Toyota surf or Nissan Terrano?

[firefighter]

Yeah that'd be right. We drove one and we thought there was something wrong with it. There wasn't.

The biggest problem with the 3L turbo surf is stopping it wheelspinning in the wet.

Steve

I had a 1994 3L Diesel Surf. Was absolutely mint. One of those cars where you look at it and it just has a cool look to it, as soon as I saw it I wanted it. Good wrap around bars, good graphics, low genuine kms, good new tyres, serviced, polished regularly, good stereo, no elec or mechanical issues at all. Sold it because I "needed" to get a Kingswood. lol......never stopped regretting selling it. Unfortunately, all the local tidy ones are so expensive compared to other vehicles unless i'm prepared to take it at 300kms or prepared to spend a lot of money on getting it up to spec it's hard to justify spending the money when I can get an equally good alternative in tidier condition, with more "trimmings."

[blackdog]

the 2.4 diesel is the only toyota engine i would NOT own. they are renowned for fuel pump issues and blowing head gaskets.

only buy the surf if you have a very good friend who is a diseasel mechanic

the terranos have a pretty good rep for reliability....or find a 2.8 or 3.0 surf

[blackdog]

Def the Surf, the engine is pretty bullet proof, can't go wrong.

see above, the 2.4 is the worst engine toyota have ever made

[=cJ=]

I'd put in a good word for the 3L Turbo surf, my girl has one and it's been pretty good for a good four or five years or so. She's blown one clutch in that time (horse floats plus the old lead foot 'o' death), and I think that was about it.

Having said that, the difference between that and the new model D4D Hilux is night and day.

[JimO]

my D4D would suck in a 3l surf and spit it out the back, i used to have a 02 hilux and a 99 prado with the intercooled 3l, the prado would own the hilux no worries, the D4d would leave the prado in the dust as well, from memory the 2.8 makes 68 kilowats the 3l 95ish kw the D4D 126kw

[spajohn]

as long as its not a turbo

A lot of competition guys use the Turbo 3.0 for the reason that it is bullet proof and plenty of grunt. I've had no problem with mine, though I've only done about 30 thou kms on it.

[spajohn]

the 2.4 diesel is the only toyota engine i would NOT own. they are renowned for fuel pump issues and blowing head gaskets.

only buy the surf if you have a very good friend who is a diseasel mechanic

the terranos have a pretty good rep for reliability....or find a 2.8 or 3.0 surf

I stand corrected...I'm a 3.0 litre owner.

[blackdog]

I stand corrected...I'm a 3.0 litre owner.

love the 3.0's....bombproof and tonnes of go if its the intercooled trubo

[Motu]

3.0 diesel? Are you talking about the 3L (2.8) 5L (3.0) or 1KZ (3.0)? ALL crack heads,although the 3L non turbo is pretty damn good,with rumoured crank problems.

[blackdog]

haven't come across a 3 litre with head issues (yet) plenty of 2.4's but

[zahria]

I had a non turbo 2.4 hilux doublecab. No problems over the years and 80 000 kms I put on it, used it for everything, and regretted selling it. I treded it for a 94 3l Turbo . Good truck on the road, I found it fragile off road. I went through 2 front diffs and 1 front. The 3l drank heaps more as well, but I reckoned it was worth it for the power.
I wouldn't have another Surf, I'd buy a ute instead. Much more practicle, albeit with a harsher ride.

[JimO]

A lot of competition guys use the Turbo 3.0 for the reason that it is bullet proof and plenty of grunt. I've had no problem with mine, though I've only done about 30 thou kms on it.

i ment the 2.4

[2wheeldrifter]

The 2.4L turbo diesel Hilux engines are known for cracking heads and blowing starter motors. They are also gutless as fuck.

So true.... stay away from the Toyota 2.4 gutless shits.... and yes crack heads bad. I had 1991 2.4 turbo... a complete waste of truck with that motor, had it for 3 years and about 60000ks... one cranked head and one cracked turbo housing and still couldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding!

Nissans 2.7 a pretty hard working no fuss motor... never heard of anything bad from them, had Nissans G60's 2.7d and 2.7petrol Patrols and MQ's 3.3td never had a problom with motors or drivetrian...

My opinion and experience

[Indiana_Jones]

Get a Pink panther!

-Indy

[dangerous]

doe'st have a turbo timer, Oh, and it has a sunroof!

dont need a timer, over rated, by the time you drive up ya drive un do the seat belt, cool enough oil has reached the turbo.
sunroofs are a pain in the arse, unless it has a cover.

The two are a 1994 2.7 Diesel Terrano, and a 1992 2.4 Diesel Toyota Hilux Surf.

Both Turbo's I hope or Id say neither.

I already know Toyota surfs are better off-road.

doubt it, Toyota has no LSD (2wd max) the nissin does (3wd max) the nissin also has beter suspension.

and Turbo timer the surf still needs

as above, pointless.

feels a little gruntier even with a smaller engine......although they are probably about the same

The 2.7 should piss all over the 2.4, mainely down low which lets face it is were ya most need it, top end is proberly the same altho the 2.4 will rev harder.

Mate of mine has a Terrano - and its been nothing but a pile of trouble - go the Smurf

sounds like my Navara

Def the Surf, the engine is pretty bullet proof, can't go wrong.

not compeared to a Nissin, run rings round a toyota, they are basicly a glorified petrol the nissin are the only small diesel thats a proper diesel with push rods not belts.

Terrano manual gearboxes last about 150k before they do the bearings if you tow with them, auto's usually last as long as the engine.

hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa... had mine for 77,000km's and done TWO gear boxs.
yes Nissin have shit house manuals, haviing said that when the last one blew I got from Danieverk to chch by using 4th gear only, and I was loaded with two race bikes and all the gears.


Ok.. cant be fucked reading any further (still on 1st page) heres what I can tell ya.
Had a early 2.4TD surf... bloody great wee truck as long as ya look after it eg: upgraded air filter, biger bore exhaust, regular oil changes with a quality turbo proven oil.
Had a 2.8 hilux D/C... slow gutless but never failed me (have heard of several braking cranks)
Have a 2.7TD Navara... pice a shit replaced everything but the engine, however I think I was riped as it has done far greater km's than it said when I brought it (76k fuck you Rick Armstrong it was a rebuilt wreck, didnt tell me that did ya)

Ok so would I have a Nissin or a Toyota again... well every one has a over priced Toyota very relible very bland and shapless... the Nissin is trouble but Ill have another. (current one has tweked turb, uni filter and 2.5in exhaust with non restricted muffler, not loud tho) Haules 2 bikes on the deck and up to 3 on the trailer + gear + pasangers and gears over the alps with no issues or slowing down.. a Toyota 2.4 will run out a puff.