Toyato Hilux Surf
Submitted: Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 16:34
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10649
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Sean O
Looking at buying a mid size 4wd to use as a city vehicle during the week, but also to use as an off roader on the weekends and plan a big off road trip for a couple of months next year. Am restricted slightly by cash and want somewthing pretty reliable and economical for a 4wd for both on and off road use. How suitable is the Hilux surf for serious off road use, ie tackling
simpson desert, the kimberleys etc.
other options at this stage are holden jackaroo and landrover discovery
Any ideas please let me know,
Cheers,
Sean
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 16:40
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 16:40
Theres several threads in the past on this, try the archives..
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47332
Reply By: guy (sydney) - Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 17:18
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 17:18
Just dont use it to steel shopping trollies!!!!!!
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47336
Reply By: Member - Frank - Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 18:08
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 18:08
I belive that we all think the vechical we have is the best
My surf 3.0 turbo desol was purchased for the exact same reason that you state because it is a true station wagon and has everything standard, and I knew its history
but it is no better or worse than any other vechical, it is the driver and his knowledge that get you from a to b, my previous vechical was a toyota x trak
and it even went over the lunctime track at arkaruler alone when other 4 wheel drives were having trouble
look and listen to the boys online here search the treads using key words they are very helpful
I do belive that the 2. series before
mine were under powered in the heavy slogs
but as I never had one this is heresayCBS
Cant Bl**dy Sitstill
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 21:59
Thursday, Feb 19, 2004 at 21:59
Arent all Surfs Imports??
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Follow Up By: jeff-wa - Friday, Feb 20, 2004 at 20:27
Friday, Feb 20, 2004 at 20:27
Yes they are all imports, however I have a 1995 3.0l TD and have found getting work and finding parts for it no problem at all, in fact easier than some of my other 4bies in some cases. Insurance was no more (through SGIO in WA) and information on the internet about these vehicles is absolutally amazing, if I ever want to work on it or ad anything to it I do a quick search on google and have photo's and instructions in seconds! Forums are a plenty as
well.
Nice to drive, they go excellent off road and have no more issues than any other car on the road.
Just make sure it has been
well looked after (regular oil changes etc) and most importantly
check the condition of the cooling system, being an alloy head if they have not run correct coolant in them they can be prone to head problems. (just like an other alloy head motor, eg Nissan 3.0/Holden VL and falcon 4.0)
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Feb 20, 2004 at 21:56
Friday, Feb 20, 2004 at 21:56
If its an import, you can bet your yearly wages that the history is fabricated, and the klms not original!
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Follow Up By: jeff-wa - Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 11:52
Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 11:52
And what fact is this based on Truckster? I had my engine compression tested when I bought it @ 76k and looked like a brand newy. You don't even have a history with most imports, the only history is if it has been owned in Oz by someone or if you import it yourself (which you cannot do anymore).
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 22:54
Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 22:54
My facts are based on I USED TO IMPORT BIKES in a Business...
There are NO laws regarding winding back the speedo on Imports, as long as its done O/S or at sea for one...
Logbooks are regularly MADEUP for another, and lots are made up from more than 1 car...
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Follow Up By: jeff-wa - Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 at 12:37
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2004 at 12:37
I have a Jap import bike also and find it excellent, however my guess would be that it has been wound back (not that I care much, the bike is just a bit of fun) alot easier to wind back a bike odo than a Surf I can tell you right now, been behind the Surf dash many a time.
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Reply By: Emo - Saturday, Feb 21, 2004 at 03:57
Saturday, Feb 21, 2004 at 03:57
Jackaroo is a good option. I had one a few years ago and it was a good truck.
Have you looked at a Jeep Cherokee?
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47495
Follow Up By: jeff-wa - Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 19:34
Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 19:34
I acutally looked at the Jackeroo 3.0TD when buying my surf in fact but the surf was just better value for money (IMHO) and I was worried about some the starting probs and injector probs I had heard about with the Jacks. But I'm sure they are a fantastic bus, always liked the look of them!
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Reply By: Jeff (Beddo) - Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 21:25
Monday, Feb 23, 2004 at 21:25
I'm happy with my Surf - it is the newer shape though. The 3L motor is a good motor. I had a 95 model also and it was great, just before laws changed on imports I imported my present 97 model. I just did
Cape York and the
Kimberley and no problems - actually met up with some people who had a Patrol and another with a Rodeo - bothe turned round on the
Mitchell Falls Rd in the
Kimberley - the Surf was excellent though I did blow one rear shocker (it was after market).Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW
AnswerID:
47788