Importing diesels from Central America

[mattlock]

Hey guys, I am looking into the possiblity of importing a diesel cruiser from Honduras this winter. I have a close friend that is stationed in the Peace Corps there and I am going to visit in January. I guess my question is whether or not one can bring a sixty series wagon to the US with out to much hassle. Is it pretty straight forward provided that is of a certain age? This is assuming I could just drive her home. I certainly don't want to buy one when I down there and find out it gets to stay in Mexico because I was an Idiot that did not know what the hell he was doing. Any advice would be appreciated as long as it is true, please don't send me on any super goose chases. Thanks, Mattlock

[Greg_B]

Seach is your friend...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/10164-everything-i-ever-learned-about-importing.html

hth's

gb

[cruiser_guy]

Mattlock, it is certainly possible to import. Check Greg's thread and also, possibly more important, check the truck out VERY THOROUGHLY. Central American mechanics are real good at putting bandaids on repairs but not so good a real permanent repairs. I'm not talking to much with regards to rust unless you are going to be buying a truck that spent it's life at the coast. I'm much more interested in the mechanical condition. Check out the issues I found with my '67 FJ45LV which we are restoring here at the school I work at in Guatemala City http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/58524-things-im-glad-i-didnt-know.html And that is just the start!! The engine bearing clearances were excessive (I'm doing a diesel swap anyways so that didn't piss me off too much), the steering box adjustment washers were all crunched up in the bottom of the steering box which was full of grease, not the recommended oil, cracks or breakage on the steering linkage that has been welded together and the list goes on. Be prepared for problems on the drive home and for problems for the first year or so after you get home!

[Tapage]

Cruiser Guy show you a real scenario .. if you know a little about compresion and the right function of a 2H engine you be fine .. but sometimes here trust in a local mechanic is a good luck thing ..

[Kalawang]

Mattlock,


For me the simplest solution when purchasing products I want to bring home has always been to ask the foreign ministry, probably your State Department, about what I would need to do to bring it home. The best time to do this is usually well before you take your trip. You might need to prepare tax money.

It's also a good idea to double check with your customs about the information your State Department gives you. They are good people but sometimes make a mistake or an omission.


Kalawang

[VTCruiser]

might look into hiring an importer to minimize the chance of a problem at the border.

[Exiled]

A 1981 or older should be no problem. Not sure what shape of 60 series you'll find from that vintage in Honduras. Anything else will be flirting with gray market, no matter how light. Also, don't use a high-volume border entry, shoot for a less traveled one.

[serge01]

I have a classmate who is from Honduras and his dad works in the government. Let me ask him about this and I will let you know what I find out. I;ll let you know.

Serge

[Grease Cruiser]

From what I have gathered, you will have to legally export it from the country where you purchase it. You might even have to register it in your name to have legal plates on it so you can drive it up from C.A.

That is the info I have gathered from going and asking in Guatemala. I hope your Sapnish is good (and not travel Spanish) because border officials usually do not speak much English and they surely do not want to fawk around with you trying to export/import a vehicle.

Also, be prepared to be bent over a little as they will take advantage of you. "Surcharges" will apply and this usuall means cash. It hurts a little when you see them actually pocket the money.

I agree with Exiled. C.A trucks are hammered. They beat the ever living crap out of them. Besides, I have not seen too many 60's in C.A. and I have been all over. You might just find it easier to find a US spec and have it dieselized. I bet it would pay off in the end than going through all the hassle to export/import one. But, if you insist on this route. Good luck and may the force (ie Cruiser gods) be with you.

[mattlock]

Thanks to all that have responded. Let me state that the genesis of this idea comes from the fact that I have a guy stationed down there who is pretty mechanically inclined and I have time on my side since he will be there for at least another year and a half which gives us plenty of time to shop around. Also I really want to go diesel for all of the obvious reasons, however I don't have the dough or the know how to convert a gasser to deisel. My friend assures me that I should be able to get a pretty nice rig for under $6000. I am not going to bother bringing up some super rust bucket with seven million jungle miles on it, but if the right rig pops up I am willing to jump through the neccessary hoops to get it here. Any more thoughts will be appreciated. Mattlock

[cruiser_guy]

Mattlock, I agree with your friend, since time is on your side and if he is mechanically wise to the Central American tricks you may well get a decent truck down here. It is possible!! Rust is likely not an issue unless he's on the coast due to the salt air. The drive from Central America back is not that bad and you should have no border hassles with a Honduran vehicle till you get to Mexico and at that point you should be somewhat versed in how things work. I'll be driving the FJ45LV back when it's done and I'm on the hunt for a few other vehicles as well so I may be able to offer more advice later on.

[tommytuttle]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Mattlock, I agree with your friend, since time is on your side and if he is mechanically wise to the Central American tricks you may well get a decent truck down here. It is possible!! Rust is likely not an issue unless he's on the coast due to the salt air. The drive from Central America back is not that bad and you should have no border hassles with a Honduran vehicle till you get to Mexico and at that point you should be somewhat versed in how things work. I'll be driving the FJ45LV back when it's done and I'm on the hunt for a few other vehicles as well so I may be able to of fer more advice later on.

So Cruiser Guy... what is the drive back like.

I've been contemplating getting an 80 in Panama. I was going to look at shipping it back to Canada as oppose to driving it through CA and Mexico.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by tommytuttle

So Cruiser Guy... what is the drive back like.

I've been contemplating getting an 80 in Panama. I was going to look at shipping it back to Canada as oppose to driving it through CA and Mexico.

Personally, I'd drive it!! It's a nice drive lots of things to see and it's all paved to varying degrees of smoothness. You will REQUIRE that the title be in your name so plan for that. It may take a while to get that done but you'll have no end of trouble if it's not in your name.