1996 Hilux Surf 3.0TD SSR-G
Sold: $22,995
Stock# 5726
Typically when picking a diesel ute off our lot you'll have to sacrifice a bit of refinement in order to capitalize on the engine's capabilities. As far as Toyota's N185 Surf is concerned, this is far from the case, as these rigs are as equally comfortable and daily drivable as they are capable. Examples like this 1996 SSR-G are great units, and this one sports a fresh coat of Toyota's Cypress Green (6X5) paint. This Surf turns plenty of heads and is set off by a 2" lift, a tasteful factory rear spoiler, color-matched factory brushguard, and privacy tint. There's even a nifty factory spare tire carrier on the rear, aiding the tough guy aesthetic. Sitting on aftermarket 16" alloys wrapped in 35" Falken rubber, she assumes a menacing stance on the road as well. Despite a prior replacement of the front bumper, fenders, and hood in Japan, the exterior shows quite well for its age. Even better, this one has racked up a mere 144k verified/documented miles over the years, setting it up nicely for a fruitful future on our US roads. Dependable, durable, and dashingly good-looking, this N185 is a Japanese Classic well worth the coin!
The interior is spacious, packed to the brim with amenities, and features the same condition, fit, and finish you've come to expect from the brand's offerings in the late '90s. The seats are upholstered in a sought-after "Moon Mist" fabric, which is good news for Toyota enthusiasts, and show few defects aside from a couple of rips in the driver's bucket. Complementing the upholstery is a soft-touch vinyl dashboard with matte black accent trim. Although this one has fallen victim to some typical distortion around the passenger area, drivers and passengers will still appreciate the inclusion of dual SRS airbags regardless. Tucked away in the lower dash trim is a fully functional automatic climate control unit. With both cold A/C and hot heat on tap, this all-weather vehicle stays true to form and all controls work without a hitch. Aspiring off-roaders will appreciate the functionality of the OEM field monitor, which displays various environmental conditions conveniently below the map lights. Power windows, power locks, and power mirrors are all in good operation, aside from the power folding function no longer working. The rear glass even unfurls at the push of a button to allow your four-legged friends some extra ventilation in the rear. Additionally, the factory power rear under mirror is in good operation and aids visibility when reversing out of tight spots. The rear bench is versatile, seating 3 additional passengers with ease while also folding all the way forward to accommodate some extra cargo space. The headliner and carpets are in good nick save for a couple expected age related stains, and it's clear this one was well cared for in its prior Japanese life as there aren't any major defects to note outside of some wear on the steering wheel and an inoperable headunit. For those passionate about their truck's history, we've even retained the factory carpeted floor mats and original owner's manual!
If you've been following our inventory for a while you'll have familiarized yourself already with the durability of Toyota's bulletproof 1KZ-TE power plant. This peppy 3.0 turbo diesel is not only easy to maintain, but it delivers plenty of fuel economy in almost every driving condition! This one cranks over swiftly care of 2 new 12v batteries. A new engine air filter and fuel filter have been taken care of, and one of our trained techs has also replaced the v-belts to drive your accessories and make sure the 3.0L is healthy as a horse. Torque is fed through a smooth shifting automatic transmission and sent through the selective transfer case. For the best fuel economy and quickest acceleration, we recommend using this truck in 2WD. If you take a beach outing or take a trek down a muddy road you have the option to engage the center locking differential and drive in high or low 4WD. The Surf accelerates as well as any SUV we sell, and can drive at sustained American interstate speeds without breaking a sweat. The low-end grunt is also pretty fun stoplight-to-stoplight. The suspension provides loads of ground clearance and insulates nicely against large and small road imperfections. Additionally, to help dial in the 2" lift, this truck has been outfitted with an OptOffroad adjustable rear 4-link featuring Forged Johnny-Joint rod ends, and an Apoc Industries adjustable panhard bar to boot, making this one a real treat to drive on any surface. To further shore up the drivetrain, we've even replaced both rear axle seals. New front inner and outer tie rods have been installed and a fresh alignment was performed as well. The new 35" Falken all-terrains do great on loose surfaces and tarmac, while the ABS brakes are strong enough to reign this nearly 5,000-pound platform down to manageable speeds. As daily drivers, weekend cruisers, or as capable trail rigs, these stellar N185s Surfs can do it all!
*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.