Toyota Hilux Surf SSR-G
Discussion
I'm still not quite sure why, but I decided I fancied a go at lightly restoring an old Surf...
If you don't know anything/much about Surfs, they were basically a Toyota Hilux pick up, but with rear seats and a canopy; originally designed by a Toyota dealership owner in the US who had the originals commissioned with Winnebago. When Toyota released the Gen 2 model, it was no longer a fibreglass canopy, but a proper full steel body, and made wholly by Toyota.
This version is exactly the spec I was looking for; a late Gen 2, top spec 3.0 SSR-G model (which would put at lot of cars from the same year to shame in terms of spec!) but specifically without the rear wheel carrier. For me, being able to drive with the tailgate down is more useful than an easy access spare - plus I think it looks better!
Basics:
- Around 1900kg
- 3.0 1KZ-TE diesel engine with a not too bad 130bhp!
- RWD, with switchable 4WD, and low-range
- IFS w/ double wishbone
- Solid rear axle
Cool SSR-G / options:
- Cruise control
- Air conditioning
- Electric windows on all doors
- Electric sunroof
- Electric mirrors
- Side steps
- Winter pack
- twin batteries
- high idle button
- rear cabin heater
- heated mirrors
- Electrically adjustable dampers
- Recaro front seats with fishnets
Plan is to address any issues I find, then start replacing and repairing the rusty parts and go from there!
If you don't know anything/much about Surfs, they were basically a Toyota Hilux pick up, but with rear seats and a canopy; originally designed by a Toyota dealership owner in the US who had the originals commissioned with Winnebago. When Toyota released the Gen 2 model, it was no longer a fibreglass canopy, but a proper full steel body, and made wholly by Toyota.
This version is exactly the spec I was looking for; a late Gen 2, top spec 3.0 SSR-G model (which would put at lot of cars from the same year to shame in terms of spec!) but specifically without the rear wheel carrier. For me, being able to drive with the tailgate down is more useful than an easy access spare - plus I think it looks better!
Basics:
- Around 1900kg
- 3.0 1KZ-TE diesel engine with a not too bad 130bhp!
- RWD, with switchable 4WD, and low-range
- IFS w/ double wishbone
- Solid rear axle
Cool SSR-G / options:
- Cruise control
- Air conditioning
- Electric windows on all doors
- Electric sunroof
- Electric mirrors
- Side steps
- Winter pack
- twin batteries
- high idle button
- rear cabin heater
- heated mirrors
- Electrically adjustable dampers
- Recaro front seats with fishnets
Plan is to address any issues I find, then start replacing and repairing the rusty parts and go from there!
A week later of captaining the Surf and my to-do list is ever growing!
It is really interesting driving this vs a modern car, you really start to notice how little effort is required to drive these days!
As well as a garage check over, I've already made some list of things to address!
Brakes - Nope
On the odd occasion that you manage to get the thing to brake in a reasonably straight line, they barely do more than a gentle slowing, so pretty high up the list is a brake overhaul!
Suspension - hilarious
Provides a surprisingly comfortable ride, along with being the definition of body roll, while somehow still providing a reasonable amount of grip!
Engine - leaky
Pulls well, no smoke, but a major oil leak somewhere
Steering - sort of
The old joke of calling a steering box a suggestion box, could not be more apt here. There is almost no correlation between inputs and what the truck does, so new joints and bushes on the list
Body - not awful
Both front wings & 2 doors have bad rust, chrome bumpers have had it, and the lacquer has gone on the bonnet and roof
Interior - pretty bad
Driver's Recaro seat is ruined, foams all gone, base collapsed, fabrics split badly.
Passenger seat is good bar a bit of fabric wearing thin
Rear seats are pretty good
Carpets are VERY dirty, stained etc
Chassis - good!
Amazingly, bar surface rust, there are no issues here! A few bushes due a refresh, and a lick of underseal type paint wouldn't hurt though.
Electrics - OK
Excluding the aerial, everything works!
Only issue is the blower unit I think is clogged up with leaves or something, as it makes all the right noises, but nothing comes out of any vents at all!
First task though was a thorough clean.
Before:
After:
It's still a rough at the moment, but one step at a time!
It is really interesting driving this vs a modern car, you really start to notice how little effort is required to drive these days!
As well as a garage check over, I've already made some list of things to address!
Brakes - Nope
On the odd occasion that you manage to get the thing to brake in a reasonably straight line, they barely do more than a gentle slowing, so pretty high up the list is a brake overhaul!
Suspension - hilarious
Provides a surprisingly comfortable ride, along with being the definition of body roll, while somehow still providing a reasonable amount of grip!
Engine - leaky
Pulls well, no smoke, but a major oil leak somewhere
Steering - sort of
The old joke of calling a steering box a suggestion box, could not be more apt here. There is almost no correlation between inputs and what the truck does, so new joints and bushes on the list
Body - not awful
Both front wings & 2 doors have bad rust, chrome bumpers have had it, and the lacquer has gone on the bonnet and roof
Interior - pretty bad
Driver's Recaro seat is ruined, foams all gone, base collapsed, fabrics split badly.
Passenger seat is good bar a bit of fabric wearing thin
Rear seats are pretty good
Carpets are VERY dirty, stained etc
Chassis - good!
Amazingly, bar surface rust, there are no issues here! A few bushes due a refresh, and a lick of underseal type paint wouldn't hurt though.
Electrics - OK
Excluding the aerial, everything works!
Only issue is the blower unit I think is clogged up with leaves or something, as it makes all the right noises, but nothing comes out of any vents at all!
First task though was a thorough clean.
Before:
After:
It's still a rough at the moment, but one step at a time!
Great trucks, you've got the best engine too
I've got the UK version called a 4Runner with the same engine as yours, not many sold and very few survivors, mine hasn't got the plush Recaro's or air con but does have a manual gearbox
It's my daily driver, house building work horse (remove the front passenger seat and I can get 4m lengths of timber in), family wagon for 1000 miles in one go cross European trips and easily the most versatile and reliable car I've owned
Roughtrax is the place to go for service parts, 2nd hand spares are plentiful and cheap but I have a very nice chap in Wolverhampton that is great for used parts if you get stuck for anything. Try and use genuine Toyota parts if you can
They are pretty indestructible, easy to work on and maintain, had mine for 7yrs, now up to 235k miles, nothing breaks but stuff does wear out. Got 100k miles out of my brake pads and front discs
When the mileage gets to 250k I plan to treat it to a full chassis and body restoration with a few discrete upgrades to make it good for another 250k miles.
Can't think of any other car I could buy new or used that would be as good all round as my truck is
I've got the UK version called a 4Runner with the same engine as yours, not many sold and very few survivors, mine hasn't got the plush Recaro's or air con but does have a manual gearbox
It's my daily driver, house building work horse (remove the front passenger seat and I can get 4m lengths of timber in), family wagon for 1000 miles in one go cross European trips and easily the most versatile and reliable car I've owned
Roughtrax is the place to go for service parts, 2nd hand spares are plentiful and cheap but I have a very nice chap in Wolverhampton that is great for used parts if you get stuck for anything. Try and use genuine Toyota parts if you can
They are pretty indestructible, easy to work on and maintain, had mine for 7yrs, now up to 235k miles, nothing breaks but stuff does wear out. Got 100k miles out of my brake pads and front discs
When the mileage gets to 250k I plan to treat it to a full chassis and body restoration with a few discrete upgrades to make it good for another 250k miles.
Can't think of any other car I could buy new or used that would be as good all round as my truck is
Edited by marine boy on Wednesday 4th August 23:27
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