Toyota Hilux 3.0 Surf SSR X TD Review

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Toyota Hilux 3.0 Surf SSR X TD
3.7 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.7 out of 5

From 8 ratings and 6 reviews

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Deezel's Review of Toyota Hilux 3.0 Surf SSR X TD

8th Dec 2003

Overall Rating

5 stars
  • Value for money
    4.5 stars
  • Practicality
    5 stars
  • Performance
    5 stars
  • Reliability
    5 stars
Good Points

Great looks,Reliable,strong,good build quality,powerful engine,roomy.


General Comments

The Toyota Hilux Surf is in my opinion one of the best hi spec 4x4s available today.These vehicles are built to last with reliability to match.The 3rd Gen (1996-1999)will turn heads wherever it goes as it is one of the finest looking 4x4s you are likely to see.The 3Ltr Td engine oozes power and has plenty of low end torque and pulls like you wouldn't believe,great performer off-road too with diff lock an option for when you get into sticky situations.There is also 4wd at the touch of a button which is handy when driving on slippy roads(no transmission wind up due to the centre diff).All in all a fantastic vehicle only available on import from Japan,but worth importing.

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Members' Comments onDeezel's Review

  • coyoteboy Rank: Lance Corporal on 17th Dec 2003

    The 3rd Gen doesnt have a centre diff so using 4x4 on-road will bind up the gears.

  • jase on 2nd Feb 2004

    it does have a centre diff lock

  • Morr Rank: Sergeant on 16th May 2004

    All 3rd Gen Hilux Surf's have a centre Diff, in some markets (USA) is was sold as a 4Runner, these do not all have centre diffs.

    All Japanese spec 3rd Gens have centre diff as standard.

  • coyoteboy Rank: Lance Corporal on 17th May 2004

    Its only possible to lock it in 4wd (causing binding on tight tarmac corners) or run in 2wd. Its not a normal rangerover type centre diff where you can run in 4wd all the time regardless of surface, unless someone played with my Jap 3rd Gen, which seems entirely standard to me!

  • Morr Rank: Sergeant on 18th May 2004

    coyoteboy,
    The 3rd Gen has a multi mode 4wd system, allowing a choice of;
    2wd Hi ratio,
    4wd Hi ratio (open centre diff)
    4wd Hi ratio (locked centre diff)
    4wd Lo ratio (locked centre diff)

    Pressing the button on the 4wd lever will engage 4wd leaving centre diff open, pulling the lever to the rear will lock the centre diff and engage 4wd (regardless of button position), then moving the lever to the forward right position through neutral to the 4wd Lo ratio, diff locked position.

    For more info, may I suggest you have a look at the following forum, http://www.yotasurf.co.uk/forums/index.php?referrerid=24
    where you can find a whole bunch of Hilux Surfers ;-)

  • coyoteboy Rank: Lance Corporal on 19th May 2004

    OK, Cheers for that - I am enlightened :)
    Great car though - never have any issues with it - touch wood.

    J

  • Diarmuid on 7th Oct 2004

    I have recently bought a Hilux surf from an importer, I think its great apart from one very annoying glitch - the starter motor sticks- its intermittent but really annoying when it happens- has anyone found out what the cause is- or do you know how to fix it?

  • flightch4 Rank: Lance Corporal on 1st Mar 2008

    The starter goes wrong at 100,000miles ish. Change it. It will cost about £200.