1991 Toyota Hi-lux SSR LTD from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

I have purchased a second hand Toyoya Hilux Surf 3.0 Turbo Diesel Automatic Transmission on December 2002 and it has performed well on-road and off-road so far aside from weakened rear springs perhaps from the original owner in Japan.

I am from the Philippines and would like to have a spare Turbo Kit Assembly and Transmission Spares (Sensors esp.) as I want to keep this vehicle for as long as possible.

Any suggestions where I can procure these items is most welcome.

Hi there, i have an 88 model 2.4turbo diesel surf which has done 240,000kms.The vehicle was imported into New Zealand at 50,000km and I am the second owner. I have never had any problems with the heads cracking and have found it the most reliable vehicle I have owned. They do crack, but you must fit the big bore exhaust, this is vital and keep the cooling system clean. I also have a turbo timer as well and tow a trailer with a quad bike on it for my job around the South Island here so the motor is working under load a lot. I would have no hesitation in buying another one.Baza.

Hi. I an thinking of buying a hilux surf 2.4 diesel. I need to go up the pyreenes (roads covered in heaps of fresh snow) this winter. It will hit the worst snow europe can chuck down. Can anyone advise if these things are any good in the snow. Some of the roads are steep and winding. Does the back slide out (people have commened that the back slides out in rain). Does anyone have any experience thay can share. Or is there a better 4x4 out there that good in snow and ice... maybe a jeep?

Hi I own a 93 ssrg surf with 130000 km and have had the cylinder head replaced at 100000 due to the heater core leaking other than that drives very well in the oz conditions and would recomend to anyone. a little more boost would be nice.

I am thinking of purchasing a 1994 hilux surf ssr 3.0 turbo diesel with the 1kz motor ex Japan. Can anyone highlight any known faults with the engines/drive line. cheers Andy N.Z.

I have just bought a Toyota Surf as an import into the UK. It is the 3lt Turbo diesel and is in the condition of a 6 month old British car. It is in fact a 1994 and has done 69,400 miles. The chap I bought it from has a son who is a Toyota mechanic and he says you must use recommended cooling fluid to stop local boiling in the head, then you will have no head problems. The engine runs as new. I changed all belts and gave a service and the only thing I have found is the power steering pump is leaking. I believe I have to only renew the seals, but has anyone any information or details of the power-steering pump on this vehicle? Andy.

My mechanic messed up the control box of my Automatic Hilux with an engine IKZ-TE. Could anyone assist me in buying a new (read used) control box? You can contact me through tzcitizen@yahoo.com. I am based in Tanzania, East Africa.

Much appreciated.

Just got a superb Surf (ssr LIMITED) it says on the rear? Can anyone tell me what the Limited means? Is it just limited edition, top of the range or what? It's a 1990 japanese import that's superb. Thanks guys.

I bought a second hand Toyota Hilux Surf SSR Limited some five months ago, but this vehicle is smoking a lot and the Turbo light (red) comes on every time. What could be the problem?

Can anyone help please?

Kenneth Ngolo (LUANSHYA, ZAMBIA.AFRICA)...20-06-07.

The cylinder head cracks very easily in the 2.4DT Surf, often at under 100,000km. It's a systematic problem. It happened to me and two other guys I know. I was coasting on a gradual downhill and noticed that the car had overheated and lost power. The car just about did the remaining 5km or so to the Toyota dealer, who then told me the dreaded news. There was barely 90,000km on the clock.

Depending on where you are in the world, the economics of car maintenance and value of old vehicles may make it worth fixing, but I wouldn't count on it. With Japanese labour, it's a 200,000 yen repair. Most people scrap the car (i.e., give it to someone who sends it on to you guys worldwide).

It's a shame because it's a decent car in heavy snow. My missus once spun a 180 in it and hit a snowbank in the opposite lane, but that was on black ice. We get super heavy snow here in the Japanese Alps, so we know all about winter conditions.

You also get about 10km/l out of it, which is great for a big car. The only other problem I had was the back window motor rusting up. That one didn't cost much to repair.

I have a 1992 Surf 2.4 turbo. I go off road quite a bit and love to drive it, go pretty much anywhere I am game take it.

Mechanically it has been disappointing, clutch and flywheel rebuild at 150000km, cracked a head at 190000km, had to replace fuel pump seals at 200000km, front brake calipers seized at 180000km, starter contacts this week.

It eats tires at $800 a set.

It is a good strong truck, but will keep you broke!!! My next truck will be a Suzuki.