1999 UZJ100 VXR COMING TO AMERICA (11 Viewers)
- Thread starter wardharris
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #22
very cool. I'm very curious to know approximately what it costs to pick up and import one of these lower mileage LHD LC's.
@wardharris this is amazing and congratulations. I have bookmarked you and will reach out soon to get more details as I plan to acquire a GCC spec 100 series as well soon.
- Thread starter
- #25
Happy to help!
- Thread starter
- #26
Lots of options - like an old fashioned New York toy store in December. So many series, models, options and accessories that never saw US soil when new.
The simple answer to your question is somewhere between $35k and $60k depending on what you want and why you want it, including shipping/import costs.
Here are some example topics, features, etc. when shopping for a 100 Series "over there" - my personal/non-professional opinions:
Your use:
- Daily driver
- Wheeler
- Weekend investment asset
- Paint
- Interior
- Mechanical
- G -Very basic, rubber bumpers, floors, seats. Ambo doors, no frills but usually sub tank equipped.
- GX - Upgrade to cloth seating, carpets and many options.
- VX/VXR - Luxe equivalent to US 100 and LX570
- 1FZ-FE w/solid state ignition and indiviudal ignition coils - aka "coilpack engine" at 240hp
- 2UZ-FE (early model, no VVTI or long intake runners) at 235hp
- How many owners, what was vehicle used for?
- How well documented with records, photos, etc.?
- How many KMs traveled, where, etc.
Every vehicle I have ever imported needed some work, whether coming from Japan, Spain or Saudi. For the latter, a 25 year old vehicle will benefit from a thorough service. In my case, the truck was acquired at 42,000 miles - still with its original timing belt. Rubber seals, runs, gaskets, etc. are all likely in need of a refresh. New and new old stock OEM parts are readily available and reasonably placed. At the same time, Land Cruiser technicians are very experienced and available at good prices.
Export costs - reregistration/export documents from government, surface transport/handling, port costs are not "huge" but can add up.
Shipping - container prices have fluctuated upwards for the most part and still not inexpensive. On board insurance for your goods are a good idea as well.
Import costs - port fees/handling, inspections (when required), port holds and storage fees add up, along with broker/document fees, duties and tariffs all must be included - with a high level of uncertainty given current political climate.
A "rough" high mileage 1FZ 100 in G or GX might be had in the mid 20s and if you are planning to wheel it as a trail rig, with no service or replacements before export, you might have a great rig for something in the 30s, depending on regional conflicts, shipping rates, tariffs, etc.
Please let me know if you would like to chat about my experience. I did a bit of work before my truck left Saudia and can share what I know or what i think I know
Good luck and happy trails!
Ward
Some samples from my 100 project:
Engine service and all new stripes
Nope. Just Saudi where the steering wheels are on the proper side of the car
I have to say it is nerve-racking when driving over there.
What are the basics of importing?
Is there a chicken tax?
Is the vehicle inspected?
Are there EPA Standards that are requried based on how old the vehicle is?
Was this 'roll-on-roll-off'?
If you are asking for Australia I have no idea except got that to come into the US it must be 25 years old.
Eh i have rhd hdj101k. If you drive it daily it's second nature after a week or two. Got to be careful turning right. A pillar can hide a whole car if you just glance left.
Will “Banana Split” fit on an Idaho license plate? 
