Rarity claims can be a slippery slope, and a lack of relevant information and resources can make such claims challenging to confirm or refute. Such is the case with this 1987 Toyota Sunrader 4×4. The seller makes claims about its rarity in their listing and appears to use them to justify a price that will set some heads spinning. The Toyota is listed here on Craigslist in Stone Mountain, Georgia. You can drive it home by handing the seller $85,000. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting this automotive unicorn.
It is worth tackling the rarity claims with this classic before drilling down into specifics. The seller states that this is 1-of-26 Sunraders produced by Toyota in 4×4 form. I haven’t found information confirming this, but I can find none refuting that claim. They raise the stakes by saying that only eight received the turbocharged powerplant under the hood. I’ve chased my tail on this, and I am sure we have readers who can further enlighten us on the subject. The vehicle presents nicely in its original White, with no signs of paint, panel, or rust issues. The vinyl stripes are crisp, with the overall presentation all you would expect from any vehicle within this price bracket. Dual rear wheels will help the vehicle cope with the additional weight over the back axle, which is a heavy-duty six-lug unit. One of this classic’s great strengths is that the camper is a one-piece fiberglass unit. That reduces the load and ensures that water leaks are unlikely. The steel bullbar is a worthwhile inclusion, with the Hella lights and winch adding to its versatility.
This Toyota is strictly a two-seater, with its cloth-covered buckets looking extremely comfortable and in good order. There are no signs of neglect or abuse, with every surface looking excellent. The carpet might be slightly faded, but it is the only thing worth criticizing. Long journeys should be enjoyable courtesy of the ice-cold air conditioning and the upgraded Bluetooth touchscreen entertainment system with a backup camera. Camper accommodation includes an above-cab double bed, although the seller indicates it will comfortably sleep an extra adult and child. They recently spent a considerable sum on the vehicle to bring some of its appointments up to a more modern standard. The extensive list includes a new air conditioning system, a two-way fridge, seat padding and upholstery, new floors, a new table, and an interior light upgrade to full LED operation. That is the tip of the iceberg, but it is safe to say that the buyer shouldn’t need to spend a dime on this Sunrader beyond the purchase price.
The seller claims that only twenty-six Sunraders were produced in this model year in 4×4 form, and approximately eight feature Toyota’s four-cylinder turbocharged 22R-TE powerplant. This motor brought 135hp and 173 ft/lbs of torque to the table. It feeds to the road via a five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The power and torque figures will hardly see this vehicle threaten high-performance models, but these engines are renowned for bulletproof reliability. This is enhanced by the recent upgrade of the timing chain from a single to a dual-row unit. Other recent mechanical work includes new master and slave cylinders for the clutch, a new alternator, springs, Bilstein shocks, suspension bushes, flex pipe in the exhaust, and a complete set of belts and hoses. As with the camper unit, the new owner won’t need to spend a dime on this classic’s drivetrain. It runs and drives perfectly and is ready to hit the road for a life of adventure with a new owner at the helm.
I would love to be able to confirm the owner’s claims regarding the rarity of this 1987 Toyota Sunrader 4×4, but wading through the thousands of pages of information on the internet could prove a life’s work. I hope we have readers with first-hand experience of these vehicles who may be able to shed light on the production totals. This is not the first 4×4 version we have seen at Barn Finds, but it is the most expensive by a comfortable margin. Do you think the seller will achieve their price, or will they need to be patient and willing to compromise before it finds a new home?
Whomever built this crate should be flogged outside the barn they found it in. First off a 4-banger turbocharged or not is not enough power to haul around this overweighted mess. I built the best Motorhome in the world in the 70s, The FMC Clubcoach. I know weight to body differential. Just eyeball it. Does it look steady. How about 40mph winds on a open highway? Even with duelees, it looks like a topheavy joke. Motorhomes need large truck and bus frames. I can’t imagine the pressure in this rear axel. 85k can buy you a nice Vintage Chevy Camper Special with Camper. Take the latter.. and don’t get stuck in the mud with this turkey.
jv – smash palace
I have the rear drive 1986 version. It is amazing. I have owned Dodge Balboas, Winnie, Pace, Now Vw Camper and 40′ American Eagle.
These are rare amazing little campers, fun to drive and peppy. The rear axle was upgraded to a heavier 8 lug version. 85k for this is a decent price!
dualies axle
With that price, the seller is probably from Stoned Mountain, not Stone Mountain!
Toyota builds some stout stuff, ive seen their little one ton dually 2wd campers still on the road. Underpowered as most Toyotas… so not much breaks lol. Anyways this looks like fun, and a very nice, comfortably slow and easy camping rig for 2.
About ten years ago I had a super rare Nissan (not Toyota) Sunrader. My girlfriend and I drove it from Colorado to New York. It didn’t have much power and was slow up mountains, but it sure was alot of fun, and simple to maintain.
At that time I tried to find production statistics on it, but beside from some unreliable forum chatter about statistics, I never found any concrete documentation on production numbers.
My apologies. There WERE a few Nissan Sunraders.
https://ratsun.net/topic/78475-198384-nissan-sunrader/
Well, well, finally, one of these with dual wheels on the back. If I may say, it’s not so much the added weight, as campers are relatively light, it’s more for stability, sorely needed in a unit like this. Living in the most sought after destination in the country, it attracts every kind of all wheel drive camping contraption, with imagination( and wallet) the obvious limit. As much as I express the dependability of Toyota, the 4 cylinder, even a turbocharged one is not enough. We have some pretty steep hills here, places I’m hesitant to take my Jeep. This would fail miserably. Still, in a unit like this, one has no business being in a hurry, a bit pricey, but what isn’t. It’s a very nice unit.
This size Sunrader came in two different floor plans. One plan had the entry door in the back passenger side, and the rear of the layout contained the bathroom. The one in this story has the nicer layout with the dinette/ bed in the back with a big picture window.
Toyota never made a motorhome, different motorhome company’s bought cab and chassis trucks, put campers on them and resold them, most of which were an extra wheel bolted to the rear that had problems breaking off the axles, later on the D.O.T. made the company’s buy the real duel wheel setup from Toyota which at the time was about 9k all but the large company’s decided to just go out of business.
I bought a turbocharged Toyota 4×4 in/around the late 80s and it blew a head gasket around 60k miles of the best care. I think they pushed the engine too far.
not the case, for the most part they were bullet proof, we have ran these engines with over 200hp for over 100k without problems, many times, Toyota Isn’t the most popular truck for no reason, that said things happen.
OK, why did they discontinue the turbo option after only 3 or 4 years of production if it was a bullet proof design to go with a heavier, less fuel efficient V6?