About to take delivery of my first Surf...

[Esilvester]

Hi, I've only gone 'n' done it.

I've had enough sensible cars, exec saloons, people carriers and pseudo off-roaders. I've decided to re-visit my twenties and buy an off roader for family trips and camping adventures. I have admired the Surf from afar for years, from behind the wheel of an Astra or Focus and I have just put a deposit on one, in a moment resembling a mid-life crisis. It looks like a really good example and I hope it doesn't turn on to an endless money pit. I get the keys on Tuesday so I guess I don't have long to wait to find out....

So, anyway. Hello.

Ed Silvester, High Wycombe.

[tomtrux]

Hello mate!! Welcome... And brace yourself! There are some nutters on here haha. They're a nice bunch though always happy to give advice and have a joke!!! See stormforce for parts if you got a 2nd gen

[PM0077]

Welcome and enjoy

Paul

[Surfer Ross]

You'll love it! They get under your skin. I've had everything from a Nissan Micra to a 420bhp Impreza, Lexus LS400s and lots in between. The Surf has character and an appeal all of its own. The one I'm picking up in a couple of weeks will be my 5th.

Which model are you getting?

[Esilvester]

It's an SSRX, 1992. 2.4

I'm looking forward to getting the car, like my kids look forward to Christmas. This is going to be the only car in the family, so I hope I can keep it running ok. I counted the wheels and all four are there, which is important in 4x4 I hear.

[Surfer Ross]

They are superb trucks, you'll find lots of 2.4 related maintenance stuff both on here and at http://toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/

I'd be looking at history of a cylinder head change on a 2.4 of that age. If it hasn't been done, the chances are it'll need done soon. Change your oil and filter every 3k-5k miles, fuel and air filter every 10k and keep a close eye on the coolant level. Top up the grease in the prop shaft universal joints and suspension components every month or two and you won't go far wrong.

I change the ATF in the gearbox sump every 10k miles. It takes 20 minutes to do and although it doesn't replace all the fluid, it keeps it fresh by dilution and your gearchange will be silky smooth. The Aisin-Warner auto-box is bullet proof if you stick to this.

Roughtrax online http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/ or a local motorfactor supplying Blueprint ADL http://www.blueprint-adl.co.uk/ parts will allow you to keep the truck running sweet without it costing you the earth. Lots of people use Milners online http://www.milneroffroad.com/default.asp too but I wouldn't use them for any suspension or steering stuff due to receiving poor quality track rod ends and a steering idler arm from them in the past. Anything else and Milners are cheap as chips and generally supply good quality kit.

Welcome to Surfdom, they are superb trucks and will see you through thick and thin if correctly looked after. The 2.4 will happily run on a high ratio of Veg Oil too, so it needn't eat you out of house and home.

If you need to replace the cylinder head, one from Stevo's Engine Company is the way to go, details in this thread: http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthread.php?t=66571

[BUSHWHACKER]

Hi Ed.


p.s. Makes a refreshing change to read a newbie's posts with good spelling and punctuation.

[Diezel Weazel]

Hi n Welcome Neighbour enjoy ya stay ....
If ya can't find the answer to ya question, ask it here !!

Jess
"Cos short cuts can cost more in the long run"

[tonupteabag]

Hi Ed.


p.s. Makes a refreshing change to read a newbie's posts with good spelling and punctuation.

Bl@@dy hell, Bushy that's harsh on the newbies, We can't all be so literate

[Chris W]

Hello and welcome from another noob.

[Esilvester]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

24hours to go and it'll be in the driveway.....

ed

[MWS]

Hello Ed. Welcome. Post some pics when your new toy arrives....Cheers....Mick.

[Diezel Weazel]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

24hours to go and it'll be in the driveway.....

ed

Lets hope ya Surf turns up before the Snow does .........

Jess
"Cos short cuts can cost more in the long run"

[Esilvester]

Here it is. Getting used to the steering vagaries and the turning circle that needs most of Buckinghamshire to spin in.... otherwise... all good. Brakes a bit too spongy....

No rust (just a spot on a window frame), surprised at its pull and I like the turbo sound (I'm such a kid) . All the electrics seem to work. Its completey original, with factory sunroof.

First things first... get this cassette player out and CD player in. Not so easy I'd guess.... Looks like I'm going to need to mine this forum quite alot....!

[lawsy]

Welcome from another newbie