Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey All
Need a little advice, i have a 89 Sahara (12HT) that has done 338,000kms and i want to sell it for a 92 Surf SSR-G, the Surf has done 144,000kms and is a very tidy machine its also a 5sp man. i know the 2.4 Turbo Diesel is not a real performer but that doesnt bother me, so if i could have some ppls advice, would be much appreciated, also if anybody can tell me some info on the Surfs that would be tops!

Cheers Troy

Your what!

HAHAHA yeah i know i dont want too, but i think i have no choice, like if i wanna go to uni next year, i cant afford to spend much on the car itself, i have done about 1000kms in the car and so far it has needed a new radiator, pinion seal in the rear diff, and now the power stearing pump is starting to leak. I love the car but really need to down size. My bro used to have a surf and it was a trustly little 4x4. I love the Cruiser a real tough old truck, but just looking down the track a bit. In a few years time when i have some money behind me ill buy another one as a project car and turn it into a real mean machine!!!! but for now i think a smaller 4x4 will suit better.

And it's got the 12H-T and all. Shame! Good luck with the surf

Troy , if you want some surf info go here http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/

In my case, with the missus driving it most of the time, can't beat the value for money, and mine goes fairly hard off the black stuff too

id stick with the devil u know
as the surfs have there fair share of probs with them
cracking heads
blowin head gaskets
a new clutch will need a flywheel conversion if it has not been done already, as the original style are a styled like a harmonic balancer
and most places cannot machine them ,that was an expensive clutch on its own without labour

just a few to start off with

yeah as much as i dont wanna sell it i need sumthing more suitable for next year, my brother used to get good economy out of his old surf. the only thing that worry's me is they say they have done 144,000km's but being an import and all should i really trust it how do i know it hasnt been wound back on the boat over. although the old 2.4 was a fairly tough motor from what i hear. mayb a stupid Qn but whats the better box, Auto or the man???? how much different are they to a 4Runner in the way of parts and stuff???

Being a private import I'd stear well away from it. If parts have to come out of Japan, once ordered its yours, no returns even if its wrong. Stick with the Landcruiser.

how much different are they from a 4runner?

Youd do best to stick with a landcruiser. For a uni student on a budget, the cost of repairing a surf will be far more than your cruiser. the 2.4's have a bad habit of doing head gaskets and resulting in badly cracked blocks and fubared pistons... complete rebuild or new engine style material. They are a great little truck, but the maintenance on them is big, 1 overheat is all it can take sometimes.


Surfs a relatively similar to 4Runners/Hilux in their running gear and transmissions, but they run a dual mass fly wheel, which is very expensive to buy clutch kits for, and is easier and cheaper to buy a new flywheel from a 2.8lt aussie hilux and fit that up. They also have wiring quirks and plenty of weird wacky electrical stuff in them to go wrong. The 2.4 isnt really a "tough" motor either, tougher than a NA 2.4, but still not as strong as a 2.8NA or the 3lt series motors.

Having said all that, there is plenty of surf owners out there who are really happy with their trucks and swear by them, until they over heat.
Seriously, stay with the 60 series. Far better rig to start off with and build on.

stay with the 60 ive just found out i own a surf and not a 4runner parts are 3-4 weeks away. not happy. Whats bothering you about the 60??? if its the engine rebuild it will be better in the long run and a lot easier to get parts. Iwork at toyota and still having prob's :(

+dj_hansen+ wrote: the 2.4's have a bad habit of doing head gaskets and resulting in badly cracked blocks and fubared pistons... complete rebuild or new engine style material. They are a great little truck, but the maintenance on them is big, 1 overheat is all it can take sometimes.

While I agree overheating can be an issue, as far as I'm aware most are due to lack of maintenance, which can cause the same issue/s with any motor.

how much you want for your sahara

Am asking for $14,000 ono, it is in the "Vehicles for sale" thingy on this website, I will consider any decent offer. It will be up on carsguide sometime today.