Back in the 1980s, while pick-up trucks were still workhorses for business use in most of the world, Americans were using them also for recreation. Their rugged character and toughness made them ideal for off-road adventures on weekends, and then for work on weekdays.
The trucks were also popular with surfers who found the cargo bed ideal for carrying their boards and gear, instead of having to load them on the roof of a car. The trucks could be driven right up to the beach and even on it with their 4×4 capability.
Among the popular trucks at that time was the Toyota 4Runner, a Hilux which had a fibreglass canopy over the cargo bed which could be removed. It was conceived for the American market but also sold in Japan as the Hilux Surf, associating it with the surfing culture.
The original 4Runner was produced up till the end of the 1980s and then more alternatives began to appear in the market. But it remains in the memories of many Americans, especially Marty Schwerter, who remembers cruising the Pacific Coast Highway in California in a Toyota pick-up in his youth.
Today, Schwerter is lead builder and Director of Operations at Toyota’s Motorsports Technical Centre in the USA, and when he saw the new 4Runner for the 2025 model year, he recognised the spirit of the first generation and decided to build the 4Runner TRD Surf Concept for the 2024 SEMA Show.
“The 2025 4Runner reminded me of the original, with its rugged look and powerhouse 4cyl engine. I knew it had the potential to be the ultimate beach cruiser,” said Schwerter. “We wanted to create something that would resonate today while paying homage to the past. The removable top was a must, just like the original, and we made sure it’s as functional as it is stylish.”
Built at the Toyota Motorsports Garage, the 4Runner TRD Surf is a unique tribute to the adventurous lifestyle that shaped a generation. It began life as an all-new 4Runner TRD Limited with the iForce 2.4-litre turbocharged engine and 8-speed automatic transmission an electronically controlled dual-range transfer case and 4-wheel drive.
The engines used in the 4Runner of the 1980s also included petrol and diesel units but the transmissions had less gears and selecting high/low ranges in the transfer case was done manually. There was 4-wheel drive, which gave the 4Runner and Hilux lots of all-terrain capability that would make it legendary over the decades.
Schwerter’s team found creating a ‘factory’ 4Runner that looks and performs equally well with the top off as it does with the top on, posed a number of challenges. “Engineering a legitimate, removable top; going from a 4-door to a 2-door while maintaining functional windows; flipping the front passenger seat for improved rear seat access; and adding 2-inches of width to both sides were all just tip of the iceberg issues,” Schwerter said.
“What makes this build so stellar has less to do with the changes themselves and more to do with the amazing way that they all work together—the result is truly greater than the sum of the parts,” he explained.
Every detail of the 4Runner TRD Surf Concept has been meticulously planned and crafted to celebrate its coastal roots. When focus shifted to the removable top transformation, nothing was left to chance. To gain real-world insight, a practice run was done on a GEN5 4Runner.
Once serious work began, the team spent several days lining everything up. The removable top was built in-house, blending traditional fabrication with CAD and modern 3D printing technology to shape cutlines that perfectly mirrored both sides of the body, creating a perfect fit. Designed to be easily removed by a single person, this feature provides the open-air freedom synonymous with the 4Runner legacy.
As rugged as it is stylish, the 4Runner TRD Surf Concept’s long-travel suspension system features billet aluminium front upper and lower A-arms, designed to handle the toughest terrain while providing a smooth ride. Steering upgrades, custom front axles, and Toyota Tundra rear-end housing complement the custom suspension. At each corner, 37-inch tyres, mounted to 17x.8.5-inch custom wheels, complete the concept’s muscular appearance.
In preparation for any adventure, the 4Runner TRD Surf Concept might encounter, the weather-proofed interior includes soft, waterproof flooring and a front passenger seat that flips forward to allow easy access to the rear seating area. Accessories include a custom surfboard ‘Travel Quiver’ made specifically for this concept, which pairs perfectly with the roof rack.
Ciick here to find out more about the Hilux available in Malaysia.
Toyota Hilux wins 10th Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional