Calling all Canucks... And whoever else wants to help! (Cold Questions!)

[joedude]

Hey all!
I've been browsing this forum for a while now and I've also been shopping for a 1991 Hilux (they have to be 15years or older to import em into Canada). And I've been wondering; What needs to be done to these trucks to make them survive the Canadian Winters? I should mention that I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where the temp regularly drops to -40C throughout the winter.

Now I realize that the oil will be the first thing to be changed. A block heater is a definite must. And the Batteries will need a good checking (do both need to be kept or is just one ok?)

-What about Glow Plugs... do they need to be more efficient ones put in for better starts?
-I'd like to possibly/eventually put in an intercooler, will it need to be removed during the winter? or does it matter at all?
-Are there all-in-one Remote door/alarm/start systems available that will work on the Hilux (1991) with a turbo timer?
-What about the High-Idle... Can it be set before or after shutdown (the night before) so that it will start and idle high the next morning (when you hit the remote start to avoid having to run outside)? or will that mess with the start settings?

So yeah, those are the first few questions I have for now. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Woodzie]

There is a cold weather model
QUOTE...
All Models: Japan covers a very large geographical area, covering a range of climates. The northern areas of Japan can endure very low temperatures and all Surfs sold in these areas come fitted with a winter pack. This adds various options to the vehicle, some of which are already fitted to higher spec models or are available also as independent options.
Among the items fitted as part of the winter pack are twin batteries, heated fuel filter, winter spec wiper blades and rear passenger heater.
This information is available on http://www.hiluxsurf.eu/Along with alot more

[MattF]

Wouldn't a block heater be a better option? I assume they must be generally
available in your neck of the woods with temps like those.

[BUSHWHACKER]

How does a remote start allow the glowplugs to heat up then?

[joedude]

How does a remote start allow the glowplugs to heat up then?

You can get diesel remote starters which turn on the ignition, and pause before starting to allow the glow plugs to get up to temp.

[BUSHWHACKER]

You can get diesel remote starters which turn on the ignition, and pause before starting to allow the glow plugs to get up to temp.

Cool!
Gotta get me one of them!!

[Andrew J]

Diggin up an old thread here.

Just picked up a 91 Hilux Surf. About the block heaters. Did anyone ever get one? Should I just try and lookup an 86 pickup block heater and see if it will work? Assuming my 2.4 is the same they put in the pickups for a few years in Canada? It doesnt get too cold in Red Deer, but I'd rather be nice to the motor I kinda wanna hold onto it for a little while.

[CanSurf]

Hi there,

I live in Edmonton and have a 1990 Hilux Surf. I've been through one winter with it and it had no problem at all starting. I think I plugged it in once the whole winter and probably didn't even need to do that. I bought mine from Outback Imports and they put in battery blankets (I have the two battery version options in the Hilux) and an inline coolant heater instead of a block heater.

Basically I wouldn't worry too much about it not starting since you also have the dual batteries. Just get the cheapest solution....either the inline heater or the block heater as either one will do the job when you need it. I don't even have my battery blankets hooked up to the plug right now and doubt I ever will.

When it's real cold just make sure you let the glow plugs do their thing twice before trying to start the truck (i.e. on...wait for glow plugs to go out...off...on...wait for glow plugs to go out...start).

My two cents.

Wes

Hey all!
I've been browsing this forum for a while now and I've also been shopping for a 1991 Hilux (they have to be 15years or older to import em into Canada). And I've been wondering; What needs to be done to these trucks to make them survive the Canadian Winters? I should mention that I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where the temp regularly drops to -40C throughout the winter.

Now I realize that the oil will be the first thing to be changed. A block heater is a definite must. And the Batteries will need a good checking (do both need to be kept or is just one ok?)

-What about Glow Plugs... do they need to be more efficient ones put in for better starts?
-I'd like to possibly/eventually put in an intercooler, will it need to be removed during the winter? or does it matter at all?
-Are there all-in-one Remote door/alarm/start systems available that will work on the Hilux (1991) with a turbo timer?
-What about the High-Idle... Can it be set before or after shutdown (the night before) so that it will start and idle high the next morning (when you hit the remote start to avoid having to run outside)? or will that mess with the start settings?

So yeah, those are the first few questions I have for now. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Surfin' Canada]

Hey there,
I have a '90 SSR-LTD and let me just get it out there,
IT HATES THE COLD!!!! I didn't winterize it before it got cold because I had planned on selling it or parking it in the garage in the winter to save a bit of money. (I'm a poor college student ) It does have 2 batteries but even when it was only 5 or 10 below it would take several trys to start it and then for about 30 seconds it ran like SHAT! Some solutions however for you who still want to drive yours all winter would be to put in some thinner oil, install a block heater and possibly invest in one of these nifty oil heaters I've been told about. Apparently you can get magnetized ones that you just stick on the bottom of the oil pan!
You should also look into some fuel line conditioner/antifreeze, (I'm assuming such a product exists for diesel aswel as gasoline).

Goodluck and dont get frostbite in this stupid weather!!!! (-30/-40 for the past several days in Calgary)

[DesmoDoe]

Pulling up a really old thread..

I was wondering if any of you guys know about the 3.0L Diesel engine and it's cold weather capabilities. Since it has become legal now and I want something good for the highways I was looking for something a little ballsier than the 2.0L diesel. I'm in Edmonton so we get our -40 degree week every year...

[MattF]

Best places to check would be yotatech, ih8mud and toyotadiesel. There are quite a few out your ways who will be able to give you advice from their actual experience. If I remember correctly, they seem to cope with it well enough. Can't remember seeing anyone say they had any real issues with the Toyota engines in those temps.