone have a good source for the sway bars or should I start looking at junk yards? The Ride Rites seem easy enough to find. Thanks.

Found this on CL today. If I were local I'd go pull pull some parts off this one.... I think it would be really fun to put the shell on a newer truck. Too many projects... http://phoenix.craig...1503788615.html Parting out a 1985 Toyota Sunrader- We have the Fiberglass Shell $600.In great shape, no exterior damage, Kitchen Sink $40, Power Converterwith battery charger $150, Furnace $65, Ladder $50, Stove Hood $25,Rear End $250, AT with 80k $200, Call Al 623-256-0331. Can ship. Buyerto pay shipping. Location: Buckeye, AZ it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

about 3 hours to get really cold. You can check the freezer compartment after an hour or so and it should be cooler.

From the top: #4- fresh water input if your are camping at a spot with water. This will pressurize your water system so you don't need to turn on your water pump. I think you are supposed to screw in a pressure reducer and then the water hose to the pressure reducer. #7- fresh water tank filler-upper. Carefully wiggle open the plug. It slides open like a drawer about 2 -3". Turn your hose on to a medium flow and put the end of the hose in the opening. When the tank is full, water will overflow. Be careful with the old plastic- it will be brittle. Use a white hose that is for potable water for both of these. The taste from normal hoses is not so good. Enjoy your rig!