2017 HILUX coming back to Florida Build

Just joined and figure I'll start a thread. I moved to Barbados June of 2017 with the State Department, prior to getting there I ordered and bought a new Hilux to use while there. Long story short, I love this truck and have decided to bring it back to the US (Even though I can sell it back to the dealer for the full price I paid within 3 years due to me getting it tax/ duty-free (60 percent less than a local would pay for it). I just won't have another opportunity to have a unique truck like this back in the US.

A little background: I love to hunt and fish, I usually have a 4x4 and love to offroad in central Florida swamps while hunting. I have had big trucks and they just really struggle in the soft mud and sugar sand in these areas. My last truck in Fl was a 2005 Gen One Tundra 4.7/4door/V8. It was just about the perfect truck for me, but it was pretty worn out with 200K plus.

I'll be back in Fl this time next year, the Gov will ship my truck to Orlando, I'll have to pay a bit more in insurance due to it being a right-hand drive (Barbados was UK territory).

Truck:
2017 Hilux Delux (Right below SR5) pretty basic but all the essentials
4x4 (Obviously)
3.0 Litre Common Rail Diesel Turbo w~ Intercooler
161hp/253lbs torque
Rear electronic Locker
32.5" Dick Cepek M/T's
10,000 KM's currently, I predict around 20K when I leave.

The only thing I did was put a set of M/T's on her, I brought those from the US in my home goods and sold the stock tires for more than I paid for the M/Ts due to the high price of tyres on the island. I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it so I didn't upgrade the suspension, to be completely blunt, it rides like dog crap, after all, it is essentially a commercial truck. This can be easily fixed, and once I have it back in FL I'll be upgrading quite a few things starting with the suspension.

I'll look for suggestions as I go through this thread and start ordering parts, but here is the rough plan, from a looks stand point I'm thinking Trophy Truck, we will see where it goes.

I want to be able to get 35" M/T on it without rubbing
Lighter blacked out Rims
Thinking 2-3: suspension lift
Shocks: Probably duel stage FOX Racing, possibly upgrade UCA/LCAs, rear shackles
Engine Chip to boost power
New rock sliders/steps (The stock ones stuck and I have dented one of them already from a rut)
Going to try and remove the chrome trim where possible
Upgraded stereo/sub if I can find a good spot for one

Eventually, I will do:
Front bumper (Trophy truck style) with wench
Partial/lower lineX paint (where I ride, bushes and scratches are a way of life)
Front Locker (ARB/AIR)

That's it for now, looking for good suggestions on Suspension Plan and Engine chip/upgrade, I know this engine is de-tuned quite a bit.

 

Beautiful truck. I always liked that current generation of Hilux.

Just a heads up, importing that Hilux to the states will be a chore. It doesn't meet the 25 year requirement to be EPA emissions exempt which means it will have to be compliant to be registered in the states. I'm saying this as an owner of a 1988 imported diesel Hilux. I just don't want you to be surprised if you run into issues getting it here.

But overall that is a sweet truck!

 

Slap some tacoma badges on it and import it back as a Tacoma

 

Getting it Physically here will not be a problem as it will be shipped via the Federal Govt. Not 100 percent sure on getting it registered, No reason I cannot get my documents together now and try to register it ahead of me moving back here and see what that looks like.

 

I live overseas as well, and I'm always jealous of the US consulate employees and NGOs driving around in their duty-free trucks.
60% would be decent compared to the 155% + plus another 14% for giggles on top of that, I would have to pay for a double cab.

 

I had talked to a guy at an Overland Expo who trains Special Ops in offroading. Special Ops uses the Hilux overseas, so they sponsored the EPA exemption for him. Evidently, without the exemption registration is next to impossible...

 

Its a nice truck but unlikely you'll be able to drive it in the US, shy of a business sponsorship. Even insurance won't be worth while.

 

If you get it back to the Us in Fl love to see this person. I have couple of suggestions for suspension. I highly recommend ADS due to the fact they hold up well do to are salty climate , and a rear 63 swap I know a guy in Fl not to far from Orlando that can do it.

 

Awesome! I love these new hilux trucks, keep us posted on getting it exempted. Be interesting to see how you fare, hoping it all works out.

 

Sup’d

 

Hate to say it, you have ‘more chance of falling pregnant’ that getting that legal/registered into the USA.

I wish you well and hope you do but you will literally be the first !

Pls prove me wrong; I would so love to see a newer Hilux on out shores. I’m a big fan of them having grown up in SA and they were all I/we drove.

 

I wonder how much he could sell a new, legally registered Hilux for in the US.

 

I have seen at least 3 in the last 1-3 years here in Ca.
Some people from Guatemala are bringing them in and selling them for up to 45k
They do pass the Ca emissions and having that in hand you it is easier to register them.
I am not sure how they bring it in and what the process is to bring it through customs.
I looked into an engine swap - found a rolled ex navy seal rig with a D4D and it all looks doable into the late model tacomas

 

Could you register it as a Tacoma?

 

Any updates? Curious if the OP did it!

 

man I am all over this, currently looking at importing an LC diesel

 

I see all kinds of vehicles that should never be here in the USA with Florida registrations. Most likely brought across the border with false customs and epa declarations. If you could get it here without lying on the paperwork at the port it probably isn't too difficult to title and register it in certain states.

 

This thing wouldn't be a problem to register in my little town in Idaho.
Just bought a 2002 wishing it had a diesel.
What is the cost to import a truck like this?

 

Pretty sure registration wont be issue might just be more hassle. Ive seen a few in CA and many older Skyline from Japan here also.

 

Just drove past a 2017 registered in Austin, TX two days ago. I really prefer the look of every other mid-sized truck to the ones available in the US (although) the ranger is now back. Hell id love to even own a Isuzu D-max. Fingers crossed for you OP