At home on the beach, trail, and tarmac, these Hilux’s are our best-selling SUVs for all the right reasons.

Exterior Overview
A Surf like this is more than just a reliable, capable, and practical SUV. It’s a stunner, and frankly, this 1997 gets more looks than a vehicle three times as expensive. Finished in a one-off Toffee Brown over Steel Gray two-tone, this SSR-X is set off by an OEM spoiler, privacy tint, color-matched Satoshi grill, and mean 16″ aftermarket alloys shod in 31″ brand new Falkens. Aside from a few light dings, chips, and scuffs, the paint is in good nick and this 4×4 is fresh off a recent service in our shop. Boasting only 106k verified and documented miles on the clock, this rig is barely broken in, and turn key ready to rock. This five-seater would be a wonderful choice for a trusty year-round daily driver, featuring a cabin full of upgrades and plenty of factory options. At home on the beach, trail, and tarmac, these Hilux’s are our best-selling SUVs for all the right reasons. As far as sport utilities go, this Japanese Classic is a top performer, and it looks every bit as good as it drives!

Interior Overview
The cabin boasts gobs of space, electric equipment, and a few snazzy upgrades. Toyota even prioritized safety over the outgoing model with standard dual SRS airbags and ABS brakes. The custom-fitted leather seat covers steal the show, and protect the charcoal cloth upholstery underneath. The driver benefits from a slate of power and convenience items. An electric sunroof, power windows, locks, and mirrors all make daily use more enjoyable. A brand new USDM Boss headunit upgrade pumps in the tunes, and looks more modern than the OEM unit. Even the rear glass power retracts for a more open-air driving experience that dog owners will surely appreciate. This truck utilizes a simple-to-use automatic climate control system with piping hot heat and cold A/C on standby.. The amount of headroom, legroom, and shoulder room are plentiful and this Surf has a large cargo area with fold-down seats in case a camping trip is in order. Unlike stateside versions of this SUV, the rear bench is four-way reclinable so that those in the rear of the vehicle can relax and catch some shuteye if need be. The headliner and door cards lack any major imperfections and the head liner is tight and taut on the roof. That’s not to say the cabin is perfect as there are some cracks on the dash that have been obscured by a Moon Eyes dash cover. Also, the power folding function on the passenger side mirror has given up the ghost, and the speedometer intermittently works. Still, at 25 years old it’s obvious this truck was cared for in a prior life and the interior is still in better shape than most American 4Runners available for purchase.

Mechanical Overview
The simple and sturdy underpinnings of these N180 SUVs are a large reason why so many of these rigs have stood the test of time. Powered by the 3RZ-FE, these lovable utes take a licking and keep on ticking. Fresh off an oil and filter service, the four-banger cranks to life care of a recently replaced 12v battery. The 2.7L idles with confidence and is linked to a slick-shifting automatic gearbox. Power can be fed through a selective transfercase to the rear or all four wheels. For stickier situations, the Hilux Surf has a dedicated low 4WD gearset to multiply torque so you can forge forward through the muck. The acceleration is nearly as good as the thirstier V6 and sustained highway cruising is stress-free. The suspension offers loads of ground clearance and is predictable even on rougher pavement. We refreshed the front end with new lower control arms and front steering rack bushings. The front sway bar links were also swapped out with new ones as they were a bit tired. The brakes feel confident and for those living in snowy climates, ABS is standard. New front brake pads and rotors reduce stopping distances and will add some peace of mind for the new American buyer. The 31″ Falkens are knee-deep in tread and will last for tens of thousands of miles to come providing all the year-round grip you will ever need!

For the full listing and photo set, please visit https://www.japaneseclassics.com.