Series 90 to USA?

[Hat10]

I'm a long-time FJ80 owner/lover in CO USA (and newbie to this site), but as I discover more about the 3dr turbo-diesel Prado I want one! I read that they cannot be imported into the US, but that does not seem acceptable to me. There HAS to be a way. I'm looking into EPA and other regulations - anyone have any experience what modifications would be needed for these beauties to be registered here?
Thanks in advance! Tim

 

[lugueto]

They should be more on-par with regulations than the 70 series, the thing is they're not as old. I understand cars that do not meet safety regulations need to be a certain age before you can import them, is that correct??

You shouldn't have trouble since they have ABS brakes, Airbags and the basic safety measurements built into the car.

I'm sure there's a way to do it..

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I'm a long-time FJ80 owner/lover in CO USA (and newbie to this site), but as I discover more about the 3dr turbo-diesel Prado I want one! I read that they cannot be imported into the US, but that does not seem acceptable to me. There HAS to be a way. I'm looking into EPA and other regulations - anyone have any experience what modifications would be needed for these beauties to be registered here?
Thanks in advance! Tim

" does not seem acceptable to me ". ..... It is not acceptable to any of us but those were the cards we were dealt by our friendly government.

"There HAS to be a way". ....... Virtually everything is possible if you are willing to spend enough money. When you figure it out please share the information with the rest of us.

 

[lugueto]

Also, Id recommend the gas versions of the 90, both the 3RZ and the 5VZ Engines are found in america, none of the Toyota Diesels used in the 90 series were used in america for any vehicle am I right?

 

[FloridaFJ80]

Correct. I think you shouldn't have any issues importing a rig with an engine that is offered in the US. but don't quote me on that. The 90 series prado is built on a 3rd Gen 4runner chassis as well as them 5VZ engine. So I dont know why it would be difficult to import one.

 

[Hat10]

Cool, call me Quixote, because I'm going off on a mission to learn how to import these babies...I'll post progress if/when it happens so input always appreciated. Thanks!! Tim

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Correct. I think you shouldn't have any issues importing a rig with an engine that is offered in the US. but don't quote me on that. The 90 series prado is built on a 3rd Gen 4runner chassis as well as them 5VZ engine. So I dont know why it would be difficult to import one.

....."I think you shouldn't have any issues importing a rig with an engine that is offered in the U.S."......

I hope I don't come across as an "importing expert" because I am not however other than possible EPA compliance matters the type of engine would have little or no bearing on the legality issue.
I would suggest you have a long conversation with U.S. Customs officials ( which I have ) and have them bring you up to speed.
Good luck .....

 

[roscoFJ73]

None of the 90 series are 25 years old,I think the earliest is 95?

Better off finding a 1KZ TE an putting into the Lexus equivalent

 

[Gun Runner 5]

None of the 90 series are 25 years old,I think the earliest is 95?

Better off finding a 1KZ TE an putting into the Lexus equivalent

Even some of the U.S. based diesel conversion shops won't recommend that engine.
Based on those I have talked to the 1KZ-TE can have both head and fuel management issues.

 

[Sam Stewart]

I've done extensive research on importing parts for the diesels and I can tell you there will be nothing easy about it. Any vehicle that was not produced here has to meet EPA and DOT regualtions. You will have to modify the vehicle to conform to EPA regulation (possibly 10s of thousands of dollars) and prove that it can meet crash safety requirements. I abandoned the idea for parts because it is just entirely too costly and cumbersome.

And, yes if the vehicle is over 25 years old it is exempted (sort of) from the normal importation laws. It does not have to conform to the EPA regulations. I would still not say that it would be easy to import though.

And I'm no expert either. I've just done a lot of reading on the subject. I would also recommend that you contact the Customs, EPA, and DOT to see what all it will take.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Even some of the U.S. based diesel conversion shops won't recommend that engine.
Based on those I have talked to the 1KZ-TE can have both head and fuel management issues.

Have a look at the aussie classifieds under prado,there are thousands of them here.The vast majority do 3-400000 klms trouble free.
You only have to look at the resale value to determine any vehicles worth and the diesel Prados are up thee with the best of them.
Europeans and other markets where they are sold also have high opinions of this engine.
While it is not in the same league as some of the other Toyota diesels,it is certainly not a dud engine
The biggest problem with them is when people who dont know what they are doing start playing with them.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

There HAS to be a way.

There are. Unfortunately none of them are cheap or easy enough to make it worthwhile for a truck that doesn't fall under the 25 year exemption.

Importing non-USA models has been beat to death on this forum. Search the 70 series and Diesel sections of the forum and you will find a gang of threads on why importing a non-USA vehicle sucks.

If you are TRULY serous and money is seriously not an option, then contact Mike from West Coast Cruisers. He has imported a few exotics an knows the in's and out's. But it is costly and difficult. Don't contact him if you don't have the cheddah to pay 2-3 times what the truck is worth

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Have a look at the aussie classifieds under prado,there are thousands of them here.The vast majority do 3-400000 klms trouble free.
You only have to look at the resale value to determine any vehicles worth and the diesel Prados are up thee with the best of them.
Europeans and other markets where they are sold also have high opinions of this engine.
While it is not in the same league as some of the other Toyota diesels,it is certainly not a dud engine
The biggest problem with them is when people who dont know what they are doing start playing with them.

As the old saying goes "don't shoot the messenger"
I was simply passing on the opinions of those who have had experience with that particular powerplant in North America. I am sure those here who are operating that engine will be delighted to hear your report.

 

[KZN185W]

The 1993 to 1995, and to a certain extent, the early 1996 1KZ-TE engines did have overheating issues. The cylinder head was known to crack easily. The engines, at that time, didn't have an intercooler so these engines were running hotter than the intercooled versions.

In australia, the KZJ95R was only introduced for MY2000, so most of the overheating issues have been resolved. Also, the engines were detuned by about 15hp compared to the JDM units.

 

[Man in black]

I'm in the uk so don't know anything about US regulations but having read all the above i think if i wanted to do this my first port of call would be to Toyota themselves . I imagine its likely Toyota would reply with very specific reasons why the 90 was not sold in the usa and its very possible non of the reasons are technical . The 90 series was built in direct competition to the mitsubushi pajero which was in its day the top selling 4x4 in Europe . I dont think they sold pajero's in the us either did they ?

All vehicles are built with a specifically targetted market in mind . The swb 90 if sold in america would put it directly in competion with the jeep wrangler . Flop sales is bad for image .

 

[Man in black]

I'm in the uk so don't know anything about US regulations but having read all the above i think if i wanted to do this my first port of call would be to Toyota themselves . I imagine its likely Toyota would reply with very specific reasons why the 90 was not sold in the usa and its very possible non of the reasons are technical . The 90 series was built in direct competition to the mitsubushi pajero which was in its day the top selling 4x4 in Europe . I dont think they sold pajero's in the us either did they ?

All vehicles are built with a specifically targetted market in mind . The swb 90 if sold in america would put it directly in competion with the jeep wrangler . Flop sales is bad for image .

 

[KZN185W]

the pajero was sold in north america but is named montero. sales-wise, the 4Runner has been kicking the montero's b*tt.. later on the montero was changed to a monocoque.

 

[Beau]

the pajero was sold in north america but is named montero. sales-wise, the 4Runner has been kicking the montero's b*tt.. later on the montero was changed to a monocoque.

The 4runner that is sold in the US has the EXACT same chassis and drive train as the 90 series, so therefore all the crash safety test should be the same, correct?

The only variance is the 1kzt-e engine which is a superb engine, performance and economy wise. Those who have overheating issues is only down to neglect in the cooling area of the engines.

Also the 1kzt-e is a very efficient engine in it's range, fuelling controlled electronically it's economical seeing 30-35 mpg. I don't see why the US wouldn't accept it in....damn regulations!

 

[KZN185W]

i wouldn't say it's very efficient because the 1HD-TE provides the same fuel consumption considering it's a 4.2L and carrying the bigger and heavier LC100.

 

[Beau]

i wouldn't say it's very efficient because the 1HD-TE provides the same fuel consumption considering it's a 4.2L and carrying the bigger and heavier LC100.

From most people I know, you would be lucky to get mid 25mpg with the 1HD-TE.

At worse you will get 20mpg from the 1KZT-E, and thats when I'm towing my car transporter ect weighing in close to 3 tons...