Importing Truck Experience

[JLA1990]

On 31/12/2025 at 10:18, monkeybusiness said:

Great looking truck!!!

Dunno if this is of help/interest?

 

Thanks very much, I’ll have a look 👍

[monkeybusiness]

On 03/01/2026 at 00:03, JLA1990 said:

Thanks very much, I’ll have a look 👍

Not sure what your budget is but look at this sexy bitch!!

[JLA1990]

1 hour ago, monkeybusiness said:

Not sure what your budget is but look at this sexy bitch!!

Kinda my budget but not my style, slightly later model 88/89 is to my taste with factory body but I’ll lift and mod lights. I am now also looking at Toyota 88/89 FJ62 😝

[Mike Hill]

I would never import a truck I had not personally inspected,especially one from the third world.

 

Fords rust like mad,so pretty much every old truck east of California would have experianced alot of road salt. On top of that some car's are rust repaired poorly,then registered in Cali then sold as a California car.

 

Norway has a strong Amcar culture,after nearly 20 years here I have heard some horror stories and seen pictures of piles of body filler on the floor of a carwash after the first time matey washed his Mustang.The states dont have an MOT system so there is no repair standard and South Africa? I could probably get a box of corn flakes road registered in a day.

[JLA1990]

5 hours ago, Mike Hill said:

I would never import a truck I had not personally inspected,especially one from the third world.

 

Fords rust like mad,so pretty much every old truck east of California would have experianced alot of road salt. On top of that some car's are rust repaired poorly,then registered in Cali then sold as a California car.

 

Norway has a strong Amcar culture,after nearly 20 years here I have heard some horror stories and seen pictures of piles of body filler on the floor of a carwash after the first time matey washed his Mustang.The states dont have an MOT system so there is no repair standard and South Africa? I could probably get a box of corn flakes road registered in a day.

good job you’re not importing it then isn’t it! FYI I do intend on going to see it when I find the one 🥰 

depends on the state btw regarding MOT in America, but most people who use/like their cars carry out traceable service work.

Im not surprised you’ve heard horror stories over 20 years, that’s a really long time. SA is the same as above and most collectible/work vehicles are regularly serviced! 

[Mike Hill]

8 hours ago, JLA1990 said:

good job you’re not importing it then isn’t it! FYI I do intend on going to see it when I find the one 🥰 

depends on the state btw regarding MOT in America, but most people who use/like their cars carry out traceable service work.

Im not surprised you’ve heard horror stories over 20 years, that’s a really long time. SA is the same as above and most collectible/work vehicles are regularly serviced! 

So if you aleady have the money and the time to go and see it,then why havn't you already found an exporter? Its seriously the easiest part. I exported two trucks,four chippers,a bulldozer a crane fed chipper and the trickiest part has been domestic haulage.

 

As for most people having a paper trail,mate that might be the case with show trucks but anything else the receipts ( if any) get biffed with the Micky Dee's wrappers or was when I lived there.I guess you know your way around American wagons pretty well,I only have had 6 

 

I dont know what you have been told about SA but if there is any way they can rob/ scam you they will be all over it.

 

Just be very careful,go through a reputable firm and realise there wont be any garantees after its left the lot.

 

All the best,I look forward to seeing pictures of your dream truck.

 

 

[PeteB]

Unless it is down the road and viewable or, you paid big for an insured asset value estimate,  always go for a huge portion of Caveat Emptor off the sweet trolley! I've brought a couple of pigs before I learnt my lesson!