Toymotorhome

I have a 1989 Toyota 1 Ton motorhome with duel real axle. I love this old motorhome but would enjoy it much more if it had 4 wheel drive! The motorhome is on a 1 ton truck drive train with a 3.0v6 and an automatic transmission with an overdrive. I was wondering what the best path is to convert the truck over to a 4x4. I have a few areas that I am looking for information on.

1) Transfer Case. I read somewhere that the 1ton trucks came with a very heavy duty automatic transmission ( Not sure ). Does anyone know if there was a stock transfer case that will bolt up to my current auto trans?

2) Axles - My current rear axle is a full floater duel axle with a very odd 6 x 7.5 (I think ) bolt pattern. Keep in mind this duel axle is there for a reason since I have lots of weight on the back ( Motothome ). I would like to get matching axles with the same more modern bolt pattern that are strong enough to handle the weight. I was thinking about the FZ80 axles with lockers as an option. I read on this form that the rear FZ80 axle is a full floater? Does anyone know how much weight the axle is rated for? My plan was to convert the front over to a SFA using IFS conversion kit of some sort. This would give me leafs front and rear. Any ideas on axle options would be helpful.

ThatGuy1295

I dont know but it sounds cool. Im all for this.

Do you know what ratio the rear axle is?

I dont think you'll be able to bolt a t-case to your trans, might have to do some switcheruski there.

Front end might be a bit of a challenge if you want to keep it anywhere near the stock hight. Usually sas'n adds some hieght no matter what.

Toymotorhome

I think my gear ration is 4.10. That being said, I am wondering if I can get a full floating axle that will also handle similar weight load so I can run regular 31 or 33 inch tires. Any ideas anyone?

crolison

Tundra rear axle? Which is a tacoma axle widened......

I'd also think about going a little more hp of an engine 3.4

ThatGuy1295

Well why change out the rear end? I may have missed something, but just wondering why not keep the dualy rear.

ThatGuy1295

Just for rim compatibility?

Toymotorhome

Well, I can't seem to find any after market rims for the very odd 6 lug bolt pattern on the dully. I was looking at going with a 16 inch or 15 inch rims but nobody makes an after market rim. The current rim size is 14 inch, which small if I go 4x4. Don't get me wrong, I really like the rear end, just a really odd bolt pattern.

ThatGuy1295

Got ya, that makes sense, sorry had to be sure. Have you considered going none toyota axles. Gonna be pretty easy to find a 3/4 rear in chev or ford that can match a 4wd front compared to yota axles. Just a thought.

Toymotorhome

Well, funny you ask. Many years ago I had ford 9" axles built for an FJ40 I built with a big block. After spending lots of money ( lots of horse power ) I always told my self if did something again I would try first to go yota first. Otherwise I may start with a V8 under the hood. ( just kidding , well kind of ).

ThatGuy1295

Do you have a ball park figure on what the rear weighs dry?

blake.nemitz

use your old front ifs bearing hubs on the rear floater and you have a matching wheel bolt pattern

ThatGuy1295

That works? That would be cool, and you would have disc brakes in the rear.

blake.nemitz

i believe the bearing hubs are the same the offset might be a little different like ifs to sa wheel hub differences. i believe you would then slide your AXLE IN AND BOLT TO WHERE HUB USED TO INSTALL

Toymotorhome

I have not weighed the rig yet, but I estimate the weight to be around 7,000 total with about 60% of the weight on the rear. I am assuming that the FZ 80 rear axle ( since it is full floating ) is as strong as my current full floating axle. There are some upsides if I can use the FZ 80 axle, ( locker, standard 6 lug bolt pattern, parts are easy to get ) ect. I just want to make sure the FZ80 rear axle can handle the weight. Anyone have the load capacity of the axle?

skypilot

iTrader: (1)

My thoughts are to get a 4x4 donor truck and just move the body to a new home. You may need to fab some brackets but doing a SAS on that rig sounds like a bigger project.

And with bigger tires dually wheels becomes needless.

rokblok

iTrader: (1)

You might look at importing an Aussie/Euro rear axle. Alot of them were full float and that gets you more options fo finding a front diff to match lug pattern. I would think you would lose the duals capability, but I'm not sure. A heavier ply single rear tire may resolve that.

ThatGuy1295

I dont know how long his motorhome is, but I think it would be to different to use a pickup frame? My thoughts, but im not positive on that.
Always thought the rear ends where way longer past the axle.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

TrekkerPaul has parted out multiple Toyota Motorhomes...Some of the frame extensions are down right scary. I wish I had pictures.

If I were to ever buy a Toy Motorhome I would be spending significant time under the truck inspecting the frame.

ThatGuy1295

In that case ( depending on length of coarse) I would agree to a frame swap with a 4x4 frame. As far as being alot simple'r, If its possible safely. Even an IFS 4x4 frame.

Toymotorhome

Dropzone, I have spent lots of time under the motor home dreaming about making it a 4x4. The frame extension seems sound. That being said all the frame rails seem a bit small sticking out the back of the truck frame another 4 feet. I have a Sunrader Motorhome which is an all fiberglass body which means a few things. They do not leak water like other stick built motorhomes. They also are more ridged then the stick built motor homes which I believe provides better support as well.

As far as moving the entire motor home over to a new body, I am a bit on the fence on that front. It's lots of work either way, but it seams installing a solid axle front end is not that hard with all the kits out there. The transfer case is almost bolt in too from what I can tell. Some fabbing will be required I am sure. But when thinking about lifting the entire motor home off the old truck, that seems to scare me more due to the size. I have not made up my mind yet because I need to due some more research.

I have potentially found a donor 93 4 runner 4x4 V6. The V6 in te 4runner looks almost identical to my 89 V6and the automatic transmission looks the same too, at least the front half. All I would use from the 4runner is the transfer case and the cross member support. Do any of you know if the 4 runner used the same transfer case as the trucks?