Importing Aussie Toyota Troop Carrier to UK
 

I have been running around for the last six months trying to source a suitable vehicle for the sahara, other worldwide overland trips and for general use in rural Devon (carting pigs to market + 2 kids, dogs etc). Whilst I have listened too, and noted the arguments for and against Land Rovers does anyone have any experience of importing a Troop Carrier HJZ78 (or earlier) into the UK from Australia. There seams to be tons available in Oz, why do we not see many more here in the UK. I' am aware of the shipping cahrges and VAT. Is there a problem with maintenance, parts availabilty, emmisions etc in the UK? I would love to hear from anyone with any experience of doing this so that I' am aware of the pitfalls. What with the list of extras that come as standard i.e. air con etc it seems to me that you get a lot of vehicle for the money. Thanks in advance.

Hi Ian

try contacting Eddie Priscott at Frogd Island, he imported a Troopie for a couple of guys to do an Overland trip - reasonably recently I think - so may have some info that would be helpful.
Please post up any info that you get as there will undoubtedly be others who are thinking along the same lines - me included.

Regards

Maybe worth calling Milner Offroad (http://www.milneroffroad.com/)who many get their Toyota parts from and asking them. I think Toyota themselves sometimes won't work in imports (just read that on Landcruiser list - not sure if it's true?).

Also, you can probably fit 2 in a shipping container?

Thanks Darrin
I just spoke to Milner Off Road who tell me that they have ample supplies of parts for the HJZ78. Although they are expensive they are readily available as they supply them to the UN.
Thanks for your help

Hi Chris
I spoke to Eddie P at Frog Island. He does import these vehicles from Middle East as new but LHD. On the road with all the extras and registered in the UK @£23,500 including VAT (allow 40 day delivery, payment with order). He does not deal with 2nd hand vehicles as the 4.2 does not conform to Euro 4 emissions. Any ideas if a 2nd hand Aussie import could be made to comply with Euro 4 emissions.

My gut feel is that the Troopies sold in Australia will exceed the overall requirements for safety and emissions, but will fail in other areas, it will be something niggling and expensive like tyres. The best thing I can advise is that you have a look at www.dotars.gov.au who control the design rules (ADRs) for new vehicles imported into Australia. They have a checklist for private import vehicles (email me and I can send you a copy its large so hope you have broadband) which you should be able to check off against the UK construction and use regs (do they still exist). Australia has had side intrusion protection, seat belts, etc since the late 80s.

There are RoRo services available ex all major ports, containers in my opinion are an extra hassle and often an extra cost by the time its loaded. Advantage is that you can stuff the container with other spares.

Just be aware that a lot of Troopies lead a hard life - mine work is common in my part of Queensland and coal dust rots out a Troopy very quickly. Beach driving is also fairly common - and if you thought road salting is hard on a vehicle just drive down a beach for 80kms and see how much bare metal appears.

The RACQ (equivalent of the AA/RAC) do pre purchase inspections and its a good way of knowing what you are buying.

Exporting a vehicle is dead easy - you put it on a boat.

Last time I was in Dubai I saw a couple at the huge secord hand car place (can't remember the name of the place, perhaps someone from there knows?), and they were new - left over from a larger order IIRC. They looked great, and were about USD 25k IIRC, which even with shipping and tax is a bit cheaper than GBP23k... And you can have a nice holiday while you're out there. You could also drive it back, if you could get hold of an elusive Saudi transit visa... :)

Nick.

Earlier this year I again thought about bringing in a 78 or even a 79 from Australia where I go regularly and know the TLC scene. But they're no bargain out there despite their popularity and overall it's just too expensive compared to what you get here or in Europe - I think that's why so few go through with it.
Dont forget you're paying VAT + 5% on the car and the shipping.
In the end, as LHD would not be a bother I'd sooner buy from Europe (new from France or Belgium for about the same price new as Frogs - http://www.sealandsafari.com/) as the emission - which I believe could be the main hurdle from Au - is at Euro standards (see below*). In fact there is a guy - ?Charlesworth? in Stanford, who can bring them in. Or scour the Fr, Be and NL car web sites with "HJZ78 a vendre" and you'll soon find something a few years old just over the channel and easy to check out for around 15k. Often with twin tanks, a/c, etc.

And then you end up thinking well what's so bad about 5ks worth of VX easily found in the UK, even if everyone else has got one. Or even a 60 in good shape? Pigs would feel right at home in the back of that one ;-)

Chris S

* Actually I see on SLS that the C02 from a new non-turbo Troopie is the same as a 110 after they fit this Euro 3 gadget: http://www.sealandsafari.com/IMMOTEUR/EURO3
I guess it could be fitted to any old Troopie.

http://www.cruiser-connection.de
for second hand (little) and new Landcruisers.
They also send parts worldwide.

Developments
 

Hi Ian

have you got any further with this or given up??

Chris

Another thought v troopie
 

Ian,

Hi there, I am from Australia and thought you may like some comment about your plans. If you are only having two people in the vehicle there is another option to the troopie.

I have been building up a decent overland vehicle based on 79 series Toyota cab chassis. It has a custom built steel framed and colorbond canopy suitable for sleeping of two peolple and all the gear. No tent required.

This 79 series 4.2 di turbo was $AU30k with 125,000km on the clock 12 months ago. The canopy was made in Victoria and cost $AU10k including an 80L installed gravity feed water tank. The balance of the fitout has been about $AU2-3k.

Cheers Chris

Progress.......????
 

Hi Ian

have you taken this any further????

Chris

Hello Chris

I gave up. The costs outwieghed the benifits in the end so I have ended up with a Land Rover Td5 110 Double Cab. Very please with it at the moment. Thanks for your help though.

UK authorities
 

Hi there

I've started to make some enquiries about the same thing, ie taking a troopy to th UK. I got in contact with people from this site.

VOSA corporate website

The lady who replied to my query said that if a vehicle is over 10 years old when importing it, it only needs to have an MOT done, which is like a roadworthy. If it is less than ten years old, the you need to have some other inspections done as well. Seems the wrong way around to me for doing the inspections if it is less than 10 years and vica versa, but that is what she said.

Hope this helps
Pumbaa

Bringing LR into UK from SA?
 

Hi - Bit a red herring, but I am considering importing a Land Rover from South Africa into the UK permanently.

This thread has indicated that all I have to pay is shipping + VAT + 5%. The vehicle will prob be just over 10yrs old, so I will only have to get a MOT and a V5.

Can someone please confirm that to me, and tell me if there is anything else I should worry about (other than driving a LR!).

Cheers.