Toyots Surf's

[Rich]

Thinking about buying a 3.0 Litre TD model one of these, What are they like and what's the best model, how much should I pay ?
Where can I get one in Sydney?
TIA

[eliteforce32]

grey importers....a couple in sydney and the car yards thats the best

cheers

[Surfin Alec]

Nice choise. The Trading Post would be your best bet. You could expect to pay around $14-20K for 93 - 94 models to $28 for the later 97-98 models. All depends on accessories and condition.
Check out http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/index.php for any info you might need or questions answered. There are Surfs for sale in there occasionally too.

Alec

[MacroP]

All I can say is, is that I regret selling mine. Probably wasn't the best vehicle tp modify to rock climb but for beach and road work, nothing could really touch it. Very easy and comfortable to drive, with plenty of power and good ecomony.
I had a late 93 3Litre(Do Not choose a 2.4Litre) with a manual tranny(rare). It was a SSR-G model (Top spec) with all the fruit including the Recaro interior. Those seats are the ducks nuts.
Common problem with manual Surf's, is the dual-mass flywheel that WILL eventually pack it in. I also blew my turbo ($900v rebuild) at Christmas which put me over edge so I sold it just after new years. Now that I realise, is that I had fixed all the major problems and the vehicle will propably last quite a few years. Great vehicle. Good luck

[Rich]

Thanks for your reply's so far guys.

It Seems they are prone to overheating and blowing up, is this true?

I don't want somrhting that's going to give me too much trouble, I have a woman for that.
Rich.

[MacroP]

Thanks for your reply's so far guys.

It Seems they are prone to overheating and blowing up, is this true?

I don't want somrhting that's going to give me too much trouble, I have a woman for that.
Rich.

The older 2.4's are prone to packing it in early. No such drama's with the 3.0 Litre's. That is why there is such a cost difference between the two.

[NICK]

i think i would disagree, we get more enquires for the 1kz heads and engines then we do for the 2lt or Lte, it seems that the alloy heads are good to about 120,000 and then start having problems. The alloy seems to go soft, very very soft to the point where the head cant be re-co'd and like the 2.4 is a throw away item. I do agree that the 1kz has extra power and is worth the money althou they are restricted alot and need a good exhaust system and air intake to really get them working.

NICK

[MacroP]

i think i would disagree, we get more enquires for the 1kz heads and engines then we do for the 2lt or Lte, it seems that the alloy heads are good to about 120,000 and then start having problems. The alloy seems to go soft, very very soft to the point where the head cant be re-co'd and like the 2.4 is a throw away item. I do agree that the 1kz has extra power and is worth the money althou they are restricted alot and need a good exhaust system and air intake to really get them working.

NICK

Didn't know that. Sold my Surf after Christmas with around 110K on the clock. I wonder if Toyota have done any metallurgy changes to the head over the years. Our domestic Hilux and Prado's with the 1KZ's would be getting near that 120K value now. We've also just got a few new TD Hiluxes at work(Mine) and these we be doing 100K per annun and getting flogged too. I wonder how they'll stand up.

[Surfin Alec]

My 3L Surf has about 160k and still going strong (touching wood whilst typing). The 1KZ (3Litre) is prone to overheating up big hills on hot days or towing etc but only autos. What has been found out is that if you take the radiator out and look in the bottom hose you will see the tranny cooler is blocking about 2/3 of water flow. The way to fix this would be to stick in a Aussie hilux 3litreauto radiator (they are a better radiator) and invest in a tranny cooler externally aswell or as per this discussion http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=195 . A few people have done this and reported that the Surf does not overheat at all now (Even on the beach flogging it).
I havent done this as yet but certainly will when I trip over the right radiator at the right price.

Steer away from the 2.4's as they seem to blow a head every time you look twice at them. They also have the same flaw in the cooling system and have less power, but, they do have better fuel effiency.

Alec

[Rich]

Thanks again Guys.
I think I might wait for the new model dual cab Hi-Lux coming out next year.
I am hopeing the have a 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel Automatic option in the SR5.
Maybe they will even put that Electronic Brake force distribtion on it, that seems to work well in the Prado's.
Rich.
PS I guess a sunroof like the surf would be dreaming eh !