hate to repost if it is... Defender Import... Not dreaming lol.

B

broken rover

Guest
Well, my first thread here was a bad one, so I'm back again seeking input and hopefully it will be positive.

I have more family located in the UK and Ireland than here in the states. The last few trips to Ireland, I was able to spend alot of time with Defenders as my family owns 2 of them, and take them to rock quarries every weekend for some offroading. I had toyed with the notion of importing one, and after minor research I was able to see that it had to be 25 years old.

Without question, the 90 or 110 would be a diesel, however the early diesels are 68HP I believe with nearly zero ammenities. My question is for those who have looked deeply into this, or have imported one, can you legally import one that has a newer engine? My cousin is a mechanic who owns the Defenders and can do the swap for me. Another question, is it relatively simple to retro fit A/C into an older model? I really only would like radio, A/C and maybe power windows. I have a home in florida where I could swap the motor later, but I really would like it shipped here completed if possible for several reasons.

I could afford a newer model, and would love to have one but we cant get those here. Why not a NAS Defender? The price (inflated), and the simple fact that I do not want a V8. I also want a hard top with panels, not windows (like a work truck). Any detailed info is appreciated, and if anyone else is interested in doing similar, I'm sure my cousin wouldnt mind looking over a truck if it is reasonably close to him. Thanks.
 
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
Basically, it's grey...and your never going to get a answer on a public forum...contacting one of the many vendors that import is going to fetch you the best, most reliable information, without the bullshit or the debate over what's legal and what's not.

Couple of contacts:
globallandrovers.com: Julian is exporting trucks to US on a regular basis and whom I bought mine from
dividingcreekroverimports.com: Doug is a great source for information, and is a import agent who is handling the US side of my import

There are others, and I can't wait for the bullshit to start flying about the EPA, DOT...
Then they'll be the comments from every swinging dick that has an opinion about what's legal and what's not.

The best advice I can from someone who has done the research and is bringing a truck over, talk to the people that do this, and get the facts and information them...
 
Last edited:
aliastel

aliastel

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2009
942
0
Champaign, IL
Mongo said:
Basically, it's grey...and your never going to get a answer on a public forum...contacting one of the many vendors that import is going to fetch you the best, most reliable information, without the bullshit or the debate over what's legal and what's not.

Couple of contacts:
globallandrovers.com: Julian is exporting trucks to US on a regular basis and whom I bought mine from
dividingcreekroverimports.com: Doug is a great source for information, and is a import agent who is handling the US side of my import

There are others, and I can't wait for the bullshit to start flying about the EPA, DOT...
Then they'll be the comments from every swinging dick that has an opinion about what's legal and what's not.

The best advice I can from someone who has done the research and is bringing a truck over, talk to the people that do this, and get the facts and information them...
Click to expand...

Good advice. Trust me, we just went through all this on the forum. Correct me if I'm wrong out there, but if you go through an importer, they should bear at least part of the the responsibility of bringing a vehicle in if anything goes wrong on the legal side.
 
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
Depends...it up to you to work out with them the specifics...
 
aliastel

aliastel

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2009
942
0
Champaign, IL
Mongo said:
Depends...it up to you to work out with them the specifics...
Click to expand...

True . . . it depends on how they are representing what they are importing. Disclaimers are everything.
If they state that it's your risk and you're worried about that, then just make sure that you do your own homework to see what the legal situation is. There's plenty of info out there. The EPA website has all of the regs and they also have a question/answer line. The other federal site to look at is the NHTSA. Then you know where you stand and can make an informed decision.
 
Last edited:
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
not saying ignore the laws, as matter it's actually the starting point, but listening to people spout off about rules and reg's is only going to cloud what the reality of importing a truck is. You really need to talk to people with ACTUAL experience so you can get your facts straight...

Trucks wouldn't be imported at the rate they are if there were issues...but a public forum is not where to get the info. Save yourself a boatload of bullshit and contact the guy's who do this, day in, day out
 
mbs13

mbs13

Well-known member
Mar 23, 2008
284
0
Chicagoland
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml Start here and then speak with an experienced and reputable Broker/Importer who has imported vehicles before. Just like Mongo said.

Find out what fees you'd be responsible for up front if it isn't cleared on time as planned (storage,demurage,exam, etc). As a Customs Broker I speak with people all the time who "thought" one thing and then get stuck with a large bill for fees after arrival into the US.

Also keep in mind that if you are listed as the Importer of Record on the import documents, you'll be on the hook with Customs/EPA/DOT even if the Broker/Importer screws up the paperwork. Think of it as filing your taxes. The Tax preparer/filer should step up and take care of any mistakes, but if they don't, you'd still have to work it out with the IRS.
 
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
Exactly...doing this yourself can easily turn it into a cluster fuck...
 
specops1526

specops1526

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2007
845
11
Los Angeles, CA
aliastel

aliastel

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2009
942
0
Champaign, IL
specops1526 said:
If you want a true PUMA, consider this truck: http://inventory.ogaracoach.com/ind...ry&view=article&id=103&Itemid=77&carid=208059

Or talk to Doug at Dividing Creek Rovers to help you import a truck: http://www.dividingcreekroverimports.com/

my guess is you can do a couple of things:

1. dismantle a truck and ship the parts over then build a truck
2. do a VIN swap on a new PUMA

Not sure what will work but if you want it bad enough...
Click to expand...


Mmmm . . . Dismantling a truck, importing and reassembling . . . . Swapping VINs. Two ways to say felony . . . Any importer who tells you otherwise is misleading you. As mbs13 wrote above, you are on the hook as the Importer of Record. Read this:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4525420
 
Last edited:
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
There is a easy way, buy a 1983 or 1984 and import it...and it's 100% legal.

I was waiting for this to get stupid...
 
B

broken rover

Guest
ChristopherP said:
Agreed but that's not what he was asking.
Click to expand...

No, to be fair Mongo said from the start that it is easy, just alot of mis-information running rampant. Guess what, he is 100% correct and it is important to go the proper avenues.

Importing an old truck (25 yrs)isnt exactly hard as I have read/ seen (see d-90.com), however paperwork showing vintage and other associated things are a little harder to obtain than a truck. The way I see it, 99/100 of these trucks will need a complete restoration. So you see an old truck listed for a few grand, and when it's all said and done that few grand turns into 15 grand if you are lucky to have a decent truck.

To me, it is worth it because I plan on selling my Disco if I keep it in NY, and I'll replace it with the Defender which I'll keep in Florida and actually use it offroad. I can also say that money into a Defender is better spent than money in a Disco considering the tanking values.

So would we all have Defenders? Sure, people may say that but you can't get a bank loan for the $10-20K (pending on restoration quality, if you DIY) and most people just wouldnt spend that money on a model that is 25 years old. Thats like saying everyone would drive a classic restored Land Cruiser, Jeep, or Bronco..

Either way, I am taking all of the advice I can, trying to do some research of my own for my specific needs, and in the near future I'll have a good write up on how I imported mine. I would love a Puma, but I'll be just as happy with a late model body update, interior update, and the most updated mechanicals as possible. I am going to Ireland in 3 weeks so I'm going to an offroad charity event there and I'll test and compare all of the various engines to see if a TD5 swap is worth it or not etc. I'm also going hunting in the junk yards to get a feel for prices, and availability. That might be useful in the future for some of us considering the Euro in IRL is cheaper than the pound as far as exchange rates go.
 
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
ChristopherP said:
Agreed but that's not what he was asking.
Click to expand...

Danny wanted to know what is possible, practical and how to do it...Having done this, the best advice is use companies that work with Importing (US) and Exporting (UK) on a regular basis.

As for the legality of what legal to bring in. Once again, do research with companies bringing trucks over, find out where the hardships lie and go from there. Trucks have been being brought over well before the 25 year rule and will continue to be imported so quoting what legal based on reading something on the internet is stupid.

What's the difference between a restored 1983 D110 and restored 1983 Corvette? Vin swapping is 100% illegal. Do it and run the risk of losing the truck, but a restored D110 still needs to pass Mot and get a V5 for export. With those, it's as simple as filling out the paperwork and getting it on a boat (not that easy, but that's the process).

So yes, it is that easy, it answered his question as you will NEVER get a CAST IN STONE ANSWER as to what's legal and what isn't, especially on the interenet and in a public forum.
 
Tugela

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,763
564
Seattle
I have a UK passport if anyone wants to fly me to England so I can bring you back a diesel Defender. I give you good price.:cool:
 
Mongo

Mongo

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
5,731
2
59
specops1526 said:
If you want a true PUMA, consider this truck: http://inventory.ogaracoach.com/ind...ry&view=article&id=103&Itemid=77&carid=208059

Or talk to Doug at Dividing Creek Rovers to help you import a truck: http://www.dividingcreekroverimports.com/

my guess is you can do a couple of things:

1. dismantle a truck and ship the parts over then build a truck
2. do a VIN swap on a new PUMA

Not sure what will work but if you want it bad enough...
Click to expand...

the PUMA, Julian from Global Land rovers brought over...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom