http://jackson.craigslist.org/ctd/1424031043.html

as far as I know they are sold as off-road vehicles only!!

Nope. Ive seen those things on the road with tags here.

That one is just up north of me .

People love K cars so much they have been jumping through the hoops and getting on the road. And again <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Pajeros can be imported now just like JDM skylines , lancer evos, supras and other JDMs that some rich guy spent big bucks to be the first one on his block with one in the driveway. So yes you can import a Gen 2 JDM pajero SWB into the states, remember the '99 GDI SWB posted a few years ago? Yeah it was $20,000 but think about it like this, you want a street legal Pajero and you're willing to play their games so you buy two $10,000 trucks so that big brother can crash one to make sure it's safe for you to drive so your 10g truck becomes a 20g truck not to mention DOT lights other hurdles.

Anyways now after someone spent the big bucks regular guys like us can import similar models with existing domestic market engines 3.0 3.5 and probably 2.8 but it might be tuff since that engine has different emissions standards since it's only in machinery here.

So what's the hoop to jump through ?

The only way I can see it if you import a Pajero, say 94 RHD 2.8 diesel and take your Montero vin tags and swap them on the Pajero. Then it would be a Montero but what happens when you get into an accident ?

I know some individuals do shady things like that but when I see a dealer advertising in plain daylight newer than 25 year old JDM imports on US soil, it begs the question.. how ? And more importantly... if the 'how' can be answered, then why not other goodies ?

I only see mini Pajero's, skylines and a few others.

Interesting listing. A 3-cylinder, 16 valve engine. Hmmm.

John B.

And apparently, the speedometer reads in km/hr, but the odometer reads in miles, as the listing shows 105,861 miles, same as the odometer in the picture...yeah, right! Brainiacs!

John B.

In the 80s I was bringing Porsches over from Germany. It was pretty easy back then, basically documenting the needed changes. With many of the German cars you would get documentation from the Mfg that the body shell complies with USA regs. Both Mercedes and Porsche just make one bodyshell for all the world. I then had to change doors and add bumper reinforcements. Then change the lights and add seatbelt and brake warning lights and all was good. Vehicles made after 1983 need roll over protection added to the fuel system. Emissions were done with waivers where everyone is allowed one vehicle of non compliance.
I never brought over a Japanese car since I could not read their for sale adds.
This was so simple it got abused, bad.

The proper method now is a shop gets certified to bring in a specific brand and model of vehicle. Convert it to conform and it is free to travel the country.
Other out of country individuals bring in vehicles on their non USA passports. These vehicles are to leave with them, many do not. I can list a few that are now track use only or run under false papers.

Some states are easy to register non conforming vehicles in. They want a bill of sale and do not need a certificate of origin or a title. I expect down where that Pajero is this maybe the case.

In these states you can assemble a vehicle from parts and register the car. Up here that is done with the early EVOs. The EVOs get shipped into Montreal and disassembled there.
Customs has a good take on this, do not ship all the parts in the same trailer on the same day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />