It is an '84, so it is not 25 years old yet. He could import it if he went through all of the import rubbish (for instance, by putting a US-Spec Vortec in it, US DOT glass, seat belts and lights, etc), or wait until it is 25 years old. Switching the VINs is a crime because it is mis-representing what the car is for a nefarious purpose- ie: to get it on the road without propper inspections, etc. This is similar to (although certainly not as extreme as) the idea of a wanted criminal using someone else's driver's licence or passport to get around, so that they do not get caught by the police.
Where this will generally bite someone is if the car is in an accident. The insurance company will refuse to pay out when they discover that it is not a 1964 FJ45 (and rest-assured that the insurance claims people will look at every angle they can not to pay out), and the cops will then become involved because it will be turned over to them by the insurance company. Add to that the fact the whomever the owner hit will now be going after the owner because he is, in effect, un-insured.
At any rate, there are plenty of legally imported troopies out there; I can't imagine why someone would pay that kind of money for one that is not. But I do have to hand it to the bloke who is selling it: he is honest about the history of the rig, and the buyer will have no one to blame but himself if a problem arises. Granted, it is unlikely that a problem will arise, but why take the chance?
Cheers,
Josh
