I was just in South America and noticed they have a heap of 4runner diesels (Hilux Surf) going around.

(I also saw quite a few 3.0 Powerstroke Ford Rangers, LOL).

I was wondering if anyone has ever looked into importing a car from SA?

They are all LHD like North America (so its not wierd like importing a Japanese RHD Hilux Surf)

Countries like Argentina are still extremely cheap (Brazil not so much) so I wonder if there is any market for it?

I googled around a bit but couldnt find much solid info.

Anyone else ever thought of doing this?

 

Illegal in the US for all useful purposes.

:wabbit2:

 

Cars dont pass the Emissions laws or just the government doesnt want anyone to have a cheap car?

What about Canada I wonder? I cant see how they would be different from a Japanese/Australian car other than being LHD

 

I kick myself for not bringing back some Toyota "Stout" mudflaps while I was in South America.

I would imagine that the illegality can be blamed on a variety of things: smog, crash tests, not wanting hippies bringing back VW beetles made in the 80s-90s...I do know a few people who have bought cars in Canada, that can be done -unless they lied to me. Lots of French Canadian transplants around here who capitalized on the exchange rate 8-10 years ago.

 

just ship it over and buy a cheap 4 runner and swap titles...they will never know. btw please dont do that lol

 

^^ like this idea. you could cut it in half and bring over a half cut

 

I thought that if it was old enough it could be brought over. I know people ship troopys from australia and register them here.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_import_vehicle

 

Can you import just the front clip?

 

Spectre Off Road does that with diesels.
http://www.sor.com/sor/cat035d.tam

 

ive always wanted to get the powerstroke ranger 4 door 4x4....the things i would do to get my hands on one of them.

since the emmisions and everything would be close to impossible, ive always considered just importing the cab, buying a shortbed from the junkyard, and swapping onto the chassis i have...ditch the longbed, but gain a rear seat

 

Come to think of it, I believe there is a shop in Bend, OR that imports diesel fronts

 

thanks dirtyoregonkid...

AND I LOVE YOUR QUOTE FROM DAVID ALLEN COE...just throwin that out there

i can jam out to DAC for 24 hours straight