Toyota Surf - LSD?

Think hard about your surf.
They cost considerably more to insure and they are not allowed to import them as they were before so parts in the future may get more expensive or harder to get, as those importing them were also importing parts and now it will only be the dedicated parts importers getting them in.

Im a Grey Import owner but not a surf! Beware, the surf has all the same dilemas as any other second hand Turbo diesel purchase! Get it checked out well by a mechanic and for the features and the price, they are a great buy!

Dont be put off by backyard talk of the parts hard to find, they are all in Aust and you dont have to import anything if you dont want to. Plus there is a HUGE selection in the wreakers!

Insurance is no more expensive anymore and not harder to find all the big ones insure them, RAC, NRMA, AAMI but do your homework, ring around and get the facts. Then make an INFORMED DESCISION!

btw, you will notice a huge difference in performance going from such an agile little truck as the Rocky to a larger 4x4 like the surf. Nothing compares to the ability of my old Seirra but its nice to drive something with a few creature comforts and hold a conversation on the highway!

Goodluck!
Matt.

I wouldnt be to fussed if it had an LSD or not. Being a toyota LSD it will most likely be as effective as an open diff. Would be better fitting and air locker. I have a prado and after fitting the air locker it increases its offroad ability 10 fold.

If you ring ARB they should be able to tell you straight away if a air locker is available or not (would dare say it is as the surf shares alot in common with 4runner/hilux/prado).

Cheers

Jeff,

Look here - http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/other/4_axles.html
There is a clear explanation of the axles codes.
Also, there is a Surf owners forum - http://pub12.ezboard.com/btoyotasurfdownunder good source of info.

Btw, you can notice that Surf owners mostly discuss how to repair their cars while Patrol owners talk about where to go. I am a former 2.4l Surf owner. Ended up with a GU Patrol :)

Regards,
Dmitri.

Jeff-wa,

I have a 1992 2.4 litre Surf and it has a LSD.

I have just returned from a tour around the big half of the big country towing a 'van and going off road covering 16,000 kms. My vehicle gets serviced by a Toyota service company in Perth. They also have access to the full range of spares for these vehicles.

Gordon

Think twice.. my old man still cries over selling his Rocky many years ago!!..

All Surfs I've ever dealt with have LSD's (say from 92 models on for sure). If you can stretch the budget go for the 3lt model. This motor is awsome in the Surf chassis. The 3lt engine/trans/drivetrain are as in the Oz delivered Prado which makes sourcing parts a breeze (and the Gregorys workshop supplement for the Prado engine/gearbox/wiring can be used) Some larger factory dealers now stock parts for grey imports too.

If you are looking at this type of 4x4 why not a 4 runner see my ad in the trader on this site if you are in WA just an ideaBorn to drive a 4x4 , not a keyboard
Peter York 4x4

I own a 3.0 TD Surf and I am very happy. It drives well, doesn't give me trouble, and I don't have problem with finding the parts at all. Yes the insurance is a bit dearer than usual, but there's no big deal. Have a look around, compare and do your homework. Cheers.

Hi Jeff

I'm going through a similar exercise at the moment.
I have a 92 Rocky with K266 on the clock and would like to upgrade to a 4 door Rocky but they don't make one so I will have to be satisfied with 2nd best and a better ride.
Back in April I very nearly brought a Discovery - 97 model but balked at the last minute when they would only offer me $6 for a trade in , we were about to do a trip along the Gibb River Rd so I elected to stay with the vehicle I knew - and as there was only two of us in the vehicle it wasn't to bad, although 4 doors , indep suspension and a bit more space would have been good.

I have looked at imports but I'm now scared off because they have stopped bringing them in and the possibility of a parts problem (Thats an assumption on my part)

I'm still looking at a Disco, maybe the TD5 now but will probably run the Rocky for another 6 - 12 month until the finances recover - unless of course I win Lotto.

What year Rocky do you have ? We have been all over the place in ours and no real problems, touch wood, it just keeps going and going- we have an off road camper and it tows that where ever we want to go.