Trucks from Japan (TFJ) is based out of Ohio. We started out importing mini trucks, 4x4 vans, and other vehicles from Japan. That is how we got our feet wet in the importing business. We started to get requests to source Land Cruisers and other vehicles which led us to start looking for partners in other countries who were established, reliable, and had the capability to provide competent on-site inspections. Another requirement is that they have a shop for more in depth assessment and work prior to export. Currently, aside from Japan, we export Land Cruisers from Costa Rica, and Bandeirantes from Brazil. We primarily source vehicles and manage the logistics of each transaction from start to finish. All common costs are shared with clients up front. We don't like surprises, so we do everything that we can provide the most accurate estimate possible. If anything outside of our estimate pops up, we will discuss it with you prior to any work being done and together, determine the best course of action.
We require a $750 deposit to get started. This does two things: 1. It lets us know a buyer is serious 2. It pays our partners for all of their time and efforts with sourcing, inspections, etc. and it goes toward your final price.
Secondly TFJ fees are between 1000 - 3500 depending on the level of involvement needed on our end. This will be communicated up front and depends on what you are looking to do.
We believe in building long term relationships with our partners and clients, and providing vehicles that are ready to drive upon delivery, so we will make every effort to communicate as openly as possible to make sure expectations are understood and met. Our services in both countries are listed below:
Costa Rica -
Brazil is different in only a couple of ways -
We are still updating our website, but basic info can be found there: trucksfromjapan.com
Feel free to ask any questions. I would be more than happy to answer anything, and if I don’t know it, I will find out.The below link is a sample of pics taken at one of our on-site inspections.
Inspection: 77Bandi - Google Drive
This gallery is from one of the restorations: Bandi Resto - Google Drive
This client had the 14BT engine rebuilt as well.
Let me know if you have trouble with any of the links or any questions at all.
We require a $750 deposit to get started. This does two things: 1. It lets us know a buyer is serious 2. It pays our partners for all of their time and efforts with sourcing, inspections, etc. and it goes toward your final price.
Secondly TFJ fees are between 1000 - 3500 depending on the level of involvement needed on our end. This will be communicated up front and depends on what you are looking to do.
We believe in building long term relationships with our partners and clients, and providing vehicles that are ready to drive upon delivery, so we will make every effort to communicate as openly as possible to make sure expectations are understood and met. Our services in both countries are listed below:
Costa Rica -
- Vehicle Sourcing with on-site inspection, pictures and video supplied.
- In shop assessment including an engine compression test, any recommended service will be line itemed and discussed with you. We do not mark up any service or parts.
- Once the vehicle is chosen we will purchase it on your behalf, if service is needed and agreed upon we will provide weekly updates along with photos of any items serviced or repaired.
- Once any service has been completed, the vehicle will be readied for export, all required paperwork will be filed and provided to us, your vehicle will be securely loaded into a container, and shipped to the USA.
- Once it arrives at port (we usually ship into Baltimore, MD) we will file all necessary paperwork required for import and pickup, it will then be transported to our location in Ohio.
- After we receive it, we have it inspected and road tested, just to triple check everything. We will then title the vehicle if you desire, so you don’t have to show up at your BMV with a stack of papers. There is a small fee for this, but it offers peace of mind for some.
Brazil is different in only a couple of ways -
- All of the above applies except we can’t always do a compression test. But the Mercedes Diesels are not difficult to rebuild, and we generally recommend that anyway since it is a worthwhile investment. We have three companies that we work with, one in the north and two companies in different areas in the south.
- Along with service, we can offer complete frame off restorations. The shops we use for these have over 20 years experience each and focus primarily on restoring Bandeirantes. They are highly flexible and offer many customization options. We are also working with each of them to apply an undercoating that is salt resistant, along with possible heater options (still working on this), so if you wanted to drive your Bandi around in the winter, you can enjoy it. We are located in the Midwest after all and the DOT loves salt.
- Restorations can take an average of 3 - 7 months depending on the level of work needed. We provide a realistic time table, and update it weekly along with pictures and video throughout the entire process. This allows you to have complete creative control of things like interior color, paint color, tire choice, etc. and our personal favorite, swapping the grill and headlights back the the FJ40 style.
We are still updating our website, but basic info can be found there: trucksfromjapan.com
Feel free to ask any questions. I would be more than happy to answer anything, and if I don’t know it, I will find out.The below link is a sample of pics taken at one of our on-site inspections.
Inspection: 77Bandi - Google Drive
This gallery is from one of the restorations: Bandi Resto - Google Drive
This client had the 14BT engine rebuilt as well.
Let me know if you have trouble with any of the links or any questions at all.
- Lukas
