Advice on the Surf Needed!!

[Drizzt66]

Hi All
Could do with some advice on the surf ??
After trawling through info on different 4x4's I have taken a shine to the surf I'm looking for a allround vehicle for work (ceramic tiler) rest (family) and play (rough shooting)
Instead of searching through all the technical jargon I thought I'd go straight to the the people in the know ?

Work
As a tiler I have my basic tools to carry along with tiles(every now and then) and adhesives most of which are powder based (have concerns about lack of torneau cover and open cargo space)
Rest
General running around with the family and also a 500 mile round trip (mainly motorway) to collect my son once a month (mpg)
Play
Rough shooting no major off roading but some pretty muddy woodland tracks,fields etc

Any advice will be gratefully recieved

Thanks

[slobodan]

Load covers are available. most rear windows are tinted as well, The Surf will go anywhere other 4x4's will go (with the appropriate tyres)
MPG, expect about 20 around town, 26 on a run, 28 driving like a girl.

All IMO of course. (and I'm talking about the 3.0 derv motor)

[MWS]

What John just said, but also, you might want to consider the fact that when you're loading the rear, the 2nd gens rear window must be lowered, and that the tailgate swings down like a pickup.The 3rd gen tailgate hinges upwards out of the way.Hope this helps....Cheers....Mick.

[tomtrux]

I love my surf! Its a 2.4 manual. I use mine for work as a hedger and gardner, I prefer the rear tailgate but have removed the spare wheel so would suggest getting an underslung spare!!! I've had the back loaded to the hilt with granite a few times and it pulls away like it was empty. Only advice is your long round trip... I always drive steady, the surf isn't a go fast vehicle a 3rd gen might be more of a motorway vehicle. If you test drive any just listen to the engine, they just don't sound happy over 65mph but if your not a fast driver you'll love it!!

[Hazzo]

Mine sounds sweet as, at any speed, 2nd gen 3 litre, on a long run I sit at 55-60 and get around 30mpg, it bores the t!ts off me trundling along but saves a bit o dough, its nippy enough if you boot it but needs a big wallet if you drive faster than 65, around town I ignore it, low 20's at best. H

[TOYOTATONY]

Hi All
Could do with some advice on the surf ??
After trawling through info on different 4x4's I have taken a shine to the surf I'm looking for a allround vehicle for work (ceramic tiler) rest (family) and play (rough shooting)
Instead of searching through all the technical jargon I thought I'd go straight to the the people in the know ?

Work
As a tiler I have my basic tools to carry along with tiles(every now and then) and adhesives most of which are powder based (have concerns about lack of torneau cover and open cargo space)
Rest
General running around with the family and also a 500 mile round trip (mainly motorway) to collect my son once a month (mpg)
Play
Rough shooting no major off roading but some pretty muddy woodland tracks,fields etc

Any advice will be gratefully recieved

Thanks

The weight of the tiles would be my main concern. The rear shocks need to be in tip-top shape. Weak shocks is asking for trouble.
The gurus on here can give you more details of weight that can be safely loaded in the back, as I'm still learning about the Surf myself.
Regards
Tony

[surfenstein]

I would change that last comment to rear springs,not shocks.The surf is known to run a saggy arse,but uprated springs are the safest,cheapest and best way to sort that out.

[Hazzo]

I've had no problems carrying quite heavy loads, in fact, if it can get in there the truck seems better weighted down slightly, the back of mine is always quite loaded all the time with tools,(large toolcase) trolley jack, oils, tins of stuff n distilled water, pretty much everything I need to make a roadside repair if needed. So I wouldn't be worrying till it was at the 1/2 ton mark as far as lugging gear is concerned. H

[tintin]

Before i got this truck (which has heavy duty springs) i put 15 packs of heavy duty laminate flooring and loads of tools in my 2.4 and went off to work in london, she sat slightly lower than normal but drivewise I didn't even notice the weight!

Alan

[lawsy]

i'm in the tile business too

dont fix them any more tho

only just squeezed a rubi tx70 in the boot without the seats being folded down

as tiles are getting bigger we've got a loan tx1200 and no hope in back, so would be on show - guess it depends on how many tools you have tho

weight wise i've had a few bags of sticky in the back and it didnt notice it at all, but if i was still fixing on a permanent basis-not sure it'd cope as good as a van

as a general all rounder tho, they are brilliant...

[davec170]

They will carry a good weight in the back. If you push the boundaries of what's sensible it'll look like this:



But that was a bit extreme.

I only went a short distance and was careful on roundabouts, etc.

Still pulled like a train and the brakes were fine. Headlamp aim would have been an issue at night. The load was about the same as what the Surf weighs though...

[tomtrux]

I got a better overloaded pic than that. Will have to try load it up somehow!!!

[tomtrux]

This is when I filled the back up (seats down) with rubbel. I only drove half a mile to the tip there the supervisor burst out laughing and informed me or a quater ton loed limit per vehicle lol. But the nice chap let me tip anyway!!! Think I might get some of those 2" lift springs for the rear soon. I have read good things on here about them and good for £60

http://m1104.photobucket.com/albumvi...f5l0E%2F3yw%3D

[tomtrux]

They will carry a good weight in the back. If you push the boundaries of what's sensible it'll look like this:



But that was a bit extreme.

I only went a short distance and was careful on roundabouts, etc.

Still pulled like a train and the brakes were fine. Headlamp aim would have been an issue at night. The load was about the same as what the Surf weighs though...

What's that black thing on the roof??

[JUDWAK]

welcome dude