Stpleb Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 (edited) I recently bought a 1983 Mini-Cruiser and it has the foolies on it. I weighed it on a scale we have here on base and it weighed 4040 lbs with me in it. I’m thinking it will be closer to 4500-5000 total weight when I get done redoing the inside of the camper. That being said I’m on a budget and right now finishing the inside is taking most of it. For the time being I was wanting to just switch it to a single rear and have the bearings changed and service the current rear axle. Questions I have 1) Does this axle have special bearings or are they just the regular Toyota Pickup 2wd bearings and axle shafts? 2) Could I use wheel spacers to fix the offset of switching to a single wheel or use a wider wheel to fill the space from losing the extra wheel? 3) Would these axles be a better option since I keep reading able the axles snapping? https://www.yotamasters.com/shop/other-stuff/trail-gear-products/longfield-chromoly-rear-axle-shafts/ Edited December 21, 2022 by Stpleb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 You’re right at the extreme maximum weight for singles. You want a C or D rated tire good for 2200 lbs. each. New rear wheels are 14”(or 15”) with a 5x4.5 bolt pattern. You don’t need Toyota wheels. Any universal wheel will work. White spoked wagon wheels with hubcaps work great. Bearings are standard Toyota pickup. If you have the GO82 axle as most motorhomes have, replacement axle shafts are no longer available anywhere. No spacers. You want as close to zero offset as you can get. This centers the weight directly over the bearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 GVWR for an 83 cab and chassis which would have come from the Toyota factory with single wheels is 4650. If he keeps the interior build light and simple, he's well within the specs called for by Toyota. Spacer to give a wider stance is an absolute no no. Best way to deal with road sway and being top heavy is making sure your springs are up to snuff, good shocks, a sway bar in the rear and possibly an air lift system. Truth is I am surprised your Mini Cruiser weighs as much as it does. I thought the composite panels Mini Cruiser used were lighter than the fiberglass of the Sunrader shell but apparently not. About 300lbs heavier. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stpleb Posted December 21, 2022 Author Share Posted December 21, 2022 I apparently have the best luck. Just found a FF axle from and 89 Dolphin local for $400. I’m picking it up this weekend. Im assuming since it was already used on a Toyota RV then it should be able to bolt right up or am I wrong? Im going to try to find a shop the redo the bearings or is this something I can do on my own? Im pretty mechanically inclined and normally do my own work on my vehicles. It doesn’t come with any wheels and from what I’ve seen online these 14” dually wheels are hard to find. Are there 15” in this bolt pattern that are easier or could I get an adapter to run a different bolt pattern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 If they have the axle, look around the yard on your own and check for the rims. There were 3 different FF axles. The main differences were shock mounts, e brake cable and the width of the spring mounts. Nothing insurmountable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extech Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 what part of the country are you in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stpleb Posted December 21, 2022 Author Share Posted December 21, 2022 South Florida but I PCS to NE Florida at the beginning of the year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 Possible wheels in Florida. I just put in a Miami zip. A-1 Auto & Truck, LLC USA-FL(Saint-Augustine) E-mail 904-824-0103 / 800-504-1155 284 1993 Wheel Toyota Truck WHT,2WD 000 A 0 019159 $Call A-1 Auto & Truck, LLC USA-FL(Saint-Augustine) E-mail 904-824-0103 / 800-504-1155 284 1993 Wheel Toyota Truck WHT,2WD 000 A 0 019159 $Call A-1 Auto & Truck, LLC USA-FL(Saint-Augustine) E-mail 904-824-0103 / 800-504-1155 284 1993 Wheel Toyota Truck WHT,2WD 000 A 0 019159 $Call A-1 Auto & Truck, LLC USA-FL(Saint-Augustine) E-mail 904-824-0103 / 800-504-1155 284 1989 Wheel Toyota Truck STOCK STEEL WHEEL **4 C 4 hrs 211224 $65 actual AA Auto Salvage USA-FL(Defuniak-Springs) Request_Quote 850-892-3256 Request_Insurance_Quote 500 1989 Wheel Toyota Truck STOCK STEEL WHEEL **4 C 4 hrs 211224 $65 actual AA Auto Salvage USA-FL(Defuniak-Springs) Request_Quote 850-892-3256 Request_Insurance_Quote 500 1989 Wheel Toyota Truck STOCK STEEL WHEEL **4 C 4 hrs 211224 $65 actual AA Auto Salvage USA-FL(Defuniak-Springs) Request_Quote 850-892-3256 Request_Insurance_Quote 500 1989 Wheel Toyota Truck STOCK STEEL WHEEL **4 C 4 hrs 211224 $65 actual AA Auto Salvage USA-FL(Defuniak-Springs) Request_Quote 850-892-3256 Request_Insurance_Quote 500 1989 Wheel Toyota Truck STOCK STEEL WHEEL **4 C 4 hrs 211224 $65 actual AA Auto Salvage USA-FL(Defuniak-Springs) Request_Quote 850-892-3256 Request_Insurance_Quote 500 1 647 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stpleb Posted December 24, 2022 Author Share Posted December 24, 2022 Just drove 10 hours round trip to pick up a 6 lug axle with wheels for $700. It came off a Dolphin so should be a direct fix. Now to find the 6 lug fronts. Really wishing I can find the rare 5 to 6 lug dually adapters for the front so it’s not a full on hub and brake swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 No it will not be a direct fit. Your chassis is narrower than an 86 so you will at least need new spring perches welded on. Be aware that your 86 axle has left hand nuts on the drivers side. Might be a good idea to install new studs before you install it. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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