FS: 3rd Gen, 1998 Turbo Diesel 4x4, $3,400 obo, Charleston, SC

[MikeLime]

Charleston, SC

Selling my 1998 4x4 3.0 Turbo Diesel 4Runner $3,400 obo

It runs great! Low Miles. I bought it in Panama in 2009 and drove it north to California, living out of it, surfing and camping for almost a year. Its been through 7 countries. Only issue it ever had was a broken water pump when I reached Texas on my way back home to South Carolina. In Lubbock, Texas I had the local Toyota Dealership replace the water pump and timing belt in 2010. It does not have a VIN number. It was made for the South/Central American market. I can not register it at the DMV. There are ways to get a VIN number for it but I don't want to deal with the hassle, I just want to sell it.


- 90,000 miles (144,840 Km)
-starts every time, loud beastly diesel engine
-4x4 works great, been through deserts and Baja

-electrical issue - headlights and power windows not working
-carpet removed
-no backseat cushions

 

[symlink]

Wow, Nice not everyday you see a diesel. Best of luck with sale, I'd scoop it up if I hadn't just had a kid. If you end up going the route of parting it out let me know as I'd like to have the first crack at the bumper/possibly purchasing the motor. I'm also rather local about a 2.5 hr drive for me.

 

[VoodooTRD]

Your T4R has piqued my interest. PM sent with a couple of questions.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

I don't want to be THAT guy, but its going to be pretty difficult to get that titled and registered for street use thanks to the 25 year rule.

You should also be careful the DOT doesn't want to crush it. That would be a sad day for everyone.

 

[fan of fanboys]

I don't want to be THAT guy, but its going to be pretty difficult to get that titled and registered for street use thanks to the 25 year rule.

You should also be careful the DOT doesn't want to crush it. That would be a sad day for everyone.

yeah I live in Columbia, SC and this would be interesting but I imagine getting insurance and tags for it would be a pain, if not impossible, so using as a DD would not be viable option

But I would be completely wrong. Interesting though

 

[FrankieJoe14]

If its been more than 1 year, this car is here basically illegally.

You can read more here.

Importation and Certification FAQ's Directory--All Vehicles

 

[PWD4R]

To those that are thinking DD... that's the issue. This is a trail rig. Doesn't need all that bogus for just a trail rig. Trailer it and run it on the trails. That's it. Who wants a DD without back seats and stuff? Hell for the cost just buy it and do a motor and bumper swap and get your current vehicle title swapped over to diesel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MikeLime]

What is the '25 year rule'? ... In 2023 I will be able to register and title it?

 

[MikeLime]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q062Hacy3Yk

Here is a short youtube video of me driving it down the street.

 

[UnderFire]

This is the best way to start a diesel swap project on an already registered runner.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

What is the '25 year rule'? ... In 2023 I will be able to register and title it?

Did you click the link i posted?

Short answer - it will be EASIER to do so in 2023. Right now it would be impossible.

Did you have to sign anything from customs when you brought it into the US? Basically they give you some time (usually 1 year) to drive a non-US car around then it has to either be exported, or destroyed.

 

[MikeLime]

When I crossed the border from Mexico into the States I asked the border guy what I should do to get my truck legal since it had no VIN and was diesel. He said "I don't know, take it to the DMV" So that was the extent of my border crossing. No forms, nothing. I crossed 7 borders driving from Panama, all of them took 30-90 minutes of forms, fees, and inspections to cross. The US border was the easiest, took less than a minute.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

Interesting. The US border is the one I would be interested the most in. From what I am reading there should have been a lengthy process regarding this and paperwork (HS-7 declaration form) needed where you would be given a set time to drive around the US. I do suppose things would be different since you were already a US citizen.

Have you ever been pulled over in the US with it? How do you get insurance? or plates?

From this PDF

http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig120115.pdf

Under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a), a person may not permanently import into the United States a motor vehicle
manufactured after the date that an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) takes effect
unless the vehicle complies with the standard and is so certified by its original manufacturer. This prohibition
applies to both new and used motor vehicles, but does not apply to motor vehicles that are at least 25 years old
(based on the month and year of manufacture).

Funny enough - that PDF i just linked to has cars/trucks listed where people have successfully imported into the US with what they call a "import eligibility number" and one on that list is in fact a 1998 4Runner. I guess someone along the lines was able to prove to the NHTSA that the 1998 4runner they were bringing in was very similar to the one sold here.

Have you tried to find out about getting it registered? I can't say I know enough about the process but if someone was really dedicated to it they could give it a shot.

 

[MikeLime]

I did get pulled over twice on the way from California to South Carolina. Once at a state border checking for illegal immigrants and fruit. The other time a traffic stop. Both times the cops let me go and shrugged their shoulders. They didn't know what to do with Panama plates. I don't have insurance. I don't drive it. I drove it from Panama to South Carolina in 2010. I tried to get it registered and was told I would have to send it to Virginia to a government owned shop to bring it up to US emissions standards and with all fees and taxes would come to around $3000. I chose to park it in my garage and buy a small chevy colorado for $4000 to use as a DD. End of story. The 4Runner has been at my house ever since. I drive it around the block once or twice a month and thats it.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

Cool. Must have been an awesome trip.

So it COULD be possible to get it road worthy.

Pretty sweet. Good luck with the sale!

 

[audiness]

Very temping to buy and convert my 3rd gen to a diesel!

 

[spmarfatia]

I think there is an easy $8-$10 grand ready to be pocketed (after paying 3400 to get it) for whoever manages to register it in US.

Good luck.

 

[MikeLime]

What do you mean by that?

 

[spmarfatia]

I mean, this car is for sale for $3400 now, and it would be worth around $12K with all the paperwork in order to be driven in US.

 

[AdventureMotors]

I'm interested. Can I call you?
I've got family in NC that could make the hike down, but I'm going to end up shipping this to me in Kansas City.
PM me