Stock Number: 4813

Toyota has long been known for their abilities in the offroad market; the Hilux SSR-X represents the best of both worlds. Nimble enough to city park yet powerful enough to get out of its own way, the Hilux seats five comfortably and features a rugged 4WD system and an unstoppable 1KZ-TE turbodiesel. Finished in Toyota's subtle but classy Evergreen Pearl (751) over Metallic Silver (147) two-tone, the body is in generally good shape. The paint has a great luster for it for being a 27 years old vehicle and the color really does stand out by comparison to what you see out on the roads these days. We're not claiming that it's perfect though, as there are still some scratches and stone chips in the clear which are pretty inevitable. The only particularly noteworthy issues are the spot on the driver's lower side bumper (which you can see in the photos) and the chrome on the rear bumper is starting to pit/flake with a matching dent on the driver's side. Luckily items like the bumper overlap to the same pieces we used here stateside for the 4Runner, so if it was something you found annoying down the road you could always replace it with ease. The more important aspects like the undercarriage and frame are all rust free though which would be a far bigger concern than some small aesthetics. Its polished factory brush guard, running boards, and polished mirror caps all tie it together and add an extra little pop. The body itself is rather straight with nothing really worth noting that hasn't already been addressed.

As a midsize SUV, the Surf has room for five adults and all the cargo that goes along with an active lifestyle. These are an ideal size, it fits nicely between the 70 and 80 series Land Cruisers which makes it easy to park while not feeling cramped. Those factory running boards are helpful when climbing up into the cockpit, and the ride height does wonders for visibility. For those looking for a more offroad rig, all of the same 4Runner lift kits can be used if you're looking to put some more aggressive meat under the truck. The dash is in good shape, devoid of any major defects including discoloration or cracking which can be an issue. While the cabin of the Hilux is simply laid out, it was thoughtfully done with everything right in arm's reach. The seats are super comfortable with the X-Trim level. These are ideal when it comes to daily use and in spectacular shape. Normally we expect some bolster wear or some discoloration but we don't have any of that here. The passenger and back seats are in even better shape which is generally what we expect to find. While the cluster reads 19K miles they were not verified prior to leaving Japan. It may have had a cluster swap at some point, which is typically the reason for it, but we can't be sure for certain. Based on the condition of the body and interior it's hard to believe that the mileage is crazy far off but that's only speculation. Another uncommon item for the time, dual cup holders, retracts from the center stack and come in quite handy. Your standard convenience items like power mirrors, one-touch drivers window, and the original head unit are all working just fine. The main attraction on the Hilux is that signature power back window which is fantastic when the weather finally warms back up. The climate control is functioning as it should, however, it's a bit hard to test the A/C but so well when it's 30 degrees outside.

Powering the rig is Toyota's legendary 3.0L 1KZ-TE turbodiesel. This large four-banger is revered for its bulletproof reliability, low cost of ownership, and sumptuous amounts of torque. With a turn of a key, it turns over and jolts to life. It sets into a constant idle, and the off the line thrust is fantastic. Off to the right of the wheel is a convenient "idle up" switch to help get some heat in the block quicker. The automatic transmission shifts into gear nicely and does have any hesitations or clunking to note. With SUVs like this, the auto really is the best way to go since the diesels don't rev out all the high, to begin with. There is an ECT power button that will hold you in gear longer to keep you in the powerband when need be. These have no issues with getting up to highway speeds unlike the micro trucks/vans that we sell so they make great daily drivers. The low-end torque is just as good around town as it is for stump-pulling in the backyard. The selectable 4WD system has more than enough oomph to get you out of any bind. 5 new all terrains also make sure that you've got plenty of traction to go along with the 4x4 system. You can spot in the photos that the axel back exhaust has seen better days so we're going to have that replaced prior to sale, it simply didn't make the photos. The stock suspension has little issues on crappy US highways and is plenty capable offroad. As a capable truck, the Hilux is more than capable of whatever you can throw at it. The overengineered powertrain, aggressive aesthetic, and low cost of ownership make this an instant Japanese Classic.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint 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.