Hi guys, I currently own a 2nd Gen 4Runner. It's a West Coast Canadian vehicle which means it's got rust.

I'm interested in getting a 3rd Gen from America. The reason is in California, Nevada and Texas you guys don't get much snow and so no salt on roads.

This is a six or seven month plan as I'm going to fix mine up and sell it this coming summer. I can get more for it up here near the arctic than down South. I also will be traveling to Australia with the missus this coming summer so figured it would be a good idea to take her on a road trip to see parts of the Southern US.

Being Australian she wants to see some of the stereotype American stuff like chilli cookoffs and other stuff you see on TV. I know it's not all true but I'm sure some must be and I would like to see it too. If I can go get a good 4Runner while I'm at it even better.

So here are my questions.

Has anyone imported a US vehicle to Canada and what should I start researching.

What Western US state which is easy to get to from LAX has good prices and vehicles not prone to rust due to salt on roads and wet weather.

Would anyone be willing to show me around who can tell me if I'm about to buy a lemon? This would be fun for me because I'd get to meet new people and because I'm not the most mechanically inclined yet I would love someone to come with me that has nothing to do with the seller and knows what they are doing.

I'll be saving before I go down for add on parts. Is there someone in this forum along the West Coast who owns a shop and would like to do some mods to get it trail ready after my purchase? I'd not want to drive through some of those areas without seeing the trails. I might even be willing to work something out to have a vehicle ready upon my arrival from a reputable shop. I would love to have a hand in building but depending on time constraints I might not be able to. What would be important is getting a soccer mom truck. I've learned my lesson after buying someone's rig and having to find and fix the hidden stuff they broke by doing an improper job or general abuse.


No promises yet this is just the very start of forming a plan and finding out if it's even a realistic idea. All I know for sure is that my brother in-law is having his first child next June/July and the missus wants to see the new baby so I'll for sure be passing through LAX provided my job in the mines up here doesn't fall apart.

One bonus of arranging a vehicle ahead of time is that my missus is worried that I'll sell mine and when passing through LAX not find anything and be forced to buy a heap of crap. Anything I can plan and set in stone (possibly paid for and waiting) to ease her mind means more opportunity of me getting away with a new truck and build!

Thanks ahead of time your help and advice will be appreciated.


Hey who knows maybe this could work out well and I could jump in on a trail ride with some new friends! Also seeing as I'll be in Victoria, Australia I might be able to grab some ARB stuff cheaper than we can in North America.

 

Might consider Colorado too. We don't use salt on roads here. Plus alot of yota here. Plus we make the best green chile

 

Thanks for the tip.

Are there any private seller websites that don't ask for a zip code? When I start looking at 3rd Gens what should I watch out for?


The missus loves chilli and we've never had green chilli.

 

Try craigslist.com. look under Colorado, cities Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Aurora areas. Pueblo best for green chilies, they grow them there

 

I appreciate your help.

This could be one hell of a trip.