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- #21
Please tell me more! This is my first import. I'm not sure what to expect when the ship arrives in Newport News... what's the process like to access the shipyard and pick up the LC? Any advice or recommendations?
Land Cruiser Prado 90 RZ Import & Refresh (and maybe build...) (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter apexwerks
- Start date
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Disclaimer: This is all based on my personal experience. I've imported two Honda Actys through NNMT without any issues this past year. I've had a great experience with the port and my broker handled the paperwork side of things.
Once the boat arrives into the Newport News Marine Terminal (NNMT) it will get offloaded to their holding yard. The vehicle will go through customs and agriculture inspection. That process can take a few days depending on the day and how busy the port is. Once it clears the inspection you should receive all of your paperwork (customs, EPA, delivery order). My broker overnights me the paperwork once it's cleared so I can pickup the vehicle ASAP.
You'll need the Delivery Order (DO) from your broker/importer in order to pickup the vehicle. I do bring copies of everything just in-case it's needed at any point. I'd rather have everything and be prepared than have to come back another day. NNMT is part of the port of Virginia and is a separate facility from Norfolk and Portsmouth terminals.
Contact the port:
Notify the port prior to 3PM the day before loading. As long as an “appointment” is scheduled, it is first come/first served between the hours of 7-11 and 12-3. PPE will need to be utilized which consists of hard hat, safety vest and closed toe shoe. You can call the phone number on their website.
To pickup the vehicle you have a few options:
- Pickup Yourself - For NNMT, you will need a TWIC card. They will not let you on the port without one. The cost was $125 and it's good for 5 years. It also gets you TSA pre-check if you fly at all. I'd apply and get this process started now if you plan on going this route. I got my card 12 days after I did my paperwork at the local processing office. I've heard it can take up to 6 weeks.They will also not let any passengers or guests on the port without one either. Make sure you plan for this if you are loading it by-yourself. If you are military, your CAC card will get you access to the port without a TWIC.
Along as you have the TWIC card you can pickup the vehicle yourself. I bring a jug of extra fuel, tow stops and a battery jump pack just incase the battery is dead.
- TWIC Escort Services - You can hire a service to escort you on and around the port. These services range from $75-100/hour. The port has an authorized list of escorts if you decide to go this route.
- Transport - You can pay a transportation company that has TWIC to pickup and deliver the vehicle to you. I'm local to Newport News so I have not explored this option.
Do you have someone handling the import paperwork and customs for you? If not, I would highly recommend getting a broker. You can do it yourself but the peace of mind and ease of pickup is worth the cost in my opinion.
Hopefully that clarifies things a bit. If you have any questions send me a DM and I'd be happy to help you out. I just found this site and it looks like there are a lot of great resources here.
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- #23
That is a tremendous amount of info! I'll shoot you a DM as well for a few followups. Thank you!
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- #24
Does anyone have any recommendations for an ARB dealer in the US? I've called ARB in WA, and they've confirmed they have a winchbar # 3421010 in the Washington warehouse. But I can't find anyone locally that will order it for me.... 4WP will only order what's in their catalog, and the other ARB dealers local to me don't do bumpers. Given that appears to be the only ARB winchbar for a Prado 90 in the USA at the moment, I'm kind of under pressure to get it. The dealer I had ordered through the first time seems to not be able to actually get the order either. Any ideas?
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- #25
Update... found an ARB dealer about 2 hours from me who was willing to place the order. When they contacted ARB, ARB informed they that they were no longer an AD and that they had to place a minimum $5k stock order to be considered. The (former) ARB dealer asked- I have a customer here who wants to pay list price for a bumper you have in stock and you're not willing to make an exception? Nope.
Finally resolved. The former ARB AD figured out he could order through Keystone, though it cost more in shipping and will take 6-8 weeks. But at least I'm getting it.
Finally resolved. The former ARB AD figured out he could order through Keystone, though it cost more in shipping and will take 6-8 weeks. But at least I'm getting it.
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- #26
Well, friends- the Galaxy Ace is at anchor waiting to get through the Panama Canal! @spyrobyte and my 90 are both one step closer to the US....
3rd Gen 4runner hitches work. FOr bolts i just bought the 4Runner equivalents - Sure it is 4x the price of "joe's bolt shop" but it just works without the muss and fuss of matching threads and bolt gauge
70'ft lbs it your target
I gooped it up good with Antisieze as I live in the salt.
If yours comes with tow loops one will not go back on with the hitch installed.
70'ft lbs it your target
I gooped it up good with Antisieze as I live in the salt.
If yours comes with tow loops one will not go back on with the hitch installed.
TexasPrado95
SILVER Star
fingers crossed you have a car next week!
- Thread starter
- #29
Thank you! I'll take all the good vibes I can get. The Galaxy Ace is due in Jacksonville tomorrow morning and then Newport News on the 2nd. The timeline I've gotten from Dylan @ The Import Guys is 5-7 business days from landing to customs documentation & clearance, at which point I'll be able to get a TWIC escort and pick up the Prado. Should be another couple of weeks from then to receiving the WA state title and getting plates on it. Hopefully it'll have NC plates and be on the road by the 21st of May - I have a class scheduled with Overland Experts on the 21st so I'm going to be driving down there without plates if not...
- Thread starter
- #30
She's finally home! Special thanks to @spyrobyte for helping me with the process at Newport News.
The pickup process an NNMT was overall very good... the staff were incredibly nice and helpful. I wasn't thrilled with the service I'm using to import, though. Their broker neglected to pay all the fees, and there was a loading fee that remained before NNMT would release the vehicle. Well, they only take money orders- no credit cards, no cash, no checks. Finding a money order near the port was a challenge to say the least.
Other than that, it was smooth going otherwise.
The truck is in good shape, the paint photographs a little better than it looks in person but it's clean and straight. The interior needs a solid degreasing and the upholstery needs to be shampooed. I've got to get those damage multipliers off pretty quickly too.
The pickup process an NNMT was overall very good... the staff were incredibly nice and helpful. I wasn't thrilled with the service I'm using to import, though. Their broker neglected to pay all the fees, and there was a loading fee that remained before NNMT would release the vehicle. Well, they only take money orders- no credit cards, no cash, no checks. Finding a money order near the port was a challenge to say the least.
Other than that, it was smooth going otherwise.
The truck is in good shape, the paint photographs a little better than it looks in person but it's clean and straight. The interior needs a solid degreasing and the upholstery needs to be shampooed. I've got to get those damage multipliers off pretty quickly too.
- Thread starter
- #31
Under the hood, there's at least three sets of accessory hot wires run and just zip tied next to the battery. I can't wait to get in there and rip all the wires and old switches out.
I was surprised to see a turbo timer installed:
The center pod gauges are unreadable in the daylight, but you can read them in the shade. I wonder if there's a bulb out in there or something else going on?
Is this a common issue? I'd love to know what to look for before I pull the gauges out.
I was surprised to see a turbo timer installed:
The center pod gauges are unreadable in the daylight, but you can read them in the shade. I wonder if there's a bulb out in there or something else going on?
Is this a common issue? I'd love to know what to look for before I pull the gauges out.
Hi Apexwerks
Congrats on your RZ! Looks like its in great shape.
I had a 2002 RZJ95 for a time. You have a turbo timer there so I'm curious.... There's a turbo on this 3RZ-FE? I heard of that mod but it was not stock.
The multi info gauge issue is strange. It would seem the glass/plastic lenses have been damaged some how. Maybe they can be dismantled and cleaned up.
I didn't have that problem on my three Prado's.
The 3RZ is a bullet proof engine... just thirsty. With the lighter 90 vs 95 you should do slightly better on fuel.
These LC's are awesome. Good luck with yours and feel free to contact me anytime if you need help/info.
Cheers K.
Congrats on your RZ! Looks like its in great shape.
I had a 2002 RZJ95 for a time. You have a turbo timer there so I'm curious.... There's a turbo on this 3RZ-FE? I heard of that mod but it was not stock.
The multi info gauge issue is strange. It would seem the glass/plastic lenses have been damaged some how. Maybe they can be dismantled and cleaned up.
I didn't have that problem on my three Prado's.
The 3RZ is a bullet proof engine... just thirsty. With the lighter 90 vs 95 you should do slightly better on fuel.
These LC's are awesome. Good luck with yours and feel free to contact me anytime if you need help/info.
Cheers K.
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- #33
Thank you! It's a strange issue... the lenses look fine in the shade but wash out completely in the daylight. I'm hoping it's just an issue with backlighting and not the LCDs themselves.
This one has a 1KZ-TE, the 3L 4 cylinder turbo diesel with a top-mounted intercooler.
I just get the trim-able regular ones and shape to fit.
Sorry for being an idiot and not reading the whole thread thinking you had a gasser. You will love that 1KZ-TE.
JDM Journey will be a great source of guidance for you. His build is outstanding on a KZJ90. I'm green!
Sorry for being an idiot and not reading the whole thread thinking you had a gasser. You will love that 1KZ-TE.
JDM Journey will be a great source of guidance for you. His build is outstanding on a KZJ90. I'm green!
JDM Journeys
Moderator
Lol. Thanks for the compliment. We support each other right?
Yeah the trim level is RZ etc. But you've got figured now.
I bought those BFG floor mats and cut cut cut. They're decent... Not custom as such but do the job.
Yeah the trim level is RZ etc. But you've got figured now.
I bought those BFG floor mats and cut cut cut. They're decent... Not custom as such but do the job.
TexasPrado95
SILVER Star
My inclinometer behaved in the exact same way. I tried changing the bulbs and killed it completely somehow
. What is the toggle switch next to the fog light switch?- Thread starter
- #38
My inclinometer behaved in the exact same way. I tried changing the bulbs and killed it completely somehow
It's like an archeological dig, as best I can tell. The IPF lights on the front of the Prado seem to be the third set of off-road lights that have been fitted to the Prado. The previous owner left the switches and wiring for the previous two in place. Incidentally, the IPF lights aren't actually wired.
- Thread starter
- #39
It looks like the hard-to-see LCD in the daylight is an issue with the polarizing film:
forum.ih8mud.com
I'm going to add this to the list...
Lost Information on Inclinometer instrument
I own Toyota Prado FJ95 (98'). My inclinometer not able to display in day time as the inside lamination has shrink and looks its burnt due to heat. Its working well in the night with few lines but works well. Yesterday, I have decided to remove the unit and change the lamination piece that was...
forum.ih8mud.com
I'm going to add this to the list...
- Thread starter
- #40
I had assumed the 90 would need lots of attention and maintenance when it arrived, and had planned the project to address filters, fluids, belts and hoses first. This has been a *very* pleasant surprise... everything looks to be current. The radiator, hoses and accessory belts are all aftermarket, so they've been replaced at least once. The coolant looks clean and fresh, and neither the timing belt nor the oil are due yet. She's not leaking a drop of fluid from anywhere, and after the initial jump start at the marine terminal it's been a flawless driver.
OK that's not entirely true... I did have to flush the PS fluid, because someone had put the wrong fluid in and it was frothing/cavitating. And the sunroof tracks were gunked up and needed to be cleaned/lubed. But other than that and some air in the tires, she's been fun and reliable.
So we prioritized cleaning... here's the tank of my little carpet cleaner after doing the front seats:
And I had my helper with the exterior clean...
Up next, I'm going to try to cram in the lift and the bull bar one day this week. We're going to an OEX class on Saturday, and it would be good to have the lift/bar/winch in place for the class, especially if I can trust the mechanicals.
OK that's not entirely true... I did have to flush the PS fluid, because someone had put the wrong fluid in and it was frothing/cavitating. And the sunroof tracks were gunked up and needed to be cleaned/lubed. But other than that and some air in the tires, she's been fun and reliable.
So we prioritized cleaning... here's the tank of my little carpet cleaner after doing the front seats:
And I had my helper with the exterior clean...
Up next, I'm going to try to cram in the lift and the bull bar one day this week. We're going to an OEX class on Saturday, and it would be good to have the lift/bar/winch in place for the class, especially if I can trust the mechanicals.
