Why Would Anyone Import a 27 Year Old Toyota Hilux Surf... and What Is It Anyway?

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In this video, I drive the 1997 Toyota Hilux Surf - known to American audiences as the 4Runner - but little seen in Britain. I'm useless with this 4x4 thing, how will I get on?
#JDM #4Runner #Hilux
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[@geoffrey6557]

What an absolute joy. Love this era of Japanese vehicles.

[@rcnmoto1548]

That Hello Fresh advert is one of most hilarious things I`ve seen in recent times!! Especially the chopping part.

[@deet4895]

His cat shaking its head at him really had me laughing. Lol

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Sam's performance was flawless

[@elkofcanada5003]

I have a 1997 4Runner with the 3.4L, 460,000km and still runs like a top. I really think this decade of Toyota products was the peak of reliability.

[@Rouxenator]

Except the interior plastics. My dad owned a 2001 Hilux 2.7 - sold it just shy of 400,000km. Ran like a dream, but the interior was junk. That said it was used as a farm vehicle.

[@Debtscollection]

Nice they go forever, I have 1993 hilux surf Ssrg 3ltr turbo diesel 280,000km Nz still going strong

[@dahotrod1533]

If you want more acceleration there was a very special button you overlooked yet captured on video. "ECT PWR" this button when pressed illuminates a green light on the clocks. It basically remaps your gearbox on the go and will give you a lot more poke. Also the surf doesn't have "fully independent suspension" It has independent front suspension and a solid rear axle.

[@Rouxenator]

The legendary predecessor to the Fortuner. Locally here in South Africa they took the crown from BMW drivers as the worst drivers on the road...

[@jtreut]

Probably due to the common lack of working turn signals from the factory :)

[@Rouxenator]

​@@jtreut true - and most of them never go offroad. If you want to annoy them, call them Ford Tuna drivers.

[@1111EKA]

Fortuner drivers are one of the worst in my country, too.

[@TheLiamerator]

Ngl down here in PE It's the Ford rangers that drive badly, the fortuner are all good down here😂

[@TheLiamerator]

​@@jtreutmy fortuners turn signals all work😂I use them all the time😂😂

[@theufoexperience3859]

I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5SE 4x4 with the 5-spd manual. It's got the same motor in it Nissan designed for the 350Z before Carlos Ghosin stole their R&D budget. Super competent in 4WD. But 2WD on a dirt road in 2nd gear is magic. I've upgraded the suspension with the best Monroe struts up front and KYB Gas-a-just with new bushings in the rear suspension. Couldn't get rid of it when I got my 2023 Honda Ridgeline.

[@innocrates]

Drove one once. Fell in love with it immediately

[@irreversiblyhuman]

PLEASE MORE 80S AND 90S JDM TRUCKS. ❤

[@JakeWorden]

That was by far the best advert segment I've ever actually watched thoroughly 😂

[@S7tronic]

I imagine Torquay is absolutely thronged with Hilux Surf's at this time of the year, loaded to the gills with longboards & DShK's...

[@fugawiaus]

We have tons of these in Australia. We had the 4Runner but got these as “grey imports”. The reason these weren’t brought into Australia was the prado. Both cars overlapped the same segment. The surfs (x and g) had higher luxury than the standard prados and would have had to be priced above the prado. Toyota Australia simply deleted the 4Runner to sell more prados. They were allowed as grey imports as long as there wasn’t a similar model available here from Toyota. We could only get the 2.7 or 3.0 turbo diesels in the x and g. I had the 3.0 ssr-g turbo. It had full recaro seats, fantastic stereo with inbuilt sub woofer it also had a phone feature built in that your wife could ring the car to let you know she is ready to be picked up. We had it heavily off road a lot and lived up to its “hilux” reputation. On the other hand you felt ok letting a valet park it for you going out. Loved it.

[@taxus750]

I remember those JDM spec Surfs well, but they did have their problems. They rusted like buggery for a start and secondly, had engines (mostly turbo-diesels) that were completely unfamiliar to the average workshop, not to mention parts supplies. In Britain, the body rot was terminal. It's a shame really because underneath all the JDM-spec frippery and under-prepared bodywork was a decent vehicle trying to get out.

[@fugawiaus]

@@taxus750 we don’t have the rust problems here. The motors from memory were straight out of the small Toyota dump trucks. Plenty of those here as well. Pretty standard stuff in Australia. All the other parts crossed over with the prado and the 4Runner. We’ve always been a very big Toyota 4wd market.

[@EleanorPeterson]

When I lived in East Africa [Kenya], Toyota's 4x4s had a rock-solid reputation for reliability. Several of my mates in the rally club drove them, and quite a few privateer teams even used them as service/support barges on the Safari. They're brilliant vehicles that don't let you down.

[@farceadentus]

Haha I'm in Kenya, about to buy one.

[@tomh894]

I bought a Gen 3 Surf just like this about a year ago.. needed (and needs) LOTS of work. But they are easy to work on. Respray, new wheels, larger exhaust and tyres, some suspension components and they go great. The 1KZTE diesel is very workable too, with plans for a new turbo and a Unichip taking me to hopefully around 200hp, more than enough.

[@3UZFE]

These are still better than any medium size 4x4 Toyota made today. Handsome, easy and fun to drive, endlessly reliable!

[@eze8970]

Thanks J, a very capable vehicle, also fun to drive, a real win win! 🙏🙏

[@gbode7762]

I know 5 people with 4Runners/Hilux Surfs of this vintage. They all love them

[@WillThePlank]

That parking mirror is one of the best things I've ever seen on a car!

[@Japnut]

James you would be very welcome to try our 1996 landcruiser 80 4.2 TD manual. It makes the surf look positively mamby pamby 😂😂 located in Cumbria.

[@andrewsanderson6904]

really enjoyed this. I totally understand the the whole satisfying clunk of the spare wheel frame bolt lock!

[@moka-chan2000]

I live in the US and have seen quite a few of the 3rd gen 4RUNNER's. We never got this version but we know about this version because it's the one we lust after. I'm soo happy to see you review it.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

A really good video a brilliant vehicle great content 👌👌👌

[@Reynolds_p1]

Fabulous things. Had several of them. First one was the best - did a road trip through the alps and down to Dubrovnik in it. Wonderful memories.

[@sajmka15_7]

I am 19 years old but these cars interest me so much and hopefully looking to buy one soon if I can get insurance on it

[@psircos]

Legendary 4x4. My only ever connection with one of these is a smidge odd. My nursing colleague, friend and also the big sister of one of the guys i used to run about with, had one. Jackie was a body builder, then trained to be a Strong Woman. Came in 2nd in WSW championship, some point in the 90s. She used to pull her Toyota Hilux as part of her training regime lol

[@simonchristie4117]

Great review but I apologise because I completely missed the Hello Fresh advert! Sorry

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Easily done

[@simonchristie4117]

@@JayEmmOnCars 😆

[@augustov8165]

I have a 3rd gen hilux surf in Brazil and here it is called "hilux sw4"! In my opinion, this era of SUVs was the best of all time, their quality wasn't measured by the amount of touchscreens.

[@mr.hernandezdrives]

you always manage to get me hooked to your ads, always comical and full of personality.. ohhh pleaseee starion gsr review pleaseee... alrighty sir, stay blessed

[@Challenger540i]

We love the car...and you. Best car channel!

[@jgh548]

Reminds me of why I like my 150 series Land Cruiser (Prado overseas). You should try one James. Great review as ever.

[@minxlabrada]

There's a guy I work with who has a Hilux Surf of that era. His has the optional yellow, orange, red, graphics on the rear quarter panel and rear door. Very cool! I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5SE 4x4 with the 5-spd manual. It's got the same motor in it Nissan designed for the 350Z before Carlos Ghosin stole their R&D budget. Super competent in 4WD. But 2WD on a dirt road in 2nd gear is magic. It's perfectly balanced for dirt drifting and donuts. I've upgraded the suspension with the best Monroe struts up front and KYB Gas-a-just with new bushings in the rear suspension. Like it too much to get rid of it when I bought a 2023 Honda Ridgeline.

[@conordoyle3156]

I had a 1997 3ltr manual one of these before. Loved it. Should never have sold it and regretted selling it the same day i sold it. One of the best if not the best car i ever owned

[@mohamedomar1162]

My grandpa he was a farmer and he also use this car toyota 3rd gen hilux surf 1999 and I remember how easily we get were ever we whan to go lucky after my grandpa died in 2016 we never buy and still keeping it. What a great days

[@TundeEszlari]

You are a very good KZbinr.

[@stephenmelrose1082]

I've just bought one It's great 😊 looking forward to many miles in it

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Your hello fresh part is comical 😂 I like it

[@mannyg1578]

I got one of these with hella rust and hella kilometers but I still love it

[@killian0408]

The slow-mo ad had me in stitches!

[@lt1fd3s]

great video!

[@Android-vk8yh]

Love anything old JDM I have to Jdm cars but never owned a Jeep and always wanted one. Love all the little quirky touches and looks. I'd have this over her land rover any day

[@MrPamospurcy]

Great video.I own 2 surfs KZN185 one heavy modified and one stock.I like it.Never sell it.

[@RCModelling4U]

The 2nd Gen KZN130 is the one to get, built like a barn door. The cracked heads are usually down to owners doing everything to prevent overheating, except refilling the viscous fan clutch. The auto box cooler is in the bottom of the radiator so no fan working and the whole thing overheats. Fix it and job done. £10. The PWR button changes the shift point on the auto box, so useful for towing up hills etc, it keeps it in a lower gear for longer. I drive mine as a daily, and like anyone who has ever owned one, absolutely love it. It's the best SUV ever made, and the design was copied by every manufacturer on the planet. I can shop in it, take my hobby gear anywhere, sleep in the back, cook in it, and tow a 22ft caravan around France. Rear bumpers rust and new ones are expensive, plenty of guys will build you a steel custom one. Parts are cheap. 25mpg which isn't far behind the 30mpg that modern SUV's do. Uprated suspension is cheap and readily available, along with diff lockers, LSD's etc.

[@toms_garage]

Love the carpets

[@GCD8]

Nice @MightyCarMods sticker placement with the chopped fingers 😄

[@samhassall1926]

Haven’t watched the video yet. But because their epic 🙌🏽

[@SunnyJim93]

These things are brilliant. My mate in New Zealand drives his down a river bank while people tow surf behind it. I looked at buying one in the UK a couple of years ago but trying to find a decent one is almost impossible.

[@thisissick22]

i enjoy all your content but that ad had me rolling - you've found your niche!

[@AntoniusTyas]

Cat sees psychopathic James cooking naan, cat is confus.

[@autobahnproven]

Fun, fun, fun! 😊 ❤

[@edu4818]

James, you should drive one of those or even a prado but with the 3.4 V6 petrol (hope its manual), very very nice engine with avgreat noise!

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Pmsl hacking away with the knife and the cats there like dude wtf is going on 😂😂😂

[@harrisonrawlinson5650]

Did you get a chance to try and use the rear parking mirror to reverse up to an object? I can’t see bollards over the tailgate of my mk1 Ranger so parking at Tesco isn’t always easy. It doesn’t help that I’ve given it a 2” lift and put larger tyres on effectively making the tailgate 4” higher than it would be normally. But it spends enough time offroad to justify that, I’m either thinking about a Hilux surf (or other comparable JDM 4x4s) or maybe a discovery 2 for my next vehicle

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

Had a Hilux in the 90s. The rust took it. BUT, it was unstoppable.

[@baronvonjo1929]

I have a 2000 4Runner. Its basically this but this has more fun stuff. The car is older than me and has 223k miles.

[@jamesloweffortcampingandfi3679]

I have that same mcm sticker on my alphard

[@halfgreekleo]

Please come and review my 2002 Prado next time you're in Scotland James!

[@edu4818]

rear solid axle man

[@baronvonjo1929]

Its funny you say people who bought these werent buying it as a lifestyle vehicle. Here in the states most are. Family gaulers and such. Even my. Family has a 2000 model like this gen and a current gen model 4runner. They are just very very amazing to drive. The are reliable and simple as well. And very practical. Thats what makes them amazing Family cars. No sedan could even begin to compare. We like the smaller cars we have had but 4runners will always be better.

[@rjhandley556]

That sponsor segment 😂😂😂

[@ukpipeline]

Laugh out loud Hello Fresh advertising …. I’ll have to try it!!

[@DjDolHaus86]

If you need to get around on road get a car. If you need to get around mostly on road and occasionally across a muddy field get a car with 4wd and raised suspension. If you need to get around on road but need extra luggage space get an estate. If you need to get around mostly on road and occasionally across a muddy field but need extra luggage space get an estate with 4wd and raised suspension. If you need to get around on road and need a vast amount of load space get a courier van. If you need to get around on road and need every last bit of space available get a full size van. If you need to get around on road and want a raised driving position get a crossover. If you need to go off road regularly get a 4x4. If you need to go off road regularly and moved unusual shaped objects get a pick-up.

[@rosssharp9013]

Lol good comment. I personally don't feel there's ever a need for a modern SUV. They're the worst of everything, but at least they're very profitable for the manufacturers huh.

[@nikomckenzie7043]

I always thought the SSR-X was non intercooled and the SSR-G was the intercooled variant.

[@renosamuels1396]

You are Genius..😂👍

[@universalexports6119]

Where was this filmed? The background scenery was incredible!!!

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

Scotland

[@rthomasbox]

Is that a real cat shaking his head or cgi Well integrated advert I would never have know

[@NathanArnold-sf7gx]

Still a handsome car today!

[@Daniel_Tromans]

Interesting to hear this fine Hilux recently did the Rust to Rome rally! I'm taking part in the Rustbox Rally very soon, taking a sub £500 '99 Polo all the way from Cornwall to Croatia! At least, that's the plan... Should be interesting!

[@MissionNomadic]

I have 2.8D 4WD Hi-Ace campervan. Basically a hilux

[@14bqdonk]

you should be GRATEFUL that many people who DON'T need this SUV but still buy it and using like a normal sedan. BECAUSE they are the reason why many of classic offroad vehicle is still alive with its original condition and still can be preserved without 3rd party parts, not repainted, LESS RUST compared to people who bought this and went offroad. You should be grateful, people who don't have the chance to buy this back then years ago but now they can enjoy it. You should know better. Your mourn are less useful compared to people who bought but don't need them.

[@shadle2361]

Hey, I admit I'm not too knowledgeable about cars, unfortunately. I reside in Quebec, Canada. I'm attracted to the appearance of the Hilux (Toyota Land Cruiser) and some of the recent Toyota trucks and SUVs, but they seem overly expensive, even in the used market here. Can you provide an objective opinion: Would it be wiser to purchase a vehicle like the Hilux with around 150,000 miles for roughly $15,000 USD, or opt for a more recent SUV like a 2020 Mazda CX5 with approximately 50,000 miles for the same price?

[@gibboj]

As a ex HGV fitter my sister wanted a vehicle to tow her horse trailer I did a bit of homework and told her to get a surf big derv engine one as ladies do she didn’t lisen and bought a 90 defender ( bad choice cost her loads of money ) u try to help people

[@dahotrod1533]

Current hgv fitter here, bought one a while back and love it.

[@johndcorcoran6550]

I have a 96 Surf my second surf. I bought the 2.7 L petrol, as all the deisels at some stage do theirs heads, radiators and Turbo. I replaces the steering rack, and radiator, it has done 340,000 and still uses no oil between services, The 4.5 petrol is very powerful but sucks fuel, however here in NZ is well regarded for towing horse floats. I bought the Surf when we lived high in the Mountains and they are great snow trucks, always gets through. Now We live on the coast just out of Otipoti (Dunedin) we have a Leaf, the combination is perfect, the Surf to tow the boat and go skiing, the Leaf as a daily town car. Bettter than buying a hybrid, between the two vehicles we have every need covered. cheap transport , reliability, towing and goes over wild mountain passes! I love my Surf!

[@Interceptor810]

90s era Japanese cars were something else, out of this world

[@johnh3710]

I hope you took the rattling stuff out the boot first Simon!

[@jayjohnson3732]

James, JAMES! Where’s the (totally irrelevant since I am in the US) “this is what you can pick one up for” segment?😊

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Tough to do given the rarity of them in the UK

[@grahammurphy5516]

I say the car gets "chopped", more often than does it does any chopping. Shout out to MCM.

[@biggiesmalls7259]

Imagine clearly reading a fans comment, taking their advice and then not thanking them.

[@OzzieMozzie777]

They should put your face on the hellofresh boxes

[@muffin9355]

I have a 1999 hilux surf KZN and it still run like its brand new😭

[@AW8UK]

I like these & have driven one owned by a good friend.. Sadly many in UK are scruffy, neglected &/or overpriced (when advertised)......Even cocrkroach vehicles benefit from care & maintenance.

[@dahotrod1533]

They're cheap for what they are tbh. Can't get quality cars no more.

[@AW8UK]

@@dahotrod1533 Quality used surfs do exist but hard to find on open market. Ideally cost to source & sort (if needed) should not be significantly higher than what it can be soon resold for after sorted.

[@kevincockburn7805]

Scotty kilmer would approve of this video.

[@zacbell03]

If I could find one of these in manual, id snap it up in a second. Only ones I can find in the uk are auto :(

[@dahotrod1533]

The auto ones are so comfy and laid-back to drive

[@johndcorcoran6550]

Loads of Surfs in NZ, not many are manual.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

I've has a few of these. The 3.0L diesel is good but run like hell from the 2.4L diesel, that engine is absolute garbage. The V6 petrol is hopeless off road with no low down torque and awful fuel economy. Considering their age a good one still sells for stupid money here in Au.

[@samhassall1926]

It doesn’t have fully independent suspension tho..

[@T.S.T2014]

We use to call them a “Forskin” in Australia 🇦🇺.

[@paulkeenan2691]

The Hiluxs wilder brother- fj cruiser would make a great review

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I've done one! An anniversary edition

[@neptuneblood6916]

just finished a 900 mile Scotland trip in my 94 ssrg never missed a beat

[@danishazman6222]

"1 minute ago"... Well I'm early

[@tommybronze3451]

Hilux is so damn reliable it can serve as a rocket launcher !

[@johndcorcoran6550]

They do in the Middle East!

[@laurencebeale8949]

I love your content but why moan about people who buy this kind of car "when they don't need them" and then mention you were just driving a 195mph Aston Martin. How many people buy the car they "need"?

[@biggiesmalls7259]

Mate, it's 2023. It's 26 years old!

[@biggiesmalls7259]

Don't even reply when you change it then?

[@Gorbyrev]

Get a like for the elucidation of the model name alone!

[@Punisher9419]

Now I know why the Taliban are always so pissed off, Afghanistan is land locked so they can't go surfing.

[@greathey1234]

I like James but I don't think he's the right person for promoting healthy food.

[@declanbrady5172]

I was so close to buying the terrorists ride of choice. Instead I stupidly bought a Japanese import 2.5D Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed which was the most unreliable car I've ever had. If only I had ignored the Mrs and bought the Surf.....a divorce would have been cheaper than paying for the repairs on the Pajero😂😂😂

[@michaelnaughton1393]

Hello Fresh... BYE BYE JAMES!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Bye Mike

[@greathey1234]

You got to respect the Taliban for defeating both the West and the Soviets

[@mohamedomar1162]

Pray me to get one i wish 🤲🏻

[@hanhopman721]

you better be careful with using words like manly and masculinity on your channel. because before you know if you insult and upset the alphabet people....😁Hahahaha

[@mahamedabdi4665]

lol

[@jdmsurfer]

These vids ruin the cars. They get hyped and overpriced.

[@dahotrod1533]

Way cheaper than a regular hilux though.

[@dahotrod1533]

1month later and still worth scrap landrover prices.