Toyota

[North East Harris Hawker]

your comments on the suitability of these vehicles for falconry?

[UKJay74]

Hi there :D i have been looking into getting a hi-lux surf and was wondering if anybody else uses these?? If so what are they like, Offroad capabilities and the likes???
any help appreciated :D

[North East Harris Hawker]

one of the guys i work with has one, its been belted against a coupkle of trees but he is away doing the offroad thing most weekends. he never shuts up about it, so i suppose you could call him a happy customer!

[UKJay74]

nice one so thats one good report :lol:

[North East Harris Hawker]

there are furums specifically for the hilux surf, maybe worth doing a search on one if your thinking about spending load of cash!

[UKJay74]

north east have no fear i will be resaerching alot b4 my next vehicle as i do with most purchases:D:D

[Hawkmaster]

Why not invite a big posting Surf forum member here to answer our questions? Anyone want to find one?

[UKJay74]

i'll try have a hunt see who i can find
:D:D

[UKJay74]

well i have left a few p.m's on vaious surf forums and will have to wait see what comes from it

[Hawkmaster]

Good man!

[North East Harris Hawker]

great idea, but i have this nasty feeling someone is gonna rip shreds off me for buying british!! (or at least it WAS british) :cry:

[Linda]

Hi there folks!

You called for a Toyota fan and owner... and like magic one appears.. :D

Tony and I have a variety of offroading Toyota's with and without modifications for off roading, and the first thing I want to say is that I find them all superb in the offroad and onroad situation.

My 3.0 TD 1994 Surf (1989-1996 are known as a 2nd Generation ) is fairly standard and has been used extensively offroad, both over the fields and tracks at home, and on some pretty extreme off road sites. She has always performed excellently and tackled all conditions with no problems. I run BFGoodrich All Terrains on her and they have coped well even in the muddiest conditions (admitedly with the pressure dropped in deep mud) For some pics of our trucks offroad to see the type of terrain they easily cope with see our website http://www.4x4toys.co.uk

The surf has tons of room in the back for birds, dogs, kit etc (I originally bought her to replace my fourtrak because I need more room for my labradors), and a high level of toys and gadgets. They do on average between 24 and 28 mpg.

The UK 4-runner (sold between about 91 and 94 in UK) is the same car.

There is a surf forum at http://www.yotasurf-online.co.uk/public/forums/index.php? and a few searches there will tell you all you could want to know about the cars.

I cant praise them highly enough. I've driven Landies, and had the fourtrak, but for me the surf is the best! We currently have 2 surfs, a 4-runner and a pickup so you can see we're hooked!!

I'm gonna have a surf around your site, I love birds of prey and hope oneday to be able to learn more about falconry. I do release and rehab work for a wildlife sanctuary and they have had an owl and a couple of falcons in which have been stunning to see so close.

Hope I've been able to help!!

:D

[Hawkmaster]

Linda very kind of you to come chat. One of the main things that we need to know is size of all our crud, like boxes bowperches and the like?

[Linda]

Well, not knowing the size of falconry "crud" its hard to say (and its raining hard right now so I'm not going outside to measure it,)but as a rough guide I'll post some pics. I can happily get 2 large labradors, their beds, toys, food, and our tent, clothes, show boxes etc in the back, or 6 bales hay very easily if that helps at all.

:D

[Linda]

Well, not knowing the size of falconry "crud" its hard to say (and its raining hard right now so I'm not going outside to measure it,)but as a rough guide I'll post some pics. I can happily get 2 large labradors, their beds, toys, food, and our tent, clothes, show boxes etc in the back, or 6 bales hay very easily if that helps at all.

:D

[Hawkmaster]

Thanks for that. You see I am still not sure weather an estate would do the same job. Put four men in the seats and hawks in the back and the estate does the same job?

[Linda]

Thanks for that. You see I am still not sure weather an estate would do the same job. Put four men in the seats and hawks in the back and the estate does the same job?

Maybe - but does it have the "go anywhere" ability and the style? Down to personal choice at the end of the day.

Oh - and if you buy one try to go for the 3.0 if you can. Some of the 2.4's have head problems, but the 3.0 is ok.

Drive one and see what you think....

:D

[UKJay74]

Linda thankyou so much for calling by to inform us about the hilux surf as the thread reads i have been looking into getting one of these lovely machines for falconry and transporting my bird(s) to an from flying areas
tHanks Again for calling by :D

[Hawkmaster]

Linda what are the fuel figures like or shall I not ask? Also insurance, if you don't mind?

[Linda]

Linda what are the fuel figures like or shall I not ask? Also insurance, if you don't mind?

Between 24 and 18mpg in general for the 3.0 TD. My fully comp with protected no claims is £296 per annum (just renewed)

Oh and I had another thought. In the comparison with the estate car.. the surf has a pick style tail gate which makes a good platform to sit on for a chat or coffee, place bird perches on to prepare them etc...

:D

[Linda]

Linda thankyou so much for calling by to inform us about the hilux surf as the thread reads i have been looking into getting one of these lovely machines for falconry and transporting my bird(s) to an from flying areas
tHanks Again for calling by :D

Its a pleasure, like you say they do have a style all their own. My boyfriend reminded me tonight that there used to be a guy on the surf forum who was mad on his birds and used the surf for them all the time, so I guess everything does fit in!!

Good luck with it!!

:D

[Hawkmaster]

It also really looks the business! Do you rate any of the petrol ones? Maybe with an LPG conversion petrol will work out better?

[UKJay74]

well that looks like another plus point to me linda if it has been used to take birds out flying before. Other thing is the giant sized doberman who loves the beach so dual purpose Oh and the snake rescue side of things :D:D

this 4x4 is looking better day after day

[Linda]

It also really looks the business! Do you rate any of the petrol ones? Maybe with an LPG conversion petrol will work out better?

The petrol V6 is very good, and runs superbly, BUT it's very costly. I know a couple of guys who did LPG conversions and they work well at about half the cost of petrol.

Personally, I go for diesel in my truck because I do mad things like drive up rivers and diesel is more forgiving of the wet, and cheaper to run than petrol, but Tony's Pickup is Petrol (V8 with LPG conversion) and we'll probably do LPG on the petrol 4-runner we just bought.

:D

[Hawkmaster]

Mmmmm V8, now we are talking.

[Linda]

well that looks like another plus point to me linda if it has been used to take birds out flying before. Other thing is the giant sized doberman who loves the beach so dual purpose Oh and the snake rescue side of things :D:D

this 4x4 is looking better day after day

One of the guys on the Surf forum shows dobermans and I've seen pics of his truck with the show dogs cages in the back - still plenty of room for other stuff too!
I'm sure there would be tons of room for all the snakes you like!!! ;)
:D

[North East Harris Hawker]

some great pictures onm this thread and linda obviously knows her subject, handsome trucks they are indeed albeit a little thirsty .

[Linda]

Mmmmm V8, now we are talking.

Hehe - we got a spare one thats going in the new 4-runner eventually. The current 2L will not be able to cope when we get 33" tyres on there :D

So - how about you guys tell me where I can find out more about falconry, and why its such a good sport (apart from the fantastic birds ofcourse... :D

[UKJay74]

sounds good linda v8 in a 4-runner :D :D

best place to learn a bit more about falconry is on here and varying centres around the country do experience days and displays :D if you love the birds you will get hooked

[North East Harris Hawker]

There are places cropping up all over the country teaching falconry, once upon a time it was a sport for loners (usually old men) but its changed into a lot more of a social thing recently, theres still a lot more men involved than women but then perhaps this is down to the long periods of silence that are required in the sport :wink: hee hee!

[Hawkmaster]

I find it is a great way to pull women, although falconry is difficult to master half naked in a field while you trust a perfect stranger to keep an eye on your hawk.

AND YOU ASK WHY IT IS SO GREAT?

[North East Harris Hawker]

falconry is a great thing, but sometimes it can leave you looking rather silly, have you ever had someone come along asking questions then your bird failed to return on command? It happened to me in front of a real pretty girl, i felt soo silly, :oops: not very nice but i said it was trained by my wife :lol:

[North East Harris Hawker]

linda, these trucks, what are they like when they have a few miles under their belt? like over 100k?

[Linda]

Sorry guys - I've been away for a bit... not ignoring you I promise!!

I've been to a few open days at Falconry centres in the past, which is one of the reasons why I responded so quickly when you guys asked for opinions... looks like my Chrimbo pressie this year will be a tuition day at a local place!

@ North East Harris Hawker - 100k doesnt seem to be a problem... We have a 1984 4Runner (US and Middle east market called the surf a 4 runner) - that has 215k miles on its petrol motor and it still runs sweet. We also know several friends with over 200k on their also with no problems.
The black one in the pic has 80k miles on the clock and runs sweeter than any car I've ever had (she's b***** quick too!!)

Anyone taken the plunge then and bought a surf for their birds??

:D

[Hawkmaster]

Naaa, too poor spending money on birds. They do look like one of the best though.

[North East Harris Hawker]

i think these big trucks last longer in the states too cos they dont get caned like they do over here! if everyone drove at 55 or 65 here engines wouldnt wear out so fast!

[Linda]

i think these big trucks last longer in the states too cos they dont get caned like they do over here! if everyone drove at 55 or 65 here engines wouldnt wear out so fast!

Possibly, but they are also built to last. Our 1984 1st gen has been in UK since 1987 and has 221k on the clock. still on the original engine (petrol too) and very little wrong with it.

[Sparrow Hawker]

Hi Linda,

Am I right in saying that the Surfs are very popular in places like Afghanistan extremely reliable I'm led to believe, well they have to be especially coping with the hot climate and difficult conditions over there.

I'll definitely have to think about purchasing something more practical in the near future there’s only so much you can fit into a small car and a traveling box virtually fills up the entire back seat it won't even fit in the boot. There’s also the hassle of getting stuck and having to be pulled out by a farmer.

Great posts by the way.

Regards,

HH

[Sparrow Hawker]

Meant to say will the backseats roll down flat on the Surfs.

Is there anything you have to particularly look out for with the diesel models? when purchasing a used one!

Regards,

HH

[Linda]

Yep back seats fold flat to the floor leaving a totally flat load space.

You will see Surf's in the Middle East, although they are often called 4-Runners there. Our petrol '84 came from Qatar originally. You will also see a lot of hilux Pickups, the two have a lot in common in terms of chassis etc, although the surfs have more niceties.

If you get a diesel go for the 3.0l instead of 2.4. very little difference in MPG, no diff in insurance, but tons more power in a 3.0td. Also the 2.4 from about 90-93 were built with poorly designed heads, and often the head will crack if they ever overheat. There was a recall in Japan on the head Gaskets in some as they were faulty. If you get a combo of dodgy gaskett and dodgy head the overheating will crack the head. So go for a 3.0 and be safe!!

:D

[Sparrow Hawker]

Thanks for the information Linda, much appreciated.

Regards,

HH

is there any problem insuring imports?
ive heared they are hard to insure

kev

off to selby to see one today

kev

[North East Harris Hawker]

has anyone got anything bad to say about these trucks, before i flog my landrover and go out and buy one?

[Kevin Massey]

i went to see a 3ltr the other day and it was a pile of s***e...not worth the money the garage was asking for it !!!....also went to see a 2.4.....looked the bizz !!!

i'm holding out for the 3 ltr of the same calibure.......(i know there's loads on e-bay)

kev ( the real slim shady 8) )

[Sky Spy]

I know this an old tread but its still worth passing comment. I also have a Surf and swear by them. There ideal for falconry and in fact on the last field meet I hosted in Scotland ( Feb 05 ) there ended up being about 5 Surf side by side at the meet car park. I bought mine off e-bay where theres plenty to be found for very reasonable prices. Go For A Surf.

[Kevin Massey]

spy what size engine has yours got?

kev

[Sky Spy]

Its the 3 Ltr version, apparently the 2.4's had over heating problems so stayed clear of them.

[Linda]

Hi there - nice to see someone with a surf singing their praises for Falconry!! You are right - the 2.4's have a tendancy to blow heads if they ever overheat. 3.0's are great though. Another way to pick up a cheap one is to look on the for sale section of the hilux surf forum. http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk Go to the forum and then the for sale section. With over 3500 member these days there are always some deals to be had.

Anyway.... a bit of an update for the rest of you... as I said last year I have always loved birds of prey and wanted to get a bit more experience in care and handling of them. Well for my birthday my hubby bought me a day at the Hawk Conservancy at Andover!! I spend time learing about keeping them, and flying them, and hae my own bird for the day, and even get to fly it!!
I cant wait to go now!!

:D

[Hawkmaster]

Linda the link is dead!

[Linda]

Linda the link is dead!

Fixed it - too many dots!!

:D

[Shaun Byrne]

Good luck with the course Linda.

[Linda]

Good luck with the course Linda.

Well after a few logistical problems the course is booked no for 28th July - Cant wait!!!

:lol: