The ONLY reason they suck though is they are not available here! I was looking at the Australian and European specs, and they are AMAZING! Check this out:

Available with Dual solid axles with coils all around.
A 3 liter Diesel with 155 hp and 300+ torque.
21 mpg city driving!
32 mpg on the highway!!!!
optional rear factory locker!
Ractory rear sway bar disconnects, electronically from the cab!
And to top it off, leather and real wood interior with seating for 7!

All this for a starting price around $30k. Anyone know the importing and taxation laws regarding importing cars from abroad? The $2500 shipping doesnt seem so bad.

Joel,

Check your PM..

Yup it would rule offroad

MVM


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www.wheelohio.com
mark@wheelohio.com

even if you got one imported, the driver is still on the right hand side and not left.

I wouldnt worry too much about what side you are driving from.. I'd worry more about the federalization that you'd have to pay for to have to the truck legalized here. Expect to spend another $10-15k getting the truck to meet federal crash standards (door reinforcement, airbags, etc) and emission standards.. It could be done though.

I know some guys that had a grey market '85 benz imported and then had it federalized for about $7000.

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john, can you loan me the money for that thing

quote:

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Originally posted by datz510:
I wouldnt worry too much about what side you are driving from.. I'd worry more about the federalization that you'd have to pay for to have to the truck legalized here. Expect to spend another $10-15k getting the truck to meet federal crash standards (door reinforcement, airbags, etc) and emission standards.. It could be done though.

I know some guys that had a grey market '85 benz imported and then had it federalized for about $7000.

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http://www.netsnapshot.com/pcw/pickalbum?roadtrips

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Door reinforcements ? Airbags ? Left hand drive ? <-- That's all stock !! European models come with dual airbags, door reinforcements and the steering on the left hand side (except UK, but they get drowned soon anyway ). Shouldn't be too much a hassle to get it federalized, only emissions could be critical.
Man, I love my Patrol

BART's world can now be found under Offroad-Events.org and NissanPatrol.de

'82 Patrol solid/solid on 33x9.5 BFG MT's

If you're not living on the edge,you're takin' up too much space !...and doors are for wusses

Yep, emissions on that diesel would be the 900 lb. gorilla.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock

Shouldnt be too difficult. basically a bunch of add-on stuff to get it within emissions standards. Might involve reprogramming the ECU if it has one.

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As far as I know, Diesels are exempt from emissions. It is definately something to check into.

Not all diesel are exempt. The only one that are exempt would be the big diesel commerical trucks.

I know Diesels dont need smog/emissions checks in Ca. They must have to meet some standards at the time of sale then.

I have also heard of people purchasing new cars in Europe new, and driving them for a few thousand miles over there on vacation and putting it on a boat before they come home. I don't have the facts, but if I remember right, because they used the car over there and are importing it for personal use, they have a much easier time importing it. The ones I heard of are BMW's and Benz's to save money on the purchase. I have not heard of other models not available here though. That 'might' have something to do with emissions.

A guy in NC has nearly completed a swap of an '01 Nissan 4.2L turbo-diesel into his Hardbody...

Brent

Correction, it's a never-used '02 engine.

Brent

Dont even think about it! You will drive yourself truely insane just trying to bring in into the country. Since I own a Pinzgauer I have been through the hassle of importation. If you have a vehicle that is over 25 years old it is just a paperwork nightmare. If it is under 25 years old and the vehicle in question is not available in the US then you will have to pass all the safety testing. This includes crash testing. You would need to buy at least two of them and hope that you can get one to pass the tests so that modifications can be done to the other. The "benz" mentioned before was most likely a european version of a vehicle that was available in the US. If so you can take it and have everything added to bring it to DOT spec and they will allow you to bring it in.

Trust me you DO NOT want to think about it. If you want a patrol look for one that is older than 25 years and bring it in. You would be far better off financally and you would still have one hell of a truck.