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Hi. when i get back to Oz from the UK I'm keen to get a bigger rig and preferably a 94-96 4runner.
I know they are getting on a bit now so i'd like to get any comments about any inherrant probs, off road ability, 3.0lt fuel consump and generally whether you reckon they are a good rig or not, because for the money ($16-18000 low km) they look pretty good value.
Also, has anyone here turboed the 2.8 na diesel? how much roughly would that cost and how much better would the performance be?
Ive got a 91 model (similar model)with a 2.4 petrol motor.overall i find it a pretty comfortable and allround car.Its based on a hilux but if you need spares they can be a bit tricky.So far i have flogged out all the suspension rubbers,snapped the rear swaybar and broke the hemisphere in the rear diff(lsd). the electronic 4wd system is reliable and very convenient.Only thing to watch out for is leg room.Im not real tall but i find it cramped on long trips.Other wise remember its based on a a hilux( strngth of diffs,etc).
I have given it to the misses ( she loves it) and bought and old patrol to bash around instead.
pongo thanks mate. yeah actually im 6'3" so i wont be happy if they r not big enough for me b/c in every other aspect it seems like the type of fourby im looking to upgrade to.
offroad use will be 75% touring 25% hard/fun stuff mostly mud and deep ruts(im from Vic) therefore I want something reliable, safe and comfortable enough to tour and go camping with but not flash or expensive enough that i'll care if it get a few scratches, scrapes, broken axle, hit tree etc
reliability/build questions of jeep cherokee puts me off, and paj, patrol, cruiser too big. 90 prado and jack td still too expensive/flash etc etc.
Fearoza,
We have a '90 model 4Runner and we find it great for exactly the type of stuff you describe. We've taken up Cape York a couple of times, it goes wheelin' or camping every other weekend and we find it very comfortable and reliable. They have large amounts of starage space for when you go camping.
Ours is a naturally aspirated 2.8L diesel, and while being incredibly reliable, is a little underpowered on-road. It does have 445000kms on the original motor and it doesn't look like complaining.
For off-road, upgrade the rear springs and shocks for some lift, dump the swaybars ( allow for some more flex ), fit some reasonably aggressive tyres, and when money allows, a locker ( to make up for the lack travel with the IFS )
Fit a snorkel to it & you can then go just about anywhere.
They are not a full-on comp ready truck - but with what I've listed, they'll go at least as far as a cruiser or patrol ( fit the locker and thell go further than some)
Other worthwile upgrades include a Surf aircleaner to allow you to fit a second battery under the bonnet.
the only thing wrong with a four runner is that you are always wacthing the panels the are a full leagth body remember
try a duel cab with a tough, steel, inclosed tray.
it the extra panel you don't have to wacth that really help of road and you still have to trye that you can put wet, dirt, some in. Instead of in side the cab.
yeah unfort the missus wouldnt go for a dual cab b/c it will be our only vehicle so daily driver aswell but i see your point. Thanks 83lux and mick n sal too - sounds like you have had some good adventures in your runner, and thanks for the advice re mods too.
wont be back in oz till mid 2006 but that doesn't stop me dreaming every day about getting a fourby again and getting back out into the bush again too Looks like 4runner will def be the go.
Get a 3 litre turbo diesel Surf. You get the 4-runner with a decent motor. Same motor almost as the hilux 3 litre (very minor diferances).
Forget about all the too hard for parts rubish people like to talk about. There are so many about and so much info as well. There is a Surf website that has ever answer you want. They also have a tech page for archiving all the good stuff.
surfin alec I have thought about a surfy, friends of ours have a great ‘93 3.0td surf. He works at Toyota so actually gets parts pretty easy – he reckons between hilux and prado parts he can work most things out. So many people says parts are not that difficult to come by so I wonder why those rumours persist?
They had a broken clutch 1000km after import and then broke 4wd system/shaft halfway up a mountain! – led to a very rapid decent - backwards!! But I know that can happen with ANY 2nd hand rig, otherwise they have no probs and love it..
I would much prefer a 3.0 td than v6 – I have a bit of time to think about it and will prob end up looking at both 4runner and surfy when I get back – good size, td engine, not too $$ sound perfect, for me its just the question mark over an import that lingers a little but I’ll do some more research.
I’ve always wondered though why are they advertised so cheaply in comparison with, say, Aust compliant lux’s? just b/c they are import maybe. I’ll check out that site cheers mate.
As the Nike ad says...just do it. You wont look back after a 3 litre Surf. All the bells and whistles with a beaut motor to boot. Pfft to the Aussie 4runner in comparison.
I do not know why people keep going on about the insurance and parts on the surf.
DGA insurance ( Australian 4wd insurance) insure these without any problems and are inexpensive.
Suncorp insure them, UNique car insurance insure them.
there are plenty of options.
I have had a few things break in mine ( problems that were there prior to me buying it - Crossmember bent, idler arm, tie rod end)
and general breakages, never had a problem with parts.
I have the 2.4 which is a little gutless but the 3.0ltr are great and have all the creature comforts as well.
Check out the site that Surfin Alec posted, all the info you need on Surfs is there.
