Pete Q

Hey, I just got my Hilux Surf back from an auto trimmer - got a soft top made up. What do you think? - ive attached a before and after photo's Will make it so much more fun at the beach.

Hey, Do you run diesel or petrol? My father drives a diesel 96 model non turbo and gets about 11 litres per 100 kms and I drive a petrol 84 4 runner and get about 13. If your idling a bit rough its probably your timing/fouled plugs or an issue with your injectors. Could also be your alternator not charging enough and voltage jumping. If you have a volt meter test your alternator and then clean up your plugs. If this doesnt help check your timing. (also check your exhaust for any holes/leaky gaskets - this will make a HUGE difference. A lot of economy issues often come down to your driving. Not using the gears to slow down, selecting either a too high or too low gear, braking heavily and accelerating quickly will also use a lot more fuel. I assume the 350 kms is city driving? Once you have cleaned up/changed anything that needs to be changed take it for a 2-3 hour drive along a highway. Cars are like horses; they need a good run every now and then or the build up carbon and slowly choke. The long drive will get any carbon out of the exhaust system and will allow the engine to hum nicely. Hope this helps. Pete.

Hey, Probably not much point doing this. I assume you prefer the economy of the diesel? Dont know about yours but I run a petrol 84 4 runner and get about 13 litres per 100 Kms. My Father runs a diesel 96 Hilux (Non turbo) and gets around 11. By the time you have spent the money converting it over (you would be lookng at around $9000 just guessing). The drive train etc are all the same but you need to change the engine, all the engine bolt ons - water pump etc, fuel lines, fuel pump and tank. Its a major job. Plus then diesel parts are more expensive in my experience and quite honestly I prefer driving a petrol - much quieter and smoother driving. I do know a guy who went the other way - converted an 87 4 runner from diesel to petrol. He did this because his engine was shot and somehow for him it was cheaper to do the whole conversion than just replace the diesel engine. Would be a fun job to do though. Would be interested to see how you get on if you decide to do it. Pete.

I usaully flash my hazard lights or brakes lights to tell them to backoff...If they don't I then slow down to increase my following distance from the car in front of me (if theres one) so if he stops I've gotmore time to stop slower and hopefully avoid the **** behind ending up in my boot!! Depending on how much they are annoying me, there are a few different things I do. Either I press my brake pedal just enough to get the brake light to come on while I accelerate forward. Usually this increases the distance between us pretty quick since I accelerate forward and they brake. Then if they continue to tail me again, I do the same but once I get a little bit forward, I actually apply the brakes and slow down a bit. They usually come accelerating towards me thinking I'm just doing what I did before. This usually gets them as they have to hit their brakes quick. Gotta make sure you can accelerate out of this situation though. By that time they usually get the point or are that annoyed that they move to the other lane or something. After that I just put my car into 3rd or 4th depending on the speed we're going at and I travel at the speed limit (high revs), then every so often I just let go of the accelerator so I get a fair bit of engine braking and this usually annoys them as well cause I'm slowing down all of a sudden without brake lights coming on. I'll usually combine this one with my windscreen washers to add to the annoyance. Yup, these don't really solve the problem, but if you tail me, I'm going to annoy you in return. Here Here...Thats what comprehensive insurance is for ... slam the brakes on and if they hit you get a new car :)

I never indicate when leaving a roundabout...if I'm going left or right I will but other wise nope... are you ment to indicate when going straight?? dosnt make sense.. I always give way to my right on a roundabout... Meant to indicate out when going straight or right but majority don't do it in SA you only have to indicate when leaving a laned roundabout. In a one laned one you only need to indicate when you turn left or right ... different in other states. I believe eastern states are indicate regardless. Came accross a TOOL in Brisbane the other week driving on the highway. he pulled out of a carpark/sidestreet, can remember. Normally I would let people in if I can but I was being tailgated so I couldnt slow down. He decided to pull out infront of me with no notice (From a standing start) - I was doing 100 Km/h. Slammed the brakes on and ended up aprox 2 metres from his drivers door. HE ABUSED ME!

As far as I know the suspension and the chassis is exactly the same. When Toyota brought out the hilux surf and the first gen 4 runner all they did was cut the back of the cab off and add a back seat. There are different suspension set ups in depending on the options chosen. There are Independent Fronts and rears AND solid fronts and rears. All depends what you want to do. If you want to raise it Tuff stuff 4X4 do very good quality 50mm lift kits (all include leaves,torsion bars, bushes, greasable shackles, pins, steering dampers etc for around $1600. (More if they fit it). Hope that helps...

i have a complete 85 and 86 model hilux here..have the rear exhaust from under cab to rear with muffler $50 and barrel here also..im in qld , where r u located.. That sucks! Im in Adelaide...just came back from QLD 3 days ago. got the new barrel already ... muffler I can get new for $130 so will probably do that. Thanks!

Hey All, I have found a rubbing type noise in my 4 runner when 4 WD is engaged. Thought it may be the froont drive shafts but the boots are good and no signs of leakage. Would the bearings be to blame? No noise when running in 2 WD. I have never really worked on anything like this, I have always run constant 4WD's. Any help would be appreciated.

Hey All, If anyone has any spare parts for a 1984 Hilux/4 Runner (3 Y Petrol) I am interested in buying. ESPECIALLY IGNITION BARREL, REAR SECTION OF EXHAUST (MUFFLER NOT CAT CONVERTER, REAR WINDOW REGULATOR (4 RUNNER). Will be looking at doing some other repairs and havent really checked out whats wrong with it as yet so may be after more too. Thanks!

Hey, I just bought a 1984 Hilux Surf SSR. I have been told that they were not Australian delivered. (As in the Surf) It is a 3y 2.0 petrol engine with 3 speed auto box. Anyone know anything about it? I'm curious to know a market value if anyone has any idea. Rustfree body, good interior. Mechanically good. slight oil leak.

Hi, I'm in Adelaide ...