Ski Tom Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Anyone know of a good place to get replacement/custom springs for a 1984 4x4 sunrader. Or the specs for the original springs from toyota? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 OME Old Man Emu CS009R CS010R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 Thanks! Anyone know the curb weight of a 1984 18' 4x4 sunrader? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 Find a public scale and get it weighed. For some reason the 4x4's seem to vary quite a bit. Here's few near you but call first. List could be old https://apps1.cdfa.ca.gov/publicscales/view.aspx?c=01 Or the Oakland truck stop can weigh it https://www.sfoaklandtruckstop.com/services Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 6, 2020 Author Share Posted February 6, 2020 Thanks Linda. 5500 lbs. that was with a 1/4 tank of fuel, no water in any tank, no passengers or gear. i am going to have Alcan Spring build new springs for the front and rear. I may add a leaf to the rear passenger spring as it holds the fuel and fresh water. I was reccomended bilstein shocks by a local 4x4 shop. If anyone has any other advice with replacing my suspension I would gladly accept it. Currently the ride is so rough I have a hard time driving it. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 I bet there's nothing left of your leaf spring bushings. They will make the ride pretty jarring. I would also go with the old man emu springs. A few hundred dollars instead of, let me guess, somewhere in the thousands? They also already 6 leaves. And yes Bilsteins. Shop around price here also varies widely Linda S Rear wheels? Single, fake dually or real dually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 29 minutes ago, Ski Tom said: I may add a leaf to the rear passenger spring as it holds the fuel and fresh water. A perfect job for a set of air springs. And adjustable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 6, 2020 Author Share Posted February 6, 2020 It has real duelies. It went through the recall, was one of the first things I verified. I purchased about a year ago from the original owner with about 70000 miles. I’ve been working on it, and using it as a ski camper. 4 custom leaf springs was around $1000, built to the specifications provided (which I am figuring out). Sorry, I cannot actually make out the old man emu chart. Can someone enlighten me more on this route for springs? i would like a little more clearance.... Are you referring to traditional air suspension...? thanks again, you experts are great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 Airlift 57113 MN-214.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 Here's the thread by the member who first bought these springs. Couple of others have tried it since. Were talking about high quality equipment here not cheap junk. http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/topic/11156-new-leaf-springs/&tab=comments#comment-104431 Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 14 hours ago, Ski Tom said: 5500 lbs. that was with a 1/4 tank of fuel, no water in any tank, no passengers or gear. I don't know what the GVWR is for a 1984 4x4 is, but I think you'll comfortably exceed it by a lot! The 2wd GVWR is 4825lb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 Well this gross vehicle weight stuff apparently is confusing to even the manufacturers. Toyota raised the GVWR for the cab and chassis from 4825 in 1984 to 5500 in 85 with zero changes to the frame or suspension. His weight in totally in the right range especially considering he has the axle upgrade. Ya know Greg's Sunrader weighed in at over 7000lbs or something near that. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 1 hour ago, linda s said: Well this gross vehicle weight stuff apparently is confusing to even the manufacturers. Toyota raised the GVWR for the cab and chassis from 4825 in 1984 to 5500 in 85 with zero changes to the frame or suspension. His weight in totally in the right range especially considering he has the axle upgrade. Ya know Greg's Sunrader weighed in at over 7000lbs or something near that. Linda S Linda, I found a similar disparity for my 1979. Seems Toyota upgraded to a larger tire on the c&c allowing for increased weight. You might want to check the factory tire ratings between 1984 and 1985. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 Was Toyota accounting for the weight of the camper being added? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 No Tom they only built the truck so that's all they had to comply too. Needless to say though almost every 4x4 Sunrader ever built is still on the road and you do have the full float dually so it's not something I would worry about. Fred you were right on about the tires. 84 to 85 they went from a 7.50x14 bias ply tire to the 185r14 tires we use today in 85. Good call Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 4 hours ago, linda s said: Well this gross vehicle weight stuff apparently is confusing to even the manufacturers. I'm confident that the manufacturers (i.e. Toyota) understood what GVWR meant at least as well as any of us 'amateurs' do. Perhaps the motorhome manufacturer's (Sunrader and Odyssey) misunderstanding explains why so few 4x4s were built. And how the whole Foolie/Axle Debacle happened. There's a lot more to the GVWR than tire ratings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 thanks for sharing your knowledge, it is much appreciated. I will update once I make a choice. I think I may go the custom route. I’m concermed even with the extra leaf the emu springs may not be enough once I’m fully loaded over 6000 lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Just in case your interested. Sacramento Spring makes custom springs and they are highly recommended by the 4x4 crowd. A friend of mine had work done on his Sunrader and said they were great. instead of sending some company specs, I would always go with an real expert who can see my vehicle and design the spring hands on and install them. Look here http://sacspring.com/ Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 Thanks Linda, I called them and they seem like the local guys to go with, as they have made springs for sunraders and dolphins in the past. I am going to source the shocks and set up a time soon to drive out to Sacramento and drop it off. Anyone have a part number for the bilstein shocks? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 These are the numbers for their motorhome shocks. I guess for the 4x4 they'll be different, especially if you've lifted it. BILSTEIN_FullRange-2016_WEB.pdf BILSTEIN - Off-Road_Catalog_2017_WEB.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 These are Bilsteins shocks for 1984 toyota pickup 4x4 (lifted), not sure if they are applicable for the sunrader weight and duelie rear though. https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/bilstein-4-5100-series-shocks-for-most-lifted-trucks-with-shock-boots-gas-charged-shockingbil5100/_/R-BBGL-SHOCKINGBIL5100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Also, What would be the main difference between the front shocks from 2wd/4wd? I am going to poke my head under tonight and take some measurements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Here compare first 4wd https://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?selected_make=Toyota&selected_model=4491&selected_year=1984&mode=results And here are the ones for 2wd https://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?selected_make=Toyota&selected_model=4489&selected_year=1984&mode=results And motorhome ones https://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=4485&selected_year=1984&type=M&selected_make=Toyota&model_name=Mini+Motorhome+Chassis Linda S Do you have custom wheels in the back so they all match? 15 inches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) Yes 15” wheels all around. So so it looks like it’s the same style shocks for 4wd/Motorhome. Possibly the weight rating and travel is different. Edited February 11, 2020 by Ski Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Do you have the PN of the shocks currently installed? Might be a good cross reference to other brands and give you some specs. I'd personally make sure to get the correct length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Tom what is that bar anchored to your leaf springs just behind the axle. It's holding the rig far above your bump stops and maybe negating any cushioning effect from your shock. Never seen anything like that before. It's not a sway bar I don't think. Bet you have a pretty hard ride there. It is not stock Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Aftermarket sway bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 17 minutes ago, Maineah said: Aftermarket sway bar. Assuming we're looking at the same thing, I'd agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Its a sway bar, but its mounted weird. Linda is right about possible axle travel reduction. Remove the rear duallys from one side and see if the axle mount is going to hit anything. There are perfectly fine sway bar mounts, unused on the axle. If the current mounts hits something just remount the bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Derek, The shocks appear to be older Rancho with adjustment dials. They are pretty worn down, ill see if i can get a part number off of them. I found that Rancho makes shocks for lifted applications as well, but i have heard mixed reviews. Correct, it is a sway bar, I was actually studying it last night when i was under the rig. It attaches on each side from a stud descending from the frame, to the top of the leaf springs through a bracket then across to the other. I was trying to understand the articulation of the rear suspension with this linkage. The upper connection seems like it would inhibit up and down travel of the suspension, as it is limited to the flex of the bushings. How much handling would i sacrifice if I remove this sway bar? Do must sunraders have rear sway bars of a different style? I do have to say it does handle surprisingly well on windy mountain roads, but the back feels like it has zero suspension. The front has SenSen shocks, appear to be the originals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 I see the unused axle mounts. The passenger sid mount seems like it may be blocked by the shock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 I would bet Sacramento Spring will want you to remove it. They have to anyway to install your new leaf springs. There are other options available but maybe they have something they think does a better job https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=23445 I have a sway bar on my 86 Sunrader and it handles quite well on windy roads too. Sway bars are supposed to restrict side to side sway not up and down movement. Push hard on your rear bumper platform or better yet jump on it and see it there's any bounce at all. There should be. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Sway bar avoiding the rear shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Tom Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Awesome. Looks like i need to hunt down one of those sway bars and swap it out. Have not found a direct replacement on line yet. Derek, do you springs rest on top of your rear end or are they below? I may remove the current bar before bringing it in for the springs just out of curiosity. The rear end is stiff as a rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 That's not me or mine. I'd leave the sway bar in place and ask the spring shop for their advice. I'm guessing that when your axle was swapped for a FF axle, the owner just bought an aftermarket kit rather than track down a Toyota 'kit'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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