Stock #7219
Exterior Overview
Interior Overview
The cabin is ergonomic and spacious. With room for five adults and additional cargo, and a decent amount of electric amenities, the interior was well designed. Dual SRS airbags are standard if you prioritize safety, and the dashboard lacks any cracking or fading. We upgraded the radio to supply American FM frequencies and Bluetooth integration. The BOSS unit is intuitive to operate, and the audio quality is decent for a vehicle of this vintage. Above, the automatic climate system delivers piping hot heat and cold A/C, so this Hilux can be enjoyed year round. Equipped with an OEM field monitor, this unit displays info about the outside conditions and direction of travel should you lose cell service. The driver benefits from a tilt-adjustable steering column and adjustable lumbar support. Power mirrors, power locks, and power windows all work in typical Toyota fashion, making daily use enjoyable. Even the rear hatch glass powers down to supplement airflow, and an electric drop-down reverse mirror can unfurl from the spoiler to provide a glance of anything hiding behind the rear bumper. That’s not to say the cabin is perfect, as we wanted to note some staining on the headliner and carpets and a non-functional sunroof and passenger side power folding mirror. On the positive side, a set of pricey Imperial mats is included with the purchase of this fine vehicle, which helps obscure the carpet’s imperfections. Additionally, we have two spare keys, owner’s manuals, and maintenance booklets to gift to the next owner as well!
Mechanical Overview
The 1KZ-TE providing propulsion is a legendary mill. It’s tough, torquey, and sips fuel compared to the petrol models. Fresh off an oil and filter service, the 3.0L cranks over with haste courtesy of a new 12V battery. A proper tune-up was in order, and we installed a new fuel filter and engine air filter, and then replaced the cracked crossover tube for the intake. The valve cover gasket was leaking, too, so it was replaced, and the 1K runs right as rain. It’s linked to a stout automatic gearbox that shifts properly and makes good use of the powerplant’s prodigious low-end grunt. It feeds torque through a selective transfer case that gives the pilot the ability to toggle between 2WD and 4WD on the fly. For your off-road playdates, a low range and center locking differential can be utilized to keep momentum moving forward. The Surf sails up to highway merging speeds with aplomb, and is a comfortable interstate cruiser. The new Eibach lift delivers a refined ride, and we have performed a host of additional suspension work to get this truck driving like a dream. Up front, the lower control arms, lower ball joints, and front sway bar end links were replaced. The rear suspension benefits from new upper and lower control arms. We also bolstered the standard ABS brakes. So that this midsize sport utility could slow down with confidence, we swapped in new front brake pads and rotors. We then overhauled the steering system with a rack rebuild. This costly service will save the new owner some serious coin! When we do the repair, we always install new rack bushings and boots, replace the inner and outer tie rods, and flush the fluid. A fresh alignment was performed so this terrific Toyota tracks straight as an arrow, and the new 33″ tires should last for tens of thousands of miles to come. Ready to hit the open road, this Surf is about as good as it gets!
*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.
