michael Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Im looking at buying a hilux surf with a 3l petrol in it (3vz) I was just wondering if these engine are very good, reliable etc. I remember someone telling me ages ago that one of the engines the surf came out with were shit and to stay away from them. Just cabt remember which one it was. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighLUX Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 It will use all the petrols then the engine will cook/BHG Avoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 Cool cheers! Will dooo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 Im looking around at a few surfs etc, is there any other engines I should stay away from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Basically, the turbo Diesel engine for that model is rather rubbish too. I'd got for the v6 myself..... But they are a little problematic. If you're looking for a 4wd of 85-95 Vintage I'd go a Terrano/Pathfinder. Especially petrol. In fact, for the age I'd go any of the major brands, petrol all the way, old petrols are way less headaches." Than old diesels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willdat? Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 There's a sweet surf on Tm for $6.5k Ono that's been converted to 1kz running gear. Definitely appeals to me, new radiator etc so cooling system should be up to scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 Is that the 2.4 styles? Cheer for the info guys. Yeah I seen that one willdat. It does look good but im trying to look for something around 4k if I can. Dont expect to find a minter if course, just dont want something thats gonna cock out on me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Yeah, the 2.4, "2L-T" engine. A mate has a Hilux with the non turbo version, the 2L, and all I've heard about them in terms of reliability is good, but they take a week to get to 100kmh, and can't get over even a small hill at more than 60! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 Aw yeah i guess I dont really want that then haha. If anyone spots anything good let me know! Would also look at a ute around that price range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatestben Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Very slow engine lugging around a hilux, not so bad in my cressida. (2L we are talking here)2l has been ok to me. Only problems I had were caused by lack of servicing rather than design flaws. Mines been great since I've been looking after it. Regular oil changes, filter changes with good quality filters, use moreys fuel additive etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threeonthetree Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Isuzu Bighorn would be my pick. Can be had in 4JG2 (3.1) turbo diesel, manual guise for about $4,000. I've helped to rebuild several of these engines and they only really cause issues when abused AND not looked after. Plenty of space (seven seats depending on model), decent power and a great tow vehicle for the price. I'd stay the hell away from an equivalent Surf. But that's just my opinion and experience. As has been said, the 2L and even 2L-T are barely adequate to propel the vehicle along at a decent clip. Or tow anything worth mentioning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegreatestben Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Agree with that man^ Very much a toyota man myself but found myself looking at Bighorns very seriously after realizing how shit the average hilux for the same money is. Recently saw a high spec 5 seater bighorn 1 owner in nz with 240km go for $2750. That was a deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yetchh Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 1kz all the way, came out in the kzn165 and kzn185 surfs, the d4d is just the common rail version.. they do suffer from bhgs in the surfs but mainly because people don't look after them, its all to do with the cooling setup, get that right and they'll do 500k easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 1KZ are sweet, 2Ls and 3Ls are shit without a turbo but slap one on and they perform far better when you crank up the boosts and fuels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuel Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I had a VZN130 Surf once that went OK. It wasn't a powerhouse with only 110kW/150hp but it sounded nice. Fuel consumption was around 15-20L/100km around town. I picked it up not long after the previous owner had spent $2k+ on reconditioning the heads and replacing gaskets only to find the automatic trans gave up the ghost. Turns out it was a blocked filter (cheers Camel!) and a $30 filter kit + $50 of fluid later it was back up and running well. I think I sold it for about $3300 about this time three years ago and that seemed to be the going price for them. I would look at the mid-late 90s model if going V6 as it comes with the much much better 3.4 5VZ-FE quad cam engine which seems to be far more reliable and more powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranter Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 If you find the V6's that have been in the country long enough or are NZ new Toyota replaced the blocks under warranty, head gaskets weren't really the problem the block would corrode and need to be decked. With regard to the Isuzus they are way more spendy to rebuild than the rest, crome lined bore means re- sleeving so they were about 2 grand dearer than Toyota's and Mitsis. The 3.0L overhead cam Isuzu diesels you should avoid, they are cheap but also completely shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R100 Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Seeing as i wreck 4x4's for a living ill share a bit of my knowledge. Isuzu bighorns. Good value for what you get. Although the diesels suffer from blown head gaskets and front pulley keyway stripping out (very common fault) other than that there's zillions of them around and they are built tough Nissan Terranos (d21 shape) Diesels are good if you find a good one, getting old now but generally the engines are pretty bullet proof. Manual gearboxes often break. Suffer from rust. The V6 ones go well. More reliable than the diesels. Drink lots of fuel though, not as much fuel as a V6 Surf though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 ^That or get one thats had a 1uz put into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillman1 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 The mrs sister has got one for sale ATM newer model ssr surf with lift kit and big tyres ect ect she's asking around 4.5k ill get more details if you are keen on it mate its pretty tidy in the body work side of things apart from paint fad but pretty fair to say it hasn't had any serious offroading before flick me a text if intrested 0221245460 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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