Stock #6631
Exterior Overview
Despite being a classic 4×4, the Hilux Surf seems to increase in popularity year after year. A lot of this can be attributed to its determined diesel drivetrain, timeless styling, and staunch Toyota reliability, to be fair. This 2000 is turned up to 11, with a 4″ lift, 16″ JAOS Victron Ziga alloys and neat factory options and extras, like an OEM spare tire swingarm and rainguards. It’s also finished in a stately one-off Belair Black and shows well save for a few minor paint defects and nicks. Sporting a desirable factory intercooler and only 105k verified and documented miles, this Surf would be the enthusiast’s choice, and a standout rig on the trails or the tarmac. This big black beast is turn-key and ready to rock, and is a Japanese Classic that fits right in on our stateside shores.
Interior Overview
The interior matches the aesthetic to a t. It’s fashioned in a durable patterned cloth and was clearly well cared for in a prior life. The moon mist gray upholstery is soft to the touch, and the matching vinyl dash shows no discernible defects, cracks, or UV distortion common on these models. Toyota revamped the center stack, with a redesigned digital automatic climate control display, functional cupholders, and touchscreen Gorilla audio. Power windows, locks, and electric mirrors are on hand too, to assist daily use, and a trick convex mirror even drops down from the rear wing to help you squeeze into tighter parking spots. Cold A/C and hot heat work like a charm, but when natural ventilation takes priority, the rear glass can unfurl too, with the push of a button. The rear bench is versatile, folding flat should you need to lug around extra cargo, and the seat backs recline slightly for optimal passenger comfort. Overall, it’s hard to nitpick the cabin as it was cared for extremely well overseas, however the steering wheel shows some wear, as does the driver’s door armrest. All in all, the condition really impresses, and we’ve retained the original maintenance booklet on this truck to help the next owner protect their investment.
Mechanical Overview
The intercooled 1KZ-TE under the hood is the Toyota enthusiast’s first pick, and for good reason. This 3.0 turbodiesel packs more ponies than its non-intercooled counterpart, and runs lower EGT’s to boot, which pays dividends on long highway journeys. It’s also fresh off of loads of good service, and cranks over with haste thanks to 2 new 12v batteries that were installed here at the shop. For a bit of a tune-up, the engine air filter and fuel filter were replaced, and this torquey large-displacement four banger is a treat to drive overall. An automatic transmission commands gear changes, and power is sent to a selective transfercase. For around town cruising, power and fuel economy are maximized in standard 2WD. A press of the button engages 4WD, and an optional center locker and low range are handy if the going gets tough. The suspension is comfortable and compliant over larger road imperfections, and new rear lower control arms were installed to pass state safety inspection. A 4″ body lift helps grant some additional clearance, as well. We rebuilt the steering rack with new seals and inner and outer tie rods, and wrapped the JAOS alloys in fresh 33″ Falken rubber. The new tires complement the bad boy aesthetic, and are functional to boot, delivering grip for tens of thousands of miles to come after we freshly aligned it on our rack!
*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.
