Moving to AUS from the US, HELP!

[TimG]

Hey guys, my wife and I are planning on moving from the United States to Melbourne within the next year. The problem is, I dont want to sell my Jeep! What are the legalities of driving a Left-Hand Drive over there, OR how much would it cost to covert it to Right-Hand Drive? And where could I get that done? I cant seem to find anything online. I've invested alot of time and $ into my TJ and I'd hate to have to sell it and start over. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

[chunkz]

i have seena few LHD cars going around
so there may be some kind of peremit you can get for it...

try search
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

[chunkz]

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/VRNE/vrn ... 28CA4?open

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/VRNE/vrn ... 28E69?open

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrpdf/rd ... I%2018.pdf


This is to obtain approval to import a car to australia.
Im not sure if it includes bringing a car with you or if its an aussie resident bringing one in for personal use.
Maybe try the site and email them.

Obtaining import approval
To obtain import approval you will need to contact the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS):

* mail - Vehicle Safety Standards GPO Box 1553 CANBERRA ACT 2601
* telephone - (02) 6274 7506
* fax - (02) 6274 6013
* website - www.dotars.gov.au

Hope this helps mate

[Wooders]

If you are bringing your heap get it as loaded as possible.....Atlas, new tyres, long arms, everything....

[JemmyBubbles]

It does get done. There is a chappy getting around in wauchope with a softop YJ 4 cyl petrol.

He had the thing converted to RHD, engineered to comply to regulations. Cost him big $$$$$$. He is looking at selling it also. If any jeepers want a sweet YJ give me a PM.

Seriously look at cost, stress factor etc etc. You may be better off stripping it of all mods/parts, selling it over there and buying a TJ here ?? Anyone agree.

[LEXX]

TimG,

First off looking forward to seeing another TJ in Melbourne

I would contact Tony at USA 4x4 in Melbourne, I know he has done the RHD conversion for a guy who came from the US in his YJ who had the same problem.

web site www.usa4x4.com.au

Just tell him Christian recomended you and he should be able to give you the run down on exactly where your at.

But as Wooders said if you can afford it put as much on it as possible before the import, it will make it 100 times easier for engineering once you get here.

[agent orange]

welcome . . ..


.......Drink lots of bear

[Krankieone]

vehicles over 25 years old qualify as classic and can be registered LHD .

unfortunatly a TJ wont qualify it will have to comply with the Australian Design Rules (ADR) for that year.

I would imangine it would cost US$5-10k to have it converted to RHD and complianced .

Here second hand TJ 's start around US$10k and new ones about US$23k

you might be better off bringing a heap of stuff with you and buying a new car to put them on.

Good luck which ever way you deciede to go.

keep us all posted on your progress and I'm sure we'll find some Melbourne jeepers to show you some tracks around here when you get it all sorted.

[XJ96jeep]

It doesnt make sense to bring the TJ over from the states and convert it to RHD.

Import rules have changed in the past couple of years (for the worse)
and it is a very expensive exercise with all the import duty's you have to fork out for. Then there is the conversion, though you can get a permit.

You will be able to build a much more serious jeep with the money you save from NOT bringing it to Melbourne.

On the flipside, like the other guys here im looking forward to c'ing another serious jeep calling melbourne home.

[LEXX]

Well for one thing you would have one of the only genuine Rubicons in the country as we don't get them down here

[Wooders]

Or seel your jeep now - and get an old beater with ALL the bling parts fitted and bring that with you