New Surf owner 3.0L Turbo Diesel!!!!

[JohnsD90]

The Surf is very popular in the UK, I have a '96 185 3.0D with the intercooler. It's pretty filthy at the moment and I am still finishing it (just the stereo to complete this week) and will post pics.

It has airbags driver and passenger side. It's SSR-G spec but no sunroof. The specs are very vague guides.

Jeez, buy a Defender if you live in the UK. I know i would. Is that 96 a 5 speed? And you got any pics?

 

[IanB]

If only you could get cars with such low km's in North America. In a few years I fully intend to get a 99 Surf from Japan once they are finally legal in Canada. I know I could get a 96 now, but the 99 and 00 are the best years IMO, and mine will easily last until then.

The question is, how hard would it be to convert to LHD. I know people have done it in Civics and Integras. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to source out the necessary LHD stuff from a Junkyard. What I wouldn't do for a LHD turbo diesel with under 60k and zero rust. :reddance:

I know the '99-'00 had some important changes in North America, but what changed on the Surf's for those years that makes it better? Mine is a '96 and it has the multimode 4x4 (push button AWD), is it just things like cupholders that were changed, or what?

I get the impression a LHD conversion would be much harder on a Surf than it is on a civic/integra, you'd need 2 complete vehicles to make it work. An engine swap would likely be easier, as stated.

 

[J i m s t e r]

Jeez, buy a Defender if you live in the UK. I know i would. Is that 96 a 5 speed? And you got any pics?

I used to want a Defender because they look hard-as-f*** but I've driven a few, and can't afford the ones that I want They hold their values really well for two reasons:

Old ones have a cult off-road following whereby all failings (and there are plenty) are forgiven because of the badge ("It's character, you see.") Old ones are cheap to fix though, because they are as mechanically complex as a rock, and possibly less luxurious.

The very recent ones with Ford Duratec running gear are fantastic (Finally - they have a gear for the highway), but they are stupidly expensive - They are positioned in the luxury market over here, as the kind of thing well-off toffs would have to potter around their country estates. The snob appeal means they can charge these kind of prices.

I could only afford a "Cheap" old one - and they are a great tool for the job, if that job is being offroad a lot. 99% of my driving is on tarmac, where the old ones become tiring over long distances. The Jap products are better all-rounders, even the die-hard LR fans would admit. The Jap cars have that new-fangled electricity and lights!

And f*ck, are they slow. 0-60 on a calendar. No regrets with the Surf!

 

[J i m s t e r]

My 96 is an auto with er... several speeds. I know the big gear is 30mph/1000rpm. Will cruise @ 90 all day. I will post pics when it's clean; we get rain a lot in the UK, apart from the Summer, when we get even more rain

 

[Avarice]

I know the '99-'00 had some important changes in North America, but what changed on the Surf's for those years that makes it better? Mine is a '96 and it has the multimode 4x4 (push button AWD), is it just things like cupholders that were changed, or what?

I get the impression a LHD conversion would be much harder on a Surf than it is on a civic/integra, you'd need 2 complete vehicles to make it work. An engine swap would likely be easier, as stated.

Ah, I knew as soon as I wrote that down that I ought to check the Surf's specs and see what the timeline was for their option availability. I was just too lazy haha.

The main things I like about the 99/00 in N.America are the e-locker and multimode system (AWD and then the rest) and I honestly do vastly prefer the updated console and HVAC controls(limited). If I could get the elocker and multimode though I can see living with the old console or updating it. Headlight update wasn't bad either. The bumper is fugly though.

I really want to try a RHD car for a week to see how much of a pain it is or isn't. My main issue is passing on BC roads. Single lane most of the time and windy/hills makes it hard enough to see and pass with LHD let alone a diesel RHD. Also, turning left in traffic seems like it would be hard to see oncoming vehicles in the far lanes. I don't use many drive-thru's so that would just give me a good excuse to stop completely.

 

[JohnsD90]

Old ones have a cult off-road following whereby all failings (and there are plenty) are forgiven because of the badge ("It's character, you see.") Old ones are cheap to fix though, because they are as mechanically complex as a rock, and possibly less luxurious.

The Jap cars have that new-fangled electricity and lights!

And f*ck, are they slow. 0-60 on a calendar. No regrets with the Surf!

Yeah mine had the 3.9 V8 did 0-60 in a week, same as the 4runner. I know what you mean. I should hopefully be across the pond in 2 years for a semester abroad, i should be picking up an 84-86 LR 90 CSW for about 1500 quid Yeah im wierd, less electrics= less to go wrong.

Any pics of your truck?

 

[IanB]

Ah, I knew as soon as I wrote that down that I ought to check the Surf's specs and see what the timeline was for their option availability. I was just too lazy haha.

The main things I like about the 99/00 in N.America are the e-locker and multimode system (AWD and then the rest) and I honestly do vastly prefer the updated console and HVAC controls(limited). If I could get the elocker and multimode though I can see living with the old console or updating it. Headlight update wasn't bad either. The bumper is fugly though.

I really want to try a RHD car for a week to see how much of a pain it is or isn't. My main issue is passing on BC roads. Single lane most of the time and windy/hills makes it hard enough to see and pass with LHD let alone a diesel RHD. Also, turning left in traffic seems like it would be hard to see oncoming vehicles in the far lanes. I don't use many drive-thru's so that would just give me a good excuse to stop completely.

I haven't seen any Surf's with e-lockers, I'm honestly not sure if it was an option on them. I'm sure they could be retrofit same as the 4runners though. I can't really comment on the RHD thing, yet, as I don't pick up my truck till the last week in Feb. but I'm counting on the taller ride height easing any visibility problems associated with RHD. I'll be driving it back through the mountains, so I guess I'll find out what it's like soon enough.