Offroad-Express

Hi all, new to the forum. jareds the name. ill get straight into it.
Ive got a 91 v6 surf,idependant front, auto, purchased through a family member for only $1000. brought it as a hack, but it turned out to be fairly straight and tidy. The bug has bitten and i now want a capable 4x4. Nothing to extreme and it has to be a fairly comfortable daily driver. I want to stick with the toyotas, i like there size and good rep.
*Do i keep my current surf and spend a couple grand on it? tyres, lift, l.s.d, winch etc, considering the purchase price was cheap.
*do i sell it coz their pigs on gas and buy something else for around the 5k mark?
*i know ifs have got a bad name but are there simple mods to make them alot more 4x4 freindly than they are?
*and how do the diesils compare to the v6s? a 2 door 89 model surf has caught my eye on trade me, its had a 2.8 transplant and looks bloody strait.
*all in all, whats the best entry level toyota for me to get into some bush hacking? or shall i just stick with what i got and use the extra money that i didnt have to use for the purchase price towards mods??? i dont ask much do i

Taz01 seems to be the surf expert on here whereabouts do you live and what sort of trips do you want to do? maybe use the surf for now and then get something else later (looking and riding at other trucks).

keep it get decent tires lift and lock-rights. im sure for what u wanna do itll be more than capable

Jerry wrote:Taz01 seems to be the surf expert on here whereabouts do you live and what sort of trips do you want to do? maybe use the surf for now and then get something else later (looking and riding at other trucks).

And now Taz01 wants to buy a Nissan
Jerry is right, best idea is to get out and do some trips in other peoples wagon's to see what would suit you best

And now Taz01 wants to buy a Nissan

that was after how many dozen beer

Jerry wrote:

And now Taz01 wants to buy a Nissan

that was after how many dozen beer

I don't know, it was 10am on a weekday.
Stop thread jacking Jerry

Jerry wrote:Taz01 seems to be the surf expert on here whereabouts do you live and what sort of trips do you want to do? maybe use the surf for now and then get something else later (looking and riding at other trucks).

im in pukekohe, already purchased a l.s.d for it for the rear, $200. just bush treking, over niters, tag alongs, seing the country side, i just fear that once i get into it ill want something alot more capable.

Have a few questions,
what do you want to do, and most importantly whats holding you back?
do you like the shape and specs of your surf?
what sort of money do you want to spend? and all in one go or gradually?

There are alot of trucks that move on trademe etc that people have spent lots on but it depends what you want/need. i guess the main point is how do you no what you need/want until you have been out there doing it and finding out what is holding you back? you may well end up buying a really well set up truck for example rock crawling but find you'd rather play in the mud. The tracks you like may be, all bogs, lots of rivers and rocks, big deep ruts etc or a combination.
The issue with buying a built up 4wd is maintance, 4 wheeling damages and wears alot of parts and many of these are an unknown if you buy something.
It sounds like you have an ok starting point, start by getting some quality tow hooks and getting out there, and then as you work out whats holding you back improve it, you dont need to do everything at once.
Beind the v6 i would be surprised if you dont already have a lsd in the rear, you can check your axle code on fire wall.
usually my list that i suggest to people is something like,
1. Rated tow hooks (may want to do bars at same time)
2. snorkel (if you need it like we do in the south, many places don't at all)
3. mud tyres, you will fit 31's standard, or do steps 4 and 5 first
4. 50mm spring lift
5. 50mm body lift (if you want to go to 33's)
6. front locker and maybe rear locker or shim lsd
That will give you a good an able club truck to play many places if you play for a year or two and want more, there are limitless options as hopefully you have seen by having a look around this site.
eg, sas, coon springs, coil setups, power upgrades, bob tails,

long winded i know just trying to pass on the point that often the grass is greener and buying someones build up rig seems easier and cheaper but often things do not work out that way, most important thing is to start with a vehicle you like and suits your needs, nothing worse that spending lots and lots on something that is not right for you.
Good luck and if you haven't already have a ready over the site and do some searching.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, as much as often it doesn't seem like it this is a 4wd website

ps. where in the country are ya?

rangimotors wrote:Have a few questions,
what do you want to do, and most importantly whats holding you back?
do you like the shape and specs of your surf?
what sort of money do you want to spend? and all in one go or gradually?

There are alot of trucks that move on trademe etc that people have spent lots on but it depends what you want/need. i guess the main point is how do you no what you need/want until you have been out there doing it and finding out what is holding you back? you may well end up buying a really well set up truck for example rock crawling but find you'd rather play in the mud. The tracks you like may be, all bogs, lots of rivers and rocks, big deep ruts etc or a combination.
The issue with buying a built up 4wd is maintance, 4 wheeling damages and wears alot of parts and many of these are an unknown if you buy something.
It sounds like you have an ok starting point, start by getting some quality tow hooks and getting out there, and then as you work out whats holding you back improve it, you dont need to do everything at once.
Beind the v6 i would be surprised if you dont already have a lsd in the rear, you can check your axle code on fire wall.
usually my list that i suggest to people is something like,
1. Rated tow hooks (may want to do bars at same time)
2. snorkel (if you need it like we do in the south, many places don't at all)
3. mud tyres, you will fit 31's standard, or do steps 4 and 5 first
4. 50mm spring lift
5. 50mm body lift (if you want to go to 33's)
6. front locker and maybe rear locker or shim lsd
That will give you a good an able club truck to play many places if you play for a year or two and want more, there are limitless options as hopefully you have seen by having a look around this site.
eg, sas, coon springs, coil setups, power upgrades, bob tails,

long winded i know just trying to pass on the point that often the grass is greener and buying someones build up rig seems easier and cheaper but often things do not work out that way, most important thing is to start with a vehicle you like and suits your needs, nothing worse that spending lots and lots on something that is not right for you.
Good luck and if you haven't already have a ready over the site and do some searching.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, as much as often it doesn't seem like it this is a 4wd website

ps. where in the country are ya?

Cheers for that reply

Im in pukekohe.
Guess i like surfs coz of the l.w.b as ive got a dog so its good for takeing him out n about, and over summer its been handy for road tripping and sleeping in the back etc, saves pitching a tent.
I dont want anything extreme, i want to get into the bush, the bog the beach, do some tracks,
Guess im wanting peoples opinion on the petrol surfs for reliability etc?
like i said, i could just keep what i got and spend 2-3k on mods, as it initially only cost me a grand to purchase, rather than buying something else that will set me back 4 or 5k with no mods.
Mine hasnt got l.s.d, i read up on this site how to check, jack up the rear and if both wheels spin same direction its l.s.d, mine did not, spun oposite direction.
But i have just purchased a l.s.d, not fitted yet, but that fixes the rear diff for now.
definately first on the list along with fitting the l.s.d is sum big tyres and a spring lift

if you are going to play in the mud etc

Correctly fit rated hooks....

What can happen when things go wrong

Petrols while a bit thirsty in the v6 form have heaps more power and you can overtake, the diesels are more tiresome to drive and you have to drive them you can't lose concentration and a bit of speed and expect it to climb back up to 100kmh without a gearchange. Also tyres take a bit out of the drivability the v6 on 33's is fine larger and you may want to change diff ratio's to get your gearing right again depending on where you get to.

For a touring and track truck I would keep the surf they are pretty good out of the box one thing to add to the top of the list is diff breathers to try keep water out of the oil, if in a year or 2 you decide you want more you have a great base to do more from or you can get another project.

Personally I would keep the surf if you learn to drive it well you will be surprised where it can get you. the front diff is a weak point so a front locker and not getting both front wheel's off the ground and you will be OK,
My options would be 50mm body lift, LSD, Side bars (reinforced steps) and 33" tires, see what rub's where and when this doesn't change any suspension geometry but does change COG so the BL needs a cert, they are getting tough on spring lifts too, you can do the front locker later if you find you need it and with a locker you need to keep one wheel on the ground and try not have it spinning when the other side grips (it can make funny noises) but this is driving style or later you can do an SAS and roll a Prado front diff under there keeping the coils and comfy ride. Sill protection stops the banks from customising the look of the truck the foot step's are pretty light they do save the pannels but you cannot rely on them, something stronger or reinforcing them is a go.

If you take the whole Prado front as is and match the arm angles it is not too bad at all, you don't want those fornt arm's on too steep and angle you need them roughly flat for articulation, and there is another trick for the Prado fornts when you get to that point.

try these guys for a local club http://www.manukau4wd.org.nz Lots of different vehicles in the club and they do trips out your way.

Steve_t647 wrote:Petrols while a bit thirsty in the v6 form have heaps more power and you can overtake, the diesels are more tiresome to drive and you have to drive them you can't lose concentration and a bit of speed and expect it to climb back up to 100kmh without a gearchange. Also tyres take a bit out of the drivability the v6 on 33's is fine larger and you may want to change diff ratio's to get your gearing right again depending on where you get to.

For a touring and track truck I would keep the surf they are pretty good out of the box one thing to add to the top of the list is diff breathers to try keep water out of the oil, if in a year or 2 you decide you want more you have a great base to do more from or you can get another project.

Personally I would keep the surf if you learn to drive it well you will be surprised where it can get you. the front diff is a weak point so a front locker and not getting both front wheel's off the ground and you will be OK,
My options would be 50mm body lift, LSD, Side bars (reinforced steps) and 33" tires, see what rub's where and when this doesn't change any suspension geometry but does change COG so the BL needs a cert, they are getting tough on spring lifts too, you can do the front locker later if you find you need it and with a locker you need to keep one wheel on the ground and try not have it spinning when the other side grips (it can make funny noises) but this is driving style or later you can do an SAS and roll a Prado front diff under there keeping the coils and comfy ride. Sill protection stops the banks from customising the look of the truck the foot step's are pretty light they do save the pannels but you cannot rely on them, something stronger or reinforcing them is a go.

If you take the whole Prado front as is and match the arm angles it is not too bad at all, you don't want those fornt arm's on too steep and angle you need them roughly flat for articulation, and there is another trick for the Prado fornts when you get to that point.

Thanks heaps, plenty a help. though i have come across a new problem, which i have put up as a new post.
Something in the drivetrain is playing up, after a bita fun in the and wheel spinning, i lose drive, just as if it were in neautral, untill i let it cool down for 10-20 sec, and so the process repeats itself, im stumped. if its a major, mite flick it off, as it goes sweet otherwise, just plays up when i go offroad

The main thing at the moment is not to spend too much on it until you know what kind of 4 wheeling you want to do.
Just go out and and enjoy yourself and the weekness's will show up and the kind of 4 wheeling that you like will become apparent as well.
For ordinary trips the surf will suffice just fine but would be useless for hard four wheeling without spending thousands.

Thats my 2c worth

Richard

doin_it_dirty wrote:Thanks heaps, plenty a help. though i have come across a new problem, which i have put up as a new post.
Something in the drivetrain is playing up, after a bita fun in the and wheel spinning, i lose drive, just as if it were in neautral, untill i let it cool down for 10-20 sec, and so the process repeats itself, im stumped. if its a major, mite flick it off, as it goes sweet otherwise, just plays up when i go offroad

my ex's surf used to do that as well, not sure what it was, but we used to get a light coming up on the dash saying the gearbox ws getting too hot waaaaay before we would lose drive, i just ignored cos i didnt like her surf.

its prob never had a service in its life.... amazing what some new atf can do
the way an auto works it doesnt give up untill its dead you can strain them to hell
then they go pop manuals just slip the clutch

oh yeah
buy a nissan

nstg8a wrote:my ex's surf used to do that as well, not sure what it was, but we used to get a light coming up on the dash saying the gearbox ws getting too hot waaaaay before we would lose drive, i just ignored cos i didnt like her surf.

Bahahahahahahaw thats gold right there!!!

Bubba wrote:

nstg8a wrote:my ex's surf used to do that as well, not sure what it was, but we used to get a light coming up on the dash saying the gearbox ws getting too hot waaaaay before we would lose drive, i just ignored cos i didnt like her surf.

Bahahahahahahaw thats gold right there!!!

Haha, didnt like her surf or didnt like her???