Importing on your own

[jfarsang]

Hi all,

Being my first post, I'd like to thank everyone for putting in so much great information/advice into this forum.

I'd appreciate a good welcome too.

I'm looking to import a decent HDJ81 into Canada.

I'm mech inclined (worked on Cherokee's for a few years) and my best buddy owns a shop, so I'm looking forward to working on the Toyo's.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.

I'm looking for :

- Good contact in Japan to take care of picking up the cruiser from an auction and take care of the prepping/shipping/customs/etc...

If this is too much to ask, please let me know.

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Jesse

ps. shoot me an email with info if that suits you better : jfarsang@gmail.com

 

[wussyPup]

Hi Jesse, welcome to Mud

I imported my Cruiser on my own. I used Provide Cars/J-Car Auctions:
http://www.providecars.com/
http://www.japancarauctions.jp/
to bid on my behalf and arrange shipping and all export processes.

Like most of the agents I've heard of, their service is to provide us with the auction house's vehicle inspection reports and provide some translatation, and then they take care of the export and shipping. They do not inspect the vehicles or take any responsibility for their condition or suitability for import and use.

I started reviewing their auction listings daily May 9, 2005, and wired them a deposit on May 20. I'd spend at least 1/2 hour every morning reviewing the auction lists and occasionally asking them to bid for me. On October 25, 2005 I was the highest bidder on an 1990 HDJ81. I wired them the balance of the sale plus their commission. They shipped it, RORO, on November 30, and it arrived in Vancouver on December 15. They were very busy at the auto terminal so wouldn't let me pick it up until after Christmas. I was able to arrange the soil inspection by fax, and then on January 3, 2006 I was able to clear customs, pay the auto terminal their fee, pick up a temp permit and insurance, and drive home. I got another temp permit and by the 6th I had passed VI, got a BC VIN, plates and ICBC insurance.

Batteries were totally dead on arrival - took 20 minutes boost from the Volvo until it would crank.

Shipping insurance ends the moment the vehicle leaves the ship; I bought a 30 day storage policy to cover it from arrival until it was on licensed and insured for road use.

Repairs on failed components since:

• replaced all tyres (rotten, huge sidewall bulge when filled to 30 psi)
• replaced transmission with rebuilt from Wholesale Automatic Transmissions http://automatictransmission.com.au/ (overheated, damaged seal, torque converter and pump body and who knows what else inside)
• had alternator rebuilt locally
• replaced batteries
• replaced front brake lines (LH split on a trail)

CVSE compliance items:

• headlamps
• front corner marker lamps
• daylight running lights

Critical preventative maintenace:

• replace connecting rod big end (crankshaft) bearings

Suggested high priority mods:

• aux transmission cooler
• EGT (pyro) gauge

I wouldn't advise a friend to import their own unless they were emotionally and financially capable of dealing with a total loss.

G'luck, -Steve

 

[crushers]

good response and good advice...

 

[jfarsang]

Thanks for the response and advice Steve.

I am in no rush and will definitely take more time to consider importing an HDJ81.

Wayne. Your posts are filled with excellent advise/information.

One of the reasons why I am set on the TLC diesel's.

 

[canucksafari]

Wayne. Your posts are filled with excellent advise/information.

One of the reasons why I am set on the TLC diesel's.

I agree that Wayne is tops with advise and information on TLCs and Japanese diesels in general. But .... Have you driven a Nissan Safari / Patrol?

 

[jfarsang]

I agree that Wayne is tops with advise and information on TLCs and Japanese diesels in general. But .... Have you driven a Nissan Safari / Patrol?

Negatory

 

[canucksafari]

Too bad. But that is probably a good thing. We wouldn't want too many of them around or we would hurt the winch market for LCs. Cheers and good luck with your purchase.

Now were did I put that damn fire extinguisher.

 

[jfarsang]

Basically, I'm at this crossroads ...

I've seen them range from 14-30k with the average price around the 20k mark for one's that are already imported/registered, etc...

In all honesty, I'm looking at spending (don't laugh ) around 10-15k canuck money.

I currently have a little 96 subaru and it does the job around town and on the highways.

We plan on keeping the little subaru for just that.

Since we have a daily driver, we're not on any time constraints so I'm holding out on either a good deal here in BC/Canada or to wait until something that my gut tells me is a decent deal over the ocean and have it imported in.

What I would like to do is pick one up for around 8-10k from Japan and shipped here.

Then put in around 4-5k of solid mechanical/electrical maintenance to last me a good while. Upgrades would come later.

I know what it's like buying a used vehicle regardless of make/year.

You will have to put work into it.

That is why I would prefer to buy an LC and do the work myself so that I will get to 'know' my cruiser and what makes it tick.

It's more of a headache at times and I've been through it with other vehicles.

I've just never thought of importing one until now.

What I would honestly like to know is a breakdown of what to do.

I've searched/read these threads for the last few months and maybe I'm just blind and missing things or need someone to spoon feed it to me

Q:

I will go with either Kohei Hayashi at KK Trading, Rizvi at Rizubi Trading or providecars.com .

Which one of the three, I have not yet decided. Any input from you guys would be appreciated.

The next thing ...

Once I've given them my deposit, bid and won a good HDJ81 (praying to the Toyo gods), then I will need to arrange shipping and everything that follows ....

Once it lands, what are the steps I need to take ?


1. Soil inspection ... how to ?

2. Customs ... do I need to do/fax anything ? If so, where ?

3. Insurance. What Steve said regarding a 30-day policy. Would they take the japanese VIN ?

Those of you who have done this on their own, if one of your friends were to insist on doing the same, the step-by-step list of what you would tell them would be greatly appreciated by me.

Thanks guys.

I'm really looking forward to having one this year sometime and do not want to be discouraged with taking the time to import one on my own.

Jesse

 

[jfarsang]

Too bad. But that is probably a good thing. We wouldn't want too many of them around or we would hurt the winch market for LCs. Cheers and good luck with your purchase.

Now were did I put that damn fire extinguisher.

I'm sold on the 80's.

Hopefully sometime soon, we will have a couple of kids popping out.

I would like to have a good, solid vehicle that can take our family anywhere.

Instead of flying to hawaii/mexico to one of those 'resorts', we much prefer to grab some gear and hit the forests around BC/AB.

My parents came to Edmonton from Hungary in early 74' and I was born a few months later.

Folks never had any money, just enough to survive. They did great and raised myself and my sister (year younger) with good family morals/values.

We always went camping and spent 99% of our childhood in the outdoors of alberta and BC.

I'm a computer guy and work for IBM, stuck in an office 24/7 in the city.

Both the woman and I can never wait to get out and go camping/exploring.

I'd like a vehicle that has enough room to lug a full-sized family around with safety and dependability in mind when off the main roads.

The 80 fits the bill.

As for diesel's, my dad's first work truck was an old mazda b2200 diesel. We filled the thing up back in the day for $20 and it lasted a month of constant driving. Never broke down. I could beat it off the line on the own two feet, but it was a good little workhorse. I'm sold on diesels.

Just thought I'd give you guys a tad history of me and why I'd personally like to get a hold of a good 80, do my own work on it, get used to it and depend on it.

Jesse

 

[canucksafari]

I agree. The 80s come in a nice 7 seat config, then again so does the Gran Road and King Road Safari. Your dreams are your dreams. What I don't understand is if you expect to pay 8-10 Gs for it and then another 3 gs to get it here and then 4-5 gs to bring it up to maintenance spec - why don't you just buy one from a reputable dealer who will take car of all the risk and ensure you have a truck you can enjoy right away. Actually, the good dealers don't take the degree of risk private importers without contacts take. They actually have people they trust check out the vehicles before auction and then go over them with a fine tooth comb before shipping. Some even have people looking for the many beauties in private hands before they head to the auction block. I wish you the best. Everyone has their gambling tolerances.

But I would have a hard time sleeping thinking that 11-13 G investment may turn out to be a major lemon. Remember, many minor parts here are decently priced. Try looking for a used motor, tranny, etc. I think Greg has a drive train that he has listed for 11Gs alone.

By the way. It is good to see another Hungarian on the board. My dad came in 1926. It wasn't until he retired did he actually start spending money on good new vehicles and tools. Cheers,

John Gabor

 

[jfarsang]

What I don't understand is if you expect to pay 8-10 Gs for it and then another 3 gs to get it here and then 4-5 gs to bring it up to maintenance spec - why don't you just buy one from a reputable dealer who will take car of all the risk and ensure you have a truck you can enjoy right away.

I would love to be able to drop 20+k on one from one of the good dealers, however it's just too far to stretch for us.

I received responses back from two of the above mentioned exporters and they are both claiming around the 9-10k mark shipped here to Van.

That is something I can afford at the moment and when the time comes to dump some more funds into it, then it will be available (at least on my time line).

But I would have a hard time sleeping thinking that 11-13 G investment may turn out to be a major lemon.

Which is why I'm treading lightly and asking for some first hand experience/advice before I jump the gun.

By the way. It is good to see another Hungarian on the board. My dad came in 1926. It wasn't until he retired did he actually start spending money on good new vehicles and tools. Cheers,

John Gabor

Likewise John.

Jesse

 

[wussyPup]

I would love to be able to drop 20+k on one from one of the good dealers, however it's just too far to stretch for us.

If a good friend told me that they can't afford 20+k to buy from a dealer, then it would be my duty to advise them that they can't afford the luxury of importing one on their own.

My family would continue to eat if I lost 15k trying to import on my own, my wife wouldn't leave me over it, and although I'd be pissed, I'd get over it and in time "chalk it up to experience".

My "signature" still lists my Trooper and the comment that it will soon be for sale. Why have I kept it for the last 16 months? Because I need it to get to work while I'm waiting for Cruiser parts or waiting for time to work on the Cruiser while I learn how to do it myself.

Earlier this week I got an email from a friend who recently purchased an HDJ81 from one of the "other" dealers... He wants to know where I bought my rebuilt transmission as his is no longer shifting correctly; has no cabin heat any more; and now has a leaky brake booster.

-Steve

 

[jfarsang]

I completely agree Steve.

That's the reason why we're in the position to look/wait.

We're in no rush and will continue to save here and there as time rolls on.

Thanks for the comments/PM's guys. A lot of good advice thrown my way.

 

[Martin White]

I've had an HDJ81 for over a year now. I like everything to work and I'm not happy with "maybe" and "possibly". I've always liked to know what's up and if there is one thing I've learned about these trucks, it's this: you get what you pay for. There are no magical "deals". If it is cheap, it's cheap for a reason. I've spent a LOT of time at ATEB (local cruiser specialist, John there was responsible for gov't of Malaysia cruisers, knows his stuff as well as anyone).

These are NOT cheap vehicles to maintain. If you buy cheap, you will pay in frustration and problems. If I was going to do this over I'd buy from Wayne (Luxury) or Outback and save all the headaches. I know numerous people who thought they got a "bargain" but ended up EASILY spending 20K + which could have got them a pretty nice truck from one of the known big name importers, and in many cases WAY MORE than 20K. I just don't think it's realistic to get a really good one for 14K. Plus all the frustration and down time of not having the thing available. What is your time worth?

That's my opinion - for what it's worth. Just remember these are complex vehicles and they require maintenance. Once set up right they are great, but to get there, it's quite a bit of work. Most of the JDM's look better than they really are and they are not as well maintained as the looks would have you believe.

 

[jfarsang]

Much appreciated for the advice guys.

Through one of my coworkers, his father lives in Japan and runs an autobody shop.

I now have a trustworthy contact there who will start looking for me privately.

I took a look at a nice 92 FJ80 for $3,800 in primo condition here yesterday. Just doesn't have factory lockers and the two fellows we go wheeling with who own them swapped out the 3FE's.

The factory lockers are on my checklist for our future 80, as well as the diesel power plant so I'm going to pass on this one.

I'm taking my time.

Thanks guys,
Jesse

 

[jfarsang]

Took the first few steps towards an 81.

Liquidated what was collecting 'dust' and used the spare funds to do some maintenance on our little subaru and put aside some extra for the remainder of the year along with insurance/gas/etc...

So now we have a paid off vehicle that is up to mech spec and running costs paid for up till the early next year.

The $'s remaining, I've put into my '81 fund'.

Now I can start to hunt/scour the auctions and take my time.

Just wanted to say thanks for the good advice and pointing me in the right direction guys.

I'm looking at 2-4 months and hopefully I'll have a decent 81 I can work on in my garage this summer.

Jesse

 

[83bj60]

Really nice thread. I will surely keep looking at your progress. Like most who gave good advice here, I ended up researching this a lot, found a guy I could talk to that helped out without fail during the whole importation process, ended paying good money for my HDJ81 and got a good vehicle for what I paid

Since I got my truck in november I've driven about 14,000km with no issues. Now that spring is coming around it's finally time to think about doing the BEBs, tweaking the fuel and turbo boost, get some skinny chrome OEM 16" steelies, refill the AC, do a thorough oil treatment and miscellaneous preventative measures so it may last another 10 years without major issues.

Keep us informed and good luck!

Chris

 

[jfarsang]

Thanks Chris.

Out of curiosity, how many of you are running biodiesel in your HDJ81's and have you changed your lines over or are they just stock?