Surf / 4runner 3.0D 1KZ information needed!

[roohan_raja]

Salam,

I am thinking about upgrading my Honda civic reborn to a manageable and reliable 4x4. After have narrowed down my options to Toyota surf 95-2000 model, 1kz 3.0D auto transmission with less or no touching.

This is my first time buying a 4x4, purpose is for a little offroading thrill and tours to the north plus being a daily driver.

I am confident in purchasing sedans but I need some help for buying a 4x4. Kindly help me out in what should I look in a SUV before purchasing it.

• how can I know is the diesel engine and transmission in perfect condition ?
• how can I test the 4x4 without taking it offroad?
• what is the best price to buy it?

Thanks in advance!

[mshoaib432722]

Dont buy it. 1995 model means engine MUST be replaced with a new one because that engine has done its life.
1. Daily drive in 4x4 is very uncomfirtable.
2. Now u can go to almost every north place in a sedan. Only the last few kilometers (15 to 20) are for jeep track. So better to hire the jeep for that which will cost may be 3000 or 5000 rupees. Compared to your 4x4, if your tyre bursts, u will end up paying 8000 for a single tyre. And if brake replacement needed, u can imagine the kharcha. So its a shitty idea to get a 4x4 just for north areas (1 or 2 trips a year... right?!).
3. No matter how good the condition of 1995 model surf is, you WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE 1KZ ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION... keep that in mind.

[roohan_raja]

Thank you so much for yoir advice @shoaid.
Money or kharcha is not an issue, I love touring on my ride so that is why I was looking for a 4x4.
Yes sedans can travel to anywhere in the north now but they can not go to kumrat valley or deosai etc etc.
And yes you are right about the engine swap but I am looking for a jeep in pristine condition. Willing to wait till I find it.

[mshoaib432722]

Good luck. But i doubt u will find one. 1Kz with auto tranny is 275k + 65k (plus 25k for labour). 1995 surf would be around 16 lakh. With pristine engine (which i assume previous owner replace wirh a new one) will demand around 16 lakh + 3.5 lakh.
To check the engine condition ask pakwheels experts to make a COMPRESSION test. Only that can tell the engine's condition.

[bright.jupiter]

1. Compression test could be helpfull in determining the engine health, or take it to some hill station (e.g pir sohawa in Islamabad) and evaluate if it goes with ease. For autotransmission just check it shifting of gears are smooth, and also check reverse gear. If gear is working good in test drive hopefully it remain ok.
   for the worst case if you need to replace auto transmission later for any reason it would cost you around 40-50k
   I found blow not a proper measure deternining engine health, most of the vehicles of this generation (3rd gen surf) with original engine have blow, get a test drive and if vehicle climbs mountain with ease, hopefully engine is good.
   If you could find like 96 surf with 150000 km on it and if engine does'nt undergoes major engine maintainance hopefully it would be ok. Nozzels replacemant etc is minor maintainance and for major maintainance experienced mechanic can judge if the engine has been opened or not.

2. 4x4 can be check by taking vehicle to any service station and raise it on jack. Once you engage 4x4 at least front and back side tyres of passenger side should rotate simultaneously. (not necessarily all 4 tyres on jack reason being limitied slip differntial).

3. Price varies according to condition, accessories, registration number etc. I was unable to find a good condition 3rd gen surf even in 18lac. btw i was looking for Isb number. roughly 70% cost is of body and 30% of engine. Also see if you need new tyres. new good tyres would cost you around 65-70000.

Expect to spend initial amount like 2-3 laks to bring it to reliable condition. Maintainance is not expensive and surf is a very good offroading machine and once you bring it to reliable condition it will remain trouble free for years, and for spares everything is available easily.

For Islamabad number look for a car that is registered at least 5 years earlier other wise transfer fee is 5 lac for non-filer and 3 lac for filer. And it would be great if you are able to find 10 year old registeration car as after 10 years yearly token tax is less. During these 10 years yearly tax is 30000rs for non filer. and i think 20000 for filer.

I found 2nd gen surf much tougher than 3rd gen for offroading, however its my personal opinion.

Simply check if the body is not accidented and engine is not opened, buy it. rest every thing can be done. You will love it. !!!

[roohan_raja]

Sir thank you so so much for your time. This is the kind of review i was looking for.

After seeing a few cars I came across a Black surf '97 model 07 import and registered. It is with the first owners since import and the condition is out class. Total genuine body, interior is super clean and every electronic is working. It has a factory diff lock aswell. Took it for a spin and the suspension was neat, no sounds at all and the overall drive was good.

The only ISSUE is that it has a little blow by. Exhaust does not throw black smoke and the engine is in seals. Kindly suggest me on what should I do ? I live in lahore so taking the car on steep slopes will not be possible. What else can I do? Though This car went to khunjerab in January.

Other than this there is no work required on the jeep, it has been fully cared for and milage is 136k. Tyres and both batteries were changed 6 months ago.

[roohan_raja]

Can blow by be because of faulty EGR valve?

[mshoaib432722]

Where in lahore? I have kept 1kz prado in past (& still do). If, possible on my daily routine way, I can check the vehicle for you... OR suggest you very good mechanic. Final condition of engine will be decided by compression test (There are workshops here in lahore that can perform this too).

[bright.jupiter]

I am not an expert and cannot say any thing about certainity, however little blow by is not a problem. My 1kz has same blowby as it was 3 yrs ago, and engine is really strong. Many mechanics suggested me to overhaul and many other things. I calmy reply let it be like that. I feel no difference in power it is as same as 3 yrs ago.

Dont expect no blow with such an old engine.

If btw blow by is due to faulty ege valve, it is not that costly. and some people blank that egr valve off. I am not sure if blowby can occur due to faulty egr valve.

Try towing some other heavy vehicle to estimate the strength of engine in Lahore, or try towing some light vehicle first and then some heavy vehicle just to estimate the strength by comparison. With 136k milage and if its been kept with care, and from your description i don't see any problem.

[pwuser153303992223]

You should go for it or if you really want power and very very comfortable realy offroader then go for Nissan SUV namely the Patrol or Pathfinder.........difficult to find but there are few available.

[s5618472]

Bhai surf itnay comfert nahi hotay,o 5 seater hotay hai,prado 1996 to 2001 lay lo ya mitsubishi lay lo...wo bohot comfert hotay hai,or 1kz deisel engine chek karnay ka tarika hai keh engine oil cup kol ker start engine per chek karo..ager blow kar raha ho to mat laina

[AbuJamal]

I have a 93 surf with 1kz. It is my daily driver for the past one year. It had blow when I bought it last year and mechanics advised me to change the engine immediately. However, I followed my instinct and got routine maintenance done only. I travel to isb regularly via motway with full load and alhamdolillah there has never been a problem.

Most of the mechanics are dishonest and exploit folks like us. Old off roaders are the perfect vehicles for Lahore traffic. Go for it
Good luck.