Buying a 4-runner...which one to get???

[Toyo Truck]

Hi guys,

I have a mate who wants to get into wheeling,
He wants to get a 90+ model 4-runner/surf.
But there are so many different configurations out there.
My mates main concerns are reliability and fuel economy (for a 4wd).
Which is the best 4-runner for him to get?
I have heard the v6 petto is pretty thirsty, but it goes pretty good,
what is the turbo-diesel surf like?

Also, he will no doubt want to do a solid axle swap up front later on,
which is the best donor 4-runner for this purpose? or are they all the
same with the ADD drive system on the front differential.
How much does it cost to do this conversion with x-over steer??

Also, is there any 4-runner models I should steer him away from??
Ie any of the models have any major engine/drivetrain dramas??

And lastly, what would he need to spend to get a decent but well priced
example??

Thanks guys,
Bart

[Toyo Truck]

C'mon guys,

I see that many 4-runners driving around, someone must have
an insight into these vehicles??

I have done more research and apparently any of the 4-runners fitted
with the V6 cannot be converted to leaf spring suspension up front without
MAJOR dramas getting it all to fit.
According to many, this is the main reason why they went to IFS in 1986
was to allow extra room for the V6 motor that was offered as an option
in some of the first IFS 4-runners in some countries.

Also, do all of the 90+ 4-runners in this country get the chain-driven transfer case? If he gets the manual (R151 I think) is there any way to
change it over to a gear driven transfer case??

I also found out that the US market got a 22R turbo variant in US series I
4runners, What is the official designation of this motor? 22-RT?
Can the motors still be bought anywhere? importers, etc??
Or was this a one off motor for the 4-runner of the time?

Cheers,
Bart

[-Richo-]

Why doesnt he just get a hilux? If he wants the wagon maybe get a dual cab with a canopy, not the same but still plenty of storage space. What kind of wheelin does he want to do??? if hes going to get serious then a 4 runner wouldnt be the best choice IMO as its going to cost a bit to modify it (sas etc). If he wants economy a 2.8 diesel turbo'd is pretty good, and has a fair amount of power, nothing on a V6 though.

[slosh]

I'll second the 2.8L 4 runner, these are simple to work on. There is a lot of electrical stuff in the import Surfs, more stuff to go wrong and look out for when buying s/hand.
Other than they look less pretty, I think he's better off with solid axle hilux dual cab.

[sniper]

I have the 2.8 diesel 4Runner, and its advantages over the surf are just in that it is an Australian motor, and hte motor isnt full of electrics, will perform as well as the V6 if given the turbo and set at 10psi.

The surf has more creature comforts inside everything is electrical but same goes in the motor, where as the 2.8 has SFA electrics in the engine bay.

It just depends on what your mate is after, if he wants power windows and mirrors he needs an SR5 2.8 (not very comon) but they are around.

The SAS will set him back 6-8k, providing he gives it to someone to do, i.e ORI,BBM

[boysurfer]

I bought a 94 KZN130 surf which has the 3ltr(1kzte) turbo diesel motor the same as the later lux!
The only thing im not 100% happy with is the IFS besides that it is a great car. Perfect size and plenty of power and are quite reasonably priced. I got mine a year ago with only 80.000km on the clock for under 18k, and there were plenty cheaper than that but mine was in mint condition.

[cruiser_man]

Mines an Australian model SR5 4Runner.
Has the 2.8 Diesel motor with after market safari turbo kit.
5spd, a/c, pwr steer, after mkt central locking, AVM hubs,
old man emu suspension, TJM bullbar, side steps, hayman
reece towbar, snorkel, cargo barrier and it goes great. I get from 9
to 11litres per 100km's. It is not ferrari i'll say that now, but give it a hill
and knock it to low and u'll climb it.

Only disadvantage is the independant front suspension. It can be limited.
Mines had a mild lift kit fitted so i'm an inch or two higher than the standard
ones, i'm also running 31 x 10.5 / 15's on some sunrasia wheels.

I paid 12k for mine and it has just over 200,000km's on the clock.
Although km's are highesh its diesel and has a good service history and came with plenty of accesories.

Tell him to shop around.

There is an australian SR5 in bendigo for sale at the minute.
Local subaru sealer. its the RV6 model so not sure about fuel.
Has 180,000km's and is manual, a/c pwr steer. Its in stock form and very clean and there asking $11,000. Maybe worth a look.
Innes Motors is the dealer.

Hope this helps.
Bottom line, tell him to get an aussie one over the surf.
I love the surf's but just to much to go wrong and to expensive to fix.

[Toyo Truck]

Thanks for your advice guys,
My mate is looking at a few different models now.
I have managed to convince him to go something with SAS already,
the 84-85 4-runner rather than the IFS models.

I am trying to get him to look at a hilux, cause they are just easier all-round. And they go anywhere with the right mods.

I will keep yall informed as to the purchase.

Cheers,
Bart

[J Top]

The V6 seem to have a lot of head gasket problems, plus you apparently have to remove the block for surfacing as well. I have never done 1 but have soken to many owners who have.
J Top

[goannaoffroad]

Some people said naughty things about Surf's in this topic too.
And they mentioned the dud front end,OOhhhhhh dat nordy.

[Struth]

The V6 seem to have a lot of head gasket problems, plus you apparently have to remove the block for surfacing as well. I have never done 1 but have soken to many owners who have.
J Top

A range of the V6 engines had the head gasket problem, ie: VIN # ??? to VIN # ???.
A call to Toyota customer service with the VIN number will determine if the one you are looking at was effected and if it was repaired by the Toyota customer service exercise they had.

If you want to go hard core then an SAS is preffered in 4 Runners/Surfs IMO.

If you are less hardcore then the IFS is not as bad as the myth suggests.

Cheers

[smurf182]

My (quick)thoughts:

If you're after a diesel Surf, go for the 1KZ (3litre turbo). The 2.4T needs a 2.5" drain, boost increase and an intercooler before power is adequate.

The 2.8 non turbo is pretty bulletproof and probably the motor I'd most likely feel happy with in the bush/desert as far as reliability is concerned. These can be turboed quite easily as all the 2.4T bits bolt on just be careful with the boost.

The V6 models are thirsty and need mods (extractors, etc) before you'd consider the power they make to be acceptable for that size motor.

I havn't heard much about the 4cyl petrols (3Y, 22R) but i'd imagine them to be reliable enough.

Also the IFS can be improved, and remember the Surfs/4runners come with a 5link coiled rear which with some mild work (read: longer shocks) can make some quite impressive flex.

All your runner/smurf questions will be answered here:
http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/index.php

[claud]

i ve had 3y 4y and now 22r , last is the better.the originals do last 350 000 ks but depends on servicing etc. power is good enough in 2,2 l 4y but electronic dizzy and injection are way better if u find one. i converted to 22r 2.4 and its a good motor if u keep tuning it carby is a pain but u can do heaps to them turbos injection kit bigger carbys weber 45 for instance , and ive found a web site in the states that specialises in designing heads cams and carby set ups to extract pplenty of pwer.
still the early ones are the best for a commodore v6 or v8 conversion. u can even find some already done for sale,.id luv to go a v8 windsor power to weight it would kill any new diesels.