Converting J-spec to US-Spec - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lostitus · 11-01-2004, 08:03 AM

Hey all, I am currently stationed in Germany, and have been given a chance to buy a 96 J-spec (right hand drive) Supra. If I wanted to bring it back stateside what all has to be done to it? I'm pretty sure I have to change all the glass to safety glass, and do the emissions BS, but what else? Does the computer need to be flashed like with the skyline? I can do most, if not all, the work myself. Thanks for the help.

Jeeves · 11-01-2004, 01:27 PM

If it's like most JDM cars, don't even try. It will cost more than the 1/2 the cost of the car.

lostitus · 11-01-2004, 04:16 PM

I was told it would cost about 5g's to do it state side. I just want to know what all has to be done.

***MRQtwinturbo*** · 11-01-2004, 04:51 PM

the cost of u shipping the car back stateside should make that "great deal" turn into an expensive one...then u have to try to get the RHD legally registered....which will cost even more money....ur better off just trying to find an mkiv when u come back from your tour.....

Deep · 11-01-2004, 11:15 PM

I think they're allowed to ship it for free if they're stationed there.

Stuff like glass isn't what needs to be changed, the biggest things are emissions and crash test safety standards, and putting those little stickers on the side mirrors.

Sportivo Concepts · 11-01-2004, 11:22 PM

I second what Deep has stated,

What I normally do for cars that have a US counterpart to it is contact Toyota of Japan or Australia (where ever the car is from) and ask them for a lwtter stating that the car meets or exceeds the current US standards for emissions, and saftey issues. It saves alot of headaches and money too.

since you are currently sering Uncle Sam will shp the car back for free as long as you dont go over your weight limit. otherwise than that shipping the car is not much, from Germany to lets say Cali would be rooughly $700 to NYC/Newark or MIA around $400.

CamNub · 11-01-2004, 11:39 PM

IS it 700 for him w/ military benifets? Or for everyone?

lostitus · 11-02-2004, 12:53 AM

Being military I can ship it home free, so thats not a worry. I just want to know has to be done to it. Do you think I could get a letter from the toyota dealership here in germany, or would I have to go through J or A? Its not a matter of waiting to get home to purchase one. I would just like to have a RHD one. Plus it already has a widebody kit, and some extras. I can purchase the car for under 10g's, I just want to know what I'm getting myself into before I do it. I would hate to buy it and then not be able to take it back.

Sportivo Concepts · 11-02-2004, 10:10 AM

CamNub: That price is for anybody in Germany.

lostitus: If the car was made for the German market then yeah you can contact Toyota of Germany, othewise you will have to write to Toyota of Japan, make sure it is Toyota Motor Corp Inc and not Toyota of Japan, they are considered to be two different companies with Toyota Motor Corp being the parent company

CamNub · 11-02-2004, 07:28 PM

What does he have to do about the RHD issue? Pay for a conversion?

lostitus · 11-03-2004, 01:07 AM

You don't have to do anything about the RHD issue. It can be left that way. The US usual is more worried about EPA bs.

Sportivo Concepts · 11-03-2004, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CamNub
What does he have to do about the RHD issue? Pay for a conversion?

RHD is not an issue really, its mainly emmisions, and saftey standpoint if he was to get into an accident, would the car protect him and any other person in the vehicle.