Stock #7175
Exterior Overview
The Hilux Surf is our best selling model, and the third generation model offers the most bang for your buck. The chassis is catching on in a big way here in the USA, and this 1996 has it all. Fresh paint, tasty options, and the potent turbodiesel powerplant that enthusiasts crave. Finished in Mudbath (4Z2), this spicy Surf is eye-catching, and is set off by a set of refinished factory alloys. The new paint shows only a few minimal imperfections, and save for a prior replacement of the front bumper it’s hard to find fault with this Surf as a whole. Best of all, the chassis boasts an unbelievable 54k verified and documented miles on the clock, which indicates this trusty Toyota is barely broken in. After surviving nearly three decades on the road, this super Surf shows no signs of stopping, and it’s ready to succeed here stateside. An ideal campsite cavalier, highway hauler, or around town runbout, this Japanese Classic has a ton of staying power, and will look great in your driveway!
Interior Overview
The interior feels familiar, has a host of power appointments and amenities, and was clearly cared for in a prior life, which should inspire a bit of confidence about its condition. Just like our stateside models, Toyota opted for a “moon mist” color scheme, and the materials have withstood the better part of 25 years with minimal defects. The gray upholstery spans both rows of seating and is free of excessive rips, stains, or tears, and the dash cover is in above average condition. The remaining hard plastics and trim surrounding the center stack are in good shape overall, and the driver has easy access to a simple automatic climate control unit, which is ripe with cold A/C and hot heat. It sits adjacent to period-correct Kenwood audio, which functions well. If you prefer to unfurl the windows and listen to the turbodiesel’s soundtrack, the Surf offers a panoramic experience. All four windows are power operable, as is the rear hatch glass. Power locks and mirrors round off the list of available switchgear, and overall, we find the cabin condition to be above average overall. That’s not to say it is perfect, as we did want to point out the rear heat has been bypassed, and the automatic shift lever could benefit from new bushings. Still, that’s nitpicking on a vehicle of this vintage, and for a classic Toyota, we think the next owner will be happy with its condition. Even a full set of original floor mats are included!
Mechanical Overview
The Surf’s body on frame chassis is one tough cookie, and the same thing can be said for the turbodiesel 1KZ-TE under the hood. Fresh off an oil and filter service, the 3.0L whirrs to life care of two new 12v batteries that work to maximize cold cranking amps. A new fuel filter and engine air filter provided a basic tune-up, and we installed a new thermostat and flushed the coolant to help the 1K get up to temp. A new valve cover gasket buttoned up any pesky oil leaks, and best of all, we had the ECU freshly rebuilt to ward off any pesky electrical bugs. Power and torque are substantial, and the 3.0 sends power straight to an automatic gearbox. A selective transfercase benefits from a new output seal and allows the driver to choose between 2WD and 4WD on the fly. Even an optional center-locking differential was spec’d, allowing the pilot to split torque evenly between both axles. If that isn’t enough, a low-range multiplies torque to keep this Hilux trudging forward. New front and rear shocks keep the suspension comfortable and compliant, and to help tighten up the handling, new front lower control arms, lower ball joints, and rear upper and lower control arms were installed. We also rehabbed the steering system, and we removed and rebuilt the power steering rack with all new seals, inner and outer tie rods, rack boots, and bushings. We flushed in new power steering fluid, which makes turning the brand new 31″ Falken rubber an easy affair. The new tires should last for a good while, and work in tandem with new brake hoses, new front pads and rotors, and factory ABS to keep stopping distances abrupt. Freshly aligned, there’s a lot to love about this Surf, and this low mileage SUV is ready for adventure!
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.
