sunrader 4x4 production runs

[martyman]

Sunrader 4x4 production runs

I'm new to this group, but own a '87 Toyota LE Van 4wd, which I have been using to travel around the Southwest to photograph the landscape ala Ansel Adams and a few current dinosaurs! I just turned 60, and I need to find a more comfortable way to live and work at my various locations. Small is beautiful, and essential to my way of doing things, hence I'm in a dedicated search for the right Sunrader, and if I can dream, it's a 4x4 Sunrader! I've been dreaming of a vehicle like this for years, ever since I used to see them on the highways since the 1980s. Beside putting my dream out into the universe, and in particular to this great forum, I have a question:

1. Does anyone know which years and approximately how many of the 4x4 versions of the Sunrader were ever produced? (I want to find out if I'm being a total idiot trying to find one of these)

If my task seems hopeless, I'll back up and punt.... that is, I'll look for a good example of the 2wd 18' Sunrader. I'm a photographer, not a mechanic, so I'll try to find the best example of a lovingly-cared for Sunrader that I can.

Question for Turbo Greg: May I post a photo of your 4x4 on my website along with a caption such as "Contact me if you know where I can find one of these to buy!"? I would not list your contact info or link to you, unless that is something you want. Your photo is so cool, and it's the best one I've seen on the web of the 4x4 Sunrader. I've learned a lot from your generous and well-written posts on this website, so thanks for that, in any case. I'll continue to read, and post information here as things develop.

Marty Knapp (martyman)

http://www.martyknapp.com

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http://www.martyknapp.com

[Gulfstream Greg]

Hi Marty and welcome to the group here.

You may post the photo

The 4x4s are a hard machine to find. When they do come up for sale they usually sell quickly. There was one for sale up in Oregon for 14k by a dealer that was listed for along time and I do not know if it sold or not. I have not seen it listed anywhere for a couple of months now.

I have heard two stories about how many have been built. I was told by the previous owner of ours that they only built about 26 4x4's mostly before the the feds required the new full floating rear axle and that only two turbo versions rolled out. One turbo was wrecked in Arizona and we have the other. I have also heard that 2000 were built and 1000 stayed in the states and 1000 went overseas. If there were 1000 in the states I would think more would be seen. As far as I know only the 180RD 18ft models used the 4x4 chassis.

Greg

[martyman]

Greg,

Thanks for your comments, and also permission to use your truck photo. You must feel very fortunate to have such a rare and desirable model. You know, I've heard that figure of "only 26 ever made, and 15 are on the road," too. But, just recently, I head that figure qualified, and I think it was on this message board. Someone had said: Only 26 were made for the 1988 year! That gave me a little hope, since I know some must have been made in prior years.

I'm kinda resigned to not finding the 4x4, since I'm really not a huge off-road kinda guy. However, there are times when that would be just the ticket! In the meantime, I'll put out the word, and send you a link when I put a photo of your machine on my website.

Marty

[fire362]

Martyman, Don't give up hope! I just came across a 4x4 Sunrader 1986. I hope to see it this coming week and purchase it. If I see another I'll post it! Good luck.