Stock #6885
Exterior Overview
The Hilux Surf is an icon in the SUV world. Handsome, capable, easy to service, and reliable, these rigs are tough to keep in stock. This 1996 is a special example, and is finished in a modern Toyota hue, Cavalry Blue (796). We wanted to note that the hood and front fenders were replaced in Japan, and aside from a few minor imperfections, the body is in good shape. This SSR-G is adorned by an OEM spare tire swingarm, factory rain guards, OEM spoiler, a rare OEM spare tire cover, and refinished 16″ alloys, which adds some serious visual appeal compared to North America’s more pedestrian 4Runners. Fresh off a recent service, this 4×4 is powered by the same bulletproof V6 we received Stateside, and is offered with only 134k verified and documented miles on the ticker. Ideal as an all-weather daily driver, cool campsite companion, or modified as a mud-slinging trail monster, this truck can do it all! Safe, spacious, and beloved for its low cost of ownership, this SUV is the definition of a Japanese Classic.
Interior Overview
The cabin is spacious, ergonomically designed, and nicely optioned. Everyone can enter the cabin with ease thanks to functional power locks, and the driver can find the ideal seating position thanks to a tilt-adjustable steering column and optional adjustable lumbar support. Both front occupants benefit from standard dual SRS airbags, and ABS is standard for those who might be safety-conscious. Compared to a new vehicle designed with thick A-pillars, this truck delivers way better visibility. The dashboard is low lying and lacks any cracking or fading, too. For tunes to supplement your commute, a Pioneer radio upgrade was performed in Japan, and it sounds great. By the map lights, an OEM field monitor delivers information about the outside conditions to those within the cabin. Power windows, electric roll-down rear glass, and power folding mirrors all work in typical Toyota fashion, making daily use more enjoyable. Even a backup mirror can drop down from the rear spoiler to prevent a costly fender bender when reversing this terrific Toyota. The upholstery is in good shape and has aged gracefully. The material is durable and lacks any major rips, stains, or tears. The rear row also has the ability to split fold, or tumble forward and fold flat to accommodate larger cargo. When in use, unlike our domestic 4Runners, the rear seats four-way recline for optimal comfort on longer hauls. The headliner and door cards are in above average shape, as is the cargo area. Aside from some light carpet stains its hard to nitpick this truck, and it was clearly cared for overseas. It even includes the maintenance booklets from the previous owner!
Mechanical Overview
Under the skin, this body-on-frame brute is an old-school truck. The 5VZ-FE under the hood is a tough quad cam powerplant, as well, and is fresh off an oil and filter service. A new 12v battery allows for instantaneous ignition, and a new fuel filter, new spark plugs, and an engine air cleaner were replaced as part of this rig’s tune-up. A coolant flush was performed, and we installed a new radiator and thermostat to handle the thermal load. Best of all, a new timing belt and water pump service was taken care of! This preventive maintenance item will save the new owners some serious coin and add loads of peace of mind for that initial road trip back home. To keep all the lubricant internal to the 3.4L, we replaced the valve cover gaskets and the front main seal. With the 5VZ getting a new lease on life, we then went to shore up the rest of the driveline. We resealed the transmission pan, performed a fluid service, and we must say, the auto makes good use of the V6’s midrange grunt. Shifts feel confident, and the pilot can choose between 2WD and 4WD on the fly. For off-road excursions, a center locker and low-range 4WD can be engaged. It gets up to highway speeds with ease, and is a confident cruiser. New rear shocks were installed to improve the ride quality, and we also replaced the front and rear sway bar end links, and the rear upper and lower control arms. We then rebuilt the steering rack, flushed the fluid, and installed new rack bushings. An alignment was dialed in with new inner and outer tie rods. Grip is handled by four new all-terrain 31″ Falkens, which look mean and will last for tens of thousands of miles to come. Turn key and ready to roll, this stylish and substantive Surf leaves little to be desired.
*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.
