[Sunny the '78 Sunrader]

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.

[Sunny the '78 Sunrader]

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.

[Sunny the '78 Sunrader]

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?

[Sunny the '78 Sunrader]

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

 

[Is this really a Sunrader?]

Thanks for the wise words guys and gals. I will look into removing the foolies then. I am replacing tires in the near future anyway so that would save some money if i only had to buy 4 instead of 6! Any tips or tricks when doing so? I haven't had the chance to dive underneath her too much yet so not sure what i'm getting myself into. Anything helps, thanks again!

 

Any threads that you guys could link that might have the process of removing fake duals would be super helpful!

[Is this really a Sunrader?]

TigersRreal,

 

The rear axle is in fine shape. From what I have read and understand, the recall did not affect the 17' model Sunrader because the weight was not heavy enough to cause the damage that many later rigs experienced. Eventually I will replace the axle (I will be doing a 4x4 swap in the future, so will be swapping both axles out then) currently the stock 5 lug axle is fine. I was able to drive it with the broken windshield down to a shop in santa cruz to get that fixed, and then took her all the way up to Tahoe. Ran like a champ the whole way. Just got her new 2020 tags yesterday, so we are all registered and legal! stoked!

[Is this really a Sunrader?]

This is so funny! I just ran across this post. I am new to the forum and new to the Toyota motorhome fam. I actually purchased this exact rig just a couple days after your post was made. 

 

Update: It runs great! Makes it up hills just fine. Needed some new oil and other fluids under the hood, nothing major. I’ve gotten the windshield replaced and epoxied the curved front plexi glass window. I am also replacing the broken side window with plexi glass. Got to do some electrical work (some lights) and install a new vent/fan on top and she will be ready for a full interior remodel