Should you avoid 2.4 Surfs like the plague?

[Animal Mother]

Every time I talk to people about getting a surf they always go on about the 2.4s being inherently unreliable. Is this the case?

Will every cylinder head on a 2.4 go pop?

Power, usability wise, economy, etc how do they compare to the 3.0?

[gwh200]

Power...quite a noticeable amount less than a free leeter.
Everything else is similair. I had a 2.4...best surf I've owned.

[greeley]

Every time I talk to people about getting a surf they always go on about the 2.4s being inherently unreliable. Is this the case?

Will every cylinder head on a 2.4 go pop?

Power, usability wise, economy, etc how do they compare to the 3.0?

ive had 2 2.4s before and never had a problem with either,have a 3.0 now and the 2.4s where worse on fuel,not as quick/powerful.personally id say search for a 3.0 but if you find a nice looked after 2.4 go for it.both are great in my opinion as long as cared for properly

[wishbone]

I've got one of each and would never buy another 2.4. The power difference is very noticable. 3.0 heads seem to have started going these days too so whichever you buy be aware that it's an old engine with lots of mileage and may need a new head at some point.(unless it's been replaced already with a decent one)

[TonyN]

2.4's are fantastic value for money, if they've had the head done there shouldn't be to many worrys. Engine apart, they are mechanically identical to a 3.0. The engine is the same as any pickup, just with a little more stuff bolted on, and nobody says they are unreliable.

The problem is the engine bay is crowded and its hard to reach stuff, and garages are lazy so they get a bad press and things are badly repaired or ignored. Nothing more.

Don't forget these are 89-93 trucks, and often have 150k plus miles on them, things wear out, any 20 year old vehicle will need work, most more then Toyotas.

I wouldn't buy one for just for towing, purey cos of lack of power, but for an offroad toy or general use they are fine.

[stormforce]

I had a 2.4 for 2 years and i never had a bit of trouble with it.It is still going on strong now.The only reason i sold it was because i needed something better for towing or i would still of had it now.Yea its a little under powered but thats it.Similar mpg to the 2d gen 3.0 i had and no different really in running cost.I only got a 3rd gen now because my old 3.0 blew up due to being abused on and off road and for being used as it was designed to, a work horse.
We had this discussion on here before a while back

[Animal Mother]

If there are two surfs. Both same year, age, mileage, condition and spec. One is a 2.4 and one is a 3.0. Is the 2.4 worth less?

[TonyN]

Is this a trick question?

[BUSHWHACKER]

If there are two surfs. Both same year, age, mileage, condition and spec. One is a 2.4 and one is a 3.0. Is the 2.4 worth less?

Yes.

If it has a new (genuine, not e-bay crap) head fitted, I'll be worth the same as an untouched 3.0

[stormforce]

the only time you will get a 2.4 and 3.0 of the same year is 1994 when the last of the 2.4's were sold.The 2.4's will just about always be worth less than a 3.0.
I don't think there are many 1994 2.4's anyway so you would be hard pushed to get one i should think

[Maverick]

Personally, with my experiance of driving my 2.4 and my sisters 3.0.

I wouldn't touch the 2.4

The differance is very noticable.

[Animal Mother]

the only time you will get a 2.4 and 3.0 of the same year is 1994 when the last of the 2.4's were sold.The 2.4's will just about always be worth less than a 3.0.
I don't think there are many 1994 2.4's anyway so you would be hard pushed to get one i should think

The 2.4 I'll be looking at is a 93.

The 3.0 is 94. That's still my preference.

[BUSHWHACKER]

I would have another 2.4 no problem, drove mine about for four years with no problems, sold the engine (96,000kms)to a forum member up in Edinburgh when I fitted the V8, and as far as I know, the 2.4 is still trundling around somewhere.


p.s. I replaced the 2.4 engine with a V8 for the grin factor, don't have enough room for three Surfs, string to my bow, because I wanted to etc. The doubled power output and sound is the best part though, but I don't drive it any differently now than I did when it only had 95bhp.


If you need/have to/prefer to drive everywhere like your arse is on fire, then a 2.4 is not for you.
In fact any two ton 4X4 isn't the right vehicle for you, buy a GTi instead.

[Animal Mother]

If you need/have to/prefer to drive everywhere like your arse is on fire, then a 2.4 is not for you.
In fact any two ton 4X4 isn't the right vehicle for you, buy a GTi instead.

What GTi would you recommend?

[JUDWAK]

What GTi would you recommend?

a great tited idiot there not that rare in yorkshire