Moving to England

I am military and just recieved an assignment to England. As an owner of a 2008 Tacoma Prerunner I don't want to have to sell it.

I am wondering if anyone knows what kind of conversions, if I am allowed to bring it, I would have to get and how much it will cost me once I get there and get it registered?

If I do need to sell prior to going I will definitely get another when I get back to the states.

 

Hmmm I seem to remember recently a guy posting pics of a England road trip in his Tacoma.

If i can find it I'll link his thread and you can ask him what he had to do.

 

I lived over there for a while and the Tacoma will be a pain in the ass on those roads. They are narrow as hell and the gas prices will kill you. Most of the cars there are small as hell. Even the trucks are smaller than a Taco.

 

Dude, sell it. Youd love the trucks over here anyways (Im in Cyprus right now). They are smaller and way more fuel efficient. A "large" truck would be brutal in England, pretty much anywhere in Europe. Not so much for highway but parking and of course when you go to fill up. Expect 8 bucks a gallon and be happy when its less. Youll want to rent/buy a diesel that gets 50mpg. Youll get back to the US a rich man. Ditch the Tacoma. Oh yeah and the driving on the left will be dangerous as hell with a left hand steering wheel. You wont be able to see past cars or pass safely without moving halfway into oncoming before being able to see. (Actually youll be able to see over em but you get the point.

 

As others have said, get a diesel flavor 'Yota!

I wish they had 'em in the States.

 

exactly what they have said, have fun with the gas prices bringing it over there... find out if theres a way you can store it through the military - keep it here. get a small diesel car across the pond. you wallet and tacoma will thank you

 

I thought I read the military reimburses you for gas purchased off base...

 

Take Cmack with ya

 

I just PCS'd back to the states from England. Here's my 2 cents:
- Take your truck!
- If you find it's not working for you there, you will have no problems selling it.
- Many people bring their trucks over and have no problems. Some people bring their Excursions, F150's , etc.
- Keep in mind you'll probably pick up some door dings while you're there.
- The conversion is 100-200 bucks, unless you do it yourself. It's just rewiring how the turn signals blink. They need to blink amber. You'll need a rear "fog light", and side turn signals. Looks cheesy, but whatever. The headlights may need to be adjusted to shine slightly more left.
- Trucks are a hot commodity. Everyone will want you to help them move something.
- You buy your gas on base, and it's about the same price as here in the states. Off-base expect to pay about $8/gallon or so. I only filled up once off base during my 3 years there.

Reader's Digest version:
Take it!

Edit: A previous poster was correct about passing. It's a pain with an American spec car, and very dangerous. BUT it's a standing order to not pass around the roads near Lakenheath/Mildenhall anyway, so no big deal.

 

i was stationed over at raf lakenheath for 2 years and i took my tacoma over there with me. i didn't have a single problem with it. alot of people bring there trucks over there, many bigger than a tacoma. you will buy your gas on base. i never once bought gas off base there. you will have to get a light conversion and that cost me less than $100.

 

Just remember ONE thing - KEEP LEFT

and have fun over there

 

I was stationed over there from 2000-2005 I drove a Jeep Wrangler with no problem. You should be fine taking your truck over there as other have said; people take Suburban's, Escolades and Expeditions. One guy had a Ford F-350 dually diesel. Parking lots are smaller. You most likely will be everyone's bitch with a truck going to Feltwell to pick up furniture and helping co-workers move. (Don't think of always telling them no, comraderie is much tighter over there) Buy your gas on base, or get the gas coupons on base to get gas off base (if they still use them) The only problem you may find is you may not be able to get your truck serviced under warranty over there if it's still under warranty. They used to sell American Spec Toyota's at the 5 way roundabouts in Mildenhall village but I don't remember there being a place to get them serviced under warranty. Hopefully you are mechanically inclined to do any work necessary. British Toyota's are vastly different from American Toyota's. As the other member already said, a light conversion is all you'll have to do, and it'll cost anywhere from $100-$150.

Owning an American Spec vehicle over there can bring other inconveniences such as having the British Police pulling you over after hours doing DUI checks; they will almost always oull you over because of your vehicle but crazy obvious drunk Brtis speed by in their tiny Puegots, Renaults and Ford Escorts. I got stopped in nearby Newmarket constantly when going in on Nightshift the cause, my tires stuck out 1/4 inch of the wheel well. YOu can get ticketed for having your truck lifted and you're rear bumper isn't lowered. The roads are pretty narrow in many parts of the area too. I've had many a friends with American cars get their cars broken into or keyed for the sheer fact it was an obvious American spec car. It might of changed since everyone abroad seems to love President Obama, when I was there if you went to places like Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich and London the locals didn't care for Americans. All in all it was a good assignment and I wouldn't mind going back.

 

Thank you for all the replies.

It is good to know how much the conversion is and that it is possible to take it. I still have a few months till i am able to leave so I will have to think hard about my options.

The responses is what makes these forums so great.

 

keep in mind that your tacoma is the same size as the local pickup trucks over there. you will see a few hiluxes, but mainly nissan navarros(which are the same things as frontiers) and mitsubushi pickups.