Guide to Foreign (Non-USA) Model Toyotas

[Rocksurfer]

They're not screwing us, they are protecting us. They force us to buy inferior products by not allowing superior products of other countries to be sold here.

[axled89]

sounds like it.   i really want one. ha hah a

[kneedownnate]

I believe a big determining factor in toyota selling vehicles here that are sold overseas isn't that they'll put the big 3 out of business, it's that (aside from the tariffs and taxes) they have to pass very stringent safety measures and go through a ton of red tape in order to import each model.  It boils down to which models toyota feels are worth paying to have all this done to in order to sell here, which models will sell well enough to justify the cost and effort. 

They were taking a big enough chance when they brought the 4wd hilux over, and had they brought the 4 doors over at the same time and lost money, who knows where they'd be in the US market today.  Same goes for the rough and simple land cruisers.  Americans were leaning more and more toward luxury than pure simple strength, so our landcruisers evolved into the cushy milf-mobiles they are today.

What's funny is nissan, mazda and toyota did the same with their front line sports cars, which ultimately led to the demise of each, then 2 of the 3 brought them back as a much cheaper but still great sports car, and the 3rd has made mention of doing the same but I don't think it's written in stone yet. 

[axled89]

yeh man!  i think your probaly wright.    but they still suck.

[46&2]

Stole these pics from Fongs but had to put them here because that is like my dream 70 Series LC right there... so sweet.... 

[46&2]

Latest Generation Toyota Hilux from Australia (IMO, this body styling is FAR more attractive than the current Tacoma of the same generation here in the States)





The Hilux was seen frequently as armored military vehicles in the recent sci fi movie District 9:



And here is one from a race overseas somewhere:

[86turboyota]

Latest Generation Toyota Hilux from Australia (IMO, this body styling is FAR more attractive than the current Tacoma of the same generation here in the States)





The Hilux was seen frequently as armored military vehicles in the recent sci fi movie District 9:



And here is one from a race overseas somewhere:

I love that body style,  and i though i saw toyotas in district 9 .  very cool

[86turboyota]

this is actually the latest body style according to toyota of australia's website... pretty sure the old gen taco body style is no more

[kneedownnate]

The black one looks like the ones built for some south american countries iirc.  The one 46&2 posted looks very very similar to the last generation tacoma with a different grille setup and bigger, more square flares 

[46&2]

86 is right I believe, Toyota merges the generations so much with overseas models its hard to tell them apart sometimes, especially with aftermarket bumpers on them. I still think that new Hilux 86 posted looks a lot more attractive than the new Tacomas...

[8D3TOY]

Thread on Pirate about importing early double cabs

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=835555

[46&2]

Thread on Pirate about importing early double cabs

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=835555

Nice, thanks for that link.

[8D3TOY]

http://www.bordercenter.org/chem/vehicles.htm

More info, sounds complicated.

[46&2]

http://www.bordercenter.org/chem/vehicles.htm

More info, sounds complicated.

Yeah, I think I'd probably try and make my own before going through all that.

[kneedownnate]

Sounds like the best route would be importing a cab and fabbing from there.  I like the idea of driving to south america, buying a 4 door first gen and driving it back though 

[8D3TOY]

For me it would have to be a complete roller, less engine if need be.  I have read up on it a bit most of the info out there is imp/exp between the U.S. and Canada.  There was a guy who wrote about bringing a diesel cruiser up from South America and said it was pretty easy just alot of waiting and wondering.  He used an importer so all the paperwork went smooth and the red tape started when he went to pick it up at the harbor (port of San Francisco) thats when they wanted all kinds of documents he had never heard of.  He got it home and to ease the whole DMV thing began building an American cruiser out of the South American one.  The article was never updated (1998)so don't know how registration went.  I imagine fooling the DMV would be easy, I have been doing it for years.

[8D3TOY]

Tons of internet research brings me to the conclusion that if you imported a 25 year or older 4 door, diesel you would not need to go through the EPA/DOT process.  The list of approved imports as far as I can tell never included the Hilux,  this is the only possible hangup as it would be on you or your importer to show that it is the same as the U.S. production model.  All internet claims are that Toyota followed the strictest guidlines (U.S.) for all production regardless of country it was being sent to.  It could get tricky with a right hand drive model as many states designated that for postal or special pupose recently so you would be commiting fraud in their eyes if you went that route and your vehicle would be subject to seizure and scrappage.  It has happened to a few already.  So now the big question is how common are 1st Gen. 4 door diesels down south?

[46&2]

Tons of internet research brings me to the conclusion that if you imported a 25 year or older 4 door, diesel you would not need to go through the EPA/DOT process.  The list of approved imports as far as I can tell never included the Hilux,  this is the only possible hangup as it would be on you or your importer to show that it is the same as the U.S. production model.  All internet claims are that Toyota followed the strictest guidlines (U.S.) for all production regardless of country it was being sent to.  It could get tricky with a right hand drive model as many states designated that for postal or special pupose recently so you would be commiting fraud in their eyes if you went that route and your vehicle would be subject to seizure and scrappage.  It has happened to a few already.  So now the big question is how common are 1st Gen. 4 door diesels down south?

I would assume they are pretty rare at this point. I see very few pictures of first gen 4 doors.

[46&2]

2007 Hilux 4x4 D4D

[46&2]

Some military war-yotas from the Sultanate of Oman

[86turboyota]

ill take one of each please

[46&2]

ill take one of each please

I rather like the topless 70 series myself hehe

[46&2]

North Patagonia

[CrazyYota]

North Patagonia

I like the Toyota hood ornament on the army toy.

[46&2]

I like the Toyota hood ornament on the army toy.

Lol I didn't even notice that!

[BlueRidge2016]

 

[46&2]

[fabio_pt]

here is mine form portugal

[46&2]

Very nice!! 

[richardmud]

the limo of 4runner boys thats bad ass

icelandic version