Hilux surf
- Thread starter SilverRidgeRunner1
- Start date
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-toyota-hilux-surf-3/
This is sweet. And just down the road from me.
This is sweet. And just down the road from me.
HiluxSurf SSR-G
Senior Member
not really. it has proven itself in Oceania, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Dunno if it was an option in Central and South America.
It wasn't available for the 1st gen. It was only introduced in 1993 (N130/J78) and was in use until around 2008 (N215/J120).
It wasn't available for the 1st gen. It was only introduced in 1993 (N130/J78) and was in use until around 2008 (N215/J120).
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SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
Interesting... I found a dealer in SC who handles this stuff I haven't inquired on how they managed to get them titled yet but they have a lot of nice LC
https://www.japandirectmotors.com/vehicle/1991-toyota-land-cruiser-hzj77/
Hepar
New member
Again, as long as the vehicle you're importing is 25 years or older, the process to register it is as simple as going down to your local DMV.
One way people were getting around that is with the Land Rover 110's. They were bringing in newer ones and faking them on the docs as older models. Didn't end well for some.
https://jalopnik.com/the-feds-just-seized-40-land-rovers-imported-to-the-u-s-1605985758
Hepar
New member
There's something with Florida and shady imports. Maybe someone with more experience there can chime in.
SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
I talked with my connections and pretty much I have to falsify some doc into getting it done. At this point I would be better off creating a replica... "hmm it seem cheaper at this point"
sleepydad
Senior Member
vehicles imported by Richardet, and the fact that the government has dropped its case makes a strong statement that the evidence may not have held up in court. All of the vehicles in question are now at least 26 years old, and none has been proven to carry a swapped VIN.
I don't have access to the legal docs but guess what? homeland security focked up and held peoples trucks for 365 days on bad info.
I have heard they all got them back. so... I mean sure people can make false claims and import stuff. you can get a 1/2 clip of a surf and swap motors? people were doing it into 3rd gens and it was 100% legal. I have seen quite a few KZ surfs from the 96-00 range in the states with titles and seem to be legal. yea for sure you would want to run all the facts down to verify things before you clunk down your $
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SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
Code:
Yea I was running down the $ figure with the importer and I would of been able to score a super low 50,000Mile Hilux surf out the door for around 5k mark then the question of getting it titled and register and state legal blew that dollar figure up and we are talking a 99 model.
Hepar
New member
Yep. Comes down to the juice being worth the squeeze?
sleepydad
Senior Member
Hell no. Have fun on the hills with the 1KZ. It’s a real Cummins challenger.
so tell us how you really feel about that engine?
sleepydad
Senior Member
if it were really that cheap everybody would be doing it. I also looked into importing a land cruiser troop or an older HiLux pickup with solid front axle.
I don't know how hard it would be to get parts but...I'm guessing you might be ordering stuff from Dubai and UAE.
that fact that Toyota sold like 1.2 million 3rd gens in the USA is why I have one. you can find parts pretty much anyplace.
HiluxSurf SSR-G
Senior Member
just curious on why you wanna do that, when a LHD is available in the US? only diff are the optional swing-out tire carrier, wind deflector, momo steering wheel, TRD suspension package, and the recaro seats
Hepar
New member
I definitely like the looks of the rear hatch with the swing out. May be a bit of nostalgia from having a 1991 with one. The Recaro seat are also a plus. But that's about it for me. I don't like the oversized visors, fender mirror, running boards or front bumper.
Would I want a diesel LC? Hell yes.
T4R2014
Elite Member
It really boggles my mind that some guys desire an engine they never drove. Turbodiesel sounds synonymously good, but then you really need to dig into the specs to see what you're getting into. People tend to think good things because of Cummins, Powerstroke, Duramax, etc. But the reality of these older diesels is that they are more similar to those old IDI Fords with a turbo on them. I don't care to give anyone financial advice, but if you're going to blow money on a diesel engine you'll likely not break even with in fuel cost soon, then why this one? Not like it will turn a 3rd gen into a towing monster either. The wheelbase is still too short, and rear brake could use discs.
With that said, there's no questioning 1KZ reliability. It is very reliable. Also much better than the 2LT. You're worried about cracked heads on the 5VZ? Think again.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/2lt-cylinder-head-cross-cut-the-reason-it-cracks-and-fails.762967/
The 2001 Surf has the 1KD diesel. Pretty sure this was the only year as well. Not a power animal out of the box, but it has way more power potential if you like dicking around with that stuff. Commonrail and variable geometry turbo. Parts might be more expensive, but this isn't something for profit or economy anyway.
Me personally, I'll dream big and go for a UZ swap with a 6-speed. I'll buy a Surf for the spare tire carrier.
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SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
I was just thinking it would fun to own one and your right with everyone would be doing it if was that cheap. I just got back with a actual dealer who basically said it cannot be done at all so that confirms my original question, unless its 25 years of age.
