Info from owners please

[bigblue69]

Hi folks,

I'm thinking about replacing my second car with something 4x4 so I can get back into off-roading. I thought about a Discovery, but my wife wants something a bit more comfy and I remember once being very impressed watching a Land Cruiser making light work of an off road course in the Scottish Highlands.

Having never owned a Toyota, I wondered if anyone on here could please help me with a few questions: (my budget suggests I'd be looking at a 2nd gen)

1) How does a Hilux Surf compare with a Land Cruiser?
2) Does the Surf have locking diffs? Front to back or just on each axle?
3) I assume it has low ratio gears?
4) What sort of mpg could I expect from a 3.0TD? How about 2.4TD?
5) Any sort of common problems I should look for when buying? I read that some of the early 2nd gen 2.4s were prone to head or head gasket failure. Did Toyota sort this out with later engines?
6) Are Surfs relatively good on the road? Fairly quick, not too noisy on motorways, etc? I'm thinking all-terrain/semi off-road tyres, nothing too chunky.
7) Anything else you think I should consider??

Thanks very much in advance,

Andy

[gwh200]

Hi folks,

I'm thinking about replacing my second car with something 4x4 so I can get back into off-roading. I thought about a Discovery, but my wife wants something a bit more comfy and I remember once being very impressed watching a Land Cruiser making light work of an off road course in the Scottish Highlands.

Having never owned a Toyota, I wondered if anyone on here could please help me with a few questions: (my budget suggests I'd be looking at a 2nd gen)

1) How does a Hilux Surf compare with a Land Cruiser?
not sure what you mean,but the surf is comfortable,but not quite
as able as a cruiser
2) Does the Surf have locking diffs? Front to back or just on each axle?
no
3) I assume it has low ratio gears?
you assume correctly
4) What sort of mpg could I expect from a 3.0TD? How about 2.4TD?
as a 2.4 owner....forget the 2.4 and get a 3.0 litre.mpg...anywhere from
17-25.but this can vary wildly depending on many factors

5) Any sort of common problems I should look for when buying? I read that some of the early 2nd gen 2.4s were prone to head or head gasket failure. Did Toyota sort this out with later engines?
Just get a 3.0 litre
6) Are Surfs relatively good on the road? Fairly quick, not too noisy on motorways, etc? I'm thinking all-terrain/semi off-road tyres, nothing too chunky.

Your still having good thoughts
7) Anything else you think I should consider??
There are plenty out there, so dont be tempted to get the first one you see.

Thanks very much in advance,

Andy

just go over with a fine tooth comb ...and enjoy

[POPEYE]

As Gra said!!
i have a 2,4 had no probs at all except silghtly under powered, early 2nd gens had a design "flaw" in the cylinder head ie- a waterway too close to the combustion chamber and this shows up when theres a lack of maintainance to the cooling system, other than that it's a good veh, i'd prefer a 3lt tho just for the extra power, and prefer even more a cruiser which is the ultimate 4x4 in my book, bigger version of the surf and much bigger engine 4.2 td,

2nd gen surfs dont have locking diffs, and must not be used in 4 wheel drive in hard surfaces, as this will lock up the front and ultimatly bugger the transfer box, (locked mine up once but no damage) 3rd gens have slip diffs on front tho and can be used in 4wd at any time, and they are all 3lt, they all have hi/low ratio gearing (low only req for rough off road terrain tho,

17 - 25 mpg like he said but you can add veg oil to soften the blow,

look for any probs as you would any car, make sure everything works and test the 4wd on some rough stuff or for a short period only on the road,
you'll be hard pushed to find a rusty jap import unlike the landrover it will last
(ask hitler)

[Apache]

Given that LCs are now down at the price Surfs were at a couple of years back, just buy an LC and have done with it if you want huuuuge offroad capability and comfort.

Ask The Lovely Boyo. I dont think he's looked back!

if you're just after something for laning and not planning on being axle deep in clay, a Surf will be fine. 3rd gen seems to be the sensible choice now with the prices plummeting.

[Albannach]

Would have been nice to introduce yourself first

If I had my time again, I'd buy an 80 series UK spec LC. Not that I don't like my Surf, just that the LC is an all-round better truck.

[The Lovely Boyo]

Given that LCs are now down at the price Surfs were at a couple of years back, just buy an LC and have done with it if you want huuuuge offroad capability and comfort.

Ask The Lovely Boyo. I dont think he's looked back!

if you're just after something for laning and not planning on being axle deep in clay, a Surf will be fine. 3rd gen seems to be the sensible choice now with the prices plummeting.

LOL - TRUE!

You say your budget will get you a 2nd Gen - what is your budget? They are going for silly money now - have a look on ebay
http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/...913Q2ec0Q2em24

You won't get an 80 series for that kind of money. But as Apache says - £4000 (Surfs a couple of years back) will get you one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-P-Toyota-...1%7C240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1997-Toyota-La...1%7C240%3A1318

Have a look at the Colorado - a 3rd gen under the skin but sometimes with a locking diff on the rear and an intercooler on the 3ltr TD engine. Some 3rd gens also had the intercooler.

[bigblue69]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Would have been nice to introduce yourself first

How rude of me!
My name's Andy, I used to dabble a bit in off-roading with a Series 3 ex-mod Landrover and a friend's '90 Defender. Then I got big into American cars. This is my current daily driver:

It's a 1969 Dodge Monaco, 5.2 V8. I bought it when I was living in Canada for a year, and brought it back to the UK with me in August 2007. It's now converted to run on LPG. My second car, which my wife mainly uses, is a '93 Nissan March (Jap import Micra). My grandad gave it to us for free when he gave up driving. Anyway, my wife's taken up cycling and she can't really fit her bike in the Nissan so she wants something a bit bigger. Well, a friend of mine has just got a LR Discovery and it's making me think about green laning again, so hence why I'm on here, asking about Surfs! I thought it might be a bit comfier and less agricultural than the Disco, and I've been so impressed with the reliability of the Nissan so I thought I'd look at some Japanese cars. I'm still not really decided yet, which is why all the questions.

2nd gen surfs dont have locking diffs, and must not be used in 4 wheel drive in hard surfaces, as this will lock up the front and ultimatly bugger the transfer box

I'm a bit confused. Just to clarify... you're saying the diffs on each axle (left to right) don't lock but there is effectively no diff between the two axles, so the front axle and back axle are linked when in 4x4?

You won't get an 80 series for that kind of money. But as Apache says - £4000 (Surfs a couple of years back) will get you one

Unfortunately you seem to have overestimated my budget! I'm looking at about £1000, maybe £1200 tops. This is only really a runaround and a bit of a toy, I've spent enough on the Dodge, and we use that for long journeys or looking posh. There are a few Surfs on fleabay for that kind of money, but I'll be lucky to find a decent Land Cruiser.

Anyway, thanks again for all your advice, I'll let you know what I end up getting.

Cheers

Andy

[The Lovely Boyo]

I DO LIKE THAT DODGE!

If you are looking for a weekend run around, you will get a Surf for that kind of money. They are much much more comfy than LR. and much more reliable. I've organised loads of weekend runs around Wales and we've never lost a truck to breakdown. A few breaks and bends but nothing totalled. Now, Salisbury Plain, that's a different matter lol.

I sold this for less than a grand 6 months ago - sus lift, body lift, intercooler blah blah

[Apache]

You should get a 3.0 2nd gen for that if you drive a hard bargain.

You probably already know that you shouldn't really need locking diffs etc for UK green lanes. However, IMO, they're no plusher than a Disco but probably more reliable.

[BioHazard]

I'd try for a 3l if you can .........you might get a good 2.4 but the head issue will be lurking (unless you can get one thats been done) the early 3l are coming up with the same faults as the 2.4's as in wheel bearings etc, Expect to replace parts if you offroad it as well .....i had my 2.4 for 5 years untill i killed it .. The plains mud has alot to answer to and so do i....

[Diezel Weazel]

Not all of us kill em Ian ... Some survive
I got the Sticker !!
"Plains Survivor"

There's always a Payback .... It'll take longer than five minutes tho !!!!