Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hello

I am currently after a new car to replace my toyota hiace (first car) after much humming and ahhing i have finally narrowed my choices down to a 4wd surf. after searching for a few hours on the net i came to choose a Surf because:

turbo diesel (after the fuel economy, low range tourque)
5 seats and wagon so i can fit most of my gear in with out having to have it exposed with a tub in a 4x4 ute
i havent been experienced with to much 4wding but i have a good common sense to relise if i put the wheel here what will happen so i thought a small 4wd will start me to try bigger and better things after i have completed university.
after some hours of reasearch i have came across many topics of the 4 runner models having trouble with parts as they are an import also a head cracking problem with many 4 runners
also i want to have the oputunity to go out on the weekend and to be able to tow a caravan with some respects of ease.
i will be travelling some k's to and from the city back home so i am after a relativly comfortable drive ( better than a van)
4cyl cheaper rego comfortable with power. still a p plater.

now getting the the bulk of my topic i am asking if i have made a good choice? is a turbo diesel surf the way to go for my lifestyle? is there any options? what do i look out for when buying a surf?

after some more time looking for a car to suit me i have found one witch i think seems to be fairly good.

Item:
1990 toyota hilux surf
Location:
gold coast

Item Condition:
good
Reason for Selling:
need a ute
Price and Payment Conditions:
prefer swaps for ute... but maybe 4500 ono?
Extra Info:
has new battery, new windscreen, new radiator, new brake calipers, regularly serviced, 250ks, 6 months rego, can get rwc, 2 inch spring lift, 31 inch tyres, bullbar, roof racks, manual, runs well, extremely cheap to run for a fourby,, about 10litres per 100k

would prefer swaps for a 4x4 ute or a minitruck or something. need a ute for work now, so a straight swap would be prefered, cant afford to go without transport. truck is a great runner, only been off road once or twice. has no problems, just need something different.

Do you think this sounds good hopefully after the trade i should be 1500 in hand is there anything i should jump to and spend the money on first?

sorry for the epic post but i just want to make sure i dont stuff this up

cheers alec.

www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/


If its 2.4 your after do your research and make sure the head has been done. My first 4x4 was a Surf and after throwing a lot of coin at it, it was a nice capable comfy 4x4

head has been done what needs to be redone to it to make it work well

Not saying don't ask on this board, just that these guys know their Surfs

www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/

Cheers

If you have to buy a surf, do yourself a favour and get the 3ltr TD (1KZ-TE engine) version. The 2.4 leaves alot to be desired.

turkey wrote:If its 2.4 your after do your research and make sure the head has been done.

That advice is starting to become applicable, (to a degree at the moment), to the 3.0L engines now too. They're not immune from cracking either.

Alec wrote: turbo diesel (after the fuel economy, low range tourque)

Fuel economy and Surf aren't two things you'll usually say within the same sentence.

its not actually the motor thats the problem in the surf...its the shitty cooling system design...

Primarily, a lack of maintenance seems to be the main cause. The coolant system isn't actually too bad. An old, poorly maintained coolant system can be absolutely shocking though.

Alec wrote:after some hours of reasearch i have came across many topics of the 4 runner models having trouble with parts as they are an import also a head cracking problem with many 4 runners

I think you mean the other way round ? The 4runners were the Australian market vehicles. The surfs are the imports.

The main differences are that the 2.4L "2L" turbocharged motor was offered in the surf, whereas the diesel in the 4runner was the 2.8L "3L" bigger brother. Even though the 3L didn't have a turbo, the performance of both is about the same. Neither is a powerhouse though and you'll need patience if towing a van. Taking a hill in any gear higher than 3rd, regardless of grade, will not be possible.

The surf is generally a higher trim level than the 4runner.

If I bought that car, I would expect to be up for a new motor some time soon, as the heads commonly crack due to overheating, as everyone's mentioned. Luckily, as the surf and runner motors are related, you can swap in a 3L without too much drama and avoid the complications of a turbo and components like a/c compressors being in a funny spot and therefore greater reliability.

As far as going for a later model surf that had the much better 3 ltr turbo motor (1KZ), they will cost more and might not be within your budget and they are rarer.

As to what to look out for, the usual stuff for a vehicle of this age, rust is the big one. Walk away from it if it has a heap. Check for oil leaks too, both the front and rear crankshaft oil seals leak, power steering box commonly leaks and the electric window in the tailgate regularly plays up. Often the relays blow in the circuit board and they're relatively easily replaced but this was one of Toyota's not-so-practical ideas as the rear end of a 4wd collects dust like nothing else, which electrics don't like. CV joints in the front driveshafts as well as the diffs don't like too much abuse. Fuel pumps commonly leak as well, due to sulphur levels in diesel being reduced for the greenies, but that means the older style seals in these pumps don't get lubed anymore. A leak from the top of the pump can be replaced with new seals relatively painlessly, but if a full reseal is required, then it can run over a grand.

A lot of this stuff can apply to other makes and models but expect to fork out for repairs regularly.