New Surf owner 3.0L Turbo Diesel!!!!

[KZN-185]

New Surf owner 3.0L Turbo Diesel!!!! (Now Lifted!)

Just wanted to share in my new owner excitement! After much debate and resubmitting proposals to my boss I finally was able to convince them to give me a vehicle allowance instead of renting. So, after a bit of searching I finally settled on this great 1996 Hilux Surf!!! It's 3.0L turbo diesel (no intercooler) 4x4 with 60,000km and all the great Surf parts that I like.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46475195@N06/4266051948/" title="DSC01899 by KZN-185, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4266051948_49cf537909.jpg" width="500" height="370" alt="DSC01899" /></a>

I'm living in northern Japan near Aomori and the winter gets pretty bad here. After getting high centered on a snow drift during a white out in my POS Nissan Latio, (Versa stateside) I had the leverage I needed with the boss. In the week that I've had it I've finally been able to drive to go snowboarding and get to plow through the closed (no plow) roads on the way home! I'm really impressed with the power, interior quality, and suspension. It's much better quality wise (squeaks and rattles) than my 2001 Dodge Durango I have back home in Florida.
I need to get some time to talk with some of the local resellers here on Surf parts. I know some of you guys have a craving for some JDM and I really want to compare prices with stuff on eBay to see if those guys are really marking stuff up. Anyway, glad to finally be a part of the site and a new owner!

 

[gptoy96]

Wow, that's just sweet.

Turbo diesel, rear tire carrier, hood scoop, looks to be a Limited (if it's the same there as here), that's just perfect. Only way it could be better is if it was LHD and in my driveway instead of yours!

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[JohnsD90]

Is it a 5 speed? I am looking to do the 3.0TD swap and wonder how the engine is. And also why do the raingaurds need to be that big, i have been trying to figure it out? Truck looks great. I'm liking that A-bar.

 

[JohnsD90]

Grill looks nice too, I'll trade.

 

[KZN-185]

I searched for a few months while waiting on a decision, finally settled on a 98 from Tokyo, sent the info to my friend and he told me he just got this one in and I wouldn't have to pay shipping from Tokyo. $5,400 after losing some cash to the exchange rate.
The rain guards are stupid huge, I prefer the in-channel type but I think everyone in Japan smokes and needs the extra space to flip ashes.
It has an AT, sorry no 5-speed info.
I was looking to swap out the grill with a 00-02 model since I can get it super cheap over here. There's no junkyards but upgarage.com is a great used parts reseller that has stuff from all over the country and you can actually go into the shop to order used parts.
It's an SSR-X, I haven't been able to find out exactly the difference between the -X, -G, and -V models. It seems that you could option out just about anything over here when they were ordered new. Recaro seats, the bull bar, wood grain, Nav, ect.

 

[JohnsD90]

Can I get your grill if you get a new one? Also if you haave that GPS-like field monitor (Rarer than the regular field monitor) can you tell me how much it is?

 

[SilverBullet01]

ug its like my dream 4runner is staring at me.....

 

[nighthawk]

I don't know about the 3rd gen, but 2nd gen SSR-X is the base and SSR-G is the top of the line and has Recaro seats and adjustable suspension. All SSR-G's have external mounted tire carrier.

For 3rd gen (my favourite), the SSR-G has a built in power retractable mirror in the rear spoiler so you can look straight down to see how much room you have, however, because it's only available on SSR-G models which have the spare on the outside, the spare tire does impede on the view afforded by the retractable mirror.

Congrats on your Hilux. I still have to wait one more year before I can import a 3rd gen Hilux Surf from Japan. I'd love to get the 3.0TD with 5spd. That would be a sweet combo. Too bad though that it's only RHD. That (and the price) is the things nagging at me.

 

[Gumballf355]

Very nice... I bet alot of people wish they had your diesel.:sobbing:

 

[FoneRunner]

Wow...that is a super cool looking rig! Great color, options, and wheels! Have fun with it....and make sure you ship it home when you come back.:surfer:

 

[theizzardking]

no offense meant but i think it's funny the japanese versions are also a little slanty eyed, lol tongue in cheek, light hearted joke.

 

[Duhockey]

Thats nice!! man, wish I had a few of those options.

how about John trying to get you to part the thing out to him!! :wink2:

 

[JohnsD90]

Thats nice!! man, wish I had a few of those options.

how about John trying to get you to part the thing out to him!! :wink2:

Hey im just tryin to build my dreamrunner. I do want the A bar, grill, rarer field monitor, 3.0td, spare tire carrier, those headlights corners and turns, maybe the hood, rear spoiler, and Duhockey's flares.

 

[96743runner]

Congrats on the Surf!

Very nice! I like those corner lights and grille. Looks like it has the same spoiler as the one I do!

 

[Gumballf355]

Is the diesel rated to tow more? Does it work better offroad? What kind of gas mileage are you getting outta her 4runner? How many miles per tank? Any reason you decided on getting a diesel over petrol? Do you tow a lot?

 

[KZN-185]

More Pics

I know that diesels have much more torque that gas engines but not sure how it compares to the 3.6L. Not planning for off road use but the roads here are bad enough that it might as well be. I don't do any towing, it was just the best deal I could find on a Surf. Now that I have it, I love the sound of the diesel and that turbo spooling up!
John I'm throwing in a few more pics for you, but this ain't turning into a Pick-U-Part haha :hatsoff:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46475195@N06/4268178100/" title="compass by KZN-185, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4268178100_c1b7b48e9a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="compass" /></a>
I need to fix the bull bar, nearly every one that I've seen has this fading going on, Not sure how to fix it yet. Ideas???
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46475195@N06/4268177192/" title="DSC01906 by KZN-185, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4268177192_99a85f0e6d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC01906" /></a>
As with most English translations here in Japan, this makes no sense at all.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46475195@N06/4268176200/" title="DSC01904 by KZN-185, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4268176200_83095333c8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC01904" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46475195@N06/4267430187/" title="DSC01903 by KZN-185, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4267430187_e2cd0e160e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC01903" /></a>

 

[FoneRunner]

I really like that rig...hey when you get a chance can you take a picture of how that rear spoiler mounts to the truck? I have to know if they have a bracket like mine or some better way to mount it...THANKS!

 

[JohnsD90]

I like it, get a spray can for the A bar. Thanks i do appreciate it.

 

[3G_runner]

looks real good...u should put up more picks. like engine and interior

 

[KZN-185]

I really like that rig...hey when you get a chance can you take a picture of how that rear spoiler mounts to the truck? I have to know if they have a bracket like mine or some better way to mount it...THANKS!

Will do, I'll take some over lunch tomorrow along with engine and interior.

Really appreciate the Surf love from back home, makes me like this truck even more!