Importing an early 70 series

[chirigringo]

This coming summer I'm planning to spend about six weeks in Panama visiting family and touring parts of the isthmus I have not seen on other trips. I am considering buying a 4x4 in Panama for our use with the possibility of driving it back to the USA for resale. I know I need to find a 25 year old vehicle for legal import which means the early 70 series are a good option or maybe BJ40 or Hilux. I started researching on IH8Mud and in here but am starting to get overwhelmed by all the engine model numbers. My question is, what are the desirable specs to a prospective buyer here in the States? Will pretty much any diesel Toyota in good shape find a buyer here or do I need to target a particular model? What else should I keep in mind? Thanks for your input, guys.
-Michael

 

[Hltoppr]

Early 70s and BJ40s will have the 3 or 3B diesel. I'm not quite sure what options would be most sought after....but I'd think, at least for a 70 series, a turbo, air conditioning and power steering would be high on the list.

The easiest way to import it legally is to use a regisered importer to do your paperwork. When my 70 was brought from Canada it ran about $600.00 for the import fee. Now, realize that the 40 series have a 10 digit vin #, which, unless it is earlier than 1981, will not jive with the DMV computers, which only like 17 digit vins.

I think our member GaryMC here has been waiting over a year and a half to get his new vin assigned....

The 70 series rigs should have 17 digit vins already.

HTH

-H-

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Don't buy one with anything other than the 3B diesel. 5 speed is preferred. Looks for rust and moisture buildup / body rot behind the wheels as 70 series rust pretty easily, even in Central America. That is about it & good luck. You may want to look Tapage in Panama City who is a local cruiserhead who's English is also very good and knows his diesels. I wasn't aware the diesel 70 series were available there, back then, but you may want to look into it. He may have some leads etc. Best, Andre

http://forum.ih8mud.com/members/tapage.html

 

[cruiser guy]

Central American mechanics are great at band-aid solutions, not so great at fixing things RIGHT. Be careful for booty-fab repair work 'cause you're likely to see A LOT of it!

 

[Grease Cruiser]

Early 70s and BJ40s will have the 3 or 3B diesel. I'm not quite sure what options would be most sought after....but I'd think, at least for a 70 series, a turbo, air conditioning and power steering would be high on the list.

The easiest way to import it legally is to use a regisered importer to do your paperwork. When my 70 was brought from Canada it ran about $600.00 for the import fee. Now, realize that the 40 series have a 10 digit vin #, which, unless it is earlier than 1981, will not jive with the DMV computers, which only like 17 digit vins.

I think our member GaryMC here has been waiting over a year and a half to get his new vin assigned....

The 70 series rigs should have 17 digit vins already.

HTH

-H-

Not all 70 series will have 17 digit VIN's. I've seen 2002 HZJ79's that only have 12 digits. The 17 digit VIN's were for North American models only and Toyota did not have to abide by this rule for other markets, even their own.

Not to discourage you from doing this, but you better be spending some time searching for a good clean rig. You also better have some pretty good Spanish as you will more than likely get "Gringo" prices.

The last time I was in Central America (about 6 months ago), I only saw a handful of Cruisers that were 25 years or older. They were completely beat to crap and not worth bringing them up here. I don't even think they would make it with all their band aid fixes. They use their rigs hard down there but many are still kicking........barely.

With that being said, like others have mentioned, I'd look for a diesel with a 5 speed. AC would be nice but probably pretty hard to find it on a truck that old, especially working. Look for rust and bondo. They like to use a LOT of filler. Also, look for a hodge podge of parts. They use what they have and what kind of fits. Also, look for cracked and broken frames, did I mention they use their rigs hard down there?

 

[chirigringo]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate any info I can get. I might be kidding myself that I can pull this off but at least I have time to do some research.
I plan to enlist my family to help locate and negotiate. Most likely I'll be looking in Panama City and David and hopefully find a truck that spent its life in the city. Panama is a little more affluent than most of Central America so maybe that will equate to better overall condition of the used car stock. Here are a couple trucks I've found online so far that look interesting:
1980 BJ40
1987 BJ70 Not quite old enough but close.
Anyone have recommendations for Registered Importers?
-Michael

 

[charlieaarons]

You just might find a turbo 13BT in a SWB 70. Maybe. I agree though with the "hard use" theory.
My $0.02: Find a nice FJ60/62 used for a grocery getter in the southern tier of states. After careful consideration transplant either a 3B + aftermarket turbo, a 13BT, a 1HZ, a turbo 1HZ (whatever it's called) or an International 2.8/3.0L 4 cyl. Think long and hard before doing a Cummins 4BT, don't even consider a 6BT Cummins. With the Toyota engines use a H55F 5spd, with the Int'l either H55F, NV4500 but look into the possibility of a ZF S5-42/47 and even S6-650 6spd (!?!?!!!OMG that would be cool). OME or other quality suspension, other upgrades.
Any 25yo vehicle from Panama is likely to be a true beater unless you are incredibly lucky.
If you go the States route with a 60, all you need is body and frame integrity. I even see seemingly rust free 60s here in Anchorage, definitely grocery-getters.
With the economy being what it is I have seen diesel transplant 60s, done by professional shops with good reps for that particular thing, for sale at bargain prices.

Charlie

 

[Christian P.]

my Australian HJZ75 is from 1988 and does not have a 17 digit VIN - only 10 or 12 digit...

 

[Grease Cruiser]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate any info I can get. I might be kidding myself that I can pull this off but at least I have time to do some research.
I plan to enlist my family to help locate and negotiate. Most likely I'll be looking in Panama City and David and hopefully find a truck that spent its life in the city. Panama is a little more affluent than most of Central America so maybe that will equate to better overall condition of the used car stock. Here are a couple trucks I've found online so far that look interesting:
1980 BJ40
1987 BJ70 Not quite old enough but close.
Anyone have recommendations for Registered Importers?
-Michael

The two that you have found look OK but they both have been repainted. Be careful of what may be lurking under there. I'm guessing quite a bit of bondo.

I'm guessing the BJ40 is "restored" by a Land Cruiser enthusiast as there are other 40 series behind as well as some parts. Also notice the lack of emblems and the mismatched wheels. That particular truck has drum brakes as you can see the overspray from when someone painted the wheels while still on the vehicle.

Also be aware that Central American trucks may not have the same amenities as US trucks, especially the 40 series. They came from Japan as CKD's (Completely Knocked Down). Central America did not get front disc brakes until later, hence that BJ40 having front drums. For comparison, the US got front disc brakes in late 1976. Also, I have seen many Central American 40 series with no heaters. It does not get that cold there so why put in a heater? It will also most likely not have a front dash pad for crash safety purposes.

That red BJ40 is priced at $4000 US which is not bad IF it is not a total POS. But, by the time you get it up here (if it makes the drive), I highly doubt that you will make much money on it. A few years ago, that BJ40 might have sold for $10K-$12K but in this market, I don't think it would bring $6000.

Also, that BJ40 has the "B" diesel, which is not the most desirable engine. It's OK but a 3B is a lot better. That BJ70 will have the 3B but it's an 1987 which is a little young to come in legally.

My $.02

 

[chirigringo]

Thanks again, guys. That's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. It might be that I just need to find something for my travels while I'm in Panama and leave it there when I'm done. If I get lucky and find a clean, desirable, and import legal rig, all the better.
-Michael

 

[Hltoppr]

If you really want a 70, take a look at IH8MUD. Canadian ones come up more frequently than you'd think; some have already been imported. Plus, if a 70 was ordered as new to a Canadian dealership, you may even be able to import it before it is 25 years old....that's how mine is here.

-H-

 

[Grease Cruiser]

Yes, you can import a Canadian spec 70 series without it being 25 years or older. I had an 85 that was legally imported. It's not a big deal, pretty straight forward. The hardest thing is actually finding a good candidate BJ70 to import.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I would not even consider a B or H engine personally. 3B or 2H bare min. This unfortunately knocks out a BJ40. There are some rare BJ40 Japanese Market occasionally in Canada that can qualify for import that have a very rare 2H. I probably wouldn't consider one of these either unfortunately as well.. Good luck!

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

This coming summer I'm planning to spend about six weeks in Panama visiting family and touring parts of the isthmus I have not seen on other trips. I am considering buying a 4x4 in Panama for our use with the possibility of driving it back to the USA for resale. I know I need to find a 25 year old vehicle for legal import which means the early 70 series are a good option or maybe BJ40 or Hilux. I started researching on IH8Mud and in here but am starting to get overwhelmed by all the engine model numbers. My question is, what are the desirable specs to a prospective buyer here in the States? Will pretty much any diesel Toyota in good shape find a buyer here or do I need to target a particular model? What else should I keep in mind? Thanks for your input, guys.
-Michael

I have a 73 series with considerable mods for sale, if interested email me per profile.