My truck is a 1994 Hilux Surf 2.8D (or 4Runner, as they were also known), & back in the early days of our democracy, when new SA embassies were opening up in all the countries that had previously not wanted to play nicely with us, it was exported directly from the factory in Japan to the newly opened SA Embassy in India, to work as a service vehicle. That's what it did from 1995 to 2001, when it was ready to be retired.
At that point, I was working in India & I of course jumped at the opportunity to buy it from the Embassy. I drove it over there until 2004, when I shipped it back to SA (on that note, I wouldn't encourage anyone to try & bring a vehicle into SA & register it privately - it's a complete pain in the butt....). Eventually, though, after 3 years of driving with Indian number plates & all of the import documentation in an envelope behind the drivers seat, I did mange to complete the registration process.....
It's had a few additions (KZ-TE rims, custom towbar, nudge bar & spotlights) but otherwise it's pretty much the way it came.
Hilux Surf with a unique history
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Owl
- High Range 2WD
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:59 pm
- Town: Johannesburg
- Vehicle: Hilux Surf 2.8D
- Real Name: Alistair
Hilux Surf with a unique history
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Ali3n
- Monster Truck
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- Real Name: Francisco the Great
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Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Hi Alistair and welcome...
Good looking Surf you have there. 1 of only 2 legaly registered surfs I know of in SA.
The other is standing in my yard. 
Come bring it with when we go play. Will be nice not to be the only Surf on an outing.
Good looking Surf you have there. 1 of only 2 legaly registered surfs I know of in SA.
The other is standing in my yard. Come bring it with when we go play. Will be nice not to be the only Surf on an outing.
PRESENTLY DISADVANTAGED
Custom built Rock Sliders, Bumpers, Belly protection.... Anything you can think of
Cell: 076 122 3744 E-Mail: fpanaino@gmail.com
Bear Grylls calls it "Ultimate Survival", overlanders call it "Camping"
Custom built Rock Sliders, Bumpers, Belly protection.... Anything you can think of
Cell: 076 122 3744 E-Mail: fpanaino@gmail.com
Bear Grylls calls it "Ultimate Survival", overlanders call it "Camping"
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pietpetoors
- Moderator
- Posts: 10650
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 9:12 pm
- Town: Langebaan
- Vehicle: 2.7 Hilux 4x4 DC
- Real Name: Pieter
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- Contact:
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Looks very good. Welcome to the forum
Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow!
1999 Hilux 2.7i 4x4 Raider DC with 3.4 Prado V6. Rear diff-lock, Bull Bar and rock sliders, 31" Cooper ST Maxx, Snorkel, Alu-Canopy, VHF Motorolla radio, West Coast Rust, Mikem Suspension, Ball Joint Spacers in front and Mikem extended shackles at the rear, 25watt LED Spots
1999 Hilux 2.7i 4x4 Raider DC with 3.4 Prado V6. Rear diff-lock, Bull Bar and rock sliders, 31" Cooper ST Maxx, Snorkel, Alu-Canopy, VHF Motorolla radio, West Coast Rust, Mikem Suspension, Ball Joint Spacers in front and Mikem extended shackles at the rear, 25watt LED Spots
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Donkey
- Monster Truck
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- Town: Johannesburg
- Vehicle: 2002 3.0KZ-TE 4x4, Eazyawn RTT, Snorkel, NudgeM Bumper, 38mm Ball Joint Spacers, 35" Maxxis Bighorns, Dastek Unichip, 60 ltr Snomaster fridge/freezer, 40mm body lift, Mikem front/rear with extended shackles, Bilsteins shox rear
- Real Name: Tumelo Thebe aka Baas John
- Club VHF Licence: X122
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
I'm very sentimental too about my cars and so can relate, enjoy the forum and welcome.
Tumelo Maketekete
Donkey, simple and often misunderstood.
We don't stop playing because we grow old, but we grow old because we stop playing!
2002 - 3.0KZ-TE Toyota Hilux (Letebele)
1994 - 1.6i Gl Toyota Corolla (Platkar)
1990 - Gli TwinCam 16v (ZuluBoy)
Donkey, simple and often misunderstood.
We don't stop playing because we grow old, but we grow old because we stop playing!
2002 - 3.0KZ-TE Toyota Hilux (Letebele)
1994 - 1.6i Gl Toyota Corolla (Platkar)
1990 - Gli TwinCam 16v (ZuluBoy)
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Froll
- Monster Truck
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- Real Name: Roger
- Club VHF Licence: N/A
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Welcome Alistair, hope you enjoy it here on the forum. Nice looking truck you have there.
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doppies
- Low Range 4WD
- Posts: 137
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- Town: keetmanshoop
- Vehicle: toyota , land rover
- Real Name: willem
- Club VHF Licence: no
- Location: Keetmanshoop
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
I am in Namibia and the NGO's donate a handfull of them to the GRN, specially the double cabs. These vehicles are auctioned by the GRN after several years of service. I became in possesion of one in good shape en at the moment busy to build one out of another two. But to get parts is hard to find, although a already import some parts direk from japan, it still be difficult. I import the corner lenses in front, but they send me the indicator lenses in the bumper, in respect i give them the correct part numbers with photo's. If any one knows where I can get these irems ?
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4x4BEES
- Monster Truck
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- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:13 am
- Town: Brackenfell
- Vehicle: Hilux 4.0V6
- Real Name: Kevin
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Welcome to the forum 
Is that a 4x4 or 2x4??
Just asking as I have only seen one before.
Is that a 4x4 or 2x4??
Just asking as I have only seen one before.
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Mud Dog
- Moderator
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- Town: East London
- Vehicle: '90 SFA Hilux DC 4X4, Full OME, 110mm lift. Brospeed branch, 50mm ss freeflow exhaust. 30 x 9.5 Discoverer S/T's on Viper mags. L/R tank. (AWOL) '98 LTD 2.4 SFA, dual battery system. Dobinson suspension, LR tanks, 31" BF mud's.
- Real Name: Andy
- Club VHF Licence: HC103
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Interesting vehicle history. Welcome Alistair!
When your road comes to an end ...... you need a HILUX!.
Life is like a jar of Jalapeño peppers ... what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.
Don't take life too seriously ..... no-one gets out alive.
It's not about waiting for storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
And be yourself ..... everyone else is taken!
Life is like a jar of Jalapeño peppers ... what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.
Don't take life too seriously ..... no-one gets out alive.
It's not about waiting for storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
And be yourself ..... everyone else is taken!
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Ali3n
- Monster Truck
- Posts: 4714
- Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 2:06 pm
- Town: Roodepoort
- Vehicle: Jeep Commander 3.0 Limited
- Real Name: Francisco the Great
- Club VHF Licence: B338
- Location: Roodepoort
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
They are 4x4.4x4BEES wrote:Welcome to the forum
Is that a 4x4 or 2x4??
Just asking as I have only seen one before.
PRESENTLY DISADVANTAGED
Custom built Rock Sliders, Bumpers, Belly protection.... Anything you can think of
Cell: 076 122 3744 E-Mail: fpanaino@gmail.com
Bear Grylls calls it "Ultimate Survival", overlanders call it "Camping"
Custom built Rock Sliders, Bumpers, Belly protection.... Anything you can think of
Cell: 076 122 3744 E-Mail: fpanaino@gmail.com
Bear Grylls calls it "Ultimate Survival", overlanders call it "Camping"
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Owl
- High Range 2WD
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:59 pm
- Town: Johannesburg
- Vehicle: Hilux Surf 2.8D
- Real Name: Alistair
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Thanks for the welcome, everyone - to answer the question about 4x4 or 4x2, this one is 4x4 with low range & lockable front hubs (no diff lock, unfortunately.....).
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Owl
- High Range 2WD
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:59 pm
- Town: Johannesburg
- Vehicle: Hilux Surf 2.8D
- Real Name: Alistair
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Also, for Willem in Namibia, I found a UK company called Roughtrax (http://www.roughtrax4x4.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) that does Surf spares - maybe you should drop them a line.
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Wurmscooby
- Low Range 4WD
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- Town: Cape town
- Vehicle: 1996 2.4 SFA
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Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
welcome to the forum
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4x4BEES
- Monster Truck
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- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:13 am
- Town: Brackenfell
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- Real Name: Kevin
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
Thank you Owl and Ali3n!!Ali3n wrote:They are 4x4.4x4BEES wrote:Welcome to the forum
Is that a 4x4 or 2x4??
Just asking as I have only seen one before.
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Owl
- High Range 2WD
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 3:59 pm
- Town: Johannesburg
- Vehicle: Hilux Surf 2.8D
- Real Name: Alistair
Re: Hilux Surf with a unique history
So back to work yesterday, to find that I'm looking at the possibility of another overseas assignment...... Unfortunately this means that my Surf will need to be re-homed...... Having only discovered the Forum in December..... Murphy's Law, I guess..... I've placed an ad in the Classified section of the Forum, please check it out if interested.