What does it take to get a Mexican Hilux to be US street legal?

I was looking at a toyota dealership right south of the border of Texas and they've got 2021 Diesel 4x4 Hilux's *drool*

I've heard that the reason you don't see these very often in the US is that it would cost too much to convert them to US specs.

So what are we talking about; emissions? What all has to be done to them? Anyone ever did the math?

 

I think it would be easier to just get resident status in Mexico and then drive it over and work here.

 

You can’t. It doesn’t pass the 25 year old import law. I believe the emissions conversions only apply for pre 1995 vehicles.

Find somewhere to register it in Canada or Mexico and just drive it in the states.

 

Welcome to TW!

You will not be able to register that stateside until 2046, as that's when it'll be considered an antique (25 years). It is legal to drive it into the United States it it's registered in Mexico, but you'd never be able to get an American title for it. Also, the Hilux was never crash-tested in America so there's that...

 

Thank you!

Ah yeah that's... quite the obstacle.

 

Not a bad idea. There's some good off roading to be had in Mexico, especially in the central region, lots of old mining roads and mountains.

 

Fun to think about though. So many cool vehicles out there that we don’t get. A lady in my neighborhood has a 1990s Mexican VW Beetle with a 1968 U.S. title and floor pan (for the VIN). Some specialty importer was doing that.

 

Come to Florida and get somebody to import it “kinda legally”. It’s easy here... my buddy daily drives a skyline R33 GTR, amongst many other R34 skylines here that are nowhere near 25 years old. They are registered and insured... pm me if you need info.

 

Florida...

The car enthusiast's dream!

 

why does your name have a line through it? I thought that was for people who were banned lol

 

Dark blue is banned; Light blue like mine is Thin Blue Line/Police Support!

 

I see. I thought everyone just started getting banned left and right all of a sudden lol.

How do I get one? I still support police, while also being a supporter of bringing Hiluxes into the US before they’re legal

once I can afford it, I’ll post a build thread in the 2nd gen page and pretend like I don’t know what the fuss is about

 

Kinda the truth; You should check out the Banned Members Memorial Thread and see how many bans there were today!

 

I try to stay low now. I’ve been down that road... but I need access to TW haha

 

Is it mostly emissions or crash-testing or other mystery stuff to get a vehicle legal? Is it possible that a (temporary) engine swap would get you past the diesel problem?

 

I think we all have; Kind of a rite of passage...

 

No, the vehicle still varies too much from anything we have here. Basically, you’d have to import it in Florida and never register it in a state that does inspections.


PS: The Diesel Toys shop in Texas does hilux drivetrain conversions for around $25k

 

Which should tell you how damn expensive it is to make those engines emissions-compliant here; Would one of those diesel conversions be legal in California?

 

it’s not so much emissions, it’s labor and parts cost. They basically buy a new-ish hilux and strip it. Then make everything work in the taco. Then a good chunk of money to cover their overhead, because it’s not like they get tons of business.

It probably would not pass CA smog, however there are plenty of shops that will pass you if you pay them extra. When I lived out there, I saw many deleted diesel trucks with CA plates that should have failed. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get my Cummins registered there until I saw all these other dudes rolling coal. Lol

 

Problem with registering in mexico and working in the states is insurance.

Also the hilux isn't THAT special.

Land Cruiser Pickup? Ya lets do that.