Help needed - tips for buying a surf?

[murphcbr6]

Hi - I currently own an old land rover, and I fancy a change.

I quite fancy a Hilux Surf - as it looks big enough to throw an inflatable mattress in the back and car-camp. - I was going to go for the automatic 2.4 turbo diesel as they seem to be the most prolific - but I'd be just as happy with a manual

I was going to start looking round this week - are there notorious points of weakness on the surf that I should be looking for, or any things that a discerning punter would check when buying second-hand?

any other info that a novice would find useful - no matter how inane or arcane?

cheers in advance!

[andrewlee31]

2.4 surfs have a head problem, needs to be replaced with a modified head. have a look at the surfs for sale section. if you can afford a 3.0 then go for it. but if budget is 2.4 then try and get on e with the modified cylnder head mate.

[stormforce]

the 2.4's do have a head problem but not all of them.i had a 2.4 for 2yrs and no probs with it,i wanted the extra bit of power that the 3l has so went for one, but there has been a few 3l's that have had the heads go aswell but for the extra bit of cash go for the 3l.As Andrew says take a look thru the 4sale section as there are a couple of good ones there and at least if you get one from a forum member you know it will be looked after.

[murphcbr6]

head problem?

why what goes wrong with the cylinder head? - is it something I can check for when I go to look at a second hand one?

[stormforce]

why what goes wrong with the cylinder head? - is it something I can check for when I go to look at a second hand one?

it was a defect on the inside to do with the waterways but the later 2.4's i believe had the newer heads on them.Even if you buy a 2.4 and the person you buy it from says its got the modified head then you want to get paperwork to prove it has the new modified head and if not walk away.
How much you got to spend on a surf?

[murphcbr6]

not much stormforce

I was hoping to pick one up for about £2500 - £2800.

also - can you recommend a good place to get one serviced in the Northwest - I live in Wigan (pie-eaters lol).

[Diezel Weazel]

2.4 surfs have a head problem, needs to be replaced with a modified head. have a look at the surfs for sale section. if you can afford a 3.0 then go for it. but if budget is 2.4 then try and get on e with the modified cylnder head mate.

Hi
Nuffing wrong wiv my head after 5 years....Luck o the draw sometimes I spoze......
Heads ain't really specific to any make or model of Motor if it overheats & is ignored..........
Depends how you use & abuse it & take care of it in between, although some 2.4's (not all)were prone to head problems due to overheating just like the Dolomite Sprint's were in the Mid 70's !!!
When looking for a truck do as ya would if were looking for any other motor, Look Thoroughly
Good luck in ya search Bud


There's always a Payback.... You just can't see it Comin !!!!

[stormforce]

I was hoping to pick one up for about £2500 - £2800.

also - can you recommend a good place to get one serviced in the Northwest - I live in Wigan (pie-eaters lol).

sorry i cant help with the servicing up that end of the country but someone will point you to a good garage.

take a look at this 3l for only a couple of hundred more than what your hoping to pay for a 2.4
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=27016

[murphcbr6]

looks good

unfortunately I won't be ready to purchase until december - its nice to know that there are good quality surfs out there tho!

to be honest the sort of driving I'm looking at - the 2.4 should be plenty, obviously if i can get a 3.0 for similar money - then why not.

[murphcbr6]

for arguments sake...

lets say I bought a 2.4 that hadn't had the head conversion - how much money amI looking at to get the modified head fitted?

[MattF]

to be honest the sort of driving I'm looking at - the 2.4 should be plenty, obviously if i can get a 3.0 for similar money - then why not.

Well put. The head problems happen on some, not all. The 3.0L bunch do
tend to ignore the fact that some of their's have gone as well. In all
honesty, there was supposedly a manufacturing fault in some heads, which
could lead to the waterways cracking, but a major contributor to the problem
seems to be a general lack of proper maintenance on the cooling system. Some have been unlucky regardless, but if you see to your cooling system
basics when you get the beast, (either 2.4 or 3.0), you will have a far easier
time of it regardless. Rad cap, thermostat and new coolant should always be
renewed when you buy a second hand vehicle. To not do so is asking for
trouble.

As for the rest of it, it's the same as buying any vehicle second hand. Check
for unusual noises whilst driving, make sure the auto box is working well from
cold and also once warmed up, make sure the electrics are generally working,
check the oil filler cap for the usuals.

When you get one, make sure you have all the oils and fluids replaced, as
well as the belts.

[MattF]

lets say I bought a 2.4 that hadn't had the head conversion - how much money amI looking at to get the modified head fitted?

TonyN or Stevo will be able to give you more exact figures, but I think making
it bulletproof costs around £1200-1300 all in. (I may be wrong).

[murphcbr6]

another question

anybody got any advice on generations - how do i know what the generation is? is it obvious to the untrained eye or are the differences quite slight?

[stormforce]

anybody got any advice on generations - how do i know what the generation is? is it obvious to the untrained eye or are the differences quite slight?

1st gen looks a bit like a pick-up 3door with removable roof over the rear seats and boot area
2nd gen has the drop down tailgate
3rd gen and i am saying nothing apart from it has a lift up tailgate

[MattF]

3rd gen and i am saying nothing apart from it has a lift up tailgate

A basic visual notion of 3rd gens. Not that I'm suggesting anything either.