When we first arrived in New Zealand, I wanted a off road vehicle due to the fact that NZ still has many areas that can only be accessed by a 4X4 and that most beaches are still roads.
So I bought a Toyota Hilux Surf, this was a Japanese import and had just arrived in the country so I was the first registered user in NZ. It is a 3L Turbo automatic, it has been jacked up 2" on Rancho RS5000 suspension and has had 195x17 wheels put on it.

I have not done that much to it apart from fitting a Pajero bull bar, that took a little bit of modification as they normally go through the bumper and I have upgraded a lot of the wiring inside.

Don't laugh this is our first week in New Zealand.

add more pics and details.

I had the chance at one point to become a guide for a 4X4 company in Auckland and got the chance to drive in areas that are normally restricted or you have to pay and go on a 4X4 day to access them.
I got to drive in areas of Woodhill forest that most people never see and also to drive on the sand dune that causes Lake Wainamu, this is caused by the sand from Bethals beach (Te Henga) getting blown up the valley and over 100's of years has built up in to a huge sand dune that blocks the river.

                  

The Lake.

                  

It is high.















But as I have found out (like I didn't know) off road is not good for your vehicle and requires constant maintenance, I have changed quite a few ball joints, drive shafts and done a lot of rust prevention as general maintenance. The problem is the things you don't see or feel also get a hammering from sand and salt water.
The first thing to fail was the alternator, went out one day and when it was time to leave stuck the key in and click click no power, I did a quick fix on this for a while, I installed a trickle charger in to the surf and plugged it in to charge every night, but there was always the "it will not start when I get back thought" in your mind. So on a drive back from a weekend away, we were just at the top of the Bombay hills and suddenly there was a cloud of steam and my temp needle hit the red. The radiator had blown, not good especially as we where still 100Km (60 miles) from home.
Well after a tow home I did a full appraisal of the surf and I realized it needs a major overhaul, not just mechanics but exterior and interior, there both looking a bit rough.
So a few tests and a quick list of requirements.

The List:

To get back on road with a warrant of fitnesses (WOF):

New Radiator
New Alternator
New tires
New Belts - Alternator and Air-con
Rear Bumper

To finish it so it will last another 10 years:

Full fluid service
Full Under body scrape and re-seal
Repair exterior
Re-spray
Replacement front seats
New fire extinguisher

Except for cost of parts I am doing all the work myself, I am a qualified motor mechanic by first trade (like the way I say first as I am a panel beater and sprayer by second). so cost is just parts as my time comes pretty much free I guess. first job was getting legal and back on the road.
So bought the parts to get that done, I have also had the starter motor re furbished as well

The main problem was time as we are in the middle of having our windows swapped out for UPVC double glazing, ah Brits in a new country still need those things from home, anyway time. In the end it took me about 3 months to get the surf ready for a WOF, but we also completely stripped, remodeled and replaced 2 bedrooms and a bathroom in that time as well, shame it's not finished yet.

Anyway the Surf. At the WOF I find out that my rear brakes are not working at all, so more investigation, IE. me back under the surf on me back and I find that the rear brake proportioning valve is stuffed completely, in the end I managed to find a replacement from a 2006 land cruiser. Replace the valve, bleed the whole brake system and I finally get my WOF. So now I can driver it again at least. At the moment that is as far as I have got, oh I have done some really bad lacquering on the bonnet and roof to temporarily protect areas where the lacquering has started to peel.

So next is probably going to be fix the body work, I have a few places where I have caught the body and dented it plus its now rusting, also the window seals on the doors are starting to bubble and there is some rust on the lower edge of the rear doors, in fact it does not look as nice and shinny as it does in the first picture.

I guess at the moment as I have not built a garage yet, I will have to take the doors and bonnet off and fix in my workshop under the house and then respray, the rest of the body will need to wait for garage.
After that I would like to upgrade some of the parts, like the suspension too adjustable rancho shocks, a snorkel and a winch.

as I did not take any pictures of the work I have done I will try and take some of the work I am going to do.