Offroad-Express

Hey since my cruiser got nikked im looking at getting a surf as an onroad (mainly) work vehicle.(so then i kan get a dedicated offroader ) I do a bit of towing being a builder so what would be best the 2.8 turbo diesel or a 3litre turbo? Whats the most reliable out of the two? Anything else i should be looking out for on hilux surfs? (up too the 8k mark) thanks in advance

3.0 1KZ, VERY powerful motor, IFS lets the surfs down, look for a cheap 3.0L turbo surf that needs some work and SAS it.

sweet whats sas exactly? does it cost much??

Sas is code for solid axle swap, it means removing all th independent front suspension and replacing it with a solid beam axle, like the first surfs had and all the early hiluxes had. Makes truck mental good offroad! Yes it's a big job and it's expensive,( possibly up to five grand depending how you go about it)

The good news is: if you're just doing towing and a bit of offroading that's not too hardcore then sassing your surf is totally unnecessary, standard ones are fine so long as you don't start acting like a total animal .... Then it's sas time. Go to YouTube and type in sas 4runner!

For 8K youll get a good surf.
If you can get a KZN185 ..they dont seem to have the same overheating issues as the KZN130.
When you get it put in a big transcooler inline with the factory cooler.
Upgrading the exhaust is a good way to get easy power, better economy & also gets the heat away from the motor faster.
Sometimes they can get a saggy ass as the springs get older.If this is the case just throw some new springs under its a simple job.

"If you can get a KZN185 ..they dont seem to have the same overheating issues as the KZN130."

cool any easy way to tell the difference betweent the two??is it on the plate in the engine bay with the chassy number etc? Or are the kzn185 built between certain years?

Sas conversion does sound mean but looking at spending that other ammount of coin on a jimny/escudo seeing all my mates have them. This is just for work and the chheky trip to a camping spot or 2.

Thanks heaps for the info so far.

Is written on the plate in engine bay..so easy to tell

Don't get a KZN185 if you intend to get carried away and SAS it. Much bigger job.

or buy my old surf its only a 2.4 but trust me it goes like a 1kz paul at car aid bilt it for me when i first brought it then i sold it to jamie and then he sased it sased it http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=381038990

nah dont wanna get carried away with it its going to be my roadie. will keep it stock.
according to my price range and mighty tm i should be able to get one aroun 180-200kms as long as the cambelt is done and i do a compression leakdown test anything else that needs to be watched out for on these engines around that age? also running gear etc?? thanks guys