Stock #6227

The modern truck and SUV market is saturated with technology, fluff, and unibody junk. Today's rigs are far from the body-on-frame tanks of yore and fortunately at Japanese Classics we specialize in keeping these old school rigs alive! This 1997 Hilux Surf SSR-G is far more appealing than anything we received in the states, thanks to its durable turbodiesel drivetrain and dependable Toyota 4WD. Finished in a one-off Pitch Black, the exterior is in good shape as well and is set off by facelift bodywork, OEM rainguards, custom graphics, and 16" refinished multipiece alloys. We wanted to note a prior replacement of the front right fender and door, but the cosmetics appear to be no worse for the wear and this rig still looks miles better than anything we received domestically. With only 146k miles on the clock, this KZN185 is a hot prospect and is fresh off a recent service here at the shop! Capable, easy to own, and a beast on and off the beaten path, it's no wonder the Hilux Surf is our favorite Japanese Classic SUV!

While the chassis and drivetrain are the talk of the town, the Surf's interior is worth writing home about too. It's not often you see a 25 year old truck stand up to daily use and abuse while still maintaining its integrity inside but Toyota definitely knew what they were doing. The seats are upholstered in a durable "moon mist" cloth and save for some fading on the refinished interior panels there's nothing major to complain about. The same can be said for the sweeping vinyl dash, which also houses Dual SRS airbags for some added frontal crash protection. Nestled in the center stack, Clarion audio works like a charm and features MP3 functionality if you prefer your own tunes over the turbodiesel's. Adjacent to the headunit, automatic climate control has cold A/C and hot heat on tap for year-round excursions. If you prefer to let in the elements, the power windows are fully functional as well as the power rear glass, which is ideal for keeping any pets happy in the rear. The power locks and electric folding side mirrors work for added accessibility, and the rear bench reclines which we never saw on our USDM third gens. For a bit of added luxury we've installed some Imperial carpet mats to spruce up the cockpit and the headliner was dyed black in Japan to boot. Save for a tear in the rear seat, and some fading on the plastic trim, it's really hard to pick apart one of Toyota's best designed cabins of the 90's!

We have a lot of happy Surf drivers on the road, and the 1KZ-TE could very well be solely responsible for this stress free ownership experience. These bulletproof turbodiesels are easy to wrench on, fantastic on fuel, and we've given this one a thorough once over in the shop to get you ready for the road ahead! We chucked in a new 12v battery to aid ignition, and this diesel settles into a smooth idle after a fresh oil and filter service. We noticed an oil seep up top and sealed it up with a new valve cover gasket, and a new engine air filter and fuel filter were installed for good measure. The turbo deals a sufficient grunt down low and the automatic transmission is nicely geared for higher speed driving as well. A selective transfer case gives the option of 4WD when needed, and a center locker is on standby if you get stuck in the sand. We gave the driveline a hearty refresh, and replaced both front lower control arms, rear upper trailing arms, and new shocks all the way around. We also installed two new front CV axles, and performed a fresh alignment to get the most out of the drivetrain work. To deliver reliable power, we changed out a transfer case output seal and front diff pinion seal as well. This surf handles like a new truck and the ABS brakes stop on a dime. It also has plenty of traction, and the brand new Falken all terrains should last for tens of thousands of miles to come!

*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.