Stock #7190
Exterior Overview
Our Japanese Classic vehicles are perfect chariots for modern daily driving. It may come as a surprise to some, but plenty of folks sell their new vehicles to purchase models like this 2000 Hilux Surf. It holds a commanding presence on pavement, with its Black (204) paintwork, factory chrome window tint, OEM rainguards, OEM spoiler, and refinished factory alloy wheels, and is barely broken in with just 113k miles on the ticker. Save for a few cosmetic imperfections, nicks, and scratches, this truck is visually stunning overall, and is backed by a determined drivetrain that’s just as appealing. Reliable, stylish, and frugal to own, these Japanese Classics make for terrific daily drivers, and it only takes one test drive to see why!
Interior Overview
The exterior styling might look familiar, but the Japanese market interior was a cut above the drab tan and grey interiors we received stateside. The seats are upholstered in a funky blue wave upholstery, with black accents. The accent fabric is mirrored in the door cards and is in clean condition throughout, with no major rips, stains, or tears to note. The same can be said for the condition of the dash cover, which has resisted any major defects apart from some discoloration above the passenger glovebox area. Not only is the cabin stylish, but it’s also accessible too, and has a number of power amenities on hand to assist daily use. The center stack frames a digital automotive climate control unit, positioned snugly next to upgraded Eclipse audio. The sound quality is decent for its vintage and benefits from upgraded door speakers. To add comfort to your daily commute, power windows, locks, and electric folding mirrors work well, in true Toyota fashion. Additionally, the driver benefits from functional keyless entry, which can also power the rear glass up and down remotely. The rear bench can recline back an inch, unlike our USDM models, and if we were to scrutinize the cabin at all, we’d make note that the driver’s seat bottom has some bolster wear. Save for that minor defect, we think the next owner will be impressed with its condition, and even the original owner’s manual and maintenance booklets are on hand!
Mechanical Overview
The frame is shared with the 4Runner, as is the engine, so parts sourcing and vehicle repair are a stress-free affair. The 3RZ-FE under the hood is fresh off an oil and filter service and whirrs to life promptly courtesy of a new 12v battery. To keep all the new oil internal to the engine, one of our trained techs has replaced the valve cover gasket with a new one and added a new distributor o-ring and oil pump seal! A new engine air filter replaced the soiled Japanese unit, and the 2.7L feels hearty as a horse. It feeds power through a stout automatic gearbox that shifts as it should. The pilot can choose between 2WD and 4WD on the fly, and a low range and center locking differential can be engaged when traction is limited. It gets up to highway merging speeds with ease, and when you need to slow down, ABS is standard. The ride quality has been improved with new front shocks. We also replaced the front lower ball joints and front lower control arms as they are a known failure point for these rigs. New front sway bar end links and steering rack bushings were installed prior to a fresh alignment. This Surf tracks straight as an arrow and grip is handled by four new 31″ Falken tires that we mounted and balanced in the shop. Turn-key and ready to rock, this terrific Toyota won’t let you down!
*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.
