how difficult is it to import a fj62 from usa ?

[toynut]

i am stongly leaning towards a us cruiser then a future diesel swap ? is it simple can i just drive straight across with one ? i would imagine it would need an inspection once up as far as icbc is concerned but that should be it ? plus taxes and brokerage ? any thing i should know thanks kevin .

 

[brownbear]

you might find a comparable thread in my sticky in the diesel section. Its the importing FAQ.

Also you could call the border and ask too. You might ask ICBC too if they provide insurance and permit you could carry with you.

 

[40seriesmama]

we just imported an 80 series from Atlanta and it had to stay in the us for them to do an inspection that took about 6 days when it was cleared in the us we picked it up and got it ready for inspection up here. icbc is really tough and the inspection is about $100 you have 30 days after it crosses the border to have it inspected, extensions are available in 14 day intervals maybe that can help a little

Rabecca

 

[Martin White]

Just wondering why you would want to do this rather than go the JDM route? Is it a concern with RHD? I'm sure you know that doing a diesel swap is going to be MAJOR bucks. I'm only curious about your reasoning; no criticism is implied.

 

[toynut]

for one i really like driving on the left side , i drive a truck for a living and am just used of being on the proper side , 2 i think it would be far cooler to have a lhd 13bt swapped cruiser , 3 - jdm guys getting hassled . i would rather have a ( sleeper cruiser ) . 4 i like to be different , too many guys driving jdms .

lastly a domestic or usa cruiser will fit my budget imediatley while i save up for that swap , as i am looking to spend about $8000 now . that wont get me into a jdm , thanks kevin.

 

[Martin White]

Kevin, just looking at your points one by one, I also drive for a living, and have found that it's really no different being on the left vs. the right. You are talking about a difference in position of about 30". Given the height of these vehicles your vision is better in some cases and worse in others, but it's not significant. I've now put about 12,000 km on this truck and never once had an issue because it's RHD, and that includes all kinds of driving from heavy city traffic (Vancouver and area gridlock) to highway. But if you really like driving on the left, that's cool, just not the big factor you may think. Having said that, there are definitely people who just can not deal with RHD. As an interesting sidenote, I FINALLY got my girlfriend to try RHD yesterday. Result? No problem, and she was really resistant to trying for about 6 months.

I have to agree having a LHD swap is very, very cool, but expensive as hell.

As for JDM guys getting hassled, I've driven past about 6 different inspection stations and they've never said a word to me. I've never been pulled over. I think this whole "hassle" thing is completely overblown. Granted I have an 80 rather than a 60 which is almost 100% DOT compliant with very few changes. There have been a few people who have been very vocal about "hassles" but it is rarer than you think.

I know what you mean about being different. I'm not sure you can really say that about JDM's. There are probably only a few hundred in the lower mainland. I bet there are more LHD US spec 80's here than JDM's but I don't have any numbers to prove it.

You are right, 8 grand won't get you into a JDM. However, you could bring in your own 80 for about another 4 or so.

Ideally, I'd have liked to have a LHD diesel swap too, but the cost is going to be much, much higher than you think, unless you have HUGE mechanical skills, and lots and lots of time and money. I only want you to go into this swap with your eyes open, that's all I'm saying.