2.4 vs 3.0

[smallzoo]

I have been looking mainly at the 3.0 surf.. whats the general opinion on reliability, maintenance etc of the 2.4 against the 3.0.. I know I am speaking to converted but just interested as to whether I should widen my search to include the 2.4 ?

(nb: I will be doing around 5k miles or less a year and majority on-road rather than off-road )

[BUSHWHACKER]

Maintenance costs will be the same providing they have been looked after previously. Both engines can suffer from cracked cylinder heads, so if the truck you eventually buy is still on it's original one, put some money aside to replace it later.

[smallzoo]

Surf

Thanks for that..

Every time I look again at a Surf I hear those nasty words 'cracked cyclinder heads'..

I know this sounds stupid but I cant seem to fill myself with confidence at buying a surf for their reliability when I keep on hearing ( not just from yourself ) that I should be prepared to spend quite a lot of money to repair the head at some stage..

Am I worrying too much ??

[Sancho]

Thanks for that..

Every time I look again at a Surf I hear those nasty words 'cracked cyclinder heads'..

I know this sounds stupid but I cant seem to fill myself with confidence at buying a surf for their reliability when I keep on hearing ( not just from yourself ) that I should be prepared to spend quite a lot of money to repair the head at some stage..

Am I worrying too much ??

If you buy any car that's fifteen to twenty years old, expect a big bill pretty soon.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Thanks for that..

Every time I look again at a Surf I hear those nasty words 'cracked cyclinder heads'..

I know this sounds stupid but I cant seem to fill myself with confidence at buying a surf for their reliability when I keep on hearing ( not just from yourself ) that I should be prepared to spend quite a lot of money to repair the head at some stage..

Am I worrying too much ??

If the truck you buy has had a quality replacement 'head fitted, then there's no reason why it shouldn't last for another twenty years. The cracking problem is mainly due to poor coolant passage design in the castings.

[smallzoo]

Surf

How much roughly would a replacement head cost to fit ..and is the replacement head a different one to the original

[BUSHWHACKER]

How much roughly would a replacement head cost to fit ..and is the replacement head a different one to the original

Around £1000. Less if you DIY.
Yes, the new 'head is a different (internally) design.

[Wolfracer]

We've said this before, budget or put some away each week, with the view that the head WILL crack. Some don't, and won't. Some do. Mine did.
If it doesn't you're quids in. If it does then you're covered. Simples.

[Pete The Tart]

I have been looking mainly at the 3.0 surf.. whats the general opinion on reliability, maintenance etc of the 2.4 against the 3.0.. I know I am speaking to converted but just interested as to whether I should widen my search to include the 2.4 ?

(nb: I will be doing around 5k miles or less a year and majority on-road rather than off-road )

I've had a 2.4 and A 3.0, BOTH GREAT TRUCKS, I found the 3 more economical to run than the 2.4 (and my 2.4 had full engine recon inc turbo and pump) it also handled heavier loads better (towing up long hills in a 2.4 is a lesson in patience) My own preference would be a 3.0...but then maybe thats cos my last one was a fully optioned SSR-G!! And regards the head, my experience is that if it's done over 200km's and still going, it's probably (and I emphasise PROBABLY) had a the upgraded head fitted, there are a LOT os Surf's here, probably as common as Orion's were in the UK and if they still going, they got the head.

[Esilvester]

We've said this before, budget or put some away each week, with the view that the head WILL crack. Some don't, and won't. Some do. Mine did.
If it doesn't you're quids in. If it does then you're covered. Simples.

Wolfracer gave this advice to me when I asked the same last year.

I did.... and it did.

Fixed it myself, which astounds me - and got warm glow of self satisfaction thrown in for free.

[TonyN]

The 3.0 is far easier to work on, is far more powerful and vaguly more economical, and the head problems are far less of an issue than a 2.4.

The only reason I would buy a 2.4 now is if it was stupidly cheap.

They are miles apart to drive on a daily basis.