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1981 Toyota Sunrader


J1973s

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Picked up a 1981 Toyota Sunrader 180RD w 74K at a bargain price. Did not run when I got it but did some basic things and it’s running strong now. As most would know, 22R and the 4 speed manual. CAb interior is quite nice, truck body has a few dings and fenders and hood have been brush painted. Camper interior needs some work but not too bad. 
Bought this because I needed some interior camper parts for my 1988 Nissan Sunrader. Ended up not needing much as I filled those needs w/o cannibalizing the 81. 
To get to the point, I don’t need another project. Should I just sell it as is, (running and useable tho a bit on the rough side ) or fix the cab body warts and paint, then sell. I can do the body work and paint myself. In other words how much would the paint job enhance the price and the salability of the camper? If the cosmetic updates won’t make much difference in salability/price I’ll just list it as is.

Thanks for any input.

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The body has a bit (just a bit) of surface rust and and the frame is pretty much rust free.

 

Last two pics are the 1988 Nissan.

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First impressions are everything in a sale. Makes the difference between a cared for vehicle or one that's been run to shit. First polish the fiberglass. Many of us use Bar Keepers friend available at any hardware store and some grocery stores. Removes all oxidation and gives a smooth surface or the final finish. Just use with a cloth or sponge on a wet surface. To really add a super shine then use Zep floor wax. Yeah I know it all sounds strange but it's been used by motorhome owners for years. 

Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish - 12 Oz - Safeway

Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish - 12 Oz - Safeway

Some paint on the front and you might have added several thousand dollars to your sale price. Even the older ones are going for stupid high prices

Linda S

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$50 in cleaning supplies and rattle can paint, plus 10hr labor = $2000 higher price.

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That's a great Nissan. I think only you can answer the question BUT yes, it would likely be worth your time to clean it up and paint it. Outside of the velour someone needs to bring that one back around. If you were closer I'd ask a price. 

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Thanks for all the info. I’m leaning towards making this a project tho first making the interior useable and then the outside cosmetics. Re the velour interior, it looks much nicer in person as opposed to in pictures and has worn very well. The cab interior really looks quite spiffy. When I saw the interior pics on the net before I bought it,  my thought was that the interior had some sort of mold problem, glad that wasn’t the case. I’ll get some better pics and maybe they will show that green velour in a better light.

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7 hours ago, J1973s said:

Thanks for all the info. I’m leaning towards making this a project tho first making the interior useable and then the outside cosmetics. Re the velour interior, it looks much nicer in person as opposed to in pictures and has worn very well. The cab interior really looks quite spiffy. When I saw the interior pics on the net before I bought it,  my thought was that the interior had some sort of mold problem, glad that wasn’t the case. I’ll get some better pics and maybe they will show that green velour in a better light.

wow, I really thought it WAS mold looking at the cab pics...LOL .. glad for you it isn't.

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Well now I looked at the upholstery.  Are those tall bucket seats in front? That fabric looks familiar.  The dinette and overhead have newer fabric on them but not really well done. Loose and 2 different fabrics. If it was me I'd redo them but I can sew. Chasing a mystery. Tell me about those front seats

Linda

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Was fiddling with the Toyota today so didn’t see the updates. I’ll get some better interior shots tomorrow and post them. They are high backed seats and quite comfortable I think it’s been mentioned in other thread but there is a much more leg room in the Nissan. I’m 6’1” and a bit cramped in the Toyota Cab.

As mentioned, I’ve gotten the 22R to start and run pretty well but it seems to “race” when shifting, the rpms stay high for a second or two and then drop off. A friend recommended that it could be a bad vacuum line or lines. Didn’t see anything obvious today but did an inventory and will replace all of the vacuum lines.

It certainly appears that the body work and painting should be pretty straightforward and I’ve done a fair amount tho a bit ago.

Linda, you’re right on re the cabover mattress. It’s a redo w quite thin fabric and it’s worn thru in a few places. The mattress foam seems fine tho.

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Cool of course the Toyota truck didn't come with high backed seats. Those seats with the glitzy plush seating are from a Sunrader Sunchaser. Person who bought it must have ordered the upgrade since the door panels match. I love this shit. Never seen those in a regular Sunrader before. The Sunchaser was a Chinook sized vehicle available with a camper package or a Limo package. Yeah tiny little limo. 

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Linda S

 

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Some interior pics from just a bit ago. The seats and door upholstery are about a 9/10. They are the high back style. The seats are very comfortable at least in my limited time in them.

74K on the odometer.

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Edited by J1973s
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On 4/10/2021 at 5:31 PM, J1973s said:

Was fiddling with the Toyota today so didn’t see the updates. I’ll get some better interior shots tomorrow and post them. They are high backed seats and quite comfortable I think it’s been mentioned in other thread but there is a much more leg room in the Nissan. I’m 6’1” and a bit cramped in the Toyota Cab.

As mentioned, I’ve gotten the 22R to start and run pretty well but it seems to “race” when shifting, the rpms stay high for a second or two and then drop off. A friend recommended that it could be a bad vacuum line or lines. Didn’t see anything obvious today but did an inventory and will replace all of the vacuum lines.

It certainly appears that the body work and painting should be pretty straightforward and I’ve done a fair amount tho a bit ago.

Linda, you’re right on re the cabover mattress. It’s a redo w quite thin fabric and it’s worn thru in a few places. The mattress foam seems fine tho.

Rudimentary emissions stuff there is a "dash pot" that slowly lets the idle return.

 

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