Toyota Hilux Surf

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The Toyota Hilux Surf is an off-road vehicle manufactured by Toyota, sold mainly in Japan, with large numbers imported as used vehicles to the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. The original Surf was little more than a Toyota Hilux pickup truck with a fiberglass shell over the bed, but the model has since undergone significant independent development into a mid-size Off-road vehicle.

The Hilux Surf is sold outside Japan, primarily in the United States as the Toyota 4Runner. The second generation models were also briefly marketed in the United Kingdom as the Toyota 4Runner. Initially all models were built at Toyota's plant in Tahara, Japan, but starting with the 3rd Generation models production was split between both the Tahara plant and Hino Motors' Hamura, Japan plant.

[edit] First generation (1984–1989)

The Toyota Hilux pickup (upon which the Surf was originally based) underwent a major redesign in 1983 for the 1984 model year. Instead of developing an entirely new model, Toyota took an existing short-bed pickup body, made some simple modifications, and added a removable fiberglass top.

Thus, the first generation Surf is nearly mechanically identical to the Toyota Hilux pickup. All first generation Surfs had two-doors and were indistinguishable from the pickups from the dashboard forward. Nearly all changes were to the latter half of the body; in fact, because the rear springs were actually downgraded with one leaf less than the pickup, with the additional weight of the rear seats and fiberglass top, these models tend to suffer from sagging rear suspensions (a problem which continued to afflict later generations of the Surf).

The first Surfs were introduced in 1984 as 1984 1/2 models. For this first year, all models were equipped with black or white fiberglass tops.

In 1986, the Surf underwent a major front suspension design change as it was changed from a solid front axle to the Hi-Trac independent front suspension. This change made the Surf more drivable at highway speeds and increased the space in the engine compartment (necessary to fit larger engines, such as the V6 introduced in 1988) but arguably decreased the truck's off-road capabilities. The Hilux at this point retained the more rugged and capable, if less refined, solid axle configuration

Small cosmetic and option changes were made in 1989, but the model was left largely untouched in lieu of the replacement model then undergoing final development.

[edit] Second generation (1990–1995)

The 1990 model year Surf continued its reliance on the Hilux pickup, as the pickup was redesigned the surf followed. It remained virtually identical to the Hilux from the 'B' pillars forward, but this time gained a full steel integrated body in place of the prior fiberglass cap. It also gained an all new coil sprung rear suspension system, which unfortunately proved to be just as prone to sagging as the leaf springs on the rear of the previous models.

Nearly all second generation Surfs are 5-door models, however from 1990 to 1992, a 3-door model was also produced. These vehicles are somewhat rarer and were discontinued in August 1992.

It was available with a range of diesel engines, including a 2.4 L turbodiesel I4 up to 1993, followed by a 3.0 L turbodiesel I4. Small numbers were also made with a normally aspirated 2.8 L diesels and 2.0 L I4 naturally-aspirated petrol engines. The majority of petrol versions having the 3.0 L V6.

Most other full-body Off-road vehicles produced at the time featured tailgates that opened upward with the glass closed. In contrast, the second generation Surf carried over the retractable-glass tailgate from the first generation. Opening these tailgates requires first retracting the rear window into the tailgate and then lowering the tailgate, much like as on a pickup truck.

In 1992, the Surf received minor cosmetic updates, including larger 'Aero' headlamps and one-piece front bumpers. At this time a Wide body version was introduced featuring extended wheel arch flares along with wider wheels and tyres. This facelift distanced them somewhat from the Hilux pickups which did not receive the same cosmetic changes.

Various trim levels were offered ranging from the base model 'SSR' through 'SSR Ltd', 'SSR-V' 'SSR-X' and 'SSR-X Ltd' to the range topping 'SSR-G'.

A commonly noted weakness on the 2.4 turbodiesel engine is a tendency to crack the cylinder head. Any episode of overheating may result in internal cracking of the head. Some were recalled in their domestic market and had the head replaced. The replacement "modified" head is the same head as fitted to the 2.8 normally aspirated diesel models.

[edit] Third generation (1996–2002)

1996 marked another significant redesign of the Surf. Whilst the third generation Surf looks very similar to the second generation, this similarity largely ended with its looks. It carried over the basic design and concept, but executed it differently with an all-new bodyshell on an all-new chassis. This time, it shared virtually nothing with the pickup it had originally evolved from, and had more in common with the Land Cruiser, as it shared its chassis with that of the LWB Land Cruiser Prado.

Significant changes from the second generation models include a larger body on a longer wheelbase, increased interior space, increased cargo space, twin airbags, coil sprung suspension front and rear, ABS brakes, lift-up tailgate, rack and pinion steering and 16 in wheels. One of the biggest mechanical changes was the addition of a center differential, enabling the use of four wheel drive on hard surfaces without complication for the first time. The prior ADD system was also retained to give on-the-fly shifting between rear and four wheel drive as before.

Trim and model designations remain similar to those used for the second generation models.

[edit] Fourth generation (2003–present)

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The fourth generation Surf incorporated serious changes to the chassis and body of the vehicle, but was targeted at approximately the same demographics as the third generation. The updated Surf looks very different from the older Surfs, but is still targeted as a mid-size quasi-luxury Off-road vehicle. It continues to share most of its underpinnings with the LWB Land Cruisers (prado models) of similar age.

[edit] External links

• HiluxSurf.co.uk. UK based forums offering help and advice (covers UK 4Runners & Imported Surfs).
• HiluxSurf.eu Extensive FAQ relating to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Generation models.
• Australian Toyota Surf Owners Australian based forums offering help and advice.
• Hilux Surf Techsite Technical & Maintenance information