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Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series For Sale — Import From Japan

In Japan, the third-generation 4Runner was sold as the 185-series Hilux Surf, released in December 1995 and built until 2002. For this third Surf generation Toyota renewed the whole chassis, frame included. The wheelbase got longer and the track wider, and there are coil springs at all four corners, with independent double wishbones in front and a four-link solid rear axle. Every one is a five-door. Japanese engines were the 3.4-liter 5VZ-FE V6 at 185 PS, the 2.7-liter 3RZ-FE at 150 PS and the 3.0-liter 1KZ-TE turbodiesel. That diesel made 130 PS at launch and 140 PS once intercooled in 1996, and in July 2000 the 1KD-FTV common-rail diesel replaced it with 170 PS. Grades include SSR-X, SSR-V and SSR-G, in standard and wide bodies. The diesels are the draw for many US buyers, since the US 4Runner of this generation never had one. A manual means a car built before July 2000.

249available now
1996–2002model years
$6,866–$40,051approx. USD in Japan
45–60 daystypical delivery

Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series market snapshot

$16,329median price in Japan
$11,958–$19,785middle half of prices
from $10,946shipped to a US port
16 of 249manual transmission
1802000 or older and legal to import now
5price on request

These numbers come from our live Japan dealer stock today. Shipped prices include ocean freight to your nearest US port plus export fees.

Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series variants

VariantEngineDriveNotes
VZN1855VZ-FE 3.4L V6, 185 PS4WDThe petrol V6, which Toyota lists in the top SSR-G grade
RZN1853RZ-FE 2.7L I4, 150 PS4WDCame in standard (1,690 mm) and Wide (1,800 mm) bodies
KZN1851KZ-TE 3.0L turbodiesel I4, 130 PS (140 PS intercooled from 1996)4WDThe Surf's diesel up to July 2000
1KD-FTV diesel1KD-FTV 3.0L common-rail turbodiesel I4, 170 PS4WDArrived with the July 2000 facelift and came only as an automatic
Rear-drive 2.73RZ-FE 2.7L I4, 150 PSRWDTwo-wheel-drive version added in August 1998, sold only with an automatic

Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series available now

Showing 1–24 of 249 Hilux Surf 185 Series listings in stock, priced cars first.

What to check on a Hilux Surf 185 Series

What it costs to import a Hilux Surf 185 Series

The card prices above are what each car costs in Japan. The shipped price on a card is that car delivered to your nearest US port, with ocean freight and export fees included. We then clear it through US customs as your importer of record and handle the title, so there's no customs broker for you to hire. The full cost breakdown has the details.

Is the Hilux Surf 185 Series legal to import?

Any vehicle 25 years or older is legal to import into the USA without meeting modern FMVSS safety or EPA emissions standards. Eligibility runs on the month and year of manufacture, not just the model year. If the exact 185 Series you want is not yet eligible, we can buy it and store it in Japan until it is. See the 25-year rule explained.

How buying one from us works

We bid at Japanese auctions and buy from dealer stock on your behalf. Before any money moves, the car is physically inspected in Japan, with photos, video, and a condition report, not just an auction sheet grade. After purchase we handle export, ocean freight to your nearest US port, customs clearance, import duty, and US title, so the car arrives ready to register. Typical timeline is 45–60 days from purchase to delivery.

Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series FAQ

How much does a Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series cost?

In our Japan stock, the 244 Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series with a listed price run from about $6,866 to $40,051 before import costs. The median is $16,329, and the middle half sits between $11,958 and $19,785. Shipped to your nearest US port, with ocean freight and export fees included, prices start at about $10,946 and a median car comes to about $20,409. After that we handle US customs as your importer of record and title the car for you.

How many Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series are for sale right now?

249 in Japanese dealer stock today (244 with a listed price, 5 price on request). It changes every day as cars sell and new ones get listed.

How many Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series for sale are manual?

Counting the 249 that list a transmission, 16 are manual and 233 are automatic.

Can I import a Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series to the USA?

Of the cars in stock, 180 are from 2000 or earlier and qualify under the 25-year rule now. The 42 from 2001 qualify only if built September 2001 or earlier. As for the 26 still too new, we can buy one now and store it in Japan until it qualifies. Month and year of manufacture are what count, and we check the exact build date before you commit.

How long does it take to get a Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series from Japan?

Plan on about 45–60 days from purchase. The car is inspected and exported in Japan, spends 3–5 weeks at sea to your nearest US port (East Coast, West Coast, Gulf and Honolulu), and then goes through US customs, duty and title. We handle every step as your importer of record.

What do you check before buying a Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series?

Every car is inspected in person in Japan before any money moves. On this chassis we look hardest at: A 1KZ-TE head cracked by overheating gives itself away with white smoke on a cold start, milky residue under the oil cap, or coolant disappearing without a visible leak. Any one of those is reason to suspect it; Check the frame and rear four-link mounts for rust, then the rear hatch frame, lower rear quarters and sills. Surface rust is normal. Structural rust isn't; Engage four-wheel drive on dry, level ground. A vacuum actuator engages the front axle, so an indicator that keeps flashing usually means a vacuum leak; Rear-drive Surfs were sold from August 1998. If you need 4WD, look for the transfer case lever and a front driveshaft.

Is the Hilux Surf the same as a 4Runner?

The 185-series Surf is the third-generation 4Runner as Toyota sold it in Japan. For a US buyer, the differences are right-hand drive, Japanese trim and diesel engines the US 4Runner never had (the 1KZ-TE and, from July 2000, the 1KD-FTV).

Zenki or kouki 185 Surf?

A minor change in August 1998 made every 4WD model a wide body. The larger facelift came in July 2000, when the 1KD-FTV replaced the 1KZ-TE and the manual gearbox was dropped. If you're after a manual, look at cars built before July 2000.

Other Toyota Hilux Surf generations

Hilux Surf 130 Series (23)

Toyota Hilux Surf 185 Series grades & special editions

Hilux Surf SSR-X (126 185 Series) · Hilux Surf SSR-V (50 185 Series) · Hilux Surf SSR-G (31 185 Series) · Hilux Surf SSR-X Wide (21 185 Series) · Hilux Surf SSR (1 185 Series)

All Toyota Hilux Surf for sale ›

Want a specific Hilux Surf 185 Series?

Send us the year, transmission and spec you want, and we'll find one at auction and quote it shipped to your US port or imported and titled.

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