I recently stumbled onto a few of them, but have one question. Each one I've seen didn't have a roll bar. These things definately had them from the factory right? Assuming that the roll bars have been removed, I guess it wouldn't pass shaken since it is supposed to have all original safety equipment.

Also, does anyone in Oz know if the same models were sold there as in Japan?

Nope... No roll cage in the 4runner surfs on the JDM market. all the holes are in the floorpan etc but no cage. I used to manufacture/fit rollcages to the old 4runners. It seems they either care very little for the safety of their own population or they are very strict on saving weight. Most of the late eighties/ early nineties imports had minimal safety features. Most of the coronas/soarers/supras etc don even have side intrusion impact bars fitted to the doors. So pretty much relying on the strength of the 1mm thick tin the doors are made from. They didn even have child restraint anchors in them (or seatbelts in the rears sometimes).

We demand pics of Surfs, Landcruisers, Pajeros, Pajero Evos, L200s, Hiluxs, and whatever other 4x4s you see. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

wow. so I guess they didn't ride with the tops off then. That's crazy.

Apparently, the second gen was the most popular of the surfs, which I thought to be strange since it didn't have the cool factor of a removable top (albeit) a pita to remove - then you have to have a place to put the top when off...). Now it makes more sense.

I meant to take pics, but always seem to forget my camera.

I've found two, each with an asking price of at least 7000US! I guess since most of the 1st gens have long be thrown away and exported, the few remaining demand a hefty price. Part of the problem is that each of the one's I found had a rebuilt motor, even though they had less than 150,000 km on the odo.

Should have seen the look on the guys face when I told him mine has over 200,000... miles... on the same motor (although with one of EBs timing chain kits). Actually, that would've been the best picture. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Old or new? The most common 80's rigs I see are cruisers. How about a pic of the occasional hummer h2 trying to fit in a parking space the size of costco/sams shopping cart? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Snap a few pics whatever if you dont mind.

Isnt it mandatory to rebuild or swap in a new engine when you get to a certain ammount of miles/kms?

My understanding of the Surf is that the original head is very weak. No surprise if one of those has been rebuilt.

Before I got my Pajero, I was looking into the Prado. Same engine as the Surf.

My understanding is that they buy their cars tax free over in japan but after they turn 5 years old they have to either trade up or start paying the tax. That was how it was explained to me anyways.

I don't know about the new car jazz, never had one here. The only tax required is road tax and that is a yearly requirement. US military members get a reduced rate, but the tax on native Japanese drivers is pretty hefty. I will say that the roads are in GREAT condition around here, so damage to vehicles due to poor driving surfaces at high speeds is minimal. I think it works.

What engine did they use in the surf? I think the ones I found had 2.0 liter engines. I know they didn't have the 22r series (too bad).