Can I import an LS swapped Defender.

el_guru said:

They have to have the original engine or equivalent so no you cannot import a re-engined Defender unfortunately.

This website is very useful.

DIY GUIDE TO IMPORTING A 25 YEAR+ OLD FOREIGN VEHICLE INTO THE U.S.

DIY GUIDE TO IMPORTING AN EPA/DOT EXEMPT FOREIGN VEHICLE INTO THE U.S. #INTRO If you’re reading this guide most likely you have been exposed to the myriad of awesome vehicles abroad like the origin…

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rdavisinva said:

The only way, would possibly be to have the vehicle held in bond while you have a shop approved and registered with the EPA test and certify that the vehicle passes emissions.
This is provided you can somehow pass all the other importation requirements.
If you could be successful, you would likely need an import attorney to process all the requests.
The whole process would cost you a lot of money, probably a lot more than the vehicle is worth.

The easiest way to get it into the US legally, would be to switch it back to a 300TDI.
I am as far away as you can get from an LS conversion expert as possible, but it is my understanding that the LS conversion makes a lot of changes that cannot be reversed, at least not easily.
Now that it has an LS, what would it take to convert it back to factory spec is the real question that needs to be answered and is it worth it to switch it back to allow this 110 to enter the country?

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Khaldefenders said:

Thank you,

when you say equivalent, can it be a 91-92 110 with 300tdi or it must have 200tdi? Which is its original engine in that era.

because I won’t swap my 94 back it’s pain, so I’ll just sell it locally.

and my other 110 is 92 with no engine currently.

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Red90 said:

The engine type needs to match the code on the VIN. 300TDIs did not come out until 1994.

Just buy a different truck. Even swapping back, you will set off too many alarms as it will be obvious the frame has been cut for the mounts.

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Khaldefenders said:

Hello ladies and gents,

So happy to join the team here, and I hope all are having a good time.

I have a 110 defender that I restored in Dubai and I want to import it into the United States.

it’s 1994 110 300tdi originally but it was swapped with LS3 and 6 speed auto.

I know that’s not the right thing to do to a defender but the 300tdi will go in my other 110

Questions 1:-
Is it true that can’t import an LS swapped defender because it is not it’s original engine? Please explain.

Question 2:-
If it’s true, does the year has to match the engine spec it had originally? Basically 300tdi for 1994-1997 defenders only and not earlier years?

If there’s a shipping company/ custom brokers, that you know of and might have an answer, please feel free to share their info.

I am seeing so many LS swapped defenders in The Sates and on bringatrailer but I don’t know if they were imporated with their original engines then swapped or wore swapped overseas.

Regards

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p.connell51 said:

My 2 cents..
vehicle no problem, engine might be tough. If the LS3 meets epa regs you might be ok. Dig deeper into the import regulations.

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