Thread: Diesel HiLux

So how does one go about getting their hands on one of these in the states? If you actually got one would you be able to get it registered/insured etc. Street legal. Serious repairs should one arise? Anyone with insight. I wouldn't mind trying if it seems doable.

Originally Posted by Blatant

So how does one go about getting their hands on one of these in the states? If you actually got one would you be able to get it registered/insured etc. Street legal. Serious repairs should one arise? Anyone with insight. I wouldn't mind trying if it seems doable.

Google "diesel toyota van" and you'll get to Yukon Outback importers up in Canadia. Unfortunately it seems like US imports must be 25 years old to qualify... only 15 years for Canada. They're also right-hand drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRZzk...elated&search=

I have one in canada, love it, but I dont think you can reg one in the US, 25 years old or more only, so 82 or older only.

mine is a 88 hilux, 4 door, 4WD, diesel.

LOVE IT

This is for importing diesel Land Cruisers into the States but the information/requirements/headaches will be the same for a Hilux ...
http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=10164

Unfortunately, most 20+ year old vehicles coming out of Canada have horrible rust. It's much easier to put a diesel engine (of any kind) into a US Toyota gasser. It's just going to cost a fair amount to do the swap.

Toyota doesn't really want these coming into the States due to the repair headaches should someone take one into a dealer. The parts aren't easily available and will need to be mail ordered. If you're near Canada, you could I suppose cross the border for repairs.

There's a reason why thousands of Toyota and diesel fans haven't brought these into the States in droves. It can be done but it's not easy.

isn't a t100 the same thing as a hilux?

what if you had a buddy register it in canada and just drove it around down here with canadian plates?

you'll pay more than you'll ever save

Originally Posted by YetiMan

what if you had a buddy register it in canada and just drove it around down here with canadian plates?

I've roadtripped with mine thru the US, and I can sell it, but anyone in the US can't register, insure. you can buy it, just not use it (maybe on private land only?)

If you want more info I have a bunch of links and info.

You can import whatever you like to the USA, just the bullshit and cost is prohibative unless over 25 years old.

But the gas powered model is identical to the diesel...well near enough. All you need is an engine. And yes you can legaly do this in most states. In thoses that give you trouble, you register it as a home built hot rod!

For parts (and the diesel engine in the first place) welcome to the internet!

The above is also true for those who want diesel and or 4wd VW etc. that exist in the rest of the world.

caution: Idris may be right for most places but utah has some tight laws about engine swaps.

fucking nanny state. most republican state in the union won't let me change engines in my truck.

anyway... look before you leap

YetiMan as far as I understand it you have to re register your vehicle from scratch, not that this isn't a pain but it is doable. This was in PA but I understand there are similarities in how their DoT's work. In Nevada (again as far as I understand) they don't give a rats arse what you do under the hood.

If you're serious about swapping to a diesel engine (it won't be cheap, as stated above) send a note to the guy at this site: http://cruisers.shoumatoffmedia.com/index.html.
He's on the Land Cruiser forum all the time, running bio in a Cummins diesel engine in his Toyota Land Cruiser. Lives in Park City. He was able to do it.
Diesel engines are relatively cheap to obtain, but finding a mechanic to do the swap won't be. It's not just plug and play. I've heard of guys paying as much as 10k to go diesel. The car will never be worth all the money you put into it, but that's how things usually go with mods on trucks.

[QUOTE=mntlion;1197800] you can buy it, just not use it (maybe on private land only?)
[\QUOTE]

True. As I said in some earlier diesel toyota thread, the use of diesel toyota land cruisers and hiluxes as underground transport and service\support platforms is pretty widespread in the US underground mining industry.