Which Hilux Surf?

jj92 · 23-06-2015 6:11pm #1

I'm looking at getting a cheap 4x4 and the Hilux Surf came to mind. Mid 90s for probably under 2k. The thing is, given a choice between the 2.4 litre manual and a 3 litre automatic which is the best option? Is there issues with the automatic gearbox? Are the 2.4 litre and 3 litre engines equally trouble free? Is there much difference in fuel economy. It'll be commercial tax so tax shouldn't be an issue.

kay 9 · 23-06-2015 10:06pm

I'd have the 3.0 every day of the week. More reliable and just as economical if not more so. On the auto box side of things, autos don't generally give any trouble if cared for properly such as fluid changes.

CJhaughey · 24-06-2015 1:39am

1KZ-TE is a great engine, plenty of grunt same or better economy as the 2.4 and lots more bits available from breakers as its the same as the Landcruiser 90. No real issues just make sure the cooling system is good.
Some of them make a sort of high pitched hum from the fuel pump which is normal but can sound strange, fix is is to stretch the return ball valve spring.
I sold mine with 275k miles on it and its still running as strongly as when I first bought it.

jj92 · 24-06-2015 5:24am

Thanks for the replies. It seems that if there are no problems with the 3.0 and the auto gearbox I'll go with that. I must say I've only heard good things about these Surfs!

pete4130 · 24-06-2015 9:14am

One issue with the older surfs is the extra weight of the canopy unit on the back. It can cause the leafs to sag on them as the original springs weren't made to carry that weight all the time.

jj92 · 25-06-2015 8:50am

I've seen a couple of Surfs now and they somehow managed to keep the rear seats and have it commercially taxed, I'm not sure if this is OK with revenue. I'd like to have it registered as a crew cab as I'd like to have passengers now and again. Does anyone know if it's possible to get the Surf registered as a crew cab?

CJhaughey · 25-06-2015 9:01am

jj92 wrote: »

I've seen a couple of Surfs now and they somehow managed to keep the rear seats and have it commercially taxed, I'm not sure if this is OK with revenue. I'd like to have it registered as a crew cab as I'd like to have passengers now and again. Does anyone know if it's possible to get the Surf registered as a crew cab?

Its possible, there is a thread about it here somewhere.
The issue is that your county tax office may require a lot of paperwork and possibly PPS numbers for your workers.
Then the fact that you may be using it for Social and Domestic purposes not work related can be problematic.

jj92 · 25-06-2015 9:17am

CJhaughey wrote: »

Its possible, there is a thread about it here somewhere.
The issue is that your county tax office may require a lot of paperwork and possibly PPS numbers for your workers.
Then the fact that you may be using it for Social and Domestic purposes not work related can be problematic.

I don't mind paperwork as it'll be for a farm so surely the commercial aspect will be evident due to herd number, tax status etc. I'm more concerned with the technical possibility of converting the Surf to crewcab, ie dimensions, rear door type etc.

kay 9 · 25-06-2015 3:02pm

Even for agri/farmer use it's a pain in some counties to register crew cabs. Especially in the south East apparently. What county are you op? Someone might be able shed some light on it for you.

Tony Beetroot · 25-06-2015 4:30pm

There is a company in Longford who will commerialise it no problem, even if you went there with a nissan micra they would commerialise it.

jj92 · 25-06-2015 6:38pm

kay 9 wrote: »

Even for agri/farmer use it's a pain in some counties to register crew cabs. Especially in the south East apparently. What county are you op? Someone might be able shed some light on it for you.

I'm in the mid west. Apparently it's possible to convert them, they have been done by the conversion specialists before.

jj92 · 25-06-2015 6:42pm

I was looking at one today.. it was ok but for the 4 wheel drive not working and a transmission fluid leak from a seal. The guy selling said he'd get both sorted. Also the air conditioning has the drive belt removed. Is this a potential warning.. overeating? He said that lots of people don't replace them when they go due to fuel consumption. There was only 1 battery also, I was expecting 2.

CJhaughey · 25-06-2015 8:38pm

jj92 wrote: »

I was looking at one today.. it was ok but for the 4 wheel drive not working and a transmission fluid leak from a seal. The guy selling said he'd get both sorted. Also the air conditioning has the drive belt removed. Is this a potential warning.. overeating? He said that lots of people don't replace them when they go due to fuel consumption. There was only 1 battery also, I was expecting 2.

My advice is to walk away from that one.
Low trans fluid in these can led to all kinds of expensive problems down the road.
If the seller couldn't be bothered their hole to fix it before sale then what kind of life has it led before now?
Aircon could be broken, no gas or a seized compressor.
Look for a cleaner one with everything working.

kay 9 · 25-06-2015 8:38pm

If you have any suspicion just walk away. Sounds like too many niggles anyway. Worth keeping an eye out for an enthusiasts vehicle. They tend to be better looked after with everything working as it should

TrailerBob · 25-06-2015 9:39pm

Yeah the later surf with the 1kz-te is the best of these. With the auto box, they can give issues with rad leaks into the ATF, so a replacement rad is preferable. The engine is very robust, but poor maintenance can lead to a cracked head in some cases. If you find one with history, that has been owned by someone who cares that it's a Toyota, not some clipe who wants to have a 'jeep lad', then you won't go far wrong.

Problem is, for under 2k, you're going to get the dogs, rather than the mutts nuts

Tony Beetroot · 25-06-2015 11:29pm

Buying any automatic in this country is a liability, owners hardly change the engine oil not to mind gearbox oil.

jj92 · 26-06-2015 8:07am

TrailerBob wrote: »

Yeah the later surf with the 1kz-te is the best of these. With the auto box, they can give issues with rad leaks into the ATF, so a replacement rad is preferable. The engine is very robust, but poor maintenance can lead to a cracked head in some cases. If you find one with history, that has been owned by someone who cares that it's a Toyota, not some clipe who wants to have a 'jeep lad', then you won't go far wrong.

Problem is, for under 2k, you're going to get the dogs, rather than the mutts nuts

The guy selling it is a mechanic, has a garage so I was shown underside etc. If he can fix the 4x4 and the oil leak, for 2k am I doing OK? I don't need air conditioning and everything else seems sound.. body, electrics, tyres, undercarriage.

cjhaughey advised to stay away due to unresolved problems by seller. I'm thinking about the cost of a "perfect" 3.0 auto Surf, surely that would be a lot more? Any good sites where I could find one? none on dd

CJhaughey · 26-06-2015 8:34am

jj92 wrote: »

The guy selling it is a mechanic, has a garage so I was shown underside etc. If he can fix the 4x4 and the oil leak, for 2k am I doing OK? I don't need air conditioning and everything else seems sound.. body, electrics, tyres, undercarriage.

cjhaughey advised to stay away due to unresolved problems by seller. I'm thinking about the cost of a "perfect" 3.0 auto Surf, surely that would be a lot more? Any good sites where I could find one? none on dd

The cost of a bad one will far outweigh the cost of a good one.
Keep looking there will be good ones about, rush in and you could very well find a big bill at the end.

kay 9 · 26-06-2015 8:39am

Just had a quick look on dd and nothing appeals to me tbh. Few nice pre 00 landcruisers though for not much more money. Don't know if they meet the dimensions required to convert to crew cab though. If you can do without crew cab you have more options available to you.

Which Hilux Surf?

Comments