common probs with surfs

[4x4xmore]

im looking at buying a surf but would like advice, wether its positive or negative. all advice would be muchly appreciated.

thanks

[De-lux]

keep it to one thread buddy

[Dee]

why surf?

why not 4 runner?

I was talking to the mechanic when i picked up my car from getting its suspension done, and he had a surf there and was working on it, and he said just changing the clutch and stuff is an absolute nightmare compared to 4runners. Being foreign and all i guess there is limited parts/knowledge etc. If i was making the decision i would go something more domestic...

[dumbdunce]

stay away from the 2.4's. 3 litre good, 2.4 litre bad.

[Surfection]

Or you could get a 2.4 armed with the knowledge that you MAY have cooling system problems, specifically cylinder head problems. If the head has been replaced with one from a 3L engine [2.8lt] then it should be fine for many km's. If it's been in the country for a while make sure it's been looked after with regular oil changes etc.
With a body lift, torsion bars wound up, 2" lift coils in the rear and some 33z you'll love it !!

Cheers, Jeremy

[Roctoy]

why surf?

why not 4 runner?

I was talking to the mechanic when i picked up my car from getting its suspension done, and he had a surf there and was working on it, and he said just changing the clutch and stuff is an absolute nightmare compared to 4runners. Being foreign and all i guess there is limited parts/knowledge etc. If i was making the decision i would go something more domestic...

Not all surfs run the sprung flywheel type clutch, i was lucky when i changed mine, it had a normal type clutch.

Other than that, i never had any dramas with mine (2.4L) it was a comfortable truck, even though you get sick of it being underpowered, especially when you put bigger tyres under them.
IFS sux but if you are not doing hard core whelling, it doesn't really matter. A mate did Cape York last year with us in his surf and it was probably the best car for the job: desiel was far more economical than the petrol's the rest of us had, the suspension coped with the notorius corrugations without hassles. My leaf sprung hilux sucked major arse at speeds on those roads (even with the 35's aired down to 10psi)

When i had my surf any parts i had to get for it i was able to easily with LN130 4runner parts.

The injector pumps are a surf only item and are expensive, The 2LT motors were also put in some Landcruiser Bundeeras, so thyey can be a source for engine parts (even though they are pretty hard to find too)

The Airconditioning systems are a bit crappy for Aus conditions, mine was fixed, on warranty, 11 times before they worked out where the leak was.

I had a lock rite diff lock in the front, cranked up the torsion bars, put 3" lifted coils and ranchos in the back, removed the rear sway bar, did a 2" body lift and fitted 32" BFG muds. It was a pretty good truck, especially when i fitted an intercooler and cranked the boost up to 13psi.

Just test drive a few, but stay away from E & M Unique Autos on Parramatta Rd, that's where i got mine from, their after sale service was less than ordinary.

Also look at the speedo odometer, if the numbers don't quite line up, it may mean the speedo has been wound back at some stage.

Cheers chris

[mabsydney]

shouldn't this be in the toyota section?

[RyanIAm]

If you are in the Sydney area, get it checked out by Cosmopolitan on parramatta road at Homebush, Michael will be able to tell you if it is a keeper.

[bigpat]

Had mine for 5 years and never had an issue with it even after 230,000 km. Except for engine (which has a number of things in common with other aussie spec diesel engines) everything else you need is same as an LN 130 4 Runner....

Worst thing is o/heating. If so bolt on 3L head and end of story. The 2.4 TD's aren't bad to work on, just packaged tightly.

Finally, the Surfs are better optioned than even the Aussie spec SR5. Get an SSR-G model, & you get Recaro interior, better sound system etc.

A number of us on the toyota surf forum have VERY capable off road trucks, wipes smirks off people's faces all the time. A few mods and they'll go anywhere........