help picking a suitable 4x4

[reo]

I am looking at either a Nissan Terrano 2.7TD or a Toyota Surf 2.4TD I will not do any hard core 4X4 work just fishing trips to Frazer island so along the beach and thru cuttings towing a camper trailer probably 1000kg in total (4 adults, trailer, camping gear, food and beer). what do you think?? any info is good , new to the forum so I have not got a clue and I am an Aussie so that probably goes against me as well

[DaveM]

I am an Aussie so that probably goes against me as well

Well at least you already know this in advance

I have owned a Surf, but found it horrible for towing loads, haven't had a Terrano, but mates ones seem to go really well, and have enough grunt to tow.

My Surf cracked its head, as have many of my mates ones, but a bigger exhaust, and maintaining them properly makes a huge difference.
The earlier Terrano's were known for rust in the floors due to the double skin.

I would personally take each for a drive if you can, and decide from there

[reo]

Cheers, some great info, luv ya go cart!! is it for chasing sheep? just kidding bro, I think some of you kiwi's are ok ( my best mate is allright, for a kiwi). except when they beat us in the footy then he is a prick.

[skid]

(4 adults, trailer, camping gear, food and beer). what do you think??

with all that gear and 4 people, you can't go past an 80 Series landcruiser.
it will be great on the road and even better off road, plus you can gets lots of aftermarket camping stuff for them in OZ.
good luck

SKID

[DaveM]

with all that gear and 4 people, you can't go past an 80 Series landcruiser.
it will be great on the road and even better off road, plus you can gets lots of aftermarket camping stuff for them in OZ.
good luck
SKID

I am assuming that price would be an issue too, otherwise an 80 series or GU Patrol might have been in the list instead if Surf and Terrano?

[reo]

yep $ are an issue. an 80 series I would love but redgo, fuel and price of cruiser will stop me from getting one. What if I keep the weight down to 2 x adults & trailer & food & beer = approx 600kg of weight. do you think it will handle it?

[Steve_t647]

Hi I am fortunate enough to have driven them both the Nissan Terrano 2.7TD is more powerfull and less prone to getting blown around. Towing I have found the terano better too but towing on sand may be a bit of an ask depending on the size of its feet.

In NZ we really like Toyota's but the surf does have a couple of issues 2.4TD crack heads not just in the surf in the other viehicles they were in too, even the newer ones 1KZ (3.0TD) seem to be doing the same so it looks like the issues may not be fixed yet, apart from that (and as said a better exhaust helps a lot) there are a lot more aftermarket custom parts for the surf.

Drive them both but with them both you do need to monitor the temps when towing in sand and long up hill stretches, and keep away from the surf and water we have seen a few of your cars left parked on the beack when the tide comes in or driven into the waves etc.

Good luck and and have fun

[reo]

Great info thanks mate.

So far I have found out that the problem with the Surf 2.4 engine cracking heads keeps coming up and another guy also said about the terrano having more power.

Nissan Terrano 2.7TD info that I have found so far is;

Turn up the full load fuelling screw half a turn on the injection pump, to increase power (and a slight increase in black smoke).

Boost the Turbo up to 15psi by installing a bigger spring on the wastegate actuator - to hold it closed a bit longer than stock

AIR-FILTER/INTAKE
Install a K&N filter

INTER-COOLER
Install a big 600mmx300mmx75mm Inter-Cooler (Repco sell them) on the front.

EXHAUST SYSTEM

The factory dump pipe is shit, it has a 90 degree bend off the back of the turbo.

Install a 3" dump/exhaust pipe from the back of the turbo and improve the bend so it is not a 90 degree bend off the back turbo.

Install a 3" exhaust system or 2&3/4" system

The factory turbo (Hitachi Turbo) is too small

Weak point on the Terrano is the Auto gear box which can give you grief’s around 150,000kms and the relay rod of the steering which is a bit weak when you take it off road.

Thanks for all the info guy's, if anyone can add to this please do as the more info I can get the better (boy scout theory)

I have made up my mind to get a Manual gear box 2.7TD Terrano because it seems that the terrano is a stronger 4X4 with more power and I have found out how to get even more power out of it at a small cost.

Hi I am fortunate enough to have driven them both the Nissan Terrano 2.7TD is more powerfull and less prone to getting blown around. Towing I have found the terano better too but towing on sand may be a bit of an ask depending on the size of its feet.

In NZ we really like Toyota's but the surf does have a couple of issues 2.4TD crack heads not just in the surf in the other viehicles they were in too, even the newer ones 1KZ (3.0TD) seem to be doing the same so it looks like the issues may not be fixed yet, apart from that (and as said a better exhaust helps a lot) there are a lot more aftermarket custom parts for the surf.

Drive them both but with them both you do need to monitor the temps when towing in sand and long up hill stretches, and keep away from the surf and water we have seen a few of your cars left parked on the beack when the tide comes in or driven into the waves etc.

Good luck and and have fun

[Steve_t647]

This is the trick, getting more power out is fine but if you are looking at a turbo swap remember it is a diesel too big and you won't spin it early enough in the rev range.

'Boost the Turbo up to 15psi by installing a bigger spring on the wastegate actuator'

This can also be done through spacing out the current waste gate (putting more load on the spring than factory) with a few washer's or so. Increase in boost increase in temp's this is where the Surf issues come about under bonnet temps due to exhaust flow being more restrictive. Fit a boost gauge and possibly not 15 psi, 10 - 12 is where I would start in a diesel they are high compression. No knocking or pre-ignition issues under load hot then give more a go if you want to.

If you do the same mods on a Surf it will be just as good but a little down on power. but the most important thing with the surf is to get the heat away from the alloy head. If you go for the 3.0 turbo diesel surf I forgot to mention these auto's do not like towing as much as the engine does, they are an awesome drive but the auto eventually fails if you tow a lot.

Also make sure you are getting cold air if you do engine intake mods, worst thing is putting hot engine bay air onto an intercooler

[gimmemud]

is there a reason your only looking at surfs and terrano's apart from $ cause i had an 87 pajero and i loved it. good power and room with the manual 2.5td at good prices. i never towed anything with it but a friend had one and used to tow a big boat no worries. just another option.

[reo]

Mainly the price that I can get a good 4 cylinder turbo diesel for, I will have a look into the Pajero, but at the moment I am heading towards the terrano. thanks

is there a reason your only looking at surfs and terrano's apart from $ cause i had an 87 pajero and i loved it. good power and room with the manual 2.5td at good prices. i never towed anything with it but a friend had one and used to tow a big boat no worries. just another option.

[Pitt]

I am having the same problems choosing

The 2.4 TD Surf or the Terrano 2.7 TD

Does anyone have any ideas, I'm looking for an older more affordable model that will give me good fuel economy and is reliable.
Will be doing some offroad trips along with winter ski runs but will be the daily driver as well.

I've seen both up for sale having done around 300,000kms both Auto's does anyone have any input as which is best for me.

Am a little concerned at the rate heads blow on Surfs as my mechanical knowledge is not great.

Cheers

[Ryan]

why not a petrol V6 terrano......ok bit thirsty but no road users....cheaper to rebuild petrol than a diesel........ and lots of power on tap...jst came back from the snow in my terrano(94 widebody terrano V6) went well and is also a daily driver....and very capible offroad also

[spankmeister]

Or you could buy a Hilux, cheap, and do an engine swap like I did. Shitloads of power, and no RUC's.

[meatc]

Go the terrano. I ve got one and love it. Had it 10 years this month. With the manuel gear box be nice to it. They are prone to throwing main layshaft bearing and also snapping 5th of the cluster (done both Im a bit hard on gear at times ) Guy that rebuilt it second time found factory earings in it though

Been told that best not to tow to much weight in 5th gear to help with this. Also no reverse low range 4wd on tarmac as ths uses 5th evidentaly.

My g'box is mint know as it was rebuilt with roller bearings etc and is better than it ever was. They are also getting cheaper as they are the same as older 4x4 navara boxs

I know plenty that have had head and rear crank seal issues with the 2.4 hilux.

[Pitt]

Yep I'm edging towards the terrano mainly because i'm looking for a lower price car and the older surfs seem to have problems with the heads if they haven't been looked after.

With my llimited mechanical ability i reckon a diesal terrano might be the go.

[rangimotors]

sounds good just give it a really good check over, and watch out for rust in the floors, due to a double skin they tend to get a little see through and drafty

[Pitt]

Despite wanting the terrano i've just brought a 1993 2.4 diesal Toyota Surf.

It has done just under 300,000km which is alot i know but we got it at a good price and its in excellent condition.

I know the 2.4's have a problem with cracking heads i was wondering if anyone has any tips on care and how to prevent this happening without spending too much cash on modifications.

The timing belt will need replacing in a few months i have been advised to get the water pump done at the same time as if the pump goes the head will crack when it overheats.

Any advice and technical tips are welcome

Thanks for all the input so far

[rangimotors]

welcome to the dark side! surfs are great, is it auto or manual? as im sure you no these engines are very very common so there is already heaps and heaps of info on this site about them and the trucks. I think there is a topic running about them now, as for them cracking heads I have the 3.0 turbo model and they have the same problem, just make sure you service them often (every 5000 is usually sweet) including the cooling system, keep and eye and the temp gauge and try not to give it to much jandle. There are several things you can do such as intercoolers, bigger exhausts but depending on money and mechanical abality may or may not be an option for you..

[rangimotors]

check out the topic '2lt reliability?' which is running at the mo, heaps of guys with heaps of info all happy to answer questions

[Steve_t647]

These motors are fine if looked after remember they are not a performance engine and you are fine as indicated watch the temperatures and a new better flowing exhaust manifold will help with the head. Also make sure you run a high concetration of antifreeze and change it every couple of years.

dont rev it too high it (over about 3500 it sounds really bad up there anyway) the power is all down low in these and the turbo is not the most efficient (really hot air at high rev's) so an intercooler would not go astray.

These are things the more modern surf's have to keep them cool

[CHCHilux]

Good stuff getting the hilux!! i have a petrol one which will probably be traded in for a 2.4td hilux, even tho i know all the stories about the head problems. It seems that some of the guys on this forum know what they r on about and have found the trick to looking after them. Let us know how it works out for you

[Pitt]

Thanks for the tips guys - will look up the 2lt topic you suggested rangi.

Can i also ask, you mentioned servicing, i am gonna have a go at changing the oil and filters myself but i am unsure how to go about servicing a cooling system . Is this somethiing i could do myself? I am good practically but have very little experence with moters or cars for that matter.

Thanks again for your help

[Steve_t647]

serviceing the cooling system is easy pull the radiator and take it to a shop

all radiators gain crap, they sort of act like a filter, as long as every couple of years you drain and replace the antifreeze you will not need to do this for a long time.

I had mine acid dipped and cleaned up and it made a difference to the economy, but also the new antifreeze and clean radiator then laaowed the water pump to start leaking

Been good since just keep the radiator clean mud builds up on it and the AC one too if you have AC.