What to do?

[koma]

Currently drive a 96 kzn185 surf, looking at getting into a bit more 4x4ing. Have only ever had stock vehicles so wanting to go futher now, there's only so far a surf on A/t's will go:) Have been tossing up getting a ln106 hilux or 70 series prado and starting from scratch, but as I can only have 1 vehicle I'm torn to wether I just keep the surf and do a bit of work to it as I can only have one car (and it needs to still be able to travel reasonable distances comfortably), and build up a stash of gear and tools over the next year or 2 and learn more about myself and vehicles. Cheers for any feedback.

[Nivapulledout]

first move I would do is get a set of M/T that is the biggest improvement at the start. keep the A/Ts on separate rims then you will save the M/Ts from wearing and have better on road driving.

[tallsam66]

1 front & rear rated tow hooks
2 buy some recovery gear...snatch strap, shovel , some rated shackles etc
3 If you going to be going near water a snorkel.
4 Lockrite or similar for rear diff
5 lifted coils or spacers
then if your happy with how its going maybe a body lift & new rims & tyres , side bars etc.

This is how ive done up my hilux over the last few yrs & its worked well for me

[koma]

Cheers guys thats great always carry and snatch strap and spade anyway to this day I have only used the strap on others, was looking at getting a highlift jack as I'm sick of messing around with a factory jack and would double as a winch. I have got an arb locker in the shed somewhere so may as well throw it on. It has higher than stock springs anyway so was going to try put some 265/75r16 on the standard rims as I'm not sure I can be bothered with all the swapping. Biggest dislike is the IFS, but probably doesn't really matter yet anyway, will probably think its amazing with a set of muds alone as I have only ever had rope wrapped around the tyres before.

[rokhound]

KZN 185 surf is an exact match (almost) for a 90 series Prado underneath. There biggest weakness is the ctr diff which is as weak as shit especially in reverse, so don't be doing the big ole rocking back and forth thing when stuck too much. I run 285 /75/16's on my Prado and it has 2" suspension and 2" body lift. Would love to tell you how it goes off road, but after blowing the ctr diff and rear diff in what I considered to be very light going early last year, it is only used as a mall cruiser now (and tow rig for the surf).
I think by slapping in the ARB you have, it will make a huge difference as the drive train won't be struggling as much.

Get into it and have fun

[koma]

mine doesn't have the centre diff and I just put a new flywheel and clutch in it so the box seems pretty good now, its just a base model one none of the big plastic flares or anything.

[haydgq]

mine doesn't have the centre diff and I just put a new flywheel and clutch in it so the box seems pretty good now, its just a base model one none of the big plastic flares or anything.

Yea the 185 surf and prado 90-95 series is the same platform but as you say you dont have a center diff as the prado platform is a fulltime 4x4 and only when low 4x4 and high 4x4 is selected does the center diff actually lock, So the 185 surf like yours is a rear wheel drive with conventional transfer case and i think its much stronger that the 90 prado.

My neighbour has a very highly modded 185 surf with a coil front solid diff and its used for very hard yakka stuff and he has never broken a transfer case yet in over 6-7 years.

Cheers and hope my rambling helps.

[UBZ]

think long and hard about what sort of 4 wheeling you want to do.
Go on some trips , have a look at some others trucks.

the 185 surfs are a nice wagon , but require quite alot of work to bring them up to handling and surviving club style trips.

id be looking for a stock ish truck with a solid front axle as a start platform , chuck on some mud tires and maybe a little protection and slowly mod as you discover its limitations.

[koma]

Cheers, yea I was looking at getting a wagon with a solid axle up front but I only really know toyotas as thats what we've always had. Hiluxs are crazy price wise for what your getting and other than that finding the right prado seems like a mission. Biggest trouble is that I still need something that can be driven long distances but would like something that can still hold its own in the rough (trying to find the right median anyway). The surf is great on the road and the size i want, i'd keep it if it was solid up front even if its a bit shiney. Cheers