Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
bids.b-pro.ca is what I used to buy mine. Though I'm not sure the value is there lately. I've seen some spectacular deals in Canada lately that make quite the case for buying in NA.
I've seen quite a few for sale on this very forum. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't and would instead elect to find one in Canada. The wait is just brutal.You were exactly the person I was hoping would reply to this, having read your thread this very day. I'm in the market for an HDJ81. I use Kijiji to search Canada, and (rarely) craigslist. What do you use to look for them in Canada? I really like going to Canada anyway.
Or, bypass all the paperwork and just by one from a reputable importer like Land Cruisers Direct.
Or you could look for a left hand drive in Europe, then it won't need to be 25 years old if you go through an importer.
Are you sure an HDJ81 is importable under the "substantial similarity" clause if it's LHD?
No it won't.
On the flip side, getting an 80 from Canada does have downsides!
For starters they are usually WELL used. It is tough finding one in good condition. I haven't seen any really nice HDJ81s pop up on the market since I found mine more than a year ago.
Any tips on what to look for would really make me a happy person. I know I need to do BEB and fluids asap, but are there any red flags that something is a beater? I don't care too much about the interior as I would probably gut it ASAP.
Are you sure an HDJ81 is importable under the "substantial similarity" clause if it's LHD?
$16k is the fee I was quoted by two separate RI's for such an import. Doable, but somewhat pricey. I'm considering a 100 for my next import tho, 16k is still better than buying a new car.No, I am not sure, but none of this importing is a sure thing. I do know that RHD cannot be considered substantially similar, while LHD can. All years of the 80 series, as well as the 100 series up to 2006 are eligible for import as "substantially similar" thanks to petitions by registered importers. I have never heard of anyone importing one though. The diesel engine throws it off a bit as far as EPA eligibility, but EPA exemption is at 21 years, so that brings you up to a 3/1995 manufacturing date. I'm sure the expense of having the registered importer do all the mods would be crazy, but it's still something to look into.
Still curious about what auction houses I ought to be watching.
All of them. If you are using the right exporter, the auction house is irrelevant.
Any recommendations for a particular exporter?
Honestly it's worth spending the money for someone good and reputable to have your best interest over in Japan. They all cost the same - 100,000yen.
1) Mark @ Brave Auto
2) Derek @ Pacific Coast JDM