Making Euro/Mideast Ranger Crew Cab US-Legal?

[old_pear]

During my last assignment in Bahrain, the US security forces were using Ranger crew cabs. I'd just let my '80 Datsun King Cab go, which I loved but it was on its last legs. I saw Toyota/Mazda/Nissan truly-compact crew cabs all over the place, but knew they'd never be supportable in the US.

I'm headed over there again, so I'd really like to figure out how to make a Euro/Mid-East Ranger crew cab US-legal. Any ideas?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i think the big thing is going to be paper work. things like bumpers, lights, emissions, and the like are probably "close enough" (if you have strict emissions standards at home, you may need to modify that a bit).

its going to cost a small fortune to import the truck...

 

[Captain Ledd]

I found this the other night on an unrelated vehicle:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ Site/pages/page2.html#Anchor-13029

And a bunch of PDF's including a list of currently importable vehicles:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

 

[MrE_Powers]

here you go and you wont have to go to Bahrain, just to Mexico strip out the engine and ship both over the border reassemble and drive.

9. Importing a vehicle for parts.

If a vehicle originally manufactured for on-road use is shipped with its engine and drive train, it would be regarded as a motor vehicle for the purpose of the vehicle importation laws, and would have to be declared as such. If the vehicle was not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, it could not be lawfully imported unless it is determined eligible for importation by NHTSA and is imported by an RI or by a person who has a contract with an RI to modify the vehicle so that it conforms to all applicable standards following importation.

If a vehicle is shipped without its engine and drive train, it would be treated, for importation purposes, not as a motor vehicle but instead as an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment items. In this instance, the vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form, which covers motor vehicle equipment not covered by a standard, or manufactured before the date that an applicable standard takes effect. Any items included in the assemblage that are subject to an FMVSS (brake hoses, brake fluid, glazing, lighting equipment, seat belt assemblies, tires, rims) that were not manufactured to comply with the applicable standard, and/or were not so certified by their original manufacturer, must be removed from the assemblage and exported or destroyed before entry. Any covered equipment items that were manufactured in compliance with the applicable FMVSS, and were so certified, must be entered under Box 2A.

10. Importing a disassembled vehicle.

A disassembled vehicle that is shipped without an engine and transmission is treated for importation purposes not as a motor vehicle, but instead as an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment items. Such an assemblage can lawfully be imported into the U.S., provided any equipment included in the assemblage that is subject to FMVSS, but was not originally manufactured to comply with that FMVSS or was not so certified by its original manufacturer, is removed from the assemblage prior to entry into the U.S. Equipment items that are subject to the FMVSS include tires, rims, brake hoses, brake fluid, seat belt assemblies, glazing materials, and lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

If the assemblage is shipped with an engine and power train (even if those components are not installed), it would be regarded for importation purposes as a motor vehicle, and would have to be either manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, and be so certified by its original manufacturer, in the form of a label permanently affixed to the vehicle, or be determined eligible for importation by NHTSA and be imported by an RI or by a person who has a contract with an RI to bring the vehicle into compliance with all applicable FMVSS after importation.

 

[old_pear]

I'm going there, anyway, so that isn't a problem. And when I was there before, I was able to import a vehicle and then export it with no cost to me (don't know if the US govt had to pay the Bahrain govt anything).

I'm sure if I bring a vehicle in, I can bring one out -- just a matter of whether I can bring one out without bringing one in, or I can bring in my 94 Ranger and swap it for a crew cab.

It may be that the crew cab is "functionally identical" or whatever the NHTSA buzz phrase is (MUCH simpler). I've asked Ford and one of the NHTSA-listed importers. The NHTSA site does not list the crew cab as either an already approved import model or even under current application. So we'll see what I find out.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

I know the reason that we don't have the Latin American crew cab Ranger in the states is because of the A pillars. They are not up to safety standards according to the NHTSA.