Stock #6783
Exterior Overview
Above all else, the Hilux Surf is a workhorse, but this 1998 is so much more. It’s fun to drive, thanks to its factory manual gearbox, and is easy to service, as the engine and driveline were sold in the US. Finished in a fresh coat of Island Blue (C2M), this SSR-X is set off by an OEM spare tire swingarm and a set of OEM refinished 16″ tri-spoke alloys. We wanted to note that the hatch was replaced in Japan at some point, and there are a few minor body imperfections, but as a whole, there is little to complain about cosmetically. Under the skin, the condition is just as good, and this rig is fresh off a recent service and boasts a mere 108k verified and documented miles on the ticker. Reliable, safe, and highly collectible, these terrific Toyotas make for excellent year-round family haulers, wonderful weekend cruisers, and dedicated overlanders. Versatile, safe, and superior to those domestic SUVs, this Japanese Classic is a special unit that won’t last long!
Interior Overview
The cabin is simple, ergonomic, and includes numerous power amenities that make daily use more manageable. A few aftermarket and factory upgrades are on hand, too. A premium Pioneer touchscreen headunit looks modern and pumps tunes through the cabin. Integrated into the roof is a large moonroof that tilts and retracts to supplement airflow through the cockpit. It also adds a bunch of natural light, making the interior feel larger. The dashboard lacks any cracking or fading, and dual SRS airbags are standard equipment. The automatic climate control system doles out piping hot heat and cold A/C so that you can enjoy this truck year-round. Next to the map lights, an OEM Field Monitor is situated. It displays the outside temp, direction of travel, and barometric pressure, should you lose cell service. The driver can find the ideal seating position care of a tilt-adjustable steering column and optional adjustable lumbar support. Power windows, power locks, and power mirrors all work in typical Toyota fashion. Even the rear hatch window powers down for quick loading of light-duty cargo, and it also aids cabin ventilation. It lacks any major rips, stains, or tears, and is mirrored in the door cards. The headliner is in good shape, and aside from some worn carpets and a slight depression on the center console, it’s hard to nitpick this cabin.
Mechanical Overview
The mechanicals, frame, and running gear are shared with our domestic 4Runners. If you’re motivated by ease of service, this Surf is the ticket. Fresh off an oil and filter service, the 2.7L churns to life quickly, courtesy of a new 12V battery. To keep the oil level full, one of our trained techs resealed the oil pan so you won’t sweat a drop. A new fuel filter and new engine air filter work to maximize power, and a new muffler was installed so that the 2.7L sounds decent. The 3RZ feels healthy as a horse and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. New shifter bushings were installed so that the pilot can precisely find the proper gear, and the transmission shifts as it should and lacks any hitches or grinds. It’s mated to a selectable transfer case that allows the driver to choose between 2WD and 4WD on the fly. Rarely found on the gasoline four-cylinder models, this Hilux was spec’d with the optional center locking differential. It allows the torque to be fixed 50/50 front and rear. A low range is on hand, as well, and these trucks are awfully tough to stop in the sand, snow, and mud. It’s great on the highway, and the long wheelbase distributes road imperfections well. We have heavily refreshed the suspension to deliver superior ride quality and performance. New front ball joints, front sway bar bushings, front lower control arms, and rear upper and lower control arms were installed. The shocks were all original and also needed replacement, too. A new Ironman 4×4 lift was installed, and we then aligned the platform with new inner and outer tie rods. The power steering system was also in need of a refresh. We rebuilt the rack, flushed the fluid, and installed new rack bushings. The ABS brakes feel confident, and a new master cylinder was installed to keep things that way, and the 16″ wheels are wrapped in beefy 33″ Falken rubber. Turn key and ready to rock, this truck looks mean as heck and drives even better than it looks.
*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.
