Why We Sold Our RARE 4x4 Toyota Sunrader

Shortly after we completed our rebuild of Amelia, our 4x4 Toyota Sunrader we turned around and sold her. We have been asked over and over again why we did this.
In this video we get into the story of Amelia and why she didn't work out for us. It's a tough subject. It still stings but we learned so much from the entire experience and for that we are forever grateful.
The entire Sunrader build in blog form:
www.boundfornowhere.com/blog2?...
You can follow our adventures here:
www.boundfornowhere.com/
/ bound.for.nowhere
/ boundfornowhere
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Music by:
Artist: Bad Snacks
Track: In The Atmosphere
Artist: Jeremy Blake
Track: Into The Sky
#vanlife #overlanding #renovation

[@bilkat5767]

You took her bathroom, she never forgave you

[@gustavovazquez6195]

Bil Kat 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nomadictrailskenya7663]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jessycaavileslopez1390]

Bil Kat omg hilarious 🤣 But hey maybe you are right lol

[@therockbrigade]

LoL

[@eeoverkill2450]

Bah ha ha ha!

[@Jaystub]

just wanted to add for anyone watching this, that a dealer knows as much about working with one of these vehicles as a Baskin & Robbins employee knows about making ice cream.

[@Thecarcissist12]

Ive worked in restoration shops and such pretty much my entire adult life, I think that another lesson that can be pulled from this is that, as hard as it is, you have to tackle the unsexy jobs like drivetrain, suspension and such first, before you can get to the fun jobs like decorations and paint. Trust me, Ive made the same mistake a thousand times and no matter how I advise my clients, they continue to do the same. Ive been shopping for a Sunrader for the last year and you have definitely given me some stuff to think about.

[@BoundForNowhere]

I dont disagree with you on that, but it was something we were trying to sort out behind the scenes the entire build. We were trying to get some portion of the process started while we looked for a replacement axel that never materialized. If you buy one. I recommend one that was addressed in the recall. None of this will ever be an issue if that is the case

[@Umi-imU-We-Are-One]

You only have to worry about the axel issues in the Toyota Sunraders. There are some sweet Sunraders that are not Toyotas that are out there. There is a nice one for sale here in Santa Fe that has low miles, is a "creampuff" and has been well taken care of by its 2nd owner Lucas. Its the very rare 16 footer for those who dont mind small rigs. You just have to know how to find them, but they are out there....

[@Evan22c]

Michael Boris my thoughts exactly

[@MYTOYMAKERZ]

tillallareoneluv - We aren’t talking about a house but a truck chassis. The drive train can be repaired any time if needed before or after the inside or body is taken care of.

[@aznative_]

@@MYTOYMAKERZ said buy a toy maker. If you built or rebuilt automobiles you might understand. But you sound pretty thick. You're the kind that would probably come back and say I do when those of us who have I know you don't. Or if you have you're the type that slaps lipstick on a pig. No one who knows what they are doing would have made that comment. No one

[@dutchdettweiler]

The issue with Amelia was somewhere in her rear end and we just didnt have the energy to take care of it anymore. Thats 95% of my relationships right there

[@funkyjones]

That's funny.

[@scottcarlon6318]

The value of a competent mechanic can not be over stated.

[@Bread996]

A top heavy, wide camper needs heavy sway bars and a wide axle under it. There are lots of 4x4 shops that could easily sort that out. That would have been my favorite part of the build personally :) The interior stuff and bodywork drives me nuts so great job on that! I hope you told the new owner how unsafe it was to drive!

[@jimmycrackcorn971]

Shops cut down axles every day and regear without any issues at all 😂

[@travis8404]

i agree the money they put into it i would of got a used dually axle from a 1 ton and started some fab work and re gearing , then it would handle the way they want it

[@vagabond1776]

Sometimes it’s better to start over than continue down the same path….and someone’s trash is another person’s treasure.😁🤪 To each his/her own.

[@laveritaforza108]

Looks like they didn't find that advice during their many phone calls and visits to the many shops.

[@josephmeier8458]

Wow, these aren't the comments I expected to see after watching through these videos. I'm surprised by the amount of people trying to poor salt in the wounds of a couple who spent so much energy to make AMAZING videos of their LIVES , just for us to enjoy. I love the insight you presented! And want you to know you've already saved me from making costly mistakes on my personal Sunrader project. I'm extremely grateful!

[@ShmuelWeintraub]

Well said. I don't understand the anger or smugness some are showing about this. They made a decision that was right and comfortable for them. It is no-one else's concern really.

[@ShmuelWeintraub]

@Les Claypool : Since it is not YOUR rig, why would you get angry about it? These people aren't telling you you have to do the same, just showing us what they did. I'm pleased they are willing to share their experience (and I hope they do make some money off the clicks and views). I would do some things differently as that is what suits my camping style. That doesn't make what they choose 'wrong'... they should set up their vehicle the way they want (as should you). Getting angry about how someone sets up their own camper is not a rational response IMO.

[@islamicspaceprogram7362]

they are so STUNNING and BRAVE.

[@robertottwell605]

Bad advise on the axle swap, the original axle you should of kept it, rebuilt the insides and had the axle trussed on top. And ran e rated tires in the rear. The problems with the sunrader was not the manufacturer defect it was the owners over loading them with so much crap you couldnt drive them safely. I was really looking forward to seeing you enjoy your hard labor and efforts. Someone scored bigtime buying your dream.

[@rob_boss]

Isn't it sad that misinformation ruined it for them?

[@cowpoke02]

makes since ,,, carry to much lbs the body breaks down .. bearings and such go way faster , .pack light always .. good info .

[@BoundForNowhere]

Dreams change. This experience has lead us to bigger and better things so we are not going to cry over the spilled milk

[@BoundForNowhere]

We did the best we could with the information we had. At least there is a 4x4 Sunrader that got a new lease on life ;)

[@paulsink2800]

@@BoundForNowhere Yup...all part of the journey. The wife and I camped in a Four Wheel Camper on a Tacoma for 5 years. Have you checked them out on line? We bought a shell model and outfitted it ourselves. Great fun all around. We only got rid of it to retire in a fifth wheel trailer.

[@supersami7748]

You obviously got some bad or uninformed advice. Our shop has done 2 rear axles for the Sunrader MH. We take a semi float Dana 60. Cut it down to the proper width we had 6on 5.5” bolt pattern axles made and installed the unit. More than enough capacity for the rig and the total cost with the gear change was under 2,500.00 with all new parts and about 350.00 for the R&R. I know of at least 2 other shops that have done this conversion on other Toyota’s of this vintage. I feel really bad for you that you had to go through this.

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

That was a nice story she told, but they took an 1980s vehicle, rebuilt it gave it some great PR and sold it for all it's worth. Then used that money to enjoy a trip to Canada. What she wants is a Military Vehicle conversion to civilian camper use. If you want true off road heavy duty design, stripped and rebuilt military vehicles are the way to go. They were designed to go anywhere at anytime in any conditions from day 1. Just add all the fun into it. :-) Plenty of other youtube videos of people doing exactly that, Army Truck conversions... LMTV conversions, Big Beautiful and Built for Anything, anytime, anywhere, under any conditions.

[@eeoverkill2450]

Thats what I'm talking about. I dont know why they just didnt find a shop to do a custom job to the camper. What a shame. That was a nice camper.

[@0xsergy]

@@SeaJay_Oceans keep in mind military vehicles are built by the lowest bidder..

[@Andy-Mesa]

@@SeaJay_Oceans Toyota Tacomas are usually on the other side of those military vehicles.

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

@@Andy-Mesa Buy a Ford ELECTRIC F-150

[@HelmuthFuchs]

What a great story. Love that you guys took it as an opportunity to learn so much and did not get bitter over it. Just keep that spirit and everything will fall into the right places.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Aww! Thank you. It always does, just have to stick with your gut and things will be sorted out from there!

[@Syren232]

This is SOOOOO sad. I am so sorry that Amelia didn't turn out for your because your build was totally awesome.

[@BoundForNowhere]

We really are too.

[@russsherratt6919]

While watching you two present your journey with Amelia was heartfelt. The conclusion she was not the rig for y'all seemed so clear in your thoughts as yo presented them. Glad you were able to make viable decision and make it happen. Russ

[@kayaknana1006]

Sorry you're getting all these bad comments. You did the best you could with what you had in front of you. Anything any of us do that's adventurous will come with the good and bad, and you learn along the way. It's a journey, not a destination- a cliche that gets to the heart of some of our hearts. So no, it's not a cop out to call it a day on one path to start on another. Sending good thoughts that on your journey you can continue to grow, learn, and share your experiences. From my perspective, you valued everything right: time with your dad, communicating with your partner and prioritizing safety. My husband and I are in the middle of converting our garage into a workshop. We're figuring it out as we go. We've also built a shed on our property, recently built a trailer for 4 kayaks that can also hold our gear and coolers, and we spent 15 years on our motorcycles with everything that entails. What I hear in your video is you have grit and respect for the process. Did you make a mistake on your axel solutions, probably. But many of us have looked for cost efficient solutions only to realize later it's too complicated or simply doesn't work. Keep on keeping on and you're life will be full of crying on the side of the road, cops come due to a DD call (haha- but good for the people who called!) AND getting to finally travel and the ups and downs of that. Good luck!

[@garyofnyc]

You sure talked the talk, walked the walk and drove the drive with Amelia all the way to the end of the road. You folks are a lot wiser for it. Wish you safe fun rolling forward.

[@fore4kicks]

Loved the insight and the openness - I feel strong personal attachment to my Rialta, Phat Steve as well :) To Everyone Else: Hindsight's 20-20 and coulda shoulda woulda isn't always the same as actually learning something!!!

[@michaelc3693]

The job you did restoring Amelia was amazing. Keeping another Sunrader on the road in such beautiful shape is a very noble effort too, no matter who came to own it. May it fit their needs and may they enjoy it to the fullest. And the Tacoma turned out to be the perfect rebound vehicle. I lamented when J&J sold Ripley, but as I followed along with their trip to Tuktoyaktuk and the very tip of Haida Gwaii I had to admit that there was no way Ripley could have taken them to those places. After being fiercely loyal to my own Westy for nearly two decades (so far) that pained me, but it was no less true. A metamorphosis was necessary for continued progress. Likewise there was no way Amelia, even with 4WD, was going to give you that grand, giant loop through the Maritimes that Lando did. I was skeptical of the idea of sleeping under only a cap, especially after all the space of the Sunrader and the Westy, but I came to see your minimalism as the perfect reset button. It was pure. I hope that whatever you have chosen as your next vehicle is as pure a representation of what you actually need (vs. want, or think you need) as Stanley, Amelia, or Lando turned out to be in their days. Your wants and desires have changed, and to try to constrain those into a vehicle that cannot accommodate them would just be limiting and masochistic. It was wise of you to see that in Amelia so soon, and very mature and forward-thinking of you to be willing to make the leap despite your considerable investment of time, money, and emotional energy. It wasn't copping out or cutting your losses: it was growth, and it's a beautiful thing to see. Live free, drive hard, and keep listening to that inner voice. There are many anonymous people out here wishing you both the very best.

[@derrickzupf7559]

Well, take some satisfaction in knowing many people, like myself, were incredibly impressed with your build project. The redesign was brilliant.

[@TexCynRVLife]

You did what you had to. Life goes on. Looks like the Tacoma can actually take you into more interesting places. Yes, Amelia was an awesome rebuild. We all live & learn. Carry on!!

[@bluenation3838yoohoo]

erm, their instagram shows it's a tundra?

[@Trailhound1]

The “Hero’s Journey”, in real life. The knowledge you came out with is golden. I have subscribed and will follow your journey.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you so much!

[@teneretraveller8980]

Greetings. Recover from failure? What failure? Just sounds like a longer route to where you need to be. IE. An adventure. You have to know where to draw the line in any relationship gone wrong. Hard but necessary. Luckily I am in the right one. Finally. Great, honest open blog. That's why it's good. Look forward to more. Happy travels

[@BoundForNowhere]

We really appreciate that. Plenty more where it came from too!

[@ShayleneReynolds]

Amelia was beautiful! I’m glad you guys found a good home for her. I’m also glad that you guys trusted your gut and got the Tacoma so you could get back in the road 🙌 I loved this series so much. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@BoundForNowhere]

It was our pleasure! We really wanted her to go to a family that understood where she was at and that there was still a little bit of work to be done to sort out the rear end. They are awesome and were a great home for her! Onward and upward, plenty more to come from us!

[@sjladuke75]

As you are pouring out your heart here, reading the incredible number of negative comments here is disheartening. You've been truly honest about your journey, I just can't stand those who know what you "should have done" & what's best for you & your situation. It's sad that rather than being supportive, people feel so much better being negative. Wishing you both the best in your new journey! You're very inspiring!

[@threeohm]

It's always tough to know when to quit a project, but saying "enough" at the right time can save you a ton of grief. Good luck with your adventures. :)

[@human1513]

Lesson learned is when building/ upgrading/ repairing a "house" always start with the foundation! Always. In this case the frame, axles, tires...are the foundation for the house. If the foundation is weak or bad then it does not matter what is done above the foundation. A new living space on top of a weak foundation (house or motor vehicle) will produce bad results & be unsafe. Plus what Robert Ottwell says. We all learn as we travel through life. Take care.

[@BoundForNowhere]

So very true. The problem was that we were trying to fix this issue the entire time we were working on the build and just got to work on the interior so we weren't sitting around waiting for something to happen. Never in a million years was this how we thought the whole thing would go down in the end

[@human1513]

@@BoundForNowhere Good points. Not something you would come across normally

[@brettd530]

Sound advice.

[@Ohsage1111]

Fantastic vid! So many wonderful lessons and amazing adaptability. Way to persevere and make it work!

[@sierrasurvivaladventures]

YOur honesty is very respectful and will help a lot of people I am currently going through something similar with a VW T4, for that reason I have subscribed and I look forward to your future adventures

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you we really appreciate that. That is honestly why we do all of this!

[@tinymusic3222]

Never seen this channel before, but caught this video and its rather uplifting! I mean, what an excellent perspective to hold- this is like a metaphor for living. Go forth, put all of yourself into what you feel is truly right, and when you've given everything and are tired, emotionally spent, etc...you will then learn what you're deeply, honestly, after. Cheers to yall for keeping on with yourselves, best way to be.

[@BoundForNowhere]

We really appreciate it. We just feel like there is no sense in beating ourselves up over something we tried our best on. In the end we are thankful for the experience and are willing to keep looking for what is right. It's just really important that we trust our vehicle. So onward and upward! Thank you for the kind words and giving it a watch!

[@kthornton460]

You are awesome. Change happens and no matter what the plan is, there is always something to be learned. Thanks for sharing....

[@BoundForNowhere]

No truer words!

[@drott150]

Such sage advice. Thank you. And thank goodness Amelia's new family is dealing with all the safety issues you pawned off on them without telling them.

[@deanwoolston4794]

Awesome story of effort, accomplishment,struggle,and victory.

[@BluegrassHiker]

Haters are going to hate. Good or bad decisions, you learned a lot and individual happiness is important. I once lost a wheel off of a 68 mustang and can say from experience that you all lucked out with how little damage was done.

[@racrx7]

Bummer it didn't work out as you had hoped for. I hate that some "shop" didn't treat you the way they should have. Sadly, its a growing trend..unqualified "technicians" doing work they aren't qualified to do. You guys did a lot of work to Amelia and it turned out nice. I enjoyed watching the build. On the bright side, your replacement TACO should serve you well for years to come. My 02 TACO has 236K miles on it and all that's ever been replaced was the idle air control valve.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Man that right there is what we love about Toyotas! Owen's dad is also rocking a Tacoma with 265k on it and it drives like a dream! We hope to inhearite it one day!

[@steveyong8266]

Good to hear you two are moving on!!! More adventures!!!

[@BoundForNowhere]

Yes plenty more where that came from!

[@johncouncilman1886]

All I can say is wow, wow, you went through so much. I started out with a 4x4 gmc pickup camper, to a pop up camper, to a high top 4x4 Ford Van camper, to a 26ft Fleetwood motorhome, now back to a gmc conversion van. Call it coming full circle, call it what you will, I had problems with every single one of the vehicles I owned. I’m glad you found your groove, you lasted way longer than I would have girl. Keep on truckin’

[@nickthomas181]

I wish you both all the luck in the world you both deserve it!

[@BoundForNowhere]

That means the world to us. Thank you!

[@57NUPE]

You guys are amazing!! That definitely was a tough decision, but the best one. Those Sunraders need a dual axel I know you will put the same effort into the Tacoma and have great adventures!!!

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you so much. It was the hardest decision we've ever made.

[@Dmhlcmb]

I love the message. Amelia served her purpose. Heart warmed.

[@1951Roy]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@wlfmachine]

I love y'alls story and have enjoyed following all the ups and downs. And I got tingles down my back at "this time we finally made it to Canada" ... You made the right call with Lando!

[@BoundForNowhere]

Aw thank you so much for following along! It wouldn't be an adventure if there isn't a little bit of hardship right?!

[@JamesGoodchapArt]

Epic story, thanks for sharing. You went thru the cauldron, so glad the wheel loss was not worse. I can relate... bought me a 1980 Toyota Dolphin back in December, still working on it! Did not find out about the recall issue until a few weeks after I bought it. I've never changed a spark plug before, nevertheless, my brother in law and I found and manipulated a 1-ton Nissan pickup dually axle into shape, figured out bolts, used the original leaf springs, now supplemented with coil springs, and finger's crossed. About to make first voyage since axle swap out. Heck of a project, but as you said, "safety had to come first". Not a job for the faint-hearted, but when you do it yourself, all the bolts get bolted and you know what you got. If you are driving on a "fooley" stop now... please, people died because of those badly engineered wheels, the bearings fail, reverse barbell effect under weight, and they fail tragically. Best wishes, James :)

[@justinthomas144]

Still not understanding why you went from dual axle to single axle? Why did you go to a dealership instead of an off-road shop?

[@davidtrueslayor7474]

Im thinking the plan may not of ever to keep it but to have something to draw viewers to experience of the rebuild, then turn around and sell it for at least what they put in it which if these are so rare it might of been a good idea but still the single axel doesn't fit that plan?

[@kevinboothe9991]

They didn't go from dual axles to a single axle, they went from dual wheels to single wheels

[@bionicsasquatch]

how sad that you were so miss informed any 4x4 junky could have helped you out not a Toyota dealership Robert Ottwell is right someone scored big time =/

[@ejRecording]

Glad I stopped watching him yap after 2 minutes, dealer that’s hilarious Maybe if they wouldn’t of filmed and posted all the KZbin crap they would’ve had time to do it right

[@edwardbaker4118]

In the early 90s I bought a 1979 Sunline micro mini motorhome on a Datsun chassis. It had less than 40k miles on her, completely self contained 4cyl ,4 spd manual transmission. I used it one season, I understand the white knuckle drive. I sold it within a year of buying it, it was not what I was expecting and decided I didn't want to refurbish it because the drive was not comfortable. Fast forward to today.....I now own a 33ft Winnebago Class A on a Ford chassis and this fall I embark on my wife's and I dream of a semi retirement. Sadly my wife passed away in 2017 at the age of 54 and she will be with me in spirit and memory.....good luck in your journeys and enjoy life, you never know what tomorrow may bring.......

[@wolffepack1]

I understand being frustrated with the project. I wish I had been around to help you guys with the axle situation. You live and you learn. Love the new build! That thing is sweet

[@artevans3428]

Wow! I’ll never look at a Sunrader the same way. Thanks for the heads up!

[@BoundForNowhere]

Sure thing!

[@simonlynchsae]

IT's just a thing (The Sunrader). While you had given it a name is cute, at the end of the day it's a tool to live on the road. If you don't feel at peace with that tool, you change it. Simple as that. So with all that money from flipping the sunrader, can we expect an earthcruiser?

[@BoundForNowhere]

Haha common misconseption. We did not make money on this build. At best we broke even. We sunk so much money into trying to get that rear end sorted. But you are 100% right, the tool wasn't working, so we swithed it out for something more appropriate for the job

[@kathymack3791]

I just happened to see the video about completing Amelia on my KZbin page - then, of course, had to watch this one. I've always been attracted to the Toyota RV's but after watching this, I realize one wouldn't be the right choice for me. But, you two have handled the situation with grace and dignity. What matters is you are back to following your heart's desire.

[@clbaker2024]

Great attitude! And I've always said, it's not about the vehicle, it's about where it takes me! Happy trails!

[@growingwildheather]

Thanks for sharing this story. I had been wondering what had happened. It's also very inspirational. We "finished" our 7 month van build a few months ago and have slightly similar feelings. You put so much time into something, building a home and learning new skills, but maybe it doesn't work out the way you thought. We often talk about selling in and starting fresh. I think we'll wait a bit longer, but I see now why people say start small and figure out what you really want, then go in for the big bite. Looking forward to the next leg of your journey! Take care and safe travels!!

[@joebailey7361]

Great job. Sometimes having more is really having less. Sounds like the two of you had a great experience. And the biggest thing is you have each another. Peace ☺

[@mdtravis1]

Thanks to you for sharing that hard, then wonderful story... So much of life happening ... Happy Trails

[@herranton]

Sheered wheel studs are usually from over tightening. When you over tighten a stud it stretches and loses a lot of it's strength. Always always always use a torque wrench when tightening down lug nuts.

[@aaron___6014]

Bingo

[@stormthrush37]

I have to admit, I came into this video with the bias that you made a bad call. But you explained yourself very well and had me convinced by the end. I am so, so sorry everything went wrong like it did on your build; I can relate to that myself so much and it just breaks your heart. Sometimes something happens with a vehicle that leaves you just not trusting it any more, feeling like it's more trouble than it's worth. Sometimes as painful as it is you have to overcome the sunk cost fallacy and get a fresh start on something else. The bottom line is that if a vehicle's sucking the fun out of travel no matter what amenities it offers than the point of said vehicle and amenities is/are lost. Sometimes it's time to get past all the details and get back to basics. Hopefully with how rare these are and how much time/effort you spend rebuilding this got you an amazing price when selling it and that has taken the sting out of everything at least a little bit.

[@BoundForNowhere]

I think that you summed up our feelings so well. Trust in our vehicle is one of the most important things for us to have. We spend too much time out far from civilization and we just need to know that it will be able to take care of us. I'm pretty convinced that the wheel incident set a deep anxiety that we would never be able to fully recover from. In the end this rig has lead us to our new set up that we are so excited about! More to come on all of that, but thank you so much for watching and giving our perspective a chance. We greatly appreciate it.

[@stormthrush37]

@@BoundForNowhere Sure! And thanks for taking the time to personally respond.

[@cuns4702]

Hey guys, I'm from New Zealand and 50 yrs old. I can't tell you how much of an inspiration I found your last 2 updates and admire you both for continuing to journey on towards what makes you happy. You should be very proud of what you have so far accomplished and risked. I've been trying to talk my husband around to tiny living but I don't think it's in his makeup (yet!). I wish you both all the happiness and continued success in your lives and safe travels.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you so much! This absolutely melted my heart! I'm so happy to hear that you got something of our experience because that means that we weren't the only people who gained a good experience out of the deal! I hope you can convince him that some version of life on the road is for him because it's really an incredible experience to decide where you want to wake up every morning!

[@PatrickWagz]

Thanks for the update and the explanation. I hope you continue to make videos on your adventures. I think they would be entertaining. It doesn't appear that there was any *shag carpet* to rip out of the Tacoma build, as there was in Amelia..... "carpet on the walls, carpet on the ceiling, carpet in the cabinets, carpet on the floor, carpet in the cab." HAHA

[@BoundForNowhere]

Lucky for us there was NO CARPET! I would have died if there was ;)

[@cyberbob2010]

This is a really sad but awesome story. I admire the energy and efforts you put into this. Some things aren't meant to be but you guys didn't give up until you'd exhausted all of your options. Job well done on the remodel and good luck in your future travels!

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you so much we really appreciate that!

[@cletusvandamme6262]

This is the first video of yours that I have seen, and it is AWESOME! Direct and to the point, no verbiage. You held my interest throughout the whole video. Don't feel bad. I admire your resilience and positive attitude, and your endless ability to "make Lemonade" when the going gets rough. You absolutely made the right decision by both reaching that "certain" point, and rationally deciding to cut your losses. I can imagine the inner turmoil you both went through to come to your decision, but you are happy, and know in your heart of hearts that you DID make the right decision. You just can't buy that peace of mind. Glad that you ended up enjoying your summer immensely and having the emotional maturity to slog through trials and tribulation. Good luck in your continuing adventures! I'll be pulling for you two!

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you. Your comment brought tears to my eyes because I think you truly understand where we were with the whole thing. The reason why we travel the way we do is that we want to have the freedom to move as we please and sadly that was not going to be the case with this setup. We appreciate the kind words and support.

[@nadiagermana2571]

I've wanted a Sunradar or Dolphin forever, but what you went through is exactly what I'm afraid of compiled with the fact I'm not a builder. Glad you put safety first.

[@patElfpat]

You will get lots of comments that will be critical but those people were not in your shoes and you two are the people who matter. You are in charge of your path. Life is not a series of right turns and wrong turns. You seem to be folks who love the process. That is where the joy is. You talked about what Emilia taught you and what she gave you. I got puddled up when you spoke about working with your dad. My father died over 20 years ago. He was not a perfect person. He was stubborn, often thorny, opinionated and often downright cranky. He was a really good teacher who cared for his students, the kids he coached in swimming, tennis and how to have the best outcome when coming in contact with our local Sheriff’s department. He raised us to be good and considerate campers, informed voters and all around dog lovers. When I miss him I find a small hardware store and wander. This is my long-winded way of saying I’m glad you and your dad had this experience. Now, ignore the critics and keep us up to date with your adventures. I just found you this morning and I want to know where you go from here. Stay sunny side up.

[@Sara-rr1lu]

You guys are soo wise and emotionally intelligent. You explained everything with such awareness and authenticity, and with such a great attitude nonetheless. Imagine if we all approached life like such? In life, nobody escapes difficulty, set backs, and failures. It’s a guarantee. Not everybody is able to see beyond the challenges, to find all the positive lessons and gains that also come in order to gain a perspective of gratitude for those unavoidable trials in life. I’m glad you guys both listened to your guts, were able to see the positive gains, and were better able to followed your hearts true desires with the lessons the experience taught and revealed to you. It sure would be nice though if we didn’t have to go through the struggle to come out the other side where the real beauty is revealed!! 💛

[@edgarfigueroa6805]

I get it. You want to be able to be comfortable and feel safe. There are so many other things to worry about on the road. It is what it is.

[@emoooooly7350]

Love the style of the Toyota Sunrader. Seems like a great alternative to the classic Sprinter Van. Especially with a bed over the cab! Glad Y'all are confident in your new home on wheels.

[@iamkmann]

"Love people, not things. The opposite never works" You two obviously have this figured out. Safe and happy travels! :)

[@benwine9695]

Chevy/gmc. 9.5" ring gear , 6 lug , disc brake, , set up for especially for Toyotas. $2,195 with open differential. They're sold in North Georgia.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Well, there may have been a reason why so few 4x4 versions were made. Did anyone suggest an old Chevy truck rear axle? Those used the same wheel bolt pattern and are a bit wider and may have helped with the stability. That was a common upgrade to those trucks back in the 80's when it was popular to lift them sky high and stuff 44" tires under them.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Yes! But we didn't find out about them until we were 10k into the new rear end configuration. We were really upset when we did because I think that would have been the best solve. We recommended it to the people who purchased Amelia too.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Darn. I wish I was following your other accounts back then. I was really into 4x4 trucks (gulp) 30 years ago. I had an '86 Toyota 4x4 pick up during my early 20's.

[@stephenwilson9612]

Precisely. Toyota stopped providing chassis to RV builders in the late 80's for a couple of reasons. The axle recall was one of them. I'm of the opinion that smaller is better for overlanding rigs. The Tacoma they bought will prove to be way more useful, practical, economical, and indeed, safer than the Sunrader. I know it was cool rig and seemed amazing while it lasted but good decision to move forward.

[@lizsteeds6697]

@@BoundForNowhere 10k ! You were gouged FFS. You really didn't talk to anyone who could have helped like real old school mechanics not some idiot at the Toyota dealership or aftermarket shops. College educated, focussed on the wrong priorities, over intellectualising and with little common sense I would hazard a guess.

[@patrickreilly7256]

My friend Billy just drove his 4x4 Sunrader from SoCal to Aspen and back. Only complaint was the speed going up the Mt's. The dully is the stability.

[@missdiane2680]

Wow! That was really hard!💔 Not a cop out at all! I am sorry you both had to go through that! How exhausting! Hope your next build is the dream you both want!!🎊

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you so much. In the end we had to do what was right for ourselves. Good things are to come!

[@zzarkS]

SUPER interested in Lando's build! I drive the same truck in grey (and in FL too) and love thinking about building her up and heading north for a summer! Thanks for sharing your journey with Amelia!

[@BoundForNowhere]

Our pleasure! Our Lando build video comes out in two weeks! Excited to share it!

[@stephenwilson9612]

@@BoundForNowhere I like to use "Lando" as slang for landcruiser...greatest 4X4 ever made.

[@dddakotarose]

I just watched Amelia's tour video and naturally clicked over to this. I'm not sure what you do as like a ~profession~ but you're a really great story teller.

[@JoePoutous]

I have totally been there. I spent tons of time, energy and love trying to get an old Subaru to be the overlanding / daily driving vehicle that I'd been dreaming of. After many upgrades, unplanned fixes and a few broken bits way off-road - I decided to bail it and get a 2001 4Runner. Best decision ever.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Man it's such a hard decision to make too! But glad to hear that you're happy on the other end

[@lilliancox3499]

Wow that was incredible to watch. Four years ago I purchased an airstream shell which I am now trying to get rid of as I sell my house and figure out what is next. Towing an Airstream seems like too much for me full time(I have no experience towing anything) but I’m coming around to the idea that I could handle a van or truck camper. I have two dogs, 50 + 30 lbs, and a cat which leaves me wondering how small I can go and comfortably fit my animal crew. I can see how difficult it must have been to let go of your Amelia so quickly as I am attached to my Airstream and didn’t even put work into, just used it as an art studio for a while. It is inspiring how you turned your failure around. Thanks for sharing your story, you are so brave, raw, and honest about the challenges you faced and how you bounced back. You’re resiliency is impressive and it’s wonderful to see how swiftly you found a way to get back into life on the road.

[@hugestudiosdenver]

So Unfortunate ... but decisions needs to be made and change is inevitable ... Great no one got hurt. keep up the awesome work ! thanks !

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

Please read all of this. Preface; I’m a 54 year old commercial driver and father of a beautiful daughter so include this with my insights. First, never let the value of your education and expense of student loans come into question; you guys are amazing and your video series oozes professionalism and quality of character. The world is your oyster and will offer itself to you in due time. In subsequent postsi, I’ve mentioned that I too fell in love with a project of resurrecting a camper of which never came to fruition. All of us have desires to create, your not alone, and as you state here lessons have been learned. Here’s how you’ve been blessed. Let me preface that I’m not a religious man. GOD SAVED YOU from a catastrophic event: My brother and I would often comment, would you tow a horse trailer behind a Toyota 1-ton...? No. I’d be willing to bet that if you scaled out that vehicle fully loaded with all your travel gear, that you far exceeded the GVWR of the sticker on the door. Had you been in involved in a serious accident, had that runaway wheel caused personal injury, you likely would’ve been held negligent, at fault and liable. The caveat? Your insurance company would deny claims upon it as you knowingly overloaded a vehicle in excess of design and thusly, in violation of policy constraints/contingencies. The takeaway: You were blessed, and as you continued to operate the vehicle you were sent additional intuitions to this resolve. Thank goodness! There is a reason why these American trucks are so over designed, over built, and under rated. It is a safety net for all us fools that should we overload our vehicles, that it not fail. When you have time, go to any of the big 3 and examine the rear end of any chassis cab (pickup without the bed) and examine its construct with respects to brakes, axles, and frame. It’s massive overkill and very conservatively rated. Congratulations guys in foregoing a disaster missed, and to your adventures going forward, and still... one of the best camper remodels ever done.👍🏽

[@BoundForNowhere]

I appreciate all of that. I really do. Owen and I to this day continue to rehash what all happened that day on the highway. We are SO lucky we didn't roll. We are lucky there was a break in the traffic. We were lucky more wasn't damaged, and that no one else was hurt by our accident. I think if I had to boil down why we couldn't continue to travel in Amelia into one sentence it would be this: That accident gave us impassable anxiety about that truck that we would NEVER get over. We know many people who travel in this exact setup and are fine, but for us, it just was a wakeup call that we wanted modern rated safety features for whatever is around the next bend in the road. I'm sad that it took us nearly 9 months and an accident to realize that, but as you said we got a lifetime of education and experience from it. That is what we will take from this and it is what will lead us to bigger and better things! Thank you for the kind words and being here for the journey. We really do appreciate it.

[@881qyk]

Amen

[@cletusvandamme6262]

@Drakilicious Slow learner? Got it!

[@yoboo6167]

Here is some advice for rebuilding vehicles in today's modern world... Every vehicle has it's flaws. Reach out to forums and chat rooms aimed at that vehicle or vehicle type. Like mentioned below, Chevy axle swaps are very common and super cost effective and widely known about in the Toyota 4x4 community. Also you could have had the axle gutted and re engineered to be what ever you wanted. The suspension is a huge deal that requires a ton of research alone to make sure it works for you and is not just that one shops opinion. The long and short of it is this... Get on your smart phone and start talking with the shade tree / back yard mechanics that build their own stuff everyday. Props to you and your husband for tackling life with such an amazing spirit of adventure. Good luck on the next build and can't wait to see what you come up with!

[@user-that1Ron]

It's tough when you finally have to throw in the towel. I know first hand. Had a couple Jeeps and a ton of plans. Some worked, some didn't, they all cost money and time that I'll never get back. Long story short, it overwhelmed me, my budget and my family. It truly sucked admitting failure and/or abandoning the projects because that's something I very rarely do but in the end it was the best thing for everyone involved. I really like the honesty, humor, and detail in your videos so keep it up!

[@duncdunc76]

Great vid! I just found you guys recently because an Amelia build vid popped up in my suggested vid thread. Then I realized I believe I'd seen you guys hanging with your friends in another vid on another channel that I love and sub (Live Work Wander). Anyway subbed and looking forward to watching your new overlanding direction. Amelia was pretty cool but as I'm sure you came to realize, she would have been a handful on alot of the back roads that I'm guessing an adventurous couple such as yourselves would be all about exploring. That's where the best places can be found right! You made the right decision IMO! I'll be watching as I have a nissan frontier that I like to take little adventures in but dont get to as often as Id like. When I cant get out I love to watch utube adventuring vids to get my fix.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Jorge & Jessica are so very near and dear to our hearts! We call them our road parents! We met them because we asked for advice before we hit the road and totally hit it off! We appreciate you hopping on for the ride over here on out channel. We were sad to say goodbye to Amelia but I think in the end it is more important that we have something that can get us to the places we want to be! See you somewhere down the road!

[@craftsmancollaborative]

Very truthful video. Always envy these full-size campers but the realities make me glad I picked a Jeep to build out into a camper instead.

[@raymondtennal1730]

WOW... I just tripped over your channel. What a impressive story. Look forward to watching more!

[@jimmcgettigan1326]

Incredible story but great to see you come out the other end in one piece and able continue your life journey. Stay safe!

[@nonielacuesta2735]

You guys did the right thing...GL in your adventure quests!

[@RustyTroller]

I am impressed! As a former 1964 Ford Ranchero and our other car a 1966 Volvo station wagon called Tess as our main vehicles we can attest to the love for the past. Hot weather in California with vinyl seats and a lack of air conditioning coupled with a car accident put things in perspective. We loved those two cars but we had to move into something a little bit more modern like windows you don’t have to roll up with a crank handle and lap belt seatbelts. We no longer wanted to spend the money taking care of these vehicles. We understand what it’s like to reach a threshold so we can totally sympathize. Both cars were let go in pristine physical condition (all original) with mechanical issues that somebody much more equipped would be willing to handle. You will look back on this build fondly and we promise there will be no regrets. Now whenever we see a Ranchero or a Volvo from those years like ours we think “wow they must have a lot of money and park this car in the garage most of the time.” We have an electric car now so let’s see how that goes! We are all pioneers in our own way....

[@kenolmstead5470]

As pointed out at the end of the video, Amelia was a success...not a failure! Congratulations!

[@kevinmoore3915]

I'm brand new to your channel and you guys are inspiring! So sorry to hear of the heartache you guys experienced but looks like even a new Tundra is your new home! Life is an adventure and will look forward to seeing your adventures!

[@BoundForNowhere]

No truer words! All we can do is roll with the punches and come back stronger! Plenty more where this came from!

[@kylesaab]

It is called growing and living!!!!! awesome explanation. Cheers

[@BoundForNowhere]

Cheers to that! Onward and upward!

[@dbloo1]

Well it sure was fun watching your journey with the build. Im glad you had to sell because of mech issues and not personal or health problems which I was afraid to hear. Enjoy your journeys hope to meet you on the road some time. @ brioftarth.

[@Lou.B]

Hi there! This was the first video of yours I'd watched. I didn't even know the backstory, but your video was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time; more the latter! Thanks so much for making it and sharing your heart. If it's of any comfort, you DID give me memorable lessons from your story. Somehow I feel stronger just from having watched it, which is as much as one could want from ANY story! Blessings, Lou

[@adamthomas892]

This is a good cautionary tale. You can't fudge physics. I've thought about doing this but standard cabinetry techniques wouldn't work they are too heavy. And reducing the track width probably wasn't a great idea ever. Thanks for helping others not make the same mistakes.

[@chrisball826]

I've been there when a project lets me down and I'm over it. And like you I moved on with new projects and knowledge from the last and had fun with new ones. "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new" Albert Einstein

[@BoundForNowhere]

Oh wow! I love that quote! What a good one

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

Triple A AAA RV + Motorcycle costs a few dollars more, but is very helpful to call you a LARGE Flat Bed Truck if your Bike or RV can't drive. Saved a lot of time and very safe. Thanks AAA ! :-)

[@mikebettencourt8377]

What an awesome story. Thank you.

[@gisellegonzalez2628]

Oh my God!!!! My heart goes out to you. You put your heart and soul into this renovation, but I do get why. It’s not copping out it’s about keeping yourselves safe. The idea is enjoying life on the road not white knuckling it. Best of luck to you both. Safe travels

[@BoundForNowhere]

Thank you so so much!

[@gisellegonzalez2628]

💖🙏🏽

[@EvanMoon]

If the vehicle doesn’t feel safe then it will not give you the good memories and the good adventures you bought it and made it for so selling it was the right decision. Such a painful but smart decision.

[@margiepeary8003]

Great story of resilience and redemption:)

[@kilawattkidd]

Wow. I am so sorry to hear about all the mishaps that you two went thru. That is so unfair, and I can only imagine the stress you both endured. But as a new subscriber, I am happy to hear that your new 2019 Toyota that you recently bought is working great😊. You two deserve nothing but the best in your travels, business and life!😊😊Looking forward to your new adventures!

[@tomlepski8306]

Very,very captivating!

[@peem1244]

Hi guys, now that i've watched 'Sold', i know why the axle//wheel change, i just expected you to cover it in the final build video. I would have renovated the axle and added air bags but that's just me. I think these things happen for a reason, maybe to provide an opportunity to grow. Looking forward to more adventures. Stay safe guys and keep up the good work.

[@asankam]

I know by this time you guys are over this already and by no mean i want to open an old wound, so please forgive me. I just finished watching all the series of videos of Amelia and when i saw this i cried.... I felt like i was in your shoes when it was sold. But you know what everything happens for a good reason. I have 2 kids, a wife and a 24' Motorhome. I may not have the time and freedom to explore like you guys and i wish you both nothing but the best and please keep these videos coming. Really enjoyed them so far and i know there is more to watch on your channel. Cheers!

[@samholt5591]

Love what y'all are doing, sorry so many negative commenters never try anything yet blast those who do. New to your channel glad I found it.

[@BoundForNowhere]

Hey Sam! Thanks for joining us! It's ok... we pay them no mind! We are in the business of doing what's right for us, the rest is just noise ;)

[@petec9686]

For those looking at 4x4 Sunraders, I would recommend you reconsider, for a few reasons. First off, SRs are very tail heavy. RWD with decent tires already has very good traction. It will get you down most any dirt road out there. Second, these folks seem to have wanted an RV capable of "overlanding". I take this to mean things beyond a dirt road. Rock crawler stuff, basically. Well guess what, a SR ain't a rock crawler, without doing extensive upgrades to the suspension. And even then, it is rather top heavy. and, as they found out, it will suck to drive ON road. I think they would have been far better off with a 2WD SR with a proper FF rear axle and a few mountain bikes hanging out back. They would still be able to get to fairly remote places via dirt roads. I think their final solution, a regular 4x4 with a cap, is a much better solution.

[@BoundForNowhere]

You are 100% correct and we didn't realize that was what we wanted until we got to the end of our build in Amelia. Which is fine because it has set us on a path to get the right tool for our future travel plans!

[@vinr6867]

I agree. People seem to think that having 4x4 means you are ready for ANY trail. Their expectations were unrealistic with the SR.

[@petec9686]

@randy s I would bet that a SR with posi rear end would go places a 4x4 with opens couldn't dream of going.