93 surf

ramon · Post by **ramon** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:14 pm

Hey, i have just got myself a surf as my jimny was getting to small to cart my family around and i just wanted to know things to look out for and any tips to make it keep up with my zuki off road,(i know that is a lot to ask) :wink:

JTop · Post by **JTop** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:22 pm

Hi Ramon
If its a diesel then it is well worth fitting a Big Bore exhaust as this is believed to reduce Cylinder head cracking.
If it is an Auto then fit a remote Oil Cooler, this goes for any make auto.
J Top

Post by **mike** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:54 pm

for starters if it is a 1kz diesel model then you need to do the overheating fix if you plan on towing or doing big hills in it. essentially it is getting an aftermarket transmission cooler and getting them to remove the one currently in the bottom of the radiator tank(which restricts the inlet to the engine) Ive problems towing and offroad. This is a very popular fix in oz and costs around $500 to do.

Another one. put a locker in the front. it will save your diff. These diffs are weak in the IFS surfs. they are only 7.5 inch and what happens is when you lift a wheel that wheel spins up twice as fast as the other one and when it comes back down shock loads the diff and blows it apart. with a front locker it cant do this both wheels spin at the same speed no matter what. The stress is taken from the diff to the CVs which are cheaper and alot easier to fix. Also with a locker you drive things alot slower so you are actually reducing the stress on the drive train. While your at it I recommend getting a rear one. you can get two lockers for $700 ish landed at your door from http://www.rocky-road.com

I would do these mods before a lift as you will end up breaking or cooking before needing the lift.

my 2 c
Mike

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:22 pm

Congrats on the Surf - with regular maintenance and a few mods you won't be dissapointed. I run a modded 1990 Surf (manual) on the trail and also have a 1994 (auto) as a family vehicle, both are powered by the venerable 1KZ 3litre Diesel Turbo, and I love this engine.

I concur with Mike & Stropper, ensuring excellent cooling is an absolute must for both engine and transmission longevity; a cracked head is a very expensive proposition on this engine. Diesel's are particularly vunerable to water ingress; fit that snorkel yesterday. If its an auto, get that aftermarket transmission cooler fitted ASAP. If you are going to stick with IFS offroad, again seriously consider beefing up the diff with a locker.

Unless you are absolutely certain of the vehicles service history, start with a clean slate:
- Cam belt
- Engine oil flush, and below ...
- Replace all fluids/filter (and I do mean all - t-case, power steering pump, brake reservoir, etc)
- Grease
- Inspect/replace as necessary radiator hoses.
- Radiator inspection and clean-out (don't wait until it starts to run a little warm before you do this; the damage from overheating may not manifest immediately, but rear its ugly head it will)

MOST COST EFFECTIVE MODS:
1/ K&N Air filter (difference has to be experienced to be believed; especially when snorkel equipped)
2/ Big bore exhaust from back of turbo
3/ Oil & Filter every 3000k.

Post by **mike** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:51 pm

1/ K&N Air filter (difference has to be experienced to be believed; especially when snorkel equipped)

Mines due for replacement and this sounds like the go. Wheres the best place to pick one of these up?

Mike

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:28 pm

Picked up mine from Partmaster in Hornby a few years back - was considerably cheaper than Repco at that time.

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:32 am

The foam Uni Filters or Finer Filters are the better ones to get, from both personal experience and hearsay.

The foam ones have a removeable outer sleeve that you can remove after every trip and wash and the inner can be done when ever it looks dirty.

I had a K&N in both the Terrano andthe Surf, and both showed signs of very fine particals getting past the filter and depsoiting them selves in the intake ducting.

The K&N's are set of for highway use really, the filter matrix is too coarse to filter the dust the way the paper elements do.

Your best compromise is the foam filter. Foam filters are used on alll the high performance motor cross bikes etc, that require a high and unrestricted airflow, but also require maximum filtering efficiancy as they are used in offroad conditions 100% of the time.

I have a Uni Filter in the Safari, and it seems to be doing the buisness!!!!

My 2c at least :oops:

Pete.

ramon · Post by **ramon** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:20 am

Thanks for all the info, i guess i will be busy next week getting all that done. i have just ordered a k&n Air Filter, can anybody tell me the best place to get a snorkel?
Cheers

Petemcc · Post by **Petemcc** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:34 am

what sort of price are the foam filters? i have a 3vze in my surf and need new filter. as for snorkels i jst got one froim 4wd acceseries "
0800 4wd acc" its an airflow for $299 seemed a reasonable price.

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:39 am

For a Safari Snorkel (ARB), contact Peter Quinn at Munro Commercials on Blenheim Rd, 343-0114 ... ask for their best price and then a 4wd club discount on top of that