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Well It was a busy summer, I started a new business and have decided I won't have the time in the upcoming year or two so that I can finish this camper project. I figure its better to see if anyone wants to pickup where I left off then to move it to the back yard and have it sitting for a few years. I'm looking to break even if possible. about $1,850. https://bend.craigslist.org/rvs/d/redmond-1984-toyota-sunrader-trade/7007651181.html

I sold the dually axle, cab and chassis, and the Black pickup. and made enough money to buy a 1991 GMC K2500. Not as nice as the newer 2500hd. But it fit the budget and I wanted to keep this project moving along. This truck has a published payload capacity in the glovebox of 2,669lb. It is the C6P code 8 lug truck with a 8,600lb GVW 14 bolt 9 1/2" semi floating 8 lug rear axle with a 6,000 gross weight factory 4.10 gears and rear Eaton Locker 4L80-E Transmission Heavy duty radiator for towing. engine and tranny cooler. Old tired 5.7 engine! Im deciding between building a flatbed or just mounting the camper directly to the frame. I will most likely be lowering the floor but might not do it right now so we can use it for the summer.

I don't have any pictures of it but I can ask my friend for some and post them if he doesn't mind. I understand the conceptualization process. I've been doing that all winter! Eventually you just have to have faith in the research you've done and try something. I figured just like most things in life you never know the outcome until you try something! I also talk my girlfriends ears off throwing out ideas... It's nice to have someone to listen to my thoughts! Today I might have decided to also remove the factory floor and move it down 4 inches like my friends. But I need to take a few dimensions off a truck tomorrow that I'm contemplating.

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.

I have been wondering the same about the straight of the over cab portion. I think I will have to slide some sort of spacer between the top of the cab and the bottom of the bed so it is supported. It might even be something that I do before climbing into bed. I have been looking at the early 2000 2500HD. 14 bolt full floating rear axle. 6.0 vortec v8 and decent prices. I think it would look better on the extended cab but I'm leading towards a regular cab for a shorter wheelbase, tighter turning radius and better offload performance. Theres probably more F-250s in regular cab then the chevys. I can always fiberglass in some extra support since I'm closing the current passthrough on the front of the camper.

I've stepped foot in a Sunrader that had the whole floor lowed 4" to the same height as the side door. It had plenty of head room and mounted up on a 80s F-250 nicely sitting right above the cab. Personally I'm installing a new subfloor under the existing floor and then fixing the arch in the roof to increase headroom. I'm only 5/11 though and don't mind if my hair barely touches. I'm only supposed to get shorter with age anyhow right!

Thanks! We definitely don't have an HOA... It's an interesting task, I wasn't sure how it would go but I just took my time and slowly separated the two. Progress is just beginning now that the snow has melted!

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!

Made some progress on the camper this past weekend! The rear axle is for sale if anyone is looking for a full floating dually. My plan is to reinforce the floor with some 3/4" treated plywood that's coated for further weather protection. And then weld up a quick 3x2 metal frame and put that under the plywood. that way in the future I have something to connect camper jacks to and it will be a free standing flatbed camper. It will add a little weight but the simple interior should help compensate for that. And the fact I plan on putting it on a 1-ton domestic truck or a trailer.

I will likely lower the floor like my friend did for added headroom inside the camper and so that it will fit over the cabs of larger newer trucks. I'm starting to design a fully supporting sub frame that will have jacking mounts so that the camper can be lifted from the trailer to a flatbed or just free standing. I will most likely modify the wheel wells to accommodate the most common wheelbases and tire sizes up to 37". I already pulled the appliances that are in the way and plan on re-working that part of the interior regardless. I like the trailer Idea because we need our own trailer so I'm not always borrowing on from our friend. 2 cords of wood is just squeezing by this winter! Perhaps I will photoshop a few campers with subframes and jacks. I think I want the subframe feet to extend out from the camper to allow through bolting in 4 corners.

Just a quick update. Not much progress has been made. I spent Jan in Florida and we've been getting some decent winter weather here in central Oregon since I've been back. I've used this down time to really think about what it is that I would like to do with my build. After researching other Sunrader builds that are documented, reaching out to owners and talking Annas ear numb I've decided to go a completely different route. Here are some photoshops I did to help me get to this point. My initial plan of extending the wheelbase on the 85 4x4 pickup and transplanting the cab and camper to the 4x4 chassis has changed. The general consensus seems to be that the small Toyota pickup isn't sufficient for true off-roading, despite being a 4x4. I spent a lot of time researching how to set up the suspension. Swap in the 14 bolt chevy axle. What my options for lug patterns and wheels are and it just always seemed to be a compromise. I absolutely adore the factory 4x4 trucks. Ascetically they are so cool! However I can't let that dictate this build and compromise safety and performance. So I started playing with photoshop! Chevy 2500HD and 3500 can be found extremely cheap with a reliable v-8 engine and the same 14 bolt axle I was going to use anyway. And I think the lines of the late 80-90s chevy pickups look very similar to the 84-88 toyota pickups. nice and square. This is probably the most likely option however I would probably want to upgrade to a newer truck. These old Chevys are reliable. I've had 2 of them about 10 years ago. however they're getting old and I don't remember them being as reliable as my Toyotas. When I started looking at would be required to fit the camper to the chevy I noticed the wheelbase is about a foot longer then it is currently. However If I do a bunch of fiberglass work and then switch to a different pickup truck I would be limited on wheelbase or have to re-do the wheel wells again. This has led to the decision that I should just turn Sunny into a flatbed camper. This design allows the camper to be places on any truck with a tray on the back regardless of wheel wells. And If I don't find a truck I could even mount it on a trailer and just pull it with Ruby. Since I don't have a trailer but I do have the ability to convert the existing truck frame into a trailer I might try that. I think it will be a little tongue heavy but since I will be removing the cab from the frame anyway I think that's a decent start. Here is what all this could possibly look like

I'm extremely grateful that you documented your swap. There is a 17' Sunrader in Bend that is almost always parked behind Silvermoon Brewery. And I know of 2 other 18' in town besides my own. One is a factory looking 4x4 and the other is now on a F-250. I will put this here for future reference. http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/topic/8365-axle-swap-foolie-to-1-ton-full-float/ Good idea about the bump stops, I will openly admit I haven't done this kind of project before. I have the skills to use the tools safely. torch, grinder, welder etc. But Ive personally never set up a drivetrain and custom built a suspension. I guess I could put the Toyota dually under my little 94 pickup when I'm done with it. Ooooh maybe a little flatbed with really tall removable sides for getting firewood.

Awesome! Do you have a build thread on here? I would love to know all the specs of your build. I'm highly leaning towards the 14 bolt in the rear. And the wheel wells look to be just fiberglass. Instead of using the stock fridge I'm installing my ARB fridge out of the LC. And instead of the huge Stove/Oven there will be a chuck box that is removable to cook outside or inside. so I will basically be re-building that section and am perfectly happy to do some fiberglass work to fit larger tires if needed. I'm a large fan of fitting large tires with a grinder instead of lifting the vehicle. My friend has 40's on his 80 with a 2.5" suspension lift and a large hammer.

NICE! Is having a driveshaft built usually around $300? Since I'm doing a 4x4 conversion and will obviously have at least 1 transfer case behind the transmission. I figured I would need a new driveshaft unless I got lucky and the driveshaft assortment I have between my 3 Toyota trucks works out. But I like the idea of just having a driveshaft built probably using a GM shaft. And possibly going to a 1 piece assembly so no worries about a hanger bearing. Of course that limits your ground clearance. Yesterday when I was voicing out the options to Anna on how to get convert from tiny dually to a single wheel she didn't seem that enthusiastic. She said road manners should be the #1 priority for "Sunnny" I found a response from Mac and Owen the bound for nowhere couple that stated when they went from a dually to the full floating conversion with single wheels their Sunrader Amelia felt extremely unstable. They tested it while driving on some back roads in Georgia. And that's the reason why they sold Amelia. Unfortunately they thought they could replace their non full floating axles with a factory Toyota 6 lug axle like the one I have but they couldn't find one. And now I might have one for sale. Theres another one on Craigslist in Bend but I think the selling is asking $850 for it. That's what I hope to have into a new axle with a standard 6x5.5 pattern... I found a 4x4 Sunrader on Instagram named Atlas. Who sports a set of newer (2015) F-350 Dually wheels through the use of an adapter. They're 17" wheels running 245/75R17 tires or 31x9.5 which I think Is a really decent size. The owner also did a bunch of suspension upgrades. Im curious how it handles. It's about 2 feet wider than Amelia on the back. after Amelia was converted to single wheels. Factory Ford aluminum take offs can be found for $1000 with okay tires and it's about $400 for the adaptors so for under $1,500 all new wheels and tires that are 17" rims. I can see why he made the choice and while I don't think it would be the best for offloading in the snow I think it's a fantastic way to get a slightly larger tire under a Sunrader with goofy mix matched axles and lug patterns without having to break out the torch and welder to replace the rear axle. I think Atlas is a little to wide, I like the idea of getting a 1 ton axle that's possibly a little wider than the Toyota axle. Then running a nice wide 12.5" tire. Maybe so the tires fill out the wells all the way but not as wide as Atlas. I think Amelia with singles in the rear the tires were only 9.5" wide and looked to be a couple inches inside the wheel well. Perhaps the wheels could have used a different backspace? https://www.instagram.com/atlas_explored/

This was my first true travel rig, I had been backpacking around Europe and SE Asia for a couple months then came back to the US and realized hoofing it around the US isn't the same. I shortened a harbor freight trailer frame and built the plywood box It's not an original design and received inspiration from other wood box's with wheels and roof top tents. Traveled around the country for a few months and could cover ground quick with that V6 6-speed accord getting 27mpg. But I couldn't get to a lot of hiking trail heads and that really bothered me. I probably spent about $600-$700 in materials building that trailer and sold it for $650. The roof top tent was $1,000 and I traded it earlier this year for 3 months of free rent. My old roommates now have it on their F-150. Anyway, I was in New Mexico looking for a Tacoma but couldn't find one without 250,000 plus and thats when the land cruiser came into my life exactly 4 years ago.

I've considered this! The LC only has 140,000 miles. 4.5L fuel injected engine, Full floating 1-ton axles front and rear, Disk brakes all around. Front, Rear, and Center Diff lockers. I had planned on selling the cruiser before I even bought the Sunrader. Because as nice as the cruiser is we typically take the 4runner which is less capable off road but on road it's not a comparison. The Cruiser gets 10-13mpg struggles through the pass and you are a little more active on the steering wheel at times. 4 runner gets 17mpg cruises effortlessly through the mountains with 2 fingers on the steering wheel. I'm concerned that It might tank the value of both vehicles. I think after Im done with the Sunrader 4x4 conversion that If we don't like it or need to sell it for a different adventure in 5 years that I should easily re-coup my time and money put into it. a 4x4 sunrader with solid axle, 22RE single wheel conversion.Solar and simplified amenities for back country should catch some attention should/when we decide to sell it. And old Luxury SUV's seem to be going up in value as the economy is strong and gas remains less than $3 a gallon so the price of the 80 is pretty good right now. I routinely see 80's with more miles than mine selling for $10-$12k. And I think 4x4 Sunraders with a nice update fetch even more than that. But If I combine the 2 I have no idea what the value would be. If push comes to shove and I need to sell some toys, (it's happened in the past) I like knowing a ballpark estimate of what I will get for them . The easiest way would definitely be to just move the rear axle back a few inches on the cruiser so it clears the camper door and fits in the wheel well and call it a day!

Look like someone has already figured out the driveshaft issue. https://www.wfoconcepts.com/Products/ViewProduct.aspx?ID=3210,3311,4148

I haven't really done anything this extensive, I rebuild the set of axles on my land cruiser on the bench and they turned out pretty good. And I've mostly had old cars my whole life that need some work from time to time. Basically I will take any insight I can get. I really appreciate all the ideas on forums and tossing ideas around! I agree I probably don't need disk brakes. I found a different conversion kit that replaces the 14 bolt hub making it a 6 lug and only works on older 14 bolts so If I go that bought I will probably end up with drum brakes.

Good to know! I figured I would have to have a custom driveshaft made because I'm doing a 4x4 swap and have heard that a single piece driveshaft is better then the toyota hanger bearing set up. also I don't know that I have the right combinations of driveshafts laying around It looks like this might be a little more expensive than I can fund to do everything. I really need to sell that Land Cruiser....

I found post on a different forum about the Stockton wheels being in the ballpark of $250 a piece. Plus shipping and for an adaptor I'm not sure if that would be more cost effective then selling my Toy 1 ton with 5 wheels and tires and buying a chevy 14 bolt and installing one of these conversion kits on it. https://www.sneveysoffroad.com/gm_14_bolt_ff_6_lug_conversion_kit Then I would have a extremely strong rear axle that has disk brakes and a matching lug pattern to the front end. An old 14 bolt from the junk yard should only be about $200 and because I'm doing the frame swap I was already go to do a bunch of work such as swapping the springs over the axle and fabricating a sway bar... hmmmmm

Good morning everyone, Linda, Thank you for providing the contact info. I just called a few places about wheels. Custom and Commercial wheels said they can make 15" duallies with 6x7.25 lug pattern for $185 a pop. He also had and adaptor in his shop that would convert the factory toyota 6 lug from 6X5.5 to 6x7.25 allowing me to carry one dually tire as a spare. The adapter for a pair was $365. He estimated a couple hundred dollars for shipping up to Oregon. For 5 wheels ($185 each ), the adaptor ($365 pair) and shipping ($200) the total would be $1,490. If you we're just driving on the streets and only carried a spare for the front that would cut out the cost for 1 wheel and the adaptor, but that isn't my intention. I think this is a good way to go for someone who likes the look of factory dually (it does look cool) and wants to run smaller tires maybe something in the 27" department. Next I'm going to cost out Stockton wheels to see what a set of 15" or 16" 6x7.25 that are 8-9" wide will run me. Then I guess I could get that adaptor from custom wheels and perhaps use just one spare but order 3 wheels instead of 5. And It gives me the ability to run a larger single tire for off-road

With the right tires I bet those little jeeps would be great. My "business" was fixing broken birds so I didn't get to drive any fun vehicles. Just towing aircraft around the flight line.

Good perhaps I can use the 22R engine in the little pickup after I steal it's motor for the camper!

I pulled the toilet, black tank, grey tank and the gas tank today. Because the previous owners blew the head gasket on a trip it was a little more gross than I wanted but overall not that bad. I look forward to never messing with another black tank on this camper. Without the toilet in the shower I can actually stand in the shower so we plan on keeping that all in there but using a composting toilet that can be removed during showers.

That's a slick looking set up! A little out of my budget.. I plan on painting the sunrader this summer. Perhaps I can make it stand out with something other than off white!