I never set out to own this Hilux, it sort of fell into my lap. Despite this, it is one of favorite vehicles that I have owned for a number of reasons. I had previously owned a pair of 4x4s and neither could be trusted enough to leave the pavement, but this Toyota was quite able to play in the mud.
Better known as the the 4Runner in North America and Australia, this SUV was known as the the Hilux SURF in many other markets including Japan. The SURF/4Runner story starts in an unlikely place with a partnership with Winnebago. Toyota delivered a cab chassis pickup in SR5 trim to Winnebago who bolted on a fixed fiberglass rear section. Interior trim, including rear seats, were added to complete the transformation. Most were 4×4 models, but a portion were two-wheel-drive.
Around 1200 of these Trekkers were produced from 1981 to early 1983 before production plans for the 4Runner made the conversion financially non-nonsensical. Most Trekkers were sold in the western United States or Canada, but around twenty were shipped out to Saudi Arabia.
The Toyota pickup underwent a redesign for the 1984 model year and Toyota look advantage of this to introduce the factory-built 4Runner later that same year. The concept was similar to the Trekker but now the fiberglass rear section was removable. Mechanically, the 4Runner was identical to the pickup right down to the suspension. With the added weight on the back end, many 4Runners of the generation suffer from saggy butt syndrome. Mechanical refinements followed with the fuel injected 22R-E engine being offered starting in 1985. A turbocharged version of this engine was offered the next year which boosted horsepower to 135. Independent front suspension also came in 1986, much to the chagrin of hardcore off-road enthusiasts. For those seeking even more power, a 3.0L V6 engine was offered starting in 1987. While the V6 offered a boost in usable power over the four cylinder, it is considered less reliable.
The second generation 4Runner/Hilux SURF altered the concept of what was essentially a modified pickup to that of a more holistically designed body placed on an existing chassis. The removable rear section was lost to this change but overall refinement was increased. A four-door body style was now offered and became the vastly more popular than the two-door. Mechanically, the 2.4L 22R-E four cylinder and 3.0L 3VZ-E V6 engines carried over with the turbo motor being dropped from the option sheet. For Japan, a 2.4L 2L-TE four cylinder turbo diesel was offered. This was later replaced with a larger 3.0L turbo diesel. A small number of 2.0L gas or 2.8L diesel engines were also offered, depending on the market.
My particular Hilux SURF was a very early second-generation 1989 model that was purchased by my sister in-law and her then-husband. They were both big Toyota truck, as well as off road, enthusiasts and jumped at the opportunity to add a recently imported Japanese market Hilux to their collection. It had the 2.4L 2L-TE four cylinder turbo diesel hooked to a five-speed manual gearbox which sounded ideal for their off road weekend trips. Like most Japanese imports, the odometer reading was very low and the truck was in very nice cosmetic condition and luckily, it did not suffer from cigarette burns in the seats that many do. The above photo was taken shortly after they acquired the SURF. Unfortunately the diesel motor did not last very long before it blew a head-gasket. I remember my brother in-law telling me at the time they weren’t very highly regarded engines and not worth the repair. He proceeded to replace it with a fuel injected 22-RE gasoline engine.
My sister in-law drove the SURF for several more years before colliding with a bridge support. She was able to source some used 4Runner parts and I was able to repair the damage for her but seemed reluctant to drive it again. Note the V6 badge in the grill as well as the turbo script on the rear passenger door which at this point neither was true. You can see a bit of a wrinkle in the hefty skid plate. After she received almost new Saturn sedan the Hilux came to rest in my parking pad behind the house. My Beetle was taking more time to get road worthy than I had planned for so after several months I offered to buy the SURF off of her and it became my daily driver.
After the Hilux came into my possession, I replaced the skull shifter knobs with a set of factory-correct junkyard replacements. The skulls weren’t exactly my style and got quite hot in the summer months. From what I can recall, I was able to re-sell the skull items to make it a no-money-loss swap. The SURF did originally have a clinometer installed, but it had be removed at some point in the past. The clinometer would have displayed altitude, tilt and and slope.
While not blessed with an abundance of top-end power, the 22R-E engine proved to be a very good match for the SURF–especially with the five-speed manual gearbox. It offered plenty of low end grunt, reasonable fuel mileage and, unlike the V6 engine, was easily accessible for any necessary work.
While I had owned a pair of 4x4s before, a Ford Bronco and Jeep Cherokee, I had never been able to trust either one not to break down on me. The SURF was ready to go with a lift, bigger tires, and a shutoff switch for the electric radiator fan. Almost immediately, I took the Hilux off road and it did not disappoint with its performance.
By the time spring rolled around, I’d removed the inaccurate V6 badge and was able to hit the mud. Again, the SURF performed flawlessly; although, for any more serious off road adventures a winch would be necessary.
Being a Japanese market vehicle, the SURF is obviously right-hand drive. Driving on the right side in a left-hand drive country presents surprisingly few problems. Overtaking on a single lane highway certainly takes more attention, but the raised nature of the SURF made that easier than a low slung sports car. Turning left at traffic lights would seem to present an issue, but in practice really it’s no big deal. The shift pattern for the gearbox is exactly the same, but obviously requires the use of the other hand. One small annoyance are the turn signals and wiper controls. They are swapped right to left on the steering column, and when I stuck to one vehicle, it did not really cause any problems, but if I switched between the Hilux and our Quest, I’d often turn on the wipers when preparing to make a turn.
While I would have liked to keep the truck as a weekend off-road toy, I was perhaps too nervous about not having a winch with which to extract myself. Modifying for off-road performance can get expensive in a hurry, so rather than follow that road I decided I’d had my fun and that I would move on. Making the choice easier was the need for some spare cash to fund a family vacation. So after eight months or so, the SURF found its self up for sale. The sale itself was surprisingly hard given the relative popularity of right-hand drive vehicles in Canada, but I managed to sell it for exactly what I’d bought it for.
I remember around 1998 or so when my mom was considering cars to replace her ’94 Grand Cherokee, looking at the 3rd generation 4Runner. Having previously been a Toyota owner, she wanted to like the 4Runner, but found the interior too narrow and cramped compared to the Jeep. She went with another Grand Cherokee, but ultimately went back to Toyota when the Highlander came out.
Nice write up David. I know hindsight is 20/20, but do you not ever wish you had tried to hang on to some of your past vehicles…especially this one? I think this could have been a long term keeper.
Some cars yes. But honestly if I hadn’t sold them then I never would have got to experience others. I am pretty happy with my Hilux ownership.
+1
Does anyone have a clue where I can find a steering gear and power steering pump for an 1989 hi lux surf 4×4 with a 2.0 4cyl engine….going nuts trying to find them..RHD model
Very popular here especially in turbodiesel though all engine options are brought in used ex JDM
I see you have the exact same Canadian Tire Chinese cheapie CB antenna I used to have-Don’t leave it on the car for long or it will rust out in no time, also, the VSWR is way out of whack on them, impossible to match no matter what you do. Antenna Specialist (a long defunct US antenna maker) quality it’s not.
It was a friends and just magnetic. Just stuck it on for the duration of the off-roading.
Manually shifting a rhd vehicle is something I’ve never done. Isn’t it amazing how we develop automatic reflexes for certain things. At one point I owned a 63 Cadillac where Reverse was at the bottom of the shift quadrant, and a short while later, a 59 Plymouth with left-handed pushbuttons. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I shifted normal cars into low when intending to back up or poking my left thumb into an a/c vent.
It is weird at first. The thing I find most disconcerting especially when also in a different-hand side country and renting a car that is in a parking garage (like an airport) is that I’ll make a right turn and not think about the 5 feet of car that is now on my OTHER side compared to my normal. And then realize it right before ramming a concrete pillar or something. You get used to it after a few turns but at first…
My father had two trucks – one an International, one a Studebaker – that had exactly the same five-speed shift pattern except that reverse and first gears were in opposite positions. That led to a couple of interesting moments but no harm done, luckily.
A guy I know had a regular HiLux that looked very similar to this 4Runner, it was already a pretty old beast when he bought it. Under its hood the old-school 2.4 liter naturally aspirated diesel engine. IIRC he crashed it into a tree after he fell asleep behind the wheel.
Technically these 4Runners must be related to the Land Cruiser 70 series Light Duty, also known as the Toyota Prado in some parts of the world. All Toyota BOF 4x4s carry the name Land Cruiser (or HiLux for the trucks) here, never with another name or number on the 3th or 5th door.
For some reason, the Prado was never sold in North America, at least none that I’ve ever seen.
A few right hand drive imports around here
The Lexus GX470 is the closest thing that we’ve got. AFAIK it is just a readbadge prado, but with a V8 and no manual transmission.
Yes, the (current) Lexus GX is fully based on the Land Cruiser J150 series (see photo), a.k.a. the Prado. The previous GX was based on the LC J120 series, again, a.k.a. the Prado.
This is the most common Land Cruiser here, available with a 3.0 liter 4 cylinder diesel or a 4.0 liter V6 gasoline, but the diesel is the norm. We don’t get the Lexus-edition.
Is it? Looking at the picture above and seeing a Lexus GX470, I don’t see any resemblance.
Look, a 2014 Lexus GX. Exactly the same car, except for that horrible over the top Lexus-front.
(Source: http://www.lexus.com/models/GX)
The older GX 470 was based on the previous Land Cruiser J120/Prado series, as I said above.
That Lexus GX looks just like my brother-in-law’s Prado, except for the funny grille. His is a V6 (no V8 here) manual, in white.
Johannes, I have long thought the Land Cruiser you get in Europe is what we get as a Prado. Your picture confirms it. The Land Cruiser they sell here (Australia) is a size bigger.
Pete, we’ve got the 150 (Prado) and the 200 series. The 200 is the luxurious Big Boy, with the V8 gasoline and diesel engines. I think you mean that one.
What we don’t get is the hardcore 70 series with the old-school square looks. Very popular in your neck of the woods !
Not much off-roading around here, but the 150 series with the 3.0 liter diesel is a very capable trailer tower. It’s powerful, durable and it has more than enough comfort to use it as a daily driver. Just perfect.
New Land Cruiser 150/Prado diesel with a trailer. The Toyota has a van plate, that means it’s registered as a commercial vehicle. No back seats, instead it has a flat cargo floor. Advantages: far less road tax and a much lower purchase price, but you must use it for your profession.
(Photo: Veldhuizen Wagenbouw)
The best part of these trucks is the clutch pedal switch bypass switch that is on the dash, so you can drive it on the starter motor. Other than that, I will take my ’75 Isuzu (Chevy) LUV I had ANY day over these.
I had totally forgot about that until you mentioned it. I figured it was for off-roading so you didn’t need to start with the clutch in.
Interesting info about the Winnebago conversions. The yellow one pictured has a dealer plate from one of the original, and still one of the biggest, Toyota dealers in my area, Jack Safro in Milwaukee.
I always thought the first-gen 4Runners were extremely crude, with a cobbled together look (they WERE cobbled together, actually). You could watch them rust here in Wisconsin.
The next-gen, like yours, was a huge improvement.
I got to drive a Toyota 4Runner (Hilux Surf). It was an awesome car, except for its fuel economy. Sadly I got into an accident with it (D’oh!) 🙁 . I used it for just about everything under the sun. If it had a diesel engine and possibly a 5 spd manual transmission, instead of a gasoline engine and an automatic transmission, it probably would’ve gotten better miles per gallon.
Real life numbers: about 27 mpg on average.
SWB 2002 Land Cruiser with a 3.0 liter diesel, common rail injection, turbo intercooling. Weight 3,960 lbs,
5 speed manual, 163 hp.
Almost zero city driving, but averaging 80 to 85 mph on the freeway (then it’s doing about 3,000 rpm).
27 mpgs aren’t bad for a 4wd SUV with a diesel engine. I believe mine got about 17-20 mpgs, which is about what you’d expect in a vehicle like this. It’s unforgivable that diesel engines weren’t available here in the USA market.
I didn’t think the fuel economy was too bad for what it is. I’ve heard the V6 is pretty thirsty though.
Mine had a V6 engine and automatic transmission. While its V6 was a capable performer, considering all the heavy weight of the 4wd and the body, and everything it was carrying, it seemed to have to work hard to climb even slight grades, which didn’t help with fuel economy.
I owned two 1990 and 1993 4×4 pickups with 4.10 gearing 5 speed trans and 22-RE and I still own a 1993 pickup with the 3VZ-E, 5 speed trans and 4.56 gears. Strangely the V6, while not fuel efficient is still a bit more fuel efficient than the 4 cyls I owned. The best mileage I did on a fuel tank with the V6 was 336 miles but I usually do above 300.
I had 225 tires and 235 tires on my 4cyl pickups. I had a friend who had a 1991 4Runner V6 with 31″ tires and an automatic transmission (which means 4.88 gears) and this one was thirsty, the extra weight of the 4Runner along with the automatic transmission and slower gearing certainly made a big difference!
But the V6 isn’t much more powerful than the 4cyl and doing mechanical work on the V6 is usually more complicated. The only thing I found easier to do on the V6 is the alternator replacement. On the 4cyl (at least those with rear anti-lock brakes) it’s a bit tight to remove.
I did remove the engines on both pickups with the 4cyl and the V6 and it’s a much easier job on the 4cyl.
I had my current 1993 SR5 pickup for over 5 years, added over 80,000 miles to it (it now has 205,000 miles) and it is still rattle-free and all accessories still work (including the a/c and the power antenna!).
Great story! I really miss my 89 black 5-speed Ttop. Had many a blast hauling around the logging roads in the Cascades and Coast ranges. Roomy and comfortable for long hauls, unlike the following gen which lost the t-top and shrunk considerably. I was amazed how small the 91 my friend had was inside.
I will own another someday.
One of my favorites, but I would have to say that the 3VZE V-6 of the early 90’s wasn’t ‘less reliable’, it was flat UNreliable. Toyota’s later V-6’s were very good.
Fun reading for me. Just got a 4runner a few months ago for my second car and farm truck. Had a friend with one of this generation and removable fiberglass rear or, at least a breakable fiberglass rear. Think it was factory.
I have the 3.0 and while I have read of it’s unreliability after 3k miles I couldn’t say.I would have preferred the 2.7, just for the extra room under the hood. I get 19-20 mpg so doubt it would improve. 95 was the last year they made the engine so hope they got the bugs out. I love the truck and some of the young men in the family may be making plans to claim it after my demise. I plan to keep them waiting.
I am impressed with your offroad pictures but need better tires to go there. For right now I am just happy for it’s workhorse attributes.
Thank you for the article.
It’s so cool that trucks like this exist in Canada! Shame about the diesel engine, but I’m sure in practical terms it was probably better off with the gas 4-cylinder anyway. I’ve always wondered how weird it would be getting used to shifting with my left hand. When I go from a car with a column shift to floor shift or vice-versa I’m always grabbing at phantom shifters.
The “SURF” graphics are wonderfully goofy, and how about that name too?
“Hey David, what do you drive?”
“Oh, it’s a Hilux SURF!”
o.O
Love it! I only got one ride in a 4Runner in my life, but it was a memorable one. I think I was in 5th grade at the time and my next door neighbor’s mom picked the both of us up at school in her’s (black, V6, same generation as this) due to a massive Nor’easter that blew in. The only SUV I’d been in at that point was my uncle’s early XJ Cherokee, which was pretty spartan, and never with a foot of snow on the ground. The 4Runner had power everything, a moonroof, a boomin’ sound system, and this kid’s mom was really cool and good looking (and just slightly over twice my age!) – so needless to say I was impressed. We sat in the way back and she rolled the tailgate window down so we could watch the snow and chaos on the roads behind us. That seemed like the coolest thing in the world when I was 10 – plus we had off from school for the next few days!
I’ve always liked the Toyota Hilux Surf (aka 4Runner). I owned one several years ago. I would’ve preferred the 2.4 litre turbodiesel engine, or a 3.0 litre turbodiesel under the hood over the 3.0 litre V6 engine offered at the time. It’s just a shame that the diesel wasn’t available at any price in the United States. Is diesel for everyone? No, not really. But I believe that it should be the buyer’s decision whether they want/need a 4Runner with a diesel engine under the hood or not. 🙂
Diesel has made a comeback of sorts in the U.S., but as long as regular gas is as cheap as it is, it’ll never cross over into the mainstream like it has in the rest of the world.
You can get a surprising amount of cars with diesel engines right now, though. Everything from a Chevy Cruze to an Audi A8.
Probably not, but I’m sure there are people who *can* afford it, and thus should be allowed to decide whether or not Diesel is right for them. I, for one, would like to see more vehicles with diesel engine as an option. Cars like the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra, the Subaru Boxer Diesel, Porsche Cayenne Diesel, etc.
A neighbour at my studio is building a Four Runner with a Mercedes 5-cylinder diesel engine. I wrote it up here:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-outtake/cc-outtake-toycedes-mercota-mercedenso/
I had a 3rd Gen 4Runner, and although it was fairly well built and capable off-road, it was otherwise a disappointment. Narrow, cramped interior, weak power, average reliability. I liked these 2nd Gens but they were even more cramped inside so they weren’t for me.
What really bugged me about 4Runners was the high floors. The seating position is like a car only up high. Good for off road, but not very comfortable.
This was one of the vehicles I really wish I’d hung on to, a 2nd generation automatic 3 litre turbo-diesel Surf. It was a 10 year old Japanese import and like new. They certainly know how to look after a car. An abundance of chrome and Tonka toy looks, kids loved it.
The engines were famous for running on anything. I knew a chap who’d put 300,000 miles on his running on used cooking oil. However they still only average 18 miles to an imperial gallon. It’s pick-up truck antecedents were obvious when you looked in the back, the rear passengers rode with their knees level with their ears. However the front seat passenger rode in saloon car luxury and felt absolutely invulnerable. Some cars just make you feel good, I miss that motor.