Offroad-Express

Hey Guys
Whilst posting a thread in the welcome section it dawned on me that Toyota owners are probably more likely to offer more pros and cons about their vehicles.

From what ive heard from others, they suffer terrible fuel economy (that was an auto owner), the tailgate is a prick to open, the engines crap out... to be honest its only been bad.

So... Whats good about your Surf? Whats the fuel economy like? and why should i buy one??

Cheers
James

I have no problem with thetail-gate on my kzn130
Mines a auto, i dont think its bad on fuel. its a heavy 4wd at the end of the day with the extras packed on
From what ive read....its the overheating thats seems a common occurance with these. just get a decent temp guage.

Parts are easy to find and the smaller items are cheap

same here i have a 95 auto 1kzte and love it, never worried about the fuel get about 550km on long trips fully loaded with the a/c cranking so never really considered that bad? the tail gate is different to the usual but you get used to it and like being able to have the back window down a bit for the dog to stick his head out and also if your front windows are open and you crack the rear one a little bit it 'calms' all the air blowing around the cabin, yes the auto seems to over heat but only ever happened to me twice, both fully loaded middle of the day 28-30 degrees and climbing long hills eg mt hutt plan on installing a AT trans cooler and new radiator so should solve the problem.

Hope all this helps

Hey guys
Thanks for the replies so far. You say 500 odd kms to a tank? How much to fill to the top? Am hoping to get a manual if i do get a surf.

James

allblack316 wrote:Hey guys
Thanks for the replies so far. You say 500 odd kms to a tank? How much to fill to the top? Am hoping to get a manual if i do get a surf.

James

mine is approx $75
i drive a manual all day nearly every day...so got a auto just to be lazy

I get from 12.5 to 16 litres per 100K ...depends on what im doing.Diff models have diff size tanks...so only go by by 100k reading....Im looking at putting a long range tank in mine as carrying a jerry can is a pain.

Overheating....mine will get hot on big steep hill climbs...but if i put it in low range its not a problem.

Tail gate....its great...can be either a seat or a table to make lunch etc on.

tallsam66 wrote:Tail gate....its great...can be either a seat or a table to make lunch etc on.

thats a good point too

Really, wow, im getting 450ks for $85 (est) in my twin turbo auto legacy... hmmmmm.

At least the tail gate is starting to sound more appealing. How do you wind it down if your ignitions not on?

J

allblack316 wrote:At least the tail gate is starting to sound more appealing. How do you wind it down if your ignitions not on?

J

theres a switch next to handbrake, or use the key on the back door to lower the glass down, ......having said that, mine dosent work with the key

Will a 6ft5 guy fit comfortably in the drivers seat?

I own a series 6 RX7 and i fit in that barely haha

J

allblack316 wrote:Will a 6ft5 guy fit comfortably in the drivers seat?J

dunno ,but you can move the seat
look for one for sale in your area and give it a go

I am about half a inch shorter then you and I had no issue fitting in my Surf.

The electric back window gave quite a bit of problems for me, first the switch stopped working forceing me to use the Key. Then one day the entire thing stopped working... Mucked around trying to fix it for a while but it evenutally fixed itself.

Birch wrote:I am about half a inch shorter then you and I had no issue fitting in my Surf.

The electric back window gave quite a bit of problems for me, first the switch stopped working forceing me to use the Key. Then one day the entire thing stopped working... Mucked around trying to fix it for a while but it evenutally fixed itself.

The switch will have some crap in it, dust crumbs etc, clean it out & it will work fine.

Had my manual 94 surf for 3 1/2 years, tows boats & horsefloats everywhere, no overheating problems at all, have done regular oil & filter changes, brake pads & doing ball joints at the mo for WoF, thats all maintance I've needed. @ 6ft 5 you will prob have to move seat back somehow as I drive with all the way back & I'm 5ft 11.

snork wrote:

allblack316 wrote:Will a 6ft5 guy fit comfortably in the drivers seat?J

dunno ,but you can move the seat
look for one for sale in your area and give it a go

Im 6'6 & have no problem.... so a short guy at 6'5 will be fine

95 manual , KZN-130.
Approx 500km per 55ltr tank. but it all depends on how you drive it.
if you sit up round the 3k mark it will drink fuel.

Factory temp gauge lies (has a factory flat spot) and will not show a overheating problem until its way to late.
Known to crack heads when at higher km.
Autos well known for overheating.

Tail gate uses same winder motor as the doors so an easy fix when it stuffs out.

look for the model with the spare wheel on the tail gate and not underneath.

Front suspension and steering takes a hammering off road , and requires regular maintenance and fixing .

known to not engage 4wd if they have been used for a shopping trolley their whole life .

If its got stock suspension it will be sagged in the rear and the front will bounce over bumps. Shocks are probably rooted and will need to be changed.

IMO they don't tow very well, due to being an light-ish SUV and having a small engine that makes to much heat it cant get rid of , but others may not agree.

Just a bit short to sleep in , im 6ft and have to lie at an slight diagonal in the back.

They go really well on and off road , surprisingly so. great truck

Cheers UBZ

Very helpful information. Was looking at getting a manual. but near impossible in Welly. Not to keen on haveing to get one elsewhere really. Will just keep looking.

J

The auto's are brilliant, it's a must to fit an aftermarket trans cooler and thats sorted, I've also fitted a 4 core radiator, and yeah the heads are reknown for cracking, a large exhaust system and a EGT guage will cure that issue
Fuel economy is fine as long as the final drive gearing (R&P's) is sorted.....too many walloper's out there running 33's and 35's on standard 4.1 diff gearing and........ doh........... blowing on how they have fuel economy problems
as for the rear window, easily bypassed if need be with a hard wired switch

hosehustler wrote:The auto's are brilliant, it's a must to fit an aftermarket trans cooler and thats sorted, I've also fitted a 4 core radiator, and yeah the heads are reknown for cracking, a large exhaust system and a EGT guage will cure that issue
Fuel economy is fine as long as the final drive gearing (R&P's) is sorted.....too many walloper's out there running 33's and 35's on standard 4.1 diff gearing and........ doh........... blowing on how they have fuel economy problems
as for the rear window, easily bypassed if need be with a hard wired switch

Sounds like autos are just as good if treated well, also seem to be cheaper too.

J

yeah alot more common

i have a 3ltr turbo diesel manual for my work car and its great,cheap on gas,still enough power to past cars when needed...has been one of the best cars ive ever had.

skidtoy wrote:i have a 3ltr turbo diesel manual for my work car and its great,cheap on gas,still enough power to past cars when needed...has been one of the best cars ive ever had.

Thats awesome to hear. Bit more confident after everyones info. Cheers

Also considering getting a Surf, was wondering is it wortwhile to pay extra to get one with the intercooled Turbo Diesel? Looking on trademe they seem to be a few thousand dollars more then the normal ones.

my work truck is a non intercooler model seems to be pretty good and havent got it hot yet and i tow alot of car trailers around the north island.it wouldnt be hard to set up a intercooler on a non cooler model if you dont want to spend the extra cash.

every car have its good and bad points so i dont think you will ever get a car that everyone loves...as far as my truck goes im happy wish it was a auto tho...haha im just lazy these days