Just a couple more months...

[IanB]

Finally got home today, crunched the numbers and it looks like I averaged about 21mpg on the trip, doing 120-140km/h for the most part. I was hoping for a bit better, but that may come once I've had a chance to do a bit of maintenance on it. I changed the air filter once I got back, and it was filthy.

All in all, the truck was very good to me, and we had an awesome trip!

 

[thebootyhouse]

Nice ride. Congrats! Where did it come from?

 

[Hepar]

I was hoping for a bit better, but that may come once I've had a chance to do a bit of maintenance on it. I changed the air filter once I got back, and it was filthy.

All in all, the truck was very good to me, and we had an awesome trip!

How much did you drive in 4wd? And I bet you also hit a bunch of hills on the way too. I bet your day to day numbers will be better. Sweet pics too, but would you mind taking and posting some pics of the engine? That's what's really gonna make me drool.

 

[IanB]

How much did you drive in 4wd? And I bet you also hit a bunch of hills on the way too. I bet your day to day numbers will be better. Sweet pics too, but would you mind taking and posting some pics of the engine? That's what's really gonna make me drool.

I was in AWD roughly 20% of the time over the trip, RWD whenever I could, but a few "kickouts" of the rear and I was getting asked if we were in AWD whenever the road was less than bare and dry, lol.

More pics and definitely some engines shots to come shortly, it's back to work tomorow and working to get it safetied and insured in the evenings. Hoping to get DRL's and new headlights/corner lights installed Monday evening, and maybe get it in for an inspection Tuesday or Wednesday, so I can see if there's anything else it will need.

 

[IanB]

Nice ride. Congrats! Where did it come from?

I bought it through braveauto.com, it's from Japan.

 

[CookieRoe]

Did you have the steering wheels changed over? Was it pricey to do? Any pics of before/after?

If it was a economical enough option I'd love to pick up a surf like the OP and change it over. What a perfect truck that would be.

In Peru, its the law that any vehicle for civilian use be left hand drive. When it enters the country, it enters as a right hand drive, but converted near the port of entry (where the shops are that change everything...dashboard/steering rack/etc). When I got my SURFS, they were already converted. Even if you WANT a right hand drive SURF, you can't have one.

Finally got home today, crunched the numbers and it looks like I averaged about 21mpg on the trip, doing 120-140km/h for the most part. I was hoping for a bit better, but that may come once I've had a chance to do a bit of maintenance on it. I changed the air filter once I got back, and it was filthy.

All in all, the truck was very good to me, and we had an awesome trip!

Your SURF looks AWESOME!!!!! Congratulations! :thumb3:

 

[IanB]

For safety I was called on the front swaybar endlinks (one was broken right off!), and a possible brakeline leak that turned out to be from the diff breather hose. I got the endlinks changed tonight, and will take it back to have it reinspected after work tomorrow, before my temp insurance runs out, so I'm pretty happy!

I washed it for the 1st time today, and should be able to take some new pics over the weekend.

 

[IanB]

Safety is done, truck is now insured and plated, so the "importation process" is all done and behind me. Wasn't really that bad at all.:banana:

I got a chance to drain and fill the rear diff and transfer case with synthetic fluids, and I'll be doing the front diff and tranny shortly. Gave it a thourough vacuuming and cleaned it all inside, and I'm very happy with this thing so far. Here's a few new pics I snapped, unfortunately it got a bit dirty again before these got snapped, lol.

My dog Ally loves it, and I'm looking forward to summer with the sunroof and rear window open!

 

[gptoy96]

Looks great!

Any mod plans or just keep it stock?

 

[IanB]

Looks great!

Any mod plans or just keep it stock?

I've got a list of mods planned as long as my leg, starting with a full baseline changing out all fluids, which I've already started. Next up will be a circulating coolant heater(1500w), and hardpipe intake from the filter housing to the turbo inlet. After that, likely a new stereo so I can get local radio stations again, the factory deck uses a different spectrum than North America. I'll be picking up some 265/75/16 Duratracs over the summer as the current tires SUCK on hardpacked snow and ice, and looking for another of the same wheels for my spare (Bridgestone Nebros, 16x8, 0 offset, if anyone comes across one, let me know). I'm trying to find a trailer hitch as well so I've got a good strong recovery point that won't wreck the bumper.

Before next winter I'd like to have a command start/turbo timer and heated seats installed as well, as this truck will live outside and it gets real cold here. Once all that's done, I may start to look for some '99 tall springs, and think about having some sliders made up to replace the running boards. I thought about removing the running boards, but they integrate nicely with the body, and keep a lot of road crap off the side of the truck, so I'm torn there.

I'd also like to have a new downpipe and exhaust made up, as well as a frontmount intercooler, just not sure of the timing on those. I'd like to be getting 25+mpg highway, and around 20mpg city, which isn't too far off where I'm currently getting (hwy best of 23, only city tank was 17).

 

[JohnsD90]

I just did 21mpg highway and gas is cheaper

But yeah the FMIC and Straight pipe is a real good idea, that should let the engine breath more and give it more power, see if you can tune the ECU and put bigger injectors in, that can really help out the low power and low mpg. Truck looks good, im liking that A-bar, licked if you get rid of it.

 

[IanB]

I just did 21mpg highway and gas is cheaper

But yeah the FMIC and Straight pipe is a real good idea, that should let the engine breath more and give it more power, see if you can tune the ECU and put bigger injectors in, that can really help out the low power and low mpg. Truck looks good, im liking that A-bar, licked if you get rid of it.

Diesel is cheaper up here at the moment, lol.

Bought some 265/75/16 Duractracs today, 5 of them, should have them installed after work today! Then off to the lake this weekend to try them out!:banana:

 

[gptoy96]

Bought some 265/75/16 Duractracs today, 5 of them, should have them installed after work today! Then off to the lake this weekend to try them out!:banana:

Nice! Make sure you post pics of them when they're on.

 

[IanB]

Looking at the news this morning, and I'm sure glad I got my truck safe and sound before anything like that happened! Absolute carnage over there, hope they recover quickly.

 

[IanB]

Nice! Make sure you post pics of them when they're on.

I've finally got a pic with the new boots on, the rest are still on my friend's camera, so I should get them later. One day I'll get a pic of it clean, lol. One day...

 

[gptoy96]

It looks good and meaty now. Ready for anything!

No worries, we're in melt mode around here too, no chance of keeping anything clean here for a couple of months till all the snow's gone.

 

[IanB]

Got the fuel filter changed today, leaving just the front diff fluid and another drain/fill of the tranny before my baseline maintenance is done!

 

[nighthawk]

Congrats on your Surf! Looks really nice. So envious of you. One of the things I hated about Canadian 4Runners were the exterior/interior combinations that we were offered. Only two colours came with the non-biege interior. I love the color combinations on your Surf. I read in a review somewhere that the backup mirror was useless as the spare tire obscured most of the view...haha. I guess you don't find that a problem. I really wish the SSR-G's were available without the rear tire carrier as I prefer the tire under the vehicle. However, those models did not have the backup mirror though. Again, congrats on your purchase. I personally would love to get one and convert it to LHD.

 

[IanB]

Last night I got the front diff fluid changed, I'm now running synthetic in both diffs and the transfer case, and my baseline maintenance is complete!

I also had a PM asking me to check if the rear seat backs were adjustable, so I looked and sure enough they are! Instead of having a "hook" in the seatback where it latches to the catch, there is a "claw" with 4 levels of adjustment in rear seatback angle! I haven't even ridden in the back yet, but I thought that was pretty cool! Sadly, I am missing the holes to stick the headrests when the seats are folded down, so there is some compromise here I suppose, lol.

I also found an old Alpine CD player a friend had laying around that I'm going to throw in until I can afford a new deck with bluetooth, it will be good to have radio back!

 

[blcktpgsr]

I also had a PM asking me to check if the rear seat backs were adjustable, so I looked and sure enough they are! Instead of having a "hook" in the seatback where it latches to the catch, there is a "claw" with 4 levels of adjustment in rear seatback angle! I haven't even ridden in the back yet, but I thought that was pretty cool! Sadly, I am missing the holes to stick the headrests when the seats are folded down, so there is some compromise here I suppose, lol.

Just to let everyone better understand how the rear seat backs operate, here's a couple photos off of a 2nd Gen Surf. Exactly the same works on 3rd Gens like IanB has.........Another Hilux Surf perk!

Photos courtesy of a good friend from California