Newbie here

[DitchCrawler]

Hi everybody, first post on here, so here goes

I'm just in the process of purchasing a 3.0 ssr x, 1996 n reg, nice looking car, drives well with just a hint of wheel shake over ripples over 65, Its a long time since i owned a 4x4 and that was a jeep 4.0ltd which was more of a 'chelsea tractor'. So a few questions to follow:-

1, As mentioned above, it suffers from a bit of wheel shake, it has large(ish) wheels, so is this to be expected?

2, Has it a centre diff ie. can it be run on tarmac in 4 wheel drive?

3, Are english manuals available (both owners & service)?

4, Its an import (obviously) submit the reg no to HPI and they recognise the vehicle within seconds, however the insurance companies, with some the details come up as a petrol pickup and with others the model is not found at all, is this just the numpty's at the insurance brokers and their slow monday morning brains

Still I hope somebody can shed some light


Thanks DitchCrawler

[Medieval Dave]

Not sure about the wheel shake, mine doesn't but then mine is a 2nd gen and a 96 will be a third gen, and there are several differences.

if it is a 3rd gen it will have a center diff.

Becuase they are not an 'official' UK car, the insurnace can be a bit of a pain. Some compaines recognise them and some do not, and there is more variation in price from one company to another than if you were insuring a mondeo etc. once you get over that hurdle it's not a problem. My quotes varied from £340 to £1000 fully comp so make sure you phone around till you get a good price.

[Koi]

wheel shake could be down to wheels need balancing, uneven tyre wear etc
for insurance see thread titled insurance for a long list of insurance companies that do Surfs, Lifesure is a good one.
As for manuals, one like the Max Ellery is about the best or just ask on here for any info.

[DitchCrawler]

Not sure about the wheel shake, mine doesn't but then mine is a 2nd gen and a 96 will be a third gen, and there are several differences.

if it is a 3rd gen it will have a center diff.

Becuase they are not an 'official' UK car, the insurnace can be a bit of a pain. Some compaines recognise them and some do not, and there is more variation in price from one company to another than if you were insuring a mondeo etc. once you get over that hurdle it's not a problem. My quotes varied from £340 to £1000 fully comp so make sure you phone around till you get a good price.

Thanks Dave, & yes, insurance quotes received were in a similar range to those you mentioned, how would I recognise a third generation model? this one has a 4wd button on the transmisson mode selector lever, or was it on the auto lever, doh! i must be getting old

Thank again, Ditchcrawler

[BUSHWHACKER]

3rd gen has a lift-up tailgate, fuel filler is on the passenger side.
Oh, and Hi Newbie!

[DitchCrawler]

wheel shake could be down to wheels need balancing, uneven tyre wear etc
for insurance see thread titled insurance for a long list of insurance companies that do Surfs, Lifesure is a good one.
As for manuals, one like the Max Ellery is about the best or just ask on here for any info.

Thanks Koi

New tyres have been fitted recently, also the shake isn't speed related, it is provoked by surface ripples and bumps, so unlikely to be a ballance problem IMO, it feels a bit like dampers are a bit tired, but from the low(ish) milage 87,000 k's and no evidence of off road use to the under side of the vehicle, it seems a bit early for damper failure (by the way are the dampers adjustable?) but anythings possible with bits of machinery.


I'm kind of guessing that its something that when driven by an experienced surf driver would say "they all do that sir" and all would be well

Seems it deffo a 3rd generation, what the difference between an ssr x and a ssr g?

Sorry about all the questions

DitchCrawler

[BUSHWHACKER]

The ssr-g is supposed to be the top spec model, but the Japanese seem to add whatever 'extras' they can get their hands on. So you could find a base model with all the extras added, effectively making it a top spec model.

Also, I think the top spec includes an electric sunroof.