1991 Toyota Hi-lux surf ssr-x from UK and Ireland - Comments

Both batteries needed replacing.

I have owned 16 cars since I began driving, and this car, the Toyota Hilux Surf has, by far, been the most versatile, and enjoyable car I have driven.

It is simply huge in the back, and with the rear seats folded, there is enough room to lie out full stretch, great for camping expeditions.

It is a very capable offroader too, and is more than a match for more serious offroaders like the Landrover Defender, I would liken its capabilties to the Discovery, but with a far better build quality and reliabilty record.

The 2.4td is about 100bhp and is just about adequate for a vehicle of this size, returning about 20-25mpg.

The auto gearbox is extremely smooth and has a standard and ECT mode (sports mode), the car runs in 2wd, but can be switched to 4wd whilst driving by a push of a button, low ratio is only used for offroading or snowy or muddy conditions, although it has an auto 'box, the gears are still versatile enough to use in slippery conditons, by selecting low ratio and 1st gear, the car will crawl down the steepest of mudbanks at a snail's-pace utilising the engine braking to full effect.

Reliability hasn't been an issue, and although the 'surf' is a grey import into the UK, there are a host of specialists who supply parts and accessories for this car, there is even an award winning website dedicated solely to the 'Hilux Surf' and can be seen at www.hiluxsurf.co.uk.

The interior is typically Japanese with lots of grey plastic and haphazard switches, however it has every conceivable extra, from aircon to elec mirrors, sunroof, windows & rear tailgate; rear heater, multi adjustable front seats, reclining rear seats.

Getting in and out takes some getting used to as the driving position is sportscar-like with legs stretched out straight, whilst sitting on a very low seat.

Insurance costs are surprisingly reasonable, and a host of well known insurers will cover grey imports 'Tesco' being one of the better known companies. I am paying less than £400 per year fully comp.

This is a 12 yr-old car and has no signs of rust on the bodywork, it is well built and has a solid feel.

There are some horror stories about the 2.4td having cooling problems leading to cylinder head damage, and neglected examples can cost you dear, somewhere in the region of £800 - £1500 for a new head.

It is better to buy a well looked after Surf that has been in the UK for a while for a bit more money, than to take a chance on a cheap 'off the boat' car with no history. It is worth noting that the 3.0l td model doesn't seem to have the cooling problems associated with neglected 2.4td's.

In summary, this is an amazing car, and has surpassed all my expectations, I would definitely recommend it to anyone, and am already saving for my next 'Hilux Surf'

Hi yes you are totally right! I've owned many 4x4s and the hilux surf has to be the top trump. I own a 1991 model no rust no dents looks brand new. I brought her two years ago coming up to its third year and passed both its m.o.ts. this year I had to buy a front light lens which was no problems to find actually off the shelf in stock. I do a lot of off roading due to the fact I'm a part time game keeper and once again I agree with you that they are superb off roaders! Having owned a land rover the surf is much better in this league! Any way I won't be changing my surf for many years to come. These are road legal tanks!!!

My husband owns a hilux surf and like yourself he loves it to bits. Now this is a man that like fast nail biting cars so yes I love it to because now I know if he hit a tree we will be safe. And as he isn't wasteful proberly be able to drag the stump home to make a garden bench. She would just keep going. Pity the UK didn't produce them.

I too own a surf. A brilliant motor, but please flush the cooling system upon purchase & each service.

I learned the hard way.

It’s the best, have had my Surf 2.4 td ssr 1991 over a 1½ years now, what a car, used it for mini cabbing for a year covering over 6000 miles every 2-3 months, always loaded and being in Camden, London need I say speed bumps galore, not a single problem in that time and everyone loved being picked up in it, had loads of airport work as there was so much space for luggage.

Only had my cooling system flushed through once last spring ready for summer, Once warm that needle never moved.

Just put new wheels and tyres on, what a difference they make, as well as each tyre being around £20.00 cheaper and a lot bigger (Enduro 31x10.5/15 AT) got them from Rough Trax www.toyotasurf.com

When the time comes to buy a new car well say no more it’s got to be a Surf 3.0 td.

I have a 2.4td SURF and it is great. It is one of the no thrills model, I didn't have the wide wheel arches for wider wheels, but it has been a great family workhorse. I have two Alsatian's that love lying in the boot with plenty of space on a long trip to see relatives. It has towed my wife's heavy horse trailer (complete with two fat horses or 30 bales of hay), off the field and up some steep hills with no problems at all. I have used for pulling trees over when they are being felled. A superb vehicle and I am about to upgrade to a newer 3.0l.

I have had mine two years and has never missed a beat, I have had a problem with the passenger side rear tyre wearing out on the outside edge. I put it down to tracking, but I'm not quite sure as it's only started happening in the last year. Any suggestions email me trisbenji@btopenworld.com.

I agree, my 1991 2 wheel drive toyota is an excellent truck by far. It has never let me down with 149,600 miles on odometer I would recommend a hilux to anyone! With a 5-speed gearbox and a tight clutch it is one of the easiest manuals I have driven to date. Though it is a light and compact truck I wouldn't trade it at all, no way! I have owned it now for 2 yrs and finally had to replace the radiator 73.00 U. S dollars. Here in America the hilux is a sought after pickup for its high end reliability. This is by far a fun little 2 wheel drive yes.

I love my surf. Got it off ebay for £1150 2.4 TD with chrome wheels. It looks like new, was imported 4 years ago, and done just 70k, just failed its MOT on 3 shockers (rather suspect the last 2 MOTs are iffy) but it's a luvley motor, 15 years old, and I think we will remain friends for a long time to come.

Superb engineering, and a joy to won and drive.

Hi I brought my surf 16 months ago imported from japan. After 2 weeks the clyinder head went no fault to the garage. They did the repair and ever since it as been a great motor. It is my first 4x4 and tow a twin wheel base caravan and had no problems at all. I would be very pleased to recomend this motor to anyone

Thanks

John J.

I've had a 3.0 diesel surf for about 6 months. Before that I've always had sports cars, and always whinged about diesels. The Surf changed all that. Its 1996 mk3, comfortable and capable on long drives, and everyone comments on it.

If you are thinking about getting one, don't wait... just do it.

I agree with everyone here I live in Australia and I take my 91 2LT SSR LMT anywhere its unstoppable I recommend the Hilux to anyone.

True Blue, I've been working on cattle stations in Oz for the last 6 months and they all have at least one hilux. They are indestructible and brilliant off road, highly recommended over any other 4x4.

Could not agree more had my hi-surf (1992) model for three years now, never any trouble, but with all the hype I did do a water flush, fitted toyota anti-freeze, and stat. temp gauge never goes past normal. on 70,000,miles now. will keep it for a few years yet, just keeps going, (just the way I like it.)

I also love my surf 1992 hi-lux ssr-x, would not start in the mornings, first thought was glow plugs, no changed them, still the same, checked filter no diesel comming through, when I primed the filter I saw a drip under filter, changed the filter now OK, there was a rust hole in the bottom of the filter causing the filter to run dry overnight, filter was only on 18months, so trouble starting check for drips of diesel first will save you a lot of time, and expence,

I bought my 2.4 Surf back in 2004, had seen a few lined up in a garage and thought they were awesome looking vehicles! I was leaving UK to travel the Continent and decided I must have one mainly for the size of the boot and the road presence as I was a woman travelling alone. My local garage got one in and I bought it immediately. I never had it checked as the guy who'd traded it in had only had it since January and told me all about it, I bought it in July. I travelled down to southern Spain in it, then caught the ferry to Italy and travelled down to Calabria and then back to England. Had a service, then the following summer travelled to Tuscany and back, plus driving it around Tuscany for 4 months. I have it serviced regularly. The fan belts went a few weeks ago, had them replaced, four new tyres, cam-belt at 40,000 miles (just to be safe). It's the most incredible vehicle I've ever owned. People are surprised when I drive up in it, especially if they're meeting me for the first time! I think they expect me to drive up in a mini! Wouldn't think twice about getting another one, but this one will hopefully last me a few more years. 12,000 miles around Europe and another 5 or so in this country, can't beat it!!

Hi there, I always wanted a surf and bought one for christmas last year, I searched every where for a baby blu as I call her. she really is the best thing that ever happened to me, I too went for the 3.0lt, as I had heard all these stories I am only 26 and female, but my insurance was only £500 a year full comp (that is including the 6 points I have) I also have a dog so there is ample space for him plus the bonus of the window coming down is great for the dog. I really would love to tart mine right up with some lights accross the roof, any one know any good sites for accessories? sam.vivian@ntlworld.com.