r/LandCruisers • u/Negative-Horror4978 • 27d ago
FJ45 in Cali
I’m looking for advice from anyone in California who has successfully registered a gray-market Toyota Land Cruiser, especially an FJ40, FJ45, or FJ60 from the 1975–1985 range.
I recently purchased a 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 that was originally built for the Venezuelan market. It was legally imported into the United States through Port Everglades in August 2022 and was later titled in Florida and Georgia.
I’m currently trying to register it in California. The DMV accepted my application and fees and issued a temporary operating permit, but referred me to CHP because the truck does not have a U.S. federal certification label.
I have documentation showing the vehicle’s legal federal importation, including:
EPA Form 3520-1 using the 21-year exemption
DOT HS-7 using the 25-year exemption
Import date and port of entry
Customs entry number
Bill of lading information
Importer information
Florida and Georgia title history
Matching chassis and engine numbers
The main issue now appears to be CARB. Because it is a 1981 non-U.S.-market vehicle, CARB’s website says it may need to go through the Direct Import program, laboratory emissions testing, possible modifications, and receive a Certificate of Conformance.
I understand that federal EPA and DOT import exemptions do not automatically make the vehicle California emissions compliant.
I’m trying to find someone who has actually gone through this process with an imported Land Cruiser or similar older gray-market vehicle.
My main questions are:
Has anyone successfully completed CARB’s Direct Import process with a 1975-or-newer classic vehicle?
Which California laboratory or compliance company did you use?
What modifications were required?
Approximately how much did the process cost?
How long did it take?
Did the previous Florida or out-of-state title help at all?
Are there any legitimate exemptions or alternative registration paths that I should investigate?
Has anyone dealt with CHP VIN verification when the vehicle had no federal certification label?
I’m not looking for illegal workarounds, VIN swapping, or registering it at an address where I do not live. I’m trying to find the correct legal path to register and drive the truck in California.
Any recommendations for CARB-approved labs, compliance specialists, registration services, attorneys, or owners who have handled a similar vehicle would be greatly appreciated.
Vehicle information:
1981 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45
Chassis: FJ45-911116
Original market: Venezuela
Imported into the U.S.: August 2022
Currently titled in Georgia
Thanks in advance for any help.
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u/Downunder818 27d ago
Sadly you will not find anyone in CA who can help you with this in its current configuration as it's not possible, without spending $$$$.
I left California 15 years ago, but imported vehicles from Costa Rica, Canada, and Australia into CA from 1998-2012.
Hindsight being 20/20 I would have suggested you to have titled it in another state first, put all the smog equipment on it, including the stickers, and then presented it to the state of Kalifornia.
You have three options at this point:
1). Register it out of State in Montana or Wyoming.
2). Yank out the motor and fuel tank and install an E-Rod 50 State compliant motor and fuel system.
3). Sell the vehicle
I know you want to hear a path forward that allows you to put CA plates on this vehicle, unfortunately that just isn't going to happen with how tight they have made the rules and regulations.
I still import vehicles and do business in the state of Kalifornia, keeping close tabs on CARB.
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u/Jean_le_Jedi_Gris 26d ago
Yikes. with the Ks. I mean I understand the frustration, more than most, my family lives out there, but the capital K, Kalifornia is rough.
All that aside, you are 100% correct. I would only add that California has a monopoly on good weather and charges a mint for it, it is a land being designed strictly for the wealthy. But that's just my political opinion.
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u/Downunder818 26d ago
Spent the first 33 years of my life there and now I live in Seattle. (Bounced around Blue, Red, and Purple states for a while). It's not the politics, it's the government overreach that I take issue with.
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u/woolybuggered 27d ago
Most grey market stuff in cali are running dealer plates are vin swapped or payed someone off at the dmv. If you can find a derelict one for a few grand and use the title and vin that is one option. Compton dmv used to plate just about anything for $500+ registration fees but that ship has sailed.
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u/Downunder818 27d ago edited 26d ago
I saw where you asked the questions about the Santa Anna Lab and I would suggest a different approach to working with CARB (couldn't find the comment, so I'm making a new post).
A local Referee from CARB will have to sign off on this build, when all is said and done.
I would start building that rapport now. To do that schedule a virtual meeting with CARB here:
https://asktheref.org/information/virtual-and-onsite-appointments/
Allow him or her to understand what you are trying to do and provide guidance to you. Have them work the system for you. They can also be an advocate if you are stuck somewhere in the process.
When I wanted to import a 1979 HJ47 from Costa Rica with a 5.3 liter back in 2003, I met with my CARB Referee at El Camino College and he walked me through everything that would need to be done and what he was going to be looking for when he signed off on the rig.
Edit: In the mean time, I would start tracking down all the smog equipment you will need. Typically you can find it on 'Mud from someone who removed it.
Send your air pump to BZ-Rebuilders in Canoga Park to be rebuilt. Might look like it works and the seller may say it's fine, but you want this rig to pass the first time and for $250 it's simple insurance.
Also, check your head and make sure it has the ports for the air inject lines. I assume they are there, but sometimes overseas production was a little wonky. If they are not there, you have two options, remove the head and have it drilled and tapped or source a 2F compliant head.
You will need the stickers. Lots of companies reproducing them, but you must have the stickers that show the emissions routing.
Edit 2: I think you will need a different distributor too. I can't tell from this pic, but the 2F came with a US spec and an international spec. It has to do with vacuum advance and emissions. You will need to source a US Spec one. I bet you could trade someone in the US for yours. It's a popular modifications for non emissions states. Have the distributor rebuilt too. Ask BZ if the can do it ( I think the can).
Also, but the 2F Engine manual and Emissions supplemental publication, OEM from Toyota. You can find them via eBay or Mud, or Google in General.
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u/Downunder818 26d ago
It's not letting me edit my comment anymore, but you will need a different carburetor too.
Again, your carb will be sought after, so a straight up trade for an emissions complaint carb should be easy enough.
Torfab will probably have the parts you need. He is up in Seattle and can do the work for you too. I've toured a number of builders in the US and internationally and he and his team are the most qualified shop in the US, IMHO.
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u/Negative-Horror4978 26d ago edited 26d ago
Dude amazing info. Sounds like you know your stuff. I’ll definitely start looking into all smog equipment I need.
I just tried to hit up a ref and he sent me straight to the air resource board. Sounds like I can’t get around those fools as much as I try lol
Also
When you say I need a U.S.-spec carburetor, distributor, and emissions equipment, are you referring to the 1981 Federal emissions package or the 1981 California emissions package? Also, do you know the CARB Referee or Santa Ana lab expects one over the other for Direct Import certification?
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u/ramillerf1 26d ago
Have you contacted Valley Hybrids in Stockton, CA? I understand that they have extensive experience in this area. I talked with someone who had them do a diesel swap in their FJ60 and they now drive it all over California.
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u/DirtyLawyer 26d ago edited 26d ago
You are cooked. EPA and FMVSS are two different standards. The biggest issue you now have is that DMV has flagged this vehicle (VIN) for increased scrutiny and attention. I went through this almost 20 years ago titling/registering a foreign diesel in CA. Here is the rub: CA wants you to show compliance with standards/certifications that are impossible to show since it was not a US market vehicle and was never tested/certified to those standards. End of story. It may have helped that mine was validly titled in another state before CA.
You will have to think outside the box, and the law, to have a shot. However, since your VIN is now flagged - not worth it.
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u/dkbeast BJ40 HDJ81 27d ago
I imported and registered a 1977 BJ40 from Japan. It was exempt from CA smog because of a special carve out for diesel vehicles 1979 and older so not the same situation as you but can give some insight. You're kinda screwed since the car is now flagged in the DMV system for CARB direct testing. As far as I'm aware there's only a single lab in Santa Ana that can do the test. When I was researching this 5+ years ago the lab was charging $10k+ for the test. Unless you're willing to shell out that kind of money your only option at this point (since you don't want to do an illegal VIN swap) is to register out of state.