Questions for buying a surf

[adpsimpson]

We're planning an overland trip through Africa and we've settled on a Surf as the vehicle. Had another thread here about alternative vehicles but for what you get for the price, the surf seems the best.

The 2nd gen seems the right one. So from that point of view... I'd thought it was made with the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 litre diesel engines, but haven't seen a single 2.8 for sale. Are there any around? Also I've only seen one manual transmission 3.0, just listed on ebay - here

In the thread about overland vehicles someone said most people prefer the auto box. Is there much difference in fuel economy between that and the manual? The vast majority of driving will be on good/bad roads, mostly in 2WD, with short sections of very bad/offroad conditions more like green laning that genuine off roading. Would the manual suit this better?

With the mileage we'll cover the fuel economy is a big issue - what's the difference in mileage between the 2.4 and 3.0?

Too many questions! Our real problem is we live in Northern Ireland so can't just nip down the road to see/test a few - we'll have to be pretty sure we want to buy a truck before we make the trip to see it. TOC and Hazzo's trucks in the for sale section here look lovely, if a 3.0 auto is what we want, as does the one on ebay above.

[BioHazard]

We're planning an overland trip through Africa and we've settled on a Surf as the vehicle. Had another thread here about alternative vehicles but for what you get for the price, the surf seems the best.

The 2nd gen seems the right one. So from that point of view... I'd thought it was made with the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 litre diesel engines, but haven't seen a single 2.8 for sale. Are there any around? Also I've only seen one manual transmission 3.0, just listed on ebay - here

In the thread about overland vehicles someone said most people prefer the auto box. Is there much difference in fuel economy between that and the manual? The vast majority of driving will be on good/bad roads, mostly in 2WD, with short sections of very bad/offroad conditions more like green laning that genuine off roading. Would the manual suit this better?
A auto is better off road but uses more fuel
With the mileage we'll cover the fuel economy is a big issue - what's the difference in mileage between the 2.4 and 3.0?
3.0 have better mpg than 2.4's

Too many questions! Our real problem is we live in Northern Ireland so can't just nip down the road to see/test a few - we'll have to be pretty sure we want to buy a truck before we make the trip to see it. TOC and Hazzo's trucks in the for sale section here look lovely, if a 3.0 auto is what we want, as does the one on ebay above.

Some things to look for........ http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/faq.htm

a 2.8 non turbo would be the most economical but they are hard to find

[adpsimpson]

3.0 have better mpg than 2.4's

Really? I'd assumed the other way round... Is there any advantage to the 2.4 at all then?

[darkdezigns]

Really? I'd assumed the other way round... Is there any advantage to the 2.4 at all then?

only the cheaper purchase price,but with that comes the worry over the head going etc

[gwh200]

as a 2.4 owner...................no advantage at all really.mine is fine,but i would have a 3.0 litre anytime

[adpsimpson]

Guess the 2.4 can be scored off the list then

Anyone here got a 2.8? How does it compare to the 3.0 to drive? If it's non-turbo, does it have a lot less power?

[darkdezigns]

Guess the 2.4 can be scored off the list then

Anyone here got a 2.8? How does it compare to the 3.0 to drive? If it's non-turbo, does it have a lot less power?

yr best off just goin for a 3.0 matey,u will struggle to find a 2.8,just buy one thats looked after

[RodLeach]

3.0ltr.

End of really. Theres loads of for an against arguements.

I've got a 2.4 an i wouldn't bother selling it to get a 3.0ltr but if i could've got a 3.0ltr as cheap as i got my 2.4 then i'd have got one.

Heads going pop is happening more often on 3.0ltrs now so make sure whatever you get it gets a real good service before the trip!

[Surfer Ross]

Guess the 2.4 can be scored off the list then

Anyone here got a 2.8? How does it compare to the 3.0 to drive? If it's non-turbo, does it have a lot less power?

Well, due to a back injury sustained on operations last year, I've been told by my doc to get rid of my Surf as its killing my back getting in and out all the time. Details here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/846827.htm

Pics here: http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...t=51632&page=2

Will add pics to the PH ad later today. One word of advice whatever you decide is to steer clear of ebay if at all possible. Plenty of people on there who have no idea what they're selling. I always look either on a forum or on Pistonheads when buying a car, they're likely to be MUCH better cared for.

[Diezel Weazel]

It's pretty much all been said on here somewhere n' ya at least can get some history of the Vehicle if purchased off the Forum !!!!
Good Luck with ya search mate .... Oh n' a 3.0l Auto will be fine !!!!!

There's always a Payback .... Just don't expect a Warning !!!!

[gwh200]

not sure why in your ad you call it"not one of the notoriously unreliable 2.4's".......seems a bit untrue to me.

[adpsimpson]

Ross, thanks for the heads up. Looks like another lovely rig - you must be gutted to be getting rid of it so soon. Yours and Hazzo's are both in North Yorkshire, so I might make space for a trip soon to see them.

Definitely agree about ebay - it's where I sold my Peugeot 106 after all But it certainly has a lot on offer if you don't mind doing more leg work. That 3.0 manual transmission one linked above still has me interested - waiting to hear back if it has air con (essential for where we're going, but it's not listed there).

[BioHazard]

Surfs have aircon as standard unless it has been removed , when offroading the rads clog with mud and with the earlier ones the aircon rad was infront of the rad causing airflow problems , Any without aircon have probably been offroaded and may have been abused

[adpsimpson]

Surfs have aircon as standard unless it has been removed , when offroading the rads clog with mud and with the earlier ones the aircon rad was infront of the rad causing airflow problems , Any without aircon have probably been offroaded and may have been abused

Ah, good to know - thanks!! Is the same true of the UK spec ones?

What do you guys think of this one? Also the tachometer reads 146k, he's listed it as that, but if it's a jap import will that always actually be in km? 146k miles is on the high side. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=250353877595

[BioHazard]

Uk spec ones are 4Runners , and do not have as many toys / extras

Japan uses Kms so if it's a jap import the clock will read in kms , the dials are usually changed to read mph (and there is a device that bolts onto the gearbox that will convert kms into miles , Some have this fitted but they are not common, they tend to screw the info up though as the clock has both miles and km so you have to keep records)