Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi All,

Been thinking about upgrading my 86 hilux to a newer surf or 4 runner.

From what i've seen, most Surf's are 4cyl and 4runners v6's

Id rather petrol then diesel, and I dont really care about 3k to lift the front and rear of an IFS (going off the price of the kit from snake)

I like the surf/4 runners as they are about the same footprint as my old lux. I dont want a fat bus like a 80 series cruiser And for the nissan people.. i dont want a damn patrol

How much power do the Surfs have? Im not keen on a 4cyl motor if im only going to get a bit more power then the lux has atm. The yn67 hilux is pissweak in power

Yes it will be used for 4wding, I will be going an Auto.

surf/4runner is basicly the same thing. its just names. the same vechile can come out with surf,hilux,4runner (and a few others in somne countries) written on it.....or a combo of it! ditto surf/landcruiser/prado etc.

petrol vers.. from 2litre, 2.4, 3lV6 depending on year/model etc.

check out http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/

The 3.0ltr TD surf will kill the V6 4Runner.

I would go diesel. The 4Runners need turbo added to the 2.8 but they go rather well when fitted. The 2.4 TD surfs also go rather well.

Insurance will be more on a Surf (imported).
I gather you get more bang for your buck from Surfs.
And I could be corrected but aren't surfs 24v not 12v?

The V6 is a highway slug as well, gets around town ok and goes bush well but doesn't like hills on highways

I drive a 4Runner and am very happy with it but Surfs would appear to be better value for money.

Cheers

12v, even the dual battery models. just like the dual battery hilux.

Surfs also come with a V6 although rare compared to the diesel. VZN130 for the V6 Surf. Manual 3Ltr Diesel would be my choice if I sold the 2.4

Nev

Not trying to offend you mate but hows about you do a search on this topic. It gets bashed around here a lot and there are pages and pages of people giving their two cents.

My two cents. They're both good value and cheap to buy. All comes down to what you want, petrol or diesel. and associated costs to that.

Thanks for all the replies.

I am a bit wary of Diesel. Heard maintenance costs are quite high compared to petrol/LPG. Also heard you need to service the deisels more often... Be interested in hearing the thoughts of deisel owners on that

I really want the onroad power. My current lux has enough power offroad for what we do, but is pretty crap onroad.. Overtaking a vehicle doing 90 in a 100 zone requires planning... and a downhill run

I'd be going an auto. Seeing the advantage of an Auto uphill when 4wding... its great, only disadvantage is downhill... ahh well.

yes maintenace cost are more on a diesel and its something you cannot skip. petrols can get away with poor mantaince more than diesels. poor maintaince with a diesel will cost you big in the long run.

the 3 litre turbo ones are far better than the 2.4 anyday. while the turbo diesels don't have the wonderfull overtaking abilitys of the 3 litre v6 models they don't drink as much gas.

going from driving a petrol to a deisel takes some getting used. you learn to drive slow constant highspeed with even the 3l turbo deisels is not good for them. it really gives the oil a hard time (it depends a bit on motor, gearing etc).

endo wrote: I really want the onroad power. My current lux has enough power offroad for what we do, but is pretty crap onroad.. Overtaking a vehicle doing 90 in a 100 zone requires planning... and a downhill run

My old V6 was pretty much the same as your hilux from the sounds of it, pretty gutless and scary to overtake in!

the 3 litre turbo ones are far better than the 2.4 anyday. while the turbo diesels don't have the wonderfull overtaking abilitys of the 3 litre v6 models they don't drink as much gas

pretty sure that both of the T/D's will overtake better then a V6 and the fuel economy isn't that different on the highway (from what I've read)

mico wrote:

endo wrote: I really want the onroad power. My current lux has enough power offroad for what we do, but is pretty crap onroad.. Overtaking a vehicle doing 90 in a 100 zone requires planning... and a downhill run

My old V6 was pretty much the same as your hilux from the sounds of it, pretty gutless and scary to overtake in!

the 3 litre turbo ones are far better than the 2.4 anyday. while the turbo diesels don't have the wonderfull overtaking abilitys of the 3 litre v6 models they don't drink as much gas

pretty sure that both of the T/D's will overtake better then a V6 and the fuel economy isn't that different on the highway (from what I've read)

your v6 sounds like it had something wrong with it ! however i havn't driven one but i know a farmer who have one and they recon it flies but by god it drinks the gas.

i've been completely left for dead by one so they sure can move when you want them to.

economy...i can't comment much as fuel prices/taxs etc are all different here.

can you stil get the TRD super charger kits for the 3 litre v6's?

Around town I get 12.5 to 13.5 litres per 100km in the V6. About 460km from a sixty litre tank. I get around about 325km offroad use from the 60l.

Aside from oil changes maintenance is low and in 12 months it has never once failed to start and run smoothly.

I can't speak for the diesals, only the petrol which runs sweet.

cheers

Now for my 2cents worth

If you want to compare fuil economy my 91 4Runner diesel around town I get between 500 to 550km of 60LT 600+ on long distances and around 400k off road, but I do agree the 2.8lt do need a turbo especially when towing.

argh!

You guys arent making it any easier :-P

I spose i have the GSXR and the missus car for going quick in... And she wants to get a ute (working on the V8 )

At the end of the day Id be happy with working aircon and power steering.. OH yeah.. gimmie that power steering...

Non power steering and a Lockright on the front is a real PITA offroad

You do realise all the 89+ Surfs and 4 Runners are Independant Front Suspension?

RUFF wrote:You do realise all the 89+ Surfs and 4 Runners are Independant Front Suspension?

Yup, and the lift kit is 3k or so from Snake.....

Which was leading me in to the next question.. How do they perform with those fancy fandangled lift kits?

Available in australia is the Skyjacker class II 4" IFS lift
prices start at $1815, you will gain more flex on the front and if you install lockers front and rear you will have a capable rig.

depends on how hard you want to drive it off road and what terrain you are driving.

crliin wrote:Available in australia is the Skyjacker class II 4" IFS lift
prices start at $1815, you will gain more flex on the front and if you install lockers front and rear you will have a capable rig.

depends on how hard you want to drive it off road and what terrain you are driving.

Much cheaper then the one at snake

Places like gembrook and toolangi mostly.. I like playing in mud

If your happy to pay for the kit and make sure you put lokkas in it then IFS will get you places no dramas at all.

Speak to Procomp Narre warren, they do the 4" kits and the newer kits are awesome!! much improved on the old crap kit thats under my beasty. Don't forget there is a kit for front and back and you need shocks as well.

You can get away with lifting the rear without the kit, but the kit makes life easy.

After owning a Surf I now have a 4Runner and have never looked back. Sorry for all the Surf owners out there - but the Japanese built Surfs are crap in our conditions. I had to spend a fortune in getting the Fly Wheel and Clutch changed to the Australian version because it was just too weak. And yes because the Surf is an import and I was a young female when I had it - insurance was nearly $2000. I love my Runner and since getting free-wheeling hubs on her she hardly uses any fuel - even around town.

But - different people have different needs - so that's my two cents :-)

wouldn't the pick of the petroll be the 3.4l v6 found in 95 models omwards

My 2c as a long term Surf owner (5+ years) 93 3lt Manual

Maintenance, I do myself, every 5k drop the oil & spin on a new oil filter ($22 for the filter & ~7lt of oil ~$20)
Every 10k I grease drive train, Fuel filter (& they LOVE this changed).

Only thing ive had to pay through the ring for was a Rubber Air inlet piece that Toyota took $109 for, everything else was straight replacements. Clutch replacements CAN be done for around the same price as a 4-runner if you know where to look & what to ask for, the Surf forums know all about what parts are needed.

Insurance with my mods is about $600 a year (Less than our old Pulsar SSS) so is a rip as the new Patrol is nearly half that.

One thing ive been stringent on is keeping the cooling system in good cond, so $100ish for a top tank (3 times ) & a new radiator once cheap insurance over motor rebuild.

My Mods:
2" Rancho Kit
ARB Air locker (Rear)
Safari Snorkel
LRA Aux Tank
ASIN Hubs

Performance on the 3lt is fantastic, but I dare not compare it too any Nissans from the club or to my new 4.2tdi Patrol, for some reason Patrol drivers get all antsy if you say a Surf performs better than a Patrol
But the 3lt is miles ahead in performance over the 2.4Surf, drive the 2 & you will FEEL the difference easily, I cant compare to the V6 ive never driven one.
Fuel figures are abuot 13/100 loaded, & about the same offroad.
Touring will be down to 10 (I can get 1600k's out of the 162lt in both tanks)