Finally decided to get one...

[Gary1979]

Hi, Just thought I would introduce myself. Gareth, from Palmy. I have wanted to get into 4x4 ing for a bout 10 years now. . Only recently have I decided that "Im not actually getting any younger", and with a lot of encouragement from the wife. I decided to jump in. I instantly saw this Surf. It a lot more than I wanted to spend but it looks so freekin awesome. (Deposit for the house...I will pay you back:) Any thoughts as to what it needs. It was was the previous owners show pony and never been off road. I intended to change that. Im not worried about getting it dinged up.

I am pretty fresh to this and any help would be awesome.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated in regards of places to drive around the manawatu. I have heard there is a club in Fielding that does courses, which would be perfect.

Would love your feedback. (I havent exchanged cash yet it happens on Wednesday. Providing pre inspection goes well today.)





features:
On Road Costs: Included
Kilometres: 125,000km
Body: Green, 4 door, RV/SUV
Fuel type: Diesel
Engine: 4 cylinder, 3000cc, Automatic, 4WD
History: 1 owner, Imported
Registration expires: Jan 2014
WOF expires: Sep 2013
Stereo description: Pioneer in dash DVD player with iPod Controller
Features: Air conditioning
Alloy wheels
Central locking
Power steering
Sunroof
Towbar
Toyota Hilux Monster Truck Surf.


This ute is one of a kind and all modifications are fully certified.

This has been my baby for many years. and don't laugh..... but it has never been taken offroad!
She's lived a gentle life, the most offroad it's been has been at motocross rides being parked in paddocks.

- 3L Diesel, cheap to run!
- Auto
- Switchable hubs for 4WD
- Mags are 10'' polished USA mags
- Tyres are 33x13.5x15 mud tyres
- Surf has a 4'' body lift as well as after market rear springs which were custom made and powder coated green
- Rear windows have 20% tints, drivers/passengers 35% and front window sticker is easily removed/replaced.
- Rear reversing camera so you can see what's going on behind you. Connected to the in dash DVD screen.
- The front doors have a certified scissor door lift kit fitted and these have been certified fitted and included on the cert plate.
- All electric windows, mirrors and sunroof.
- I've had a couple of other parts underneath powdercoated green also.
- Aftermarket rear shocks fitted.
- Aftermarket exhaust system
- Blitz Pod Filter
- Dual Battery
- Free wheeling hubs
- One of a kind alloy steps and bullbars
- Custom carpeted rear panel with 6x9's and flame imprint
- Pioneer in dash DVD player with iPod controller cable (headunit screen controls the player)

[Ralfie]

Welcome Gareth, glad you found the site.

You asked for feedback so here goes ... in my opinion that vehicle is not really suitable for off road, probably why the owner has said it doesn't go off road.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 392050.htm

The suspension is probably too stiff and the front is probably extended to the point where it has no downward travel at all and limited up.
4 inch body lift is extreme and will be dangerous once you start taking it off road and 'twisting' it.

At $18,000 its expensive for a Surf and will always only be a show pony. Probably why it has been for sale for such a long time.

However if its what you want then go for it and don't let my opinions (negative or otherwise) hold you back.

[drive it ...]

x2 Looks like prev owner has done a great job of building for what he used it for but its not set up for off-road.
For what you would have to change to make it an off roader you would save heaps by buying a $8k surf then spending $10k on mods.

[3.5Pajero]

Hi Gary, welcome to ORE!

My first 4wd was a surf - absolutely loved it, it was standard as with a set of cheap Chinese 31" mud’s, Got stuck everywhere, but it was a great base to learn from.

That thing looks like a bit of a beast. any chance you would be interested in posting up your expected purchase price? You can trust the guys on here only have your best interest in mind and they will know if you are getting good deal..

It depends on what kind of 4wding you are wanting to get into, but some of the mods on that surf are a little bit...interesting...I would guess the premium you are paying for those cert'd scissor doors, (which have very little use off-road and would probably get you hassled for the rest of eternity - and you will look back in 10yrs time and say what was I thinking!?) would get you some much more useful off-road recovery gear - fire extinguisher, strops, shackles, compressor, winch etc...

Just a thought

[phraza]

I'm sure I saw this posted somewhere in the forum recently (last couple of months). Might of been in the interesting trademe thread

[Gary1979]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Its much appreciated. My thoughts on the scissor doors were similar. A bit like a skier hanging with snowboarders...

I did like it for something different that I could signwrite with my company, but I also dont wan't a vehicle that will stop me from learning how to drive off road....Hmmm much to think about......

What would you suggest as a 4x4 to buy. I do like my Toyotas, but I am open to suggestion. My original thoughts on what I would spend were around 9-10k

[Gary1979]

Hi Gary, welcome to ORE!

My first 4wd was a surf - absolutely loved it, it was standard as with a set of cheap Chinese 31" mud’s, Got stuck everywhere, but it was a great base to learn from.

That thing looks like a bit of a beast. any chance you would be interested in posting up your expected purchase price? You can trust the guys on here only have your best interest in mind and they will know if you are getting good deal..

It depends on what kind of 4wding you are wanting to get into, but some of the mods on that surf are a little bit...interesting...I would guess the premium you are paying for those cert'd scissor doors, (which have very little use off-road and would probably get you hassled for the rest of eternity - and you will look back in 10yrs time and say what was I thinking!?) would get you some much more useful off-road recovery gear - fire extinguisher, strops, shackles, compressor, winch etc...

Just a thought

17k was the price. Its a lot more than I wanted to spend on vehicle. Especially if its not set up for off road..

[trucked]

for 17k you could buy something alot more suited to your needs if you want to get into offroading. it appears that surf has been modded to look cool but stay on the tarmac.

[phraza]

Buy mine for $16995

[xj]

With the phrase ".... and with a lot of encouragement from the wife...." youve got the battle 75% won before you even get started. Lucky bastard.

[BlakeJ]

Buy mine for $16995

or he could buy it for $14,000
http://www.wheedle.co.nz/Home/GetItemDe ... %253d%253d

[phraza]

Buy mine for $16995

or he could buy it for $14,000
http://www.wheedle.co.nz/Home/GetItemDe ... %253d%253d

Haha! Free listing so couldn't help myself

[Gary1979]

Ok, So I have scrapped the Surf idea. I guess what I need is something that is already set up. I can always change vehicle or setup later, but at the moment I really have no idea till I give it a go. At least if I buy something that is all ready to go, its a good start.

Im guessing ( and please correct me if I am wrong) that a smaller vehicle is easier to learn with...

What about this...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 887607.htm

[tow99]

That thing has been for sale for ages.there's no reason why you can't modify it suit your needs.you've got it now go have some fun and start changing stuff you don't like.did it come with a step ladder to get into it?

[Gary1979]

That thing has been for sale for ages.there's no reason why you can't modify it suit your needs.you've got it now go have some fun and start changing stuff you don't like.did it come with a step ladder to get into it?

No step ladder, but strong arms are a bonus. I havnt actually bought it. I was planning on buying it on wednesday, but after hearing a little more about the suitability of it in this thread. I have had second thoughts. The problem is, is that I am new to this so modifying would be tricky as I have no real idea at this point what I would need to do to it to make it suitable...

Im sure it would be ok to learn in, but then what. Spend a whole heap on it or try and sell it to get some thing that perhaps I should have bought in the first place.

You thoughts?

[jonossiksilvia]

buy a standard surf. add some 31inch muds and a 2inch suspension lift, some tow hooks and go from there. $10000 max. you will be surprised how well these go standard.

You if buy the one your looking at you may find it hard to sell latter - been listed for ages and u will most likely lose alot of money just to sell it quick.

[jonossiksilvia]

something like this would be a good starter
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 101779.htm

[petefj40]

Hi Gary.
Welcome!

Your Surf looks like the perfect promotional truck! Go get it sign written, it's a head turner. Should help your business no end.

You've jumped onto the right site if you want to learn where to start 4X4 trucking. Lots of folks here have done it all before and you can learn a lot from them with out having to go through the same ($$$) learning process yourself.
I only wished I had of found this site before spending thousands on modifying my V8 FJ40 years ago.
Just be warned. There are plenty of people that are loyal to their own brand. Not saying one is worse than another. Just bear that in mind.
I'm biast, but if I were starting out like you? I'd look for either a toyota landcruiser or nissan patrol for under $10k. They're out there.

Trucking by yourself is risky, but trucking with a good bunch of 4X4 wheelers that have done it before is so much fun and a great learning experience.
Goodluck Gary.

Pete.

[trucked]

surfs are good vehicles, but for the money your spending in my opinion it's a huge waste of money, it doesn't have alot going for it in the way of being a capable off road truck.

aluminum bars are weak vs trees, banks and anything else your likely to hit off-road, no winch. tires look ok, depending on tread down side is 13.5 inch wide on 10 inch rims(more chance of popping off bead when you let pressure down). no snorkel(a basic item for river and mud holes).

not trying to bag the guy who made it but it wasn't made for being off the tarmac.

[WRNGLR]

Hi mate welcome, one thing no one pointed out ( unless I missed it ), that surf looks pretty cool but if ya end up on ya roof how do ya get out in a hurry ??? I'm in Ashhurst , if you want to go for a drive somewhere give me a txt 0272560470 and we'll see what we can sort out

If you don't have a family (kids) and want some fun go for the Jeep Wrangler, if ya do have kids go for the blue surf, my slightly biased 2cents worth

cheers
Greg

[Gary1979]

Hi mate welcome, one thing no one pointed out ( unless I missed it ), that surf looks pretty cool but if ya end up on ya roof how do ya get out in a hurry ??? I'm in Ashhurst , if you want to go for a drive somewhere give me a txt 0272560470 and we'll see what we can sort out

If you don't have a family (kids) and want some fun go for the Jeep Wrangler, if ya do have kids go for the blue surf, my slightly biased 2cents worth

cheers
Greg

Ha yeah good call.

Thanks Greg, Appreciate the offer! Ill hit you up when I get a vehicle sorted.
I think a wrangler could be the go. Most likely do some reading and looking around over the next couple of weeks.

[WRNGLR]

wrangler can be a bit thirsty but what the hell only live once aye and ya can't take it with ya, they are fairly easy to work on I do most stuff on mine with help from mates on the harder stuff, got a good contact for parts at really good prices from the states.

look forward to hearing from ya

cheers
Greg

[Jafa]

Buy mine!
Ask around on here, its well known
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =1&t=16681
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =9&t=14549
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =8&t=15468
For some reason the pics don't show until page 15 of the build thread
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... &start=210

[Gary1979]

wrangler can be a bit thirsty but what the hell only live once aye and ya can't take it with ya, they are fairly easy to work on I do most stuff on mine with help from mates on the harder stuff, got a good contact for parts at really good prices from the states.

look forward to hearing from ya

cheers
Greg

Cheers Greg!!

[Gary1979]

Buy mine!
Ask around on here, its well known
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =1&t=16681
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =9&t=14549
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =8&t=15468
For some reason the pics don't show until page 15 of the build thread
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... &start=210

Geez! That is awesome!
Might be a bit out of my league tho, especially for my first. How much are you selling it for?

[sig]

geez are still alive jafa ,and does it move under its own power

Buy mine!
Ask around on here, its well known
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =1&t=16681
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =9&t=14549
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... =8&t=15468
For some reason the pics don't show until page 15 of the build thread
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... &start=210

[phraza]

Can do you a deal on mine

http://www.wheedle.co.nz/Home/GetItemDe ... %253d%253d

[Cameron]

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 16#p332316

if you're keen for something cheap and easy to get you going.

[zukmeista]

If you haven't done any 4WDing before it would be a good idea to buy a standard truck and learn how it handles offroad before going nuts with the mods, as the others have said that surf is not intended to go offroad, looks like it would fall over if you leant on it. Daihatsu Ruggers are fairly bulletproof and go well with a 2.8 turbo diesel, not too expensive either.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=584587686

[Petemcc]

If you haven't done any 4WDing before it would be a good idea to buy a standard truck and learn how it handles offroad before going nuts with the mods, as the others have said that surf is not intended to go offroad, looks like it would fall over if you leant on it. Daihatsu Ruggers are fairly bulletproof and go well with a 2.8 turbo diesel, not too expensive either.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=584587686

Na if you are going to get into it you will want to do some mods pretty soon you are better must to buy something that has had a lot of the work done already or you will spend all of you time and money modifying it. Much cheaper to buy someone elses.

Phraza's truck would be a good buy apart from the fuel consumption. Nicely modified by not too extreme and would be a good all round wagon. If you are spending 10 - 15 don't get something to old and clapped out. A lot of old heavily modified trucks will be unreliable.

things to look for

For that money I would be looking for a truck with the following

good tyres 32 - 33 inch
recovery hooks
bar work - doesn't really add to the value of the truck but boodly expensive to add. later
one or two diff locks - not essential but they make a huge difference off road and again are expensive to add later
a winch - same as diff locks
well maintained and mechanically tidy!

For the money if you shop around you should be able to pick up a really nice wagon.

Cheers,
Pete