1996 Toyota Hilux Surf, SSR-X 3RZ-FE

t, and 16′′ BERG SV-5 alloys, this SSR-X looks sharp aside from a few light dings, chisp and scuffs associated with normal use. Powered by the same gas engine as our domestic 4Runners and Tacomas, this 103k verified and documented mile example is easy to service, and feels barely broken in. Ideal as a safe year-round family hauler, this 4×4 would also be able to pull double duty on the beach or at the local campsite. Tough, determined, and fun to wheel, this Japanese Classic deserves its due! The cabin is ergonomic, spacious and chock full of useful equipment. Factory options like a functional sunroof and optional driver lumbar support make these ideal daily drivers. It’s evident this example was well cared for in a prior life, as the upholstery lacks any typical discoloration or dinginess that typically accrues over the years. The dashboard lacks any cracking or fading and dual SRS airbags are standard. The driver enjoys a tilt-adjustable steering column to find the perfect seating position and power windows, door locks, and power mirrors all work in typical Toyota fashion. The center stack is close by and the optional automatic climate system works like a charm. The heat and A/C make winter and summer roadtrips bearable and if you prefer more natural ventilation, the rear glass powers down into the tailgate. For those mid-summer swelters, a new A/C condenser helps to keep things chilly. By the map light, a large OEM field monitor displays info to those within the cabin about the outside conditions, should you lose cell service. The moon mist gray seats are in good nick. They lack any major rips, stains, or tears, and the same material is mirrored in the door cards. The middle row 4-way reclines, split folds, and tumbles forward to to create a larger cargo area. The headliner is in good shape as are the door cards and carpets, and even the Addzest audio upgrade sounds crisp and clear. Even the owner’s manuals are included with the purchase and are safely stowed in the glovebox. The body-on-frame underpinnings are tough, and the selectable 4WD system can get you anywhere. The 3RZ-FE engine is a gem, and with a timing chain, you won’t have to prepare for a labor intensive belt service. Fresh off an oil and filter change, the 2.7L chugs to life with haste, courtesy of a new 12v battery. A new engine air filter and fuel filter have been installed, and the four-banger feels healthy. It feeds torque through a stout automatic gearbox that makes decent use of the 3RZ’s powerband. It hustles up to highway speeds without breaking a sweat, and slows down with confidence, with its standard ABS brakes. To bolster the system, we flushed out the fluid, added new front brake hoses, and new front brake pads. For an SUV, the suspension is sporty and connected. The long wheelbase distributes road imperfections nicely, and new rear upper control arms were installed before it passed its Virginia state safety inspection. The power steering is light yet direct and the snazzy BERG alloys are wrapped in nearly new Falken tires. The all-terrain rubber looks mean, quells road noise, and will last for tens of thousand of miles to come.