Hilux Surf Reliability?

[SS_Fury]

Does anyone know much about Toyota Surfs? Im getting my hands on one from the old man for 8k. Its a 1992 model 2.4 turbo diesel and has done 115km's....im trading in an 02/03 2 door city CD astra with 100k on the clock and hoping that would net me the 8k - im in WA where car prices are a little dearer than you eastern state folk. I realise the 2.4D is gutless (its an auto) and he hasnt had any probs with it, but is there anything to be mindful of with these cars? anyone own one? Are they a high maintanance car?
Cheers,
Timmy

Edit: Car wont be used for 4x4, mostly work duties

[Uncle Tone]

Make sure the timing belt was renewed, and if it wasn't....DO IT!!

[SS_Fury]

lol, the belts been done yep

[transcend VUSS]

hay dude had a surf for some time before getting my ute
had a 1993 3.0L turbo diesel model
awesome car and loved the sand up at lancelin

But i know that the surf had head problems, especially the 2.4's i knew a lot of them that had engine rebuilds and i actually cooked my head once, but managed to save it and didnt do much damage.

Appart from that though everything else is indestructable

If you go 2.4, just dont work it too hard.

Cheers, Adam.

[VooDoo]

The diesels arent bad. I had a Aussie sold V6 Petrol SR5 and the engine was stuffed at 100'000k's. Blew both head gaskets and the alloy block was so pitted and corroded it wasnt worth fixing (we replaced the headgaskets and sold the car quick) The seating position takes a bit of getting used to. your sitting with legs outstretched rather than down like most 4x4's. Long drives were a bit uncomforable. Very capable offroad, torsion bar front end didnt really have much travel but some "ultimate suspension" rods and new rears helped that a lot. Only other issie was the Elec windows stuffed up (rain in the switch) but was an easy fix via wrecker.

[SS_Fury]

yeah, what is it with the legs outstretched position? That does feel kinda weird, like your legs arent dangling enough over the seat! I have noticed that but i figured it was something I would get used to. Im not too cluey on its suspension, i know its got a lift kit on it though. Sparingly goes to the beach for a bit of fishing, nothing too major. I plan to continue that, but no REAL 4wd'ing per se. Sounds like they are ok then, I will keep an eye out on the head issues then.
I understand the 3 litre diesels are the pick of the bunch and are holding their value pretty well over here. My old mans 2.4 TD is slow as hell of the mark. Probably just used to a V8 i guess. Thanks all.

[mustanger]

Just keep in mind ,that the surf version wasn`t actually brought into the country by Toyota Australia. It would have been a private import....Cheers John

[2Stroke]

Had a gf that had one and some of the spares can be pricy due to being an import.

[SS_Fury]

yeah hence the low kms...china stop start stuff i believe alot came like that.

[TAKEITEZ]

i've worked on one or two of them over my time at a toyota dealer in tassie...
someone mentioned the overheating and buggering the head - thats happened to a few...
our worst drama was always getting spares for the things... some things were shared with local models and hilux's but a lot of engine bits if we could actually find them they were stupidly priced and took a long time to arrive, usually from off shore as nothing was really stocked locally apart from service parts...

i've had friends ask me about them and i've always just said steer clear of the imported ones (and local V6 ones) if you can...

if you must though, just make sure that timing belt is done!!!
keep the servicing regular too...

i guess the thing with any car...
"its only cheap if you can afford the maintanance"

[DCJ81]

A mate of mine has had a 2.4 TD surf and its slow as all buggery. I think and excl beet him off the line the other day. From what I can work out it’s not the most reliable truck around. The importers (surf) have heating problems because the cooling system was build for Japan and not here.
If you’re planning on modifying for off road use, work out what you want out of it because in the long run it’s going to become cheaper to look at a patrol or cruiser.
For off road use the main short comings are the IFS (independent front suspension), the transfer case that hangs down like an anchor, and the diff gears which aren't the strongest. If the truck has been off road it’s a good idea to check the front right-hand chassis rail. Where the idler arm (I think that’s what it’s called) bolts to the chassis it becomes weak and the bashing from 4bing induces a nice crack through the rail.
The biggest tyres you're going to fit under it are 33's and then you'll still need to do a body lift.

my mates surf has air lockers front and rear, 2inch lift 80 series springs in the rear which gives 4inch lift, torsion bars wound up as far as they can go with ball joint spaces, 1inch body lift, 33inch tyres.
With all of that done he about as capable as 2inch lifted patrol with lockers.

As and around town car or going up the beach they would be alright but as and off-road truck then they start falling behind a fair bit.


Dave

[Gee]

... i've had friends ask me about them and i've always just said steer clear of the imported ones (and local V6 ones) if you can...

Out of interest mate, why do you say that about the local V6 variants? Been thinking seriously about grabbing a Hilux, from past experience I know I'll be happy with the 4 for what I'll use it for. But I was thinking of looking at a V6 for comparison (not that I've seen a manual one yet).

Sorry for the OT SS_Fury.

[planetdavo]

The main issue really is the age. It should be well checked out like any vehicle of that age. Most suspension and driveline parts are fairly easy to sort out aftermarket, but electrics and issues relating to that might be harder/more costly.
There's also been a recall on some grey import surfs as well, for a front suspension drag link or similar. Check out www.recalls.gov.au for more info.

[ace185]

I had a Surf for a few years. Overall it was a great vehicle for what it was. As mentioned earlier getting the cambelt done at 100,000km intervals is important as is regular oil and filter changes usually at 5000km intervals.

The heads on the 2.4l turbo diesels were a huge problem. They get hot due to poor flow from the standard factory exhaust manifold. The heads then crack between the exhaust and inlet valves. This problem can be reduced by putting on aftermarket headers to improve flow and reduce heat build up. This was also a problem with the non-turbo 2.4l diesels as well. Aftermarket heads were fairly easy to get in NZ as there was a huge market for them!!

If you were unable to do the repair yourself the cost could be high as they are fiddly to work on - the japanese fit a lot of plumbing un the bonnet in those things!!

[emufriedchicken]

I asked this question on another board about 2 months ago before I bought one....most of the advice i got was Do a complete fluid change regardless of log books just for peace of mind.....Run a radiator flush through the cooling system and renew the coolant,radiator cap and put in a highflow thermostat...these things are notorious for overheating and cracking heads and blowing head gaskets if the cooling system is not serviced regulary... Pays to fit an after market engine temp gauge as the dash one isnt that accurate.... if looked after they are a very cheap and reliable off roader. Parts from Tonys auto in Perth are reasonably priced too... have a visit to this aussie surf site http://toyotasurf.asn.au/ and browse the wealth of info and join thier forums too

Cheers
Tim
LX8 Adventra
1993 2.4 Surf

[SS_Fury]

cheers, timmy, good info there!