2026 HZJ79
- Thread starter medtro
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If you wonder why Toyota will never import the 70 series into the US just watch the video. Americans have gone soft.
Toyota won't import it due to the grey market lobbying and the legacy of the chicken tax
Grey market cars are a thing from the 1980s, it doesn't happen anymore. Mercedes was a key player in killing that.
Now to import something yourself there is a long list of requirements, the biggest being it must be 25 years old or older. With that the other requirements get a bit burdensome such as it has to have the exact type of engine that it left the factory with and it has to be a running vehicle.
If Toyota wanted to sell a 70 series here it would need to meet US crash, safety and emission standards. They would price in the 25% "chicken tax" or assemble them in the US, Canada or Mexico (NAFTA Countries).
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Toyota I'm sure is capable of buildimg these in the US and bring them up to current safety and emissions regulations. Thought the video showed why Toyota is not going too. Americans are not going to buy a truck that doesn't a automatic transmission, sound system, and power everything else.
Chicken tax (LB Johnson) is for 2 door trucks w bed.
Gray market protections (1988/89 Reagan) make the 25 year rule hold
2010 Obama era EPA limit engine imports to 21 years old.
ENS Industrial in Saskatoon has been working with mine trucks since 1975- these guys on video have been messing around for 5 years.
Duty free trucks are 44,000 euro from overseas dealers (2 door) and CDN delivered cab chassis (no ac or power etc) are around that.
If folks could buy one you and everyone else would keep them for hauling trash etc for 15+ years at that cost. The ride is rough and upright and I would suck a bullet if driving a 4.3 diff truck with HZ. But since I have a HDT w 3.90 diff truck I can easily do 85 mph. TMS USA hates US owners of 70 series and has killed off many engine and more than a few trim parts unless you hold a valid HS7 import form. I have a 2018 cab and getting a new windshield is almost an act of god.
ENS will sell you parts at MSRP +30% mine markup
Partsouq etc can send you parts plus (Trump) duties.
Some parts can arrive via Desert Toyota/Sierra Vista if TMS does not red tag.
I got into 70 series because they were cheap, new, and somewhat easy to get parts for. The US system has been fighting import trucks for 60 years.
Gray market protections (1988/89 Reagan) make the 25 year rule hold
2010 Obama era EPA limit engine imports to 21 years old.
ENS Industrial in Saskatoon has been working with mine trucks since 1975- these guys on video have been messing around for 5 years.
Duty free trucks are 44,000 euro from overseas dealers (2 door) and CDN delivered cab chassis (no ac or power etc) are around that.
If folks could buy one you and everyone else would keep them for hauling trash etc for 15+ years at that cost. The ride is rough and upright and I would suck a bullet if driving a 4.3 diff truck with HZ. But since I have a HDT w 3.90 diff truck I can easily do 85 mph. TMS USA hates US owners of 70 series and has killed off many engine and more than a few trim parts unless you hold a valid HS7 import form. I have a 2018 cab and getting a new windshield is almost an act of god.
ENS will sell you parts at MSRP +30% mine markup
Partsouq etc can send you parts plus (Trump) duties.
Some parts can arrive via Desert Toyota/Sierra Vista if TMS does not red tag.
I got into 70 series because they were cheap, new, and somewhat easy to get parts for. The US system has been fighting import trucks for 60 years.
exactly. it was a lobbying effort to enact a year limit to self-import a car that an automaker didn't want to import. (not about safety or emissions)
this 25 year old rule was the result of big $ lobbying, not about clean air
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Curious is the HZJ79 imported to any market that would meet US safety and emissions? Personal think the amount of buyers in the US who would buy a stripped down bare bones truck would not be worth it do everything required to do so. Toyota has looked into making a diesel Tundra twice. First with a Toyota diesel then a Cummings. As of right now don't think Toyota has any plans for either. Basic truck already meets the safety requirements. Made in North America. Probably a bigger market for those than a stripped down truck.
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The only way you are getting any newer 70-series is to build it as a kit car on a 80-series chassis or even a 100-series.
Standard cab bodies are regularly available in Canada. The website kijiji classifieds in Canada often has single cabs listed. Finding a DC, Troopy or 76 body will be nearly impossible.
Some company in either North or South Carolina had advertised on IG six months ago they were selling double cab built out Cruisers. They were like $350k with a turbo 1FZ and leaf springs in the back. Didn’t look like 80-series chassis to me when I looked at them.
That is the only way and to build them from scratch is a major major pita.
Cheers
Standard cab bodies are regularly available in Canada. The website kijiji classifieds in Canada often has single cabs listed. Finding a DC, Troopy or 76 body will be nearly impossible.
Some company in either North or South Carolina had advertised on IG six months ago they were selling double cab built out Cruisers. They were like $350k with a turbo 1FZ and leaf springs in the back. Didn’t look like 80-series chassis to me when I looked at them.
That is the only way and to build them from scratch is a major major pita.
Cheers
Well, if you want a new 78/79, you have to import them late at night.
REALLY late...
REALLY late...
