Are the Surfs any good??

[brett5141]

Hi Guys,

After having a motorbike accident I am now looking at getting a four wheel drive.

I am looking for something fairly cheap at the moment and have always like the Hilux's.

I have seen a couple of Hilux Surf's advertised, in particular an 88 model SSR Surf.

I am not planning on going really ballistic with mods and crazy off road stuff but would like to put on some extras and have a reasonably capable off road unit.

Mostly would like to take my wife and friends camping as well as some shooting.

Any advice or thoughts would be reallly appreciated.

thanks

Brett

[mrx78u]

Was thinking along similar lines, only a little newer.

[Dingo]

Have a look at this Website, very informative

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au

Surfs are as capable off road as any other standard 4WD it is only when you start getting serious about 4wdriving when they start to show up their disavantages, mainly an IFS front end.
An 88 model will have a 2.4litre Turbo Deisel which is not to bad in the power stakes compared to other standard 4WDs
They can be modified as much as you like as can any other 4WD so long as you have the $$ to do so.

But then again I am bias, I own one

[r0880]

Havent gotten around to making my own account yet, on a mates.

I bought an LN61 surf a few weeks ago with some minor mods, few inches of lift, 32's, alloys and all the guff. After ironing out all the issues, it has been a great car.

Few things to watch out for that i found in mine-

When i first bought it i noticed a small oil leak comming from a line under the turbo,and a hideous ammount of smoke from the arse end. On later inspection it was oil from a blown rear turbo seal going up the inlet pipe and back down and out the wastegate actuator (I think usually the oil wouldnt have come through wastegate, but diaphram was humped) By chance, a mate had a CT20, took off the original and it was far gone-about a dozen cracks in exhaust housing. the new turbo's wastegate actuator was also fucked so a replacement was sourced for $40. cheap easy fix with about an hour and a halfs labour.

three days later i was at broadbeach, and noticed more smoke from the back end, noticed it fairly easily as it choked four lanes of traffic. Im fairly sure this is due to valve stem seals and have a set on order. Another cheap easy fix.

A few years ago a mate had a later model surf, 93ish. warped a head at 100,000k's and according to a toyota employee this isnt uncommon. It blew again at 107,000 and was replaced by a 253. I dont think warping heads is a major issue unless you flog it past its intentions (like this owner did) or cook it.

Apparently 5'th gear is on a different spline, like an overdrive, and is weak. I just avoid using it under 80kmph and when in low range

I've taken mine through its fair share of mud and up a few hills, absolutly no complaints just yet. Just make sure, if you arent mechanically minded, or dont have any spanner swinging mates then fixing will be an expensive task. Toyota genuine parts arent cheap either. You can usually pick up a good LN61 for 5-7k with low miles and in pretty good condition.

Hope you find this helpfull.
Cheers-mick

[vanzbrown]

I might as well add my 3c too...

My last 4wd was a 88SSR surf. (IFS). It was a great little bus. Really nice to drive onroad, very comfortable. The 2.4 turbo diesel was a good motor but everyone i talked too asked if i was prepared to replace the head, cuz they were notorious for blowin em apparently. Was able to go most places my mates were going offroad (40series and 80series) and i only had the 30x9.5r15 muddies on it. Was easiy enuff to get a 2 inch lift on it. Would have been wicked with some 32's on it. Was big enough inside that i could lay the back seats down and sleep in it.

Good luck...
Leeroy.

[pongo]

i own a 90 4runner and a mk patrol. Id much rather my patrol any day. A bit rougher but I can live with that.
There always seem to be somthing that breaks on the 4runner.

[sniper]

I have a 90 model runner and i go everywhere my mates go, they also have pootrols and 80 series cruisers. Would rather the SAS conversion (contemplationg at the moment) but besides that 2 easy.

I only have a 2" lift runnin 32s.

[boysurfer]

I bought a 94 KZN130 Surf which is the 0ne with the 3ltr turbo diesel in it!
I am very happy with it, great size and a very good motor, The IFS flets it down abit but its still prity capable and would be heaps better with a couple of lockers
In my apinion the 3ltr motor is the way to go! heard to many stories about the 2.4's but then alot of people are happy with them! The KNZ130 model are a fair bit more pricey though!

[mule75]

one of my mates had a fairly standard one that he said was THE worst car he's owned. ifs version was useless off road and was underpowered. had turbo dramas, injection dramas and $$$$$$$$$ later still blew heaps of smoke. lost heaps, no resale when he sold it after buying a gq shorty.

[Cruiser_dude]

Hmm, I'd read this thread and get myself a Cruiser if I were you.
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... 05a27c2894

[sniper]

saints car...poor girl. The problem with surfs is you have to find a mechanic that knows them well. Alot of mechanics wouldnt have a clue as how to fix them. A group of us went out to appin with saint after she got her car back and it didnt have 4 wheel drive The gearbox place that did her box tried to clip the cable connectors in upside down Now they can only go one way and they are male and female but needless to say they couldnt connect them so the just cable tied them togaether. Took Dingo 30 sec to pug them back together, and she had 4 wheel drive again.

Some people shouldnt be allowed to touch cars. You find the right mechanic you will have no problems with a surf. Cruisers are too fat for the bush
check out http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/ that will tell you all you need to know about surfs and 4Runners (like dingo said)

[NiftyNev]

I got a Surf and intend to keep it for a looooooooooooonnnnnnnnng time. You just need to find a good one.

Nev

[Rascal]

Most of the horror story's about surf come from freshly imported surfs. Patched up chemiwelded ready for sale, the trick is to get one that has been in Australia for a few years that way the changes are is has had a pump rebuild and new head. The electronics are quite reliable and not hard to repair if taken to a desiel mechanic not the average Joe down the road. Keep in mind there is more surfs than 4runners so the ratio of bad stories are a lot higher.

RB

[HG]

The Surf/4 Runner is a good size (well it works for me) and once you do a few mods to them (as you have to do to most 4bys to get them track worthy) they will take you just about anywhere within reason
I'd suggest a set of lockers would be high on the list then do what ever you want after that .


They respond well to a solid front swap & a V8 too

[Jimbo]

If you go down HG's path then the surfs really are great!! But that involves taking the motor and crappy IFS out. Once the V8 and solid axel is in then you have a good 4wd. I would not buy a surf again and would not reccomend one to any1 (unles Hg wants to sell me his!!)

HEHEHEHH

[saint_she_aint]

I got a Surf and intend to keep it for a looooooooooooonnnnnnnnng time. You just need to find a good one.

Nev

I had a good surf for 3 years! something just went haywire lol

Anyway I will get to the bottom of my problems, it may take another year or two, but I will find it!!!!!
Im going down another path right now with someone from Sydney from this site so hopefully I will get some answers soon enough.

My surf is capable of doing most the stuff the others do when I go out (even now with no take off power)....its the driver that chickens out of some situations , but some situations there is no chicken track so the surf guys make me do it and wow what an adrenaline rush some of the sh!t we do is. Ive shat myself a few times but keep going back for more....Even though I hate my surf right now, deep down I do love it and aint getting rid of it.

Get a surf, you will have grouse fun.