Hilux Surf, need info please.

Abitibi · 10-28-09, 12:52 AM

Hi all,
My wife wants to trade her Delica for something smaller (or not as tall...) but I want to make sure it's a good candidate for a veggie conversion so diesel is a must.
I first thought of the Pajero but seems like the Surf is somewhat smaller and that would win bonus points for her. Problem is I don't know anything about those Surf.
So, are they reliable vehicle that would do well with a wvo conversion? Is there years or models to look for or avoid? Aside from the wvo it would remain fairly stock.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
David

roscoFJ73 · 10-28-09, 03:44 AM

The Surf with the old 2LT engine should be avoided,it has a long history of head problems.
The newer ones had the 1KZ T which is much better.

In that group you should also consider the KZJ7* Prado,which also has the 1KZ T.

I doubt they are smaller than the Pajero,I would say the Pajero is smaller by a smidgen .

As for the WVO Im not too sure how the rotary fuel pumps like it.
The Pajero and Toyota have a similar fuel pump

canucksafari · 10-28-09, 08:56 AM

I have yet to see one with a 1KZT. The rest are steaming or will soon be steaming.

Why not consider a BJ73/74? They are more money but you get a much stronger vehicle with a solid little engine. I would mention the Safari, but the LWB is a tank to move around in city parking lots. It likely has a much poorer turning radius than the Delica. The SWB might be okay, but it depends on how many people she plans to carry and how much cargo capacity she wants. I guess the same goes for the BJ73/74.

Abitibi · 10-28-09, 11:52 AM

It would be her city vehicle with 2 kids and gears. She'd be happy with something the size of a Rav4 but haven't seen much in the diesel or Japan market. She doesn't need a tank, just a reliable vehicle and I want to make sure it's a diesel for the wvo conversion... 3L Prado, didn't think about that one, maybe?

The Safari or HZJ7 serie I'd keep for me...

So the 3L would be reliable? And parts around Vancouver BC shouldn't be a problem neither?

Thanks,
david

canucksafari · 10-28-09, 02:25 PM

I think I heard of problems also with the 3L heads on Outerlimits. I've never really considered the Prado. For a city wagon that will likely never be wheeled off road, why not just get her a Pajero. Apparently they get better fuel economy than the Delicas and that engine has been converted to WVO fairly often.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abitibi

It would be her city vehicle with 2 kids and gears. She'd be happy with something the size of a Rav4 but haven't seen much in the diesel or Japan market. She doesn't need a tank, just a reliable vehicle and I want to make sure it's a diesel for the wvo conversion... 3L Prado, didn't think about that one, maybe?

The Safari or HZJ7 serie I'd keep for me...

So the 3L would be reliable? And parts around Vancouver BC shouldn't be a problem neither?

Thanks,
david

roscoFJ73 · 10-28-09, 04:20 PM

They only have problems with the 3L when they fit aftermarket turbos,bit slow without them though.

For me,it would be something with a 1KZ T or the Pajero. I dont think many women would like driving a 7* leaf sprung vehicle all day.

Tapage · 10-28-09, 05:40 PM

The 3L engine for us it's a battlehorse slow but reliable as a hell ..

roscoFJ73 · 10-28-09, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tapage

The 3L engine for us it's a battlehorse slow but reliable as a hell ..

They use them a lot in the gold mines here as general purpose runabouts. They re good for 350000+klm.
This pub is right next door to a gold tailings operation, so they come here at lunchtime in the Hiluxes

Thats my 75 in the middle.

Radd Cruisers · 10-28-09, 07:06 PM

I would strongly advise you to stay away from anything with the 2LT or 2LTE engines. The 3L is generally a much better engine, and takes to a turbo quite nicely.

I am not much of a fan or the Pajeros, but the ones with the 4M40 2.8L engines are the ones to go with. The 4D56T engine uses a timing belt (same engine in the Delica/L300s) and requires more maintenance, and I'd suggest that you stay away from them. Mitsubishis in general will require quite a bit more maintenance than a Toyota of the same vintage.

The 1KZTE is yet to be proven in Canada... where we get the all the ones from Japan with poor service histories and compromised cooling systems that are certain death to engines in general. The only 1KZTE powered vehicles I have personally encountered have had the heads done.

If you want to run alternative diesel fuels, then you should really be looking at indirect injected diesels with inline injection pumps as a preference.

~John

Abitibi · 10-29-09, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radd Cruisers

If you want to run alternative diesel fuels, then you should really be looking at indirect injected diesels with inline injection pumps as a preference.

~John

Thanks John and the rest of the crew!

Which trucks would come to mind with the indirect and inline injection? I'm familiar with the 4D56T which is working fine with wvo conversion but yes, probably more maintenance than the 2.8 which I have yet to learn. Would the 1KZ T be such?

The one thing I forgot to mention is a need for 4drs so the BJ73/74 are no go.

Thanks.
David

Tapage · 10-29-09, 03:50 PM

Actually the 1KZ-T I Gen it's a good engine .. pretty fast and pretty powerfull .. the point is, down here we got a good number of those engines with head ( from factory ) problems .. and thought that's why are not really popular as a swap down here ..

motorcoach123 · 10-29-09, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucksafari

I have yet to see one with a 1KZT.

Saw a 3.0 Prado last weekend here in south Delta, maybe a 1994? not a bad looking unit...so they will be coming in.
Not sure if the original post was by a Canadian or not.

Cheers,

Gord

canucksafari · 10-29-09, 06:11 PM

Yes, he's a Lower Mainland Canuck.

NorCalBorn · 10-30-09, 08:28 PM

Since it's gaining popularity in the states, why not go with the 2nd gen Surf, but a 1KZ-TE complete swap (if you even want to venture into that)?

Get everything, ecu's, engine, electrics, emissions, and trans and it's all bolt-in. There has to be a few easily accessible wrecked Prado's to yank the drivetrain from.

Abitibi · 10-31-09, 12:43 AM

No need as I'm in Canada!

My dear wife tried a Pajero and a Surf today and she seemed to prefer the Pajero, oh well. I convinced her once to buy a truck that I preferred over her choice, not the best move. Now I realize that keeping her happy means that I get to play more on my own rig so this time the choice is hers...

Thanks again for all the info and this great site.

Cheers!

crushers · 11-04-09, 02:06 AM

i have had no issues with the Pajero, Delica, Strada units.
the 3L is still a L series and are shit engines,

the pajero is quieter, better on fuel, more powerful than the Toyota counterpart. perfect town, city, highway vehicle. off road then theya re capable as a Land Cruiser but will need more maintainence due to the independent front and i do nto like the timing belt cover design for deep muddy water crossings. i have looked into what i would do to make them less vunerable but then lost interest once i started on another project.

if you like the Delica then you will love the pajero.

Abitibi · 11-04-09, 11:59 AM

Again, Thanks for all your inputs.