Hilux Surf 3.0L Diesel are they worth buying
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shadow247
New member
Man I would LOOOOVE to have a diesel engine. If I keep this truck long enough I am thinking a VW TDI diesel swap may be a viable option. The newer ones have tons of power and are returning over 40mpg in the cars. I figure you could get maybe 28+ mpg if it were in out trucks. Those engines are torque monsters.
I've had my 96 3.0 surf for about 6 months now and have loved every second of it. I just replaced the entire cooling system in preperation for a big road trip and the parts were easy and cheap to get. I ordered the parts thru Search Results for "newtruckz.org" in the UK and they were on my doorstep in Squamish, B.C. 3 days later.
I average 9L per 100km (26mpg) with a cargo box on the roof, and while it may not have the top end of the gas V6, it does have tons of torque and can cruise the highway in compfort.
Aside from the engine, all the suspention, Brakes, Steering, AC ect ect is identical to 4runners.
where are you located? if you're anywhere near Squamish swing by and take it for a rip!
cheers
Ryan
I average 9L per 100km (26mpg) with a cargo box on the roof, and while it may not have the top end of the gas V6, it does have tons of torque and can cruise the highway in compfort.
Aside from the engine, all the suspention, Brakes, Steering, AC ect ect is identical to 4runners.
where are you located? if you're anywhere near Squamish swing by and take it for a rip!
cheers
Ryan
IanB
New member
That's better economy than I'm getting by a few MPG, that's in US MPG right (not UK)? Is yours intercooled? Auto? Any mods like exhaust? Pics? Do you have the big window flares? I suspect the window flares and aux lighting is robbing me of a few MPG on the highway.
US MPG. My truck is intercooled, magnaflow 2.5 to 3" exhaust. stock size 265/70 r16 tires (BFG all terrain). no lift, no aux lights but I do have the huge window flares and a yakima skybox 21 on the roof. I flushed the trans and diffs and refilled with royal purple synthetic, that made a difference in mpg for sure.
I also installed a pyrometer which helps guage milage while climbing big hills. It just helps you stay below that point in a diesel where you stop making power and just start throwing unburnt fuel (black smoke)
26mpg is mixed city\hwy. We're heading on a road trip to moab and san diego soon, I'm interested to see if it does much better on the highways.
No pics yet, I was going to go snap some today!
Hepar
New member
I think it all depends on a few things. Where are you located? If you're in the States, parts are a little harder to come by. However these days with the internet, it's not too hard to track down parts. How mechanically incline are you? If you're not and plan on having a shop do most of the maintenance, i would stick to something else. Not many will work on those engines and you'll probably pay a premium for any work done.
As far as the engine itself, it's awesome. It's got a noticeably more amount of torque and is more efficient. Also, it should last longer than the 3.4l which is saying a lot. The few that I've driven didn't have the same power on the top end in comparison, but let's be real here. We're not buying these things for their top speeds.
As far as the engine itself, it's awesome. It's got a noticeably more amount of torque and is more efficient. Also, it should last longer than the 3.4l which is saying a lot. The few that I've driven didn't have the same power on the top end in comparison, but let's be real here. We're not buying these things for their top speeds.
jmt2404
New member
Do you or anyone you know who is running biodiesel or Veg oil in their diesel hilux?
Do you know if anyone has imported them to the US?
I'm glad you asked this, I was going to ask the same thing a few days ago.
IanB
New member
I know a guy running a veggie oil kit on a 2.4TD Surf, but not on a 3.0TD. They have to be 25 years old to import to the US, so there are definitely no 3rd gens there yet, but I know of a few swapped 4runners.
JohnsD90
New member
At one of the tdi meets i went to i was talking to some of the guys and they said one there was an Exploder with an ALH code 1.9 in it and it was doin 30mpg combined, i don't remember if it was tuned.
I was thinking about the diesel swap, and i said if i ever did it, it would be with the 1.9tdi.
Just remember diesel motors are a bit different than gas motors, and they a quite finicky if you don't know what you are doing, they also are not for the faint hearted, and you always have got to get an eye on the oil level.
I wouldn't trade mine for the diesel, i just don't feel the 3.0td is the right motor for these trucks, from my research it's just too inefficient.
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2nd gen surf
New member
I have a second gen Toyota Hilux surf. It has the 2.4 liter turbo diesel. That particular engine has some head issues. I have replaced just about everything under the hood. It is definitely a more costly venture to work on a vehicle that doesn't have an engine released in this country. Having said all of that, I still absolutely love my Toyota Hilux surf! The 3 liter diesel is supposed to be a lot more reliable. My 2.4 L diesel gets about 30 miles per gallon on the highway which is absolutely amazing.
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I have about 210,000 miles on mine which isn't a surf, but a prado. Great motors, especially if you tow. Just keep it around 2200RPM and it pulls like a train. For a diesel, they're also pretty quiet, especially compared to the newer D4D common rail lumps!
Because everyone loves photos....
Because everyone loves photos....
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pavelvoivoda
Member
The 3L Turbo diesel 4runner is the UN's workhorse of choice for the light duty vehicle category.
There are 2 types i've seen - one model with a mechanical fuel injection pump - 1KZ-T (mainly LHD),and one with an electronically controlled pump - 1KZ-TE (mainly RHD). Both are great vehicles.
I own the UN decommissioned mechanical pump base model which has not been sold in the European market in LHD. You can find it in South America under the alias Hilux SW4 with a small 3rd row seat even. Everywhere else it is known as the right-hand drive Hilux Surf model.
The UN 3rd Gen 4Runners incorporate the newer version of the 1KZ-T motor, which has all the great things about it - great on gas (28mpg), plenty of power, and practicality, to do just about anything you need, and has the major motor head issues of its older crackhead cousin fixed.
I have no issues aside from the regular and preventive maintenance necessities, which is great considering i am who knows which owner to drive it. Other than that it is very easy to work on this car.
I have no idea how many original miles on it (130K as of today), as there is no fool proof electronics that save mileage, especially in the mechanical pump model. The odometer is the only major controller based "computer" in this car. The car runs as long you dont cut-off the fuel to it.
The timing belt change is a procedure that can take about less than 20 minutes if you are good at it, Consumables - there is only oil and filter. Air filter is washable. Haven't found the need to replace it yet. Other parts are abundant as the it is the same platform as the TLC 90/Prado.
I've noticed that 1KZ-T is not picky to the fuel you feed it. I have seen that it can eat just about the worst quality of diesel there is available to it. Expect reduced MPG as the fuel quality degrades.
I did managed to heat up the motor a little bit, but I didnt damaged it. I was driving on the highway going 96mph
police: speed limit in Bulgaria is 140km) slightly uphill, loaded with around 400lbs of peaches in the trunk and with outside temp 38C/100F. with the AC on. It was going to blow but I saw my temp gauge arrow in time to ease on the gas a bit. :lookout:
Offroad I wont comment - no need.
As it is rare to find a LHD model of the 1KZT or 1KD(the newer motor...which practically makes the 4Runner double as a race car) of this car, take a look at the Land Cruiser 90 Prado. It is the same platform and with the 1KZ-TE. Plenty of them in the streets of Bulgaria and Europe in general... not as great as the 4Runners IMO, but the closest to them available. Dont know if they can pass Euro 2 tho.
Some pictures are in my garage link above.
There are 2 types i've seen - one model with a mechanical fuel injection pump - 1KZ-T (mainly LHD),and one with an electronically controlled pump - 1KZ-TE (mainly RHD). Both are great vehicles.
I own the UN decommissioned mechanical pump base model which has not been sold in the European market in LHD. You can find it in South America under the alias Hilux SW4 with a small 3rd row seat even. Everywhere else it is known as the right-hand drive Hilux Surf model.
The UN 3rd Gen 4Runners incorporate the newer version of the 1KZ-T motor, which has all the great things about it - great on gas (28mpg), plenty of power, and practicality, to do just about anything you need, and has the major motor head issues of its older crackhead cousin fixed.
I have no issues aside from the regular and preventive maintenance necessities, which is great considering i am who knows which owner to drive it. Other than that it is very easy to work on this car.
I have no idea how many original miles on it (130K as of today), as there is no fool proof electronics that save mileage, especially in the mechanical pump model. The odometer is the only major controller based "computer" in this car. The car runs as long you dont cut-off the fuel to it.
The timing belt change is a procedure that can take about less than 20 minutes if you are good at it, Consumables - there is only oil and filter. Air filter is washable. Haven't found the need to replace it yet. Other parts are abundant as the it is the same platform as the TLC 90/Prado.
I've noticed that 1KZ-T is not picky to the fuel you feed it. I have seen that it can eat just about the worst quality of diesel there is available to it. Expect reduced MPG as the fuel quality degrades.
I did managed to heat up the motor a little bit, but I didnt damaged it. I was driving on the highway going 96mph
police: speed limit in Bulgaria is 140km) slightly uphill, loaded with around 400lbs of peaches in the trunk and with outside temp 38C/100F. with the AC on. It was going to blow but I saw my temp gauge arrow in time to ease on the gas a bit. :lookout:Offroad I wont comment - no need.
As it is rare to find a LHD model of the 1KZT or 1KD(the newer motor...which practically makes the 4Runner double as a race car) of this car, take a look at the Land Cruiser 90 Prado. It is the same platform and with the 1KZ-TE. Plenty of them in the streets of Bulgaria and Europe in general... not as great as the 4Runners IMO, but the closest to them available. Dont know if they can pass Euro 2 tho.
Some pictures are in my garage link above.
gbrmksmith
New member
Just bought a 1994 (2nd Gen) Hilux Surf SSR-X with the 1KZ-TE engine with 135,000 kms. Vehicle is RHD from Japan with automatic transmission.
It look's to have a locking front differential, but nothing looks different/unusual about the rear diff. No air lines or electrical lines running to it. Does anyone know if the SSR-X package has a limited slip differential in the rear?
So far ordering parts from megazip.com (Japan and United Arab Emirates). Taking about two weeks to get parts from Japan and longer from UAE.
I haven't gotten very deep into this one yet. Just catching up on maintenance. So far just oil and filter, drained, flushed and replaced coolant.
I have several parts ordered with the most important being a power steering pump gasket kit, as the PS pump is leaking a fair bit.
Any suggestions on what to preemptive maintenance would be appreciated.
It look's to have a locking front differential, but nothing looks different/unusual about the rear diff. No air lines or electrical lines running to it. Does anyone know if the SSR-X package has a limited slip differential in the rear?
So far ordering parts from megazip.com (Japan and United Arab Emirates). Taking about two weeks to get parts from Japan and longer from UAE.
I haven't gotten very deep into this one yet. Just catching up on maintenance. So far just oil and filter, drained, flushed and replaced coolant.
I have several parts ordered with the most important being a power steering pump gasket kit, as the PS pump is leaking a fair bit.
Any suggestions on what to preemptive maintenance would be appreciated.
Hey Ryan I'm in squamish. I'm thinking of getting a JDM Toyota and am looking at 2005 diesel Hilux surf. Would be great to meet up with you and check yours and get some insights from you. My number is 778 683 3284, call or message me if you have time.
Thanks!
Frasher4Runner
Member
Just FYI - his post was from 9+ years ago so you may not get a reply.
HiluxRyan hasn't been on this forum since Feb 2013 by the way
Hi do you know anything about importing a 1996 -1998 Toyota Hilux into BC Canada. I know we can bring vehicles that are older then 15 years but I’m worried about emissions and having to do modifications to get it insured. Also whats the best country and website to import from. Also do you know if they are available right hand drive.
Thanks!
