imported surf

[chunkz]

im ringing up a few blokes
and had a couple say the surf is imported from japan...

is there anything wrong with that?
rwc and rego and everything...

but just wanna know if theres anything to look for if its imported

[Fatz2326]

could try toyotasurf.asn.au
lotsa info on them there.

[Clown Boy]

The Surf's are a good 4x4.

Be very careful with the motor and cooling system though. Motor because I have heard lots of people, including myself, getting a bit of a lemon engine. Wouldn't change the 4x4 for anything though (am in process of putting in a new engine).

For the cooling, it needs to have been upgraded since import to ensure it does not overheat in our conditions.

On other subjects, rego is fine, but insurance can be a hassle as most places do not insure imports. I found Just Car Insurance wss the cheapest for me - they also cover you anywhere you can legally be and are underwritten by AAMI.

Parts are not a problem, they are so damn common that even Toyota stock the genuine bits. And most things outside the engine bay are standard hiloux anyway.

[Jimbo]

Dont be a fool and actually think that because the OD says 99,000km or 101,000km it has actually only done that few km.

Save money and buy a 4runner. You will find most toyota dealers want nothing to do with Surfs even though most the parts are the same. Also mechanics and insurance charge a lot more and use the excuse that it is an import.

Go to the toyotasurf.asn.au website and type in "Overheat" and "cracked head" and then u will see that it is no way worth it!!


Cheers

Jimmy


PS: I did own one unfortunately

[chunkz]

are all surfs imports?

guy from insurance place said theyre
i thought it was pre 88 was :s (read some where) i think


cracked heads, overheat........ sounds like a falcon

[Jimbo]

Yes i'm pretty sure they are all imports but not 100%


"Sounds like a falcon" Yes but a falcon doesn't cost the earth to repair like a surf!!!

I do own a nissan now but have nothing against toyotas. just get a 4runner of similar year.

[chunkz]

arnt the 4runners petrol

i want a turbo diesel

[Jimbo]

Yeah they are petrol and drink a bit too although the diesel isnt THAT much better.

I have to admit i did like driving the surf. A combination of 3 litre TD plus 4.88 diffs....didnt have to change gears much as it had heaps of torque. With teh surf in 5th and crusie control on the speed wouldnt drop below 100km/hr even up the steepest hills.

Jimmy

[r0ck_m0nkey]

arnt the 4runners petrol

i want a turbo diesel

4Runners come in diesel aswell. If keeping to just the LN130 model, they have 2.8L Diesel (3L), same as a Hilux. They just aren't as commonas the 4cyl and V6 petrol models, and more common in povo pack trim level then anything else.

[Clown Boy]

Go to the toyotasurf.asn.au website and type in "Overheat" and "cracked head" and then u will see that it is no way worth it!!


Cheers

Jimmy


PS: I did own one unfortunately

Bugger off Jimbo - as said above - watch for the cooling setup and get the engine checked out - and your golden.

Mine has not had a problem with overheating since bought - except for one occasion with a split hose - can happen to anything.

My problem is I was slack and for the first time in my life - I didn't get an engine checked. And my engine is not in a good way. My own fault.

The Surf's are fantastic - heaps better than a 4Runner - as in the exact same truck but TD and better bits (electric windows, etc).

[Jimbo]

Your a wank clown boy. How can u say they are fine. Of course your gonna say that because you have one. Look at thread after thread about cracking heads. Mine did it (3 litre not 2.4) through no fault of my own. I was driving on a cold night sitting on 70km/hr and it juts cracked like that. I had only had it 10 months...had a new radiator in it and everything including my viscouse fan hub was in perfect working order. They must just get treated liek shit over in japan, have the km wound back and then sent over here.

Too many surf owners say how good they are until shit hits the fan and get all protective when ppl tell them otherwise. I went against what my freinds, mechanics and ppl in the industry told me and bought one. 10 months later it was stuffed.

If your that keen on a Toyota get an 80 series.

Chunkz do you intend on using it as a 4wd or just a daily driver?

[chunkz]

i want to 4x4, but light to medium
and it wont be very often.... once every few (or more) months

[Clown Boy]

Your a wank clown boy. How can u say they are fine.

Because like I said twice already - you need to be careful about the engines and the cooling but the rest is ace.

If you disagree - look at the numbers. I see surfs everywhere - and the ocassional 4Runner. They are very popular 4x4.

And while you are running searches - go see how many people bought 3L Patrols that died - every vehicle has a story like this.

[Jimbo]

I went out with some ppl from the surf club. With a front locker they seemed to go alright but nothing a standard cruiser or patrol couldnt do.

Seriously think hard about buying a surf. Ring several diesel mechanics in your area and ask them. Check out the toyotasurf web site as there is a lot of good info there plus u can see all of the problems.

A few weeks b4 i bought mine the previous owner (i know him) blew the rear diff on a pretty easy track. But i better stop here or else more surf owners will get all defencive and crack the shits as usual.

Not all insurance companies will cover you. I went with just cars and they were fine.

I never said parts were not available but when u ask for them ppl give you that funny look and make it a hastle. Hey ring your local toyota dealer and speak to spare parts and see what they say. Also ask them specifically about cracking heads and how much repairs cost.

Also what is this crap about upgrading the cooling system fo rour conditions????? It gets hot in Japan too!!! Maybe not in the 40's like here but still hot!! It would be a valid point if heads were cracking only in hot weather but they DONT!!

[Jimbo]

Yes and i wouldnt recomend a 3 litre patrol either.

He asked for opinions and i gave mine from personal experience!!! Not just here say.

When something goes wrong you would rather not be in an import!!

[leehamescort]

Jimbo is correct on the Parts thing, you have to go to the right Toyota dealer to even just get served if you own a Surf.

Don't know why but some dealers just refuse to even try to help if its a surf even though 95% of parts are identical to the 4runner. If you go to the right dealers then you have no problems at all with parts.

Overheating and heads cracking is a maintenance issue, if the car was abused by the previous owner then forget it as there will be problems, If they are looked after then you will have no worries at all and can even tweak things a bit for some extra power.

Off road ablity is awesome once some lokkas are installed.

Same as any car, lemons will always be out there and absolute gems as well.

I wouldn't trade mine for anything, but mine has been a gem.

Good luck.
leeham.

[chunkz]

okay
so things to look for is your obvious
rust and dints type stuff
odd sounds in places

a leaking turbo i have heard about happens on a few
cooling system...

what else to look for?
im looking at it tomorrow

[Jimbo]

Yes leehams is a good surf but one point that leeham mentioned about maitenance issues. How do you know how well it has been maintained?

Yes you can check color of oil, cooland and so on. Look at mine, everything was spot on. It also didnt blow any smoke like others i drove, got it checked out and mechanic said it was all fine.

Yes there are lemons with all cars but it just seems too many surfs die.

Ahh well u live and learn

[Mad Cruiser]

Jimbo i believe your wrong about Toyota Dealers.... I know a friend who works for Toyota on the southside of Brisbane who owns a 3 door surf and they service it He isn't a mechanic

[Jimbo]

I never said they were all like that. I actually had luck with Melbourne City toyota. They had a guy in the parts department who was really helpful but still advised me against it....but i still bought it.

Anyway i'm glad its gone. My patrol is better in everyway except U turns i do miss the TD

[pongo]

I own a petty 4 runner, very underpowered and uses as much lpg as my jag with 350 chev ,but i still break plenty of stuff and it hardly ever sees a dirt road anymore. i used to live on a farm and had to buy a 79 carolla as the 4runner shook to bits ( lasted longer than my jag though) .

plenty of stuff broke,even a snapped rear sway bar. But nothing that has actually stopped me from getting to where i had to go.

i guess mine is a lemon, Wanna buy it Im gunna get another mq TD patrol for the misses

[sniper]

A surf can be a great car. There are lemons out there but that goes with every car.
If i was to buy a surf it would have to be a 3ltr with rear wheel carrier (unless you decide to run 35s)
The KZN130 (3ltr) is remarkably fast and they can be a great off roader to. I previously owned a 4Runner 2.8 which i turbo charged, which ALL diesel 4Runners need. Personally dont like petrol in a 4WD at all.
If you go hilux wagon it has to be diesel and a 4Runner or surf.

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/ does have a great broad range of information. Also remeber this people use these forunms for usually a couple of reasons, get to know other like minded people with the same car, and to find info on what is wrong on theres when it breaks. Hence the long list of troubled surfs on there. There is not usually a thread saying I love my car it rocks.....

Thing I wasnt a fan off is the IFS as i wanted to go a little harder with mine so i bought a cruiser for the live front. This said you can still easily get 33`s under a surf and with a bit of work 35`s.

Some toyota service people are smart arses and tell you that surfs are illegal and they wont sell you parts. Smack them ones in the mouth. Most parts and i meen most are identical to an aussie hilux/4Runner. Never tell them its for a surf always say 4Runner or use a part no. alot of part no.s are on the surf site.

[Chucky]

I had a 2.4T/D Surf once. '94 model. Great car good 4wd. I had to rebuild the engine after a cracked head and I decieded to get the job done properly.
Had the car for about two years when I was moved from Sydney to Melbourne. Insurance went from $1100 a year to $24,000. (I rang back and checked the figure three times and all three operators couldn't beleive the quote either). I couldn't find anyone else to insure it for less than $2500 a year so I sold it.
After the engine was rebuilt it was a fantastic 4wd. Loved it and so did the wife. And nothing else went wrong it it in the two years I had (and abused) it.