1991 Toyota Hi-lux Surf 2.4 turbo diesel

Summary:

A maintained Toyota will be forever reliable

Faults:

CV boots.

Rear wheel bearings.

Front brake pads.

Blocked radiator.

Injector pump.

General Comments:

Bought this Surf for its clean body and certified head replacement. Being a maintenance fitter, I picked all the little problems. EBay radiator, shocks, CV boots. Replaced a couple of water hoses, wheel bearings and the injector pump. Had the pump re-timed as it was too retarded, causing a lot of black smoke. All fluids and belts changed.

Traveled the Simpson, Adventure Highway, up to Cape York, down the east coast, extensive off-road in Vic high country, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road with lots of detours to get off road, Adelaide to Perth and back, and no oil leaks, break downs, not even a globe blown. Ripped a couple of tyres to shreds, but that's not the vehicle's fault.

The car+ all replacement parts cost less than 5 grand. Missus spits the dummy when I mention selling it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th June, 2012

23rd Mar 2016, 11:00

I have a 91 Surf TD with LP gas injection; the old girl flies.

1991 Toyota Hi-lux Surf 3.0Lt V6

Summary:

Very good

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This was a japanese import, and I had no problems with it.

It was very comfy on the road with the hard and normal suspension, and on the motorway you would think you were in a car not a 4X4.

Off road it was good with the V6 motor, but it could do with a limited slip diff.

Fuel economy was the only thing 400km out of a tank for a 5 speed, and about 360km for my friends auto.

The only other thing that may go wrong is the left hand head may crack, as the manifold from the right hand side goes into it and it gets too hot, but a set of headers will sort that out.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th February, 2007

1991 Toyota Hi-lux SSR LTD 2.4 diesel turbo

Summary:

OK if you buy one cheap

Faults:

Purchased vehicle from auction with no cylinder head, had badly cracked head between valves, replaced with reconditioned head,

1 year latter engine run hot towing trailer has now cracked second head.

Cost of new bare head exceeds $1000.00.

General Comments:

Common fault for Toyota diesel engines wish Toyota had designed better cooling systems for there diesel engines, mechanics love these engines keeping them in bussines.

I just buy these to repair they suck as a real 4x4 a Suzuki jeep will beat one every time, low power about 86 odd HP.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th July, 2002

1st Sep 2002, 17:09

Surely buying a vehicle with engine damage should ring alarm bells and most people would steer clear. My SSR LTD is brilliant with only minor repairs needed over the past 3-4 years.

I would have no hesitation in recommending a Hi-Lux Surf to any-one.

I totally disagree with the writer of this article, he was unlucky and just happened to get a rough one.

If we listened to everybody when buying a vehicle, we wouldn't buy anything.

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1991 Toyota Hi-lux DX 2.8

Faults:

Nothing so far apart from front wheel alignment going astray.

General Comments:

You ought to open this up to non UK residents & car drivers, I live in outback Australia!.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 1998

22nd Apr 2012, 10:35

I live in Australia too mate. I don't have one of these rigs, but I've been looking for a 4wd for a while, and after looking around, I reckon they're ones to get. These reviews have been really helpful, and I reckon I'll be writing my own review of one very soon.