1997 Toyota Hilux Surf, SSR-X

cosmetics are in good shape overall, although 29 years of road use has yielded your typical rock chips, scrapes, and dings. Best of all, the 124k miles on the clock are verified/documented, and do a lot to cement this Surf’s appeal. Dependable to daily, sexy enough to show, and fun to four-wheel, these Surfs truly reign supreme! Classed up with fitted black leather seat covers, the interior looks snazzy and features all the conventional power appointments you’ve come to expect from the team at Toyota. The cabin is a comfortable place to be for all, seats five, and is set off by factory moon-mist grey accents. The dash cover shows a few nicks in the vinyl, but the hard plastics surrounding the center stack have resisted the rigors of daily use and abuse. Optional OEM audio works like a charm, and an adjacent automatic climate control unit keeps the cabin supplied with cold A/C and hot heat. If you want to go windows-down and maximize natural airflow, all power windows operate as expected, including the rear glass which also unfurls in true 4Runner fashion. Even a power moonroof is on hand to let in some sunlight and a light breeze. The driver gains access to a tilt adjustable steering column, and power mirrors and electric locks to aid accessibility. Even a factory field monitor display was optioned. Although the screen is a bit dull, it is legible if you need information on outside conditions. The remaining materials are tidy, from the cloth inserts in the door cards, to the headliner and carpets beneath. With only the latter succumbing to a few minor stains, the cabin condition is good overall, although we did want to note the driver’s seat is worn underneath the cover, and the passenger mirror no longer electronically folds. That may be nitpicking on a vehicle of this vintage, and to sweeten the deal, we’ve retained the original owner’s manual and maintenance booklet! Under the hood, enthusiasts love the 3RZ-FE for its ease of service, inexpensive parts supply, and steadfast reliability that takes many examples far past the 300,000 mile mark. Fresh off a recent service, ours is primed and ready to get you there, and our trained technicians chucked in a new 12v battery to aid ignition. From there, we bolstered the ignition system with new spark plugs, wires, and a new distributor cap and rotor, and a fresh oil and filter service keeps future maintenance on the up and up. The 2.7l has enough get up and go for around town jaunts or interstate cruising, and the transfer case is selective, to cater to the driver’s style. Linked to a smooth-shifting automatic, torque can be sent to the rear wheels or all four based on the driver’s preference. If you want to trudge along the beach or encounter some snow, a low-gear 4WD setting is on standby. The Hilux gets up to highway speeds with ease and can cruise comfortably thanks to brand-new rear shocks. To shore up the suspension, a laundry list of service was also performed. New front lower control arms and front lower ball joints were replaced, as well as the rear upper and lower control arms. New front swaybar endlinks also assist handling. We also got this Surf under the knife for a labor intensive steering rack rebuild. After replacing the seals on the rack and pinion, the assembly gained new inner and outer tie rods, boots, and bushings prior to being installed back in the vehicle. New power steering fluid was flushed in, and we performed a fresh four wheel alignment for good measure. The ABS brakes add some reassurance for those living in snowy climates and the brakes stop this midsize truck down with ease thanks to new front brake pads. The wheels are all wrapped in brand new grippy 32′′ Falken all-terrain rubber. They look mean but most importantly will last for tens of thousands of miles to come.