Thread: Thinking about a change - Safari or something else?

Originally Posted by Konev

if you can get a KZN185 (3rd gen surf) for 10k you will be set, intercooled if you can. although the intercoolers from the 3rd gens can be rangi'ed onto the older ones with no issues. surfs generally have better offroad performance over terranos but a less reliable engine (if not maintained)

for a surf, look for a 3L (2.8D) or 1KZ-TE (3.0l TD) and avoid the 2LT-TE engine (2.4T) automatics are not bad on them. manuals will need a rebuild eventually. as mentioned above, go for a 3rd gen if it is intercooled.

with terranos look under the rear seats, as thats the killer rust area. TD27 and QD32 engines are both damn near bullet proof, just let down by glass gearboxes, although i cant remember what ones break if you fart near them.

Yep the dirty 2.4 was never on the list and I want more grunt than the 2.8d (drove a 2.8 Hilux at work for a few years so I know what they're like), will have to be 3.0td if I go for a Smurf or Prado. Good info on the intercoolers, knew the non intercooled make similar power/torque to the late 2.7 Terrano but I see the intercooled surf has a chunk more. I know any of them are gonna be a big step down in performance from what I'm used to, but there are limits to how far down I want to step.

Bighorn is another decent idea, never really liked them but I don't think I actually have a reason not to.

At least nobody has suggested a Mitsi!