1996 SSR-G Hilux Surf 3.0TD

tory chrome taillight,nishes, OEM rear spoiler, spare tire swingarm, and five stylish Bridgestone CV 928 alloys. Aside from a few light imperfections, the body is in good shape, and this eye-catching Toyota would make for a wonderful daily driver, cool Cars & Coffee cruiser, or wicked weekend playtoy. An SUV that does everything well and looks good doing it, this is the definition of a real Japanese Classic. The cabin is spacious, ergonomic, and includes a few handy upgrades. The driver benefits from a tilt-adjustable steering column and optional adjustable lumbar support once they climb behind the wheel. The dashboard lacks any cracking or fading, and dual SRS airbags are standard equipment. Power folding mirrors, power locks, and electric rear and side glass all operate in typical Toyota fashion, making daily use more enjoyable. If you need to adjust the cabin temps depending on the time of year, the automatic climate system can dole out cool A/C or piping hot heat, and if you prefer more natural ventilation, a large power panoramic moonroof was spec’d in this example. We also replaced the A/C condenser and dryer. If you prefer your own soundtrack over the turbodiesel’s, period-correct Sony audio can keep the tunes flowing. An OEM field monitor is located by the map lights and displays info a bout the outside conditions to those within the cockpit, should you lose cell service. The seats are upholstered in a gray Moon Mist colored cloth. The material lacks any major rips, stains, or tears and is mirrored in the door cards. The rear seats 4-way recline, split fold, and tumble forward and fold flat to accommodate larger cargo. The door cards are in fine shape, and aside from some carpet stains, it’s really hard to complain about the cabin. It even has a power backup mirror that can unfurl from the rear spoiler so that you can see any vehicles parked directly behind you. Designed to be rugged and tough, this body-on-frame beast harkens back to a time before unibodies underpinned most sport utilities. That same toughness is part of the 1KZ-TE’s ethos. This three-liter is fresh off an oil and filter service and whirs to life courtesy of two new 12V batteries. A proper tune-up was in order, so we immediately chucked in some new accessory belts, a new engine air filter, and a new fuel filter. So that all that fresh 15W40 stays internal, one of our trained techs replaced the valve cover gasket. The 1K is linked to a stout automatic gearbox. It shifts properly, and power can be sent to the rear wheels or all four, depending on your preference. The pilot can also engage a low-range and center locking differential when traction is low. It gets up to highway merging speeds without breaking a sweat, and sustained interstate cruising is comfortable with this truck’s long wheelbase. We have improved the ride quality with a host of suspension upgrades. Four new shocks, front lower ball joints, and front and rear lower control arms were installed before it completed its VA state safety inspection. The steering system received a full refresh with new rack bushings and new front sway bar links. To dial in a proper alignment, we installed new inner and outer tie rods, and she tracks straight as an arrow. When you need to slow this SUV down, ABS is standard, and we have shod the front axle with new brake pads and rotors. To complete the service work, new 31′′ Falken tires were mounted and balanced at each corner. The new rubber quells road noise, looks tough, and most importantly, will last for tens of thousands of miles to come.