G'day all.

I'm wanting a new truck for a daily driver, general off roader and gun buggy for shooting off.
I’m currently liking the first gen Surf which I understand was a basically a forth gen Hilux Ute with rear seats and a canopy.

I really like the idea of being able to lift the rear canopy on and off but how big of a job is it. I’ve heard it's 4 bolts but is it 4 bolts or 4 bolts, 5 people and 2 hours work.

Also I understand they had a SAS up until ’86 and then went to IFS?

While I understand IFS gives a better ride, SAS is more bomb proof correct?

And while I’m at it thoughts on dropping a 1UZ-FE into one? They are relatively common down here (NZ) but from what I’ve read the reason they went to IFS was to allow the bigger V6 to fit in.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

Nick

 

Welcome to the site! What year model are you looking into?

I've driven my '86 daily for about 7 years now and the IFS rides pretty smooth..can't say much 80+ mph..they really weren't built for speed anyway.

The top is pretty simple, just unhook the connections, I think its 8 bolts off the top of my head, and just lift. It usually takes another helping hand to take it off and get it on. Usually takes about 30 mins to an hour.

 

At the moment I'm doing a pre-trade course for entry into the RNZAF so am a poor broke student. Should be earning within a couple of months but am just looking on trademe etc at the moment so am not really looking at any particular year. I'm pretty sure I want SAS as I tend to break things and I understand SAS is harder to break even though IFS rides better

 

just to let you know SAS is solid axle swap, pre 86s came stock with a solid axle.
there for no swap was done. and IFS should serve you just fine,
unless you really really beat the hell out of it.

solid axles are stronger but ifs isnt exactly weak.
Its still toyota. I have IFS pn my current rig and have no complaints except it
tends to get a little tippy in sticky situations haha.

 

Yea sorry I did know SAS was swap. Dunno why I wrote that.

I've found this on trademe so hopefully its still around when i have the cash. I remember seeing it a while ago, so here's hoping.

 

nah i think you could find something better and cheaper.

 

^ Hard to say what the vehicle market in New Zealand is like, or how much $8,000 converts to in US dollars. Still a damn cool truck if the swap was done right and isn't a hack job.

Also noticed the rear springs were in some sad need of attention. Its common for the rear springs to sag with age, and there are several solutions for the problem, including new springs with more leaves.

 

NZ$8500 is about US$6600. Am I right in thinking the rear leaves were in sad need of attention the day it rolled off the assembly line anyway?