Help on getting BA Ute Parts to the States

ken1939 · 22-04-2012, 11:44 PM

I posted something similar in cars wanted. Not to offend or put any postings in the wrong place.

I am in the States. I also really like the BA Utes. 2004 to 2008. Out import policy is that I cannot import any car that is newer than 25 years old. So 74 to 79 Utes are ok, actually 1987 and back are ok. However, I did check, and I can import "parts". Now this will mean specific parts, but more importantly, I cannot import a car with an engine or trans. This makes it a motor vehicle. Without them its no longer one. So there is my loophole. I will not be importing the Engine and trans as they would not be allowed even by themselves. That, and well, we have a plethera of Mustang Modulars, Lincoln Mark 8's here for doner materials.

What I need help on is someone that knows of good auto recyclers that would help me get the following bits:

Decent, clean and complete Cab, with the Front Clip in tact and good shape, a decent rear Bed (or tray) Full interior, glass etc.

I will not need the engine accessories, computer, ac pump etc. Even the radiator not that vital.

I am aware of the Pickle Auctions, but not being a Australian excludes me from purchases. I do check Ebay AU from time to time as well.

What I would like to find is a good wrecker that can send pictures of what they have as well as prices. I am checking on the rolling chassis, to see if that would be considered bad to ship. If the back end has to be cut off so be it. Will be easier to ship. The Parts theme. I know that these utes are unibody in design.

I have at least one shipper that will work with me, I am not sure if I am going to go for container or giant wooden crate for some of these things.

You can reply to this thread or pm me either way.

Thanks for any help.

Uncle Niceguy · 23-04-2012, 12:43 AM

so what your saying is you need a complete rolling shell??? like everything excluding the driveline??

ken1939 · 23-04-2012, 01:46 AM

That would be an accurate description. When it comes to the inside of the car, it would be nice to have a complete one, but its not a deal breaker. The dash is important for me to retrofit say, a 2005 Mustang Dash and gauges, so I can see what goes where. Good glass of course is a must, as well as the inside door panels.

If it were a perfect world I would try for a XR8 body, but if its a nice cab and sheet metal, that will do.

csv8 · 23-04-2012, 08:53 AM

Your car import policy is stupid!! Aussies can import any car, as long as long as its converted to right hand drive and pay rip off taxes and charges. I think, before 25 years old ,the car can stay left hand drive, but must have a sticker on the back saying "left hand drive"...I suppose Obama is protecting Detroit ???
Have you seen how much your cars are here, converted to right hand drive.!!!
About 4 times the your retail price!! Mustangs are around $100k+ !!!

Hulsty · 23-04-2012, 09:30 AM

Probably your best bet is it buy a complete car, even a high km one, rip the driveline out and bring it over. Whats your budget? Going through the wreckers would be very expensive.

Bucknaked · 23-04-2012, 09:36 AM

Try FTG Auto Salvage. Fern tree Gully in Melbourne.

Bucknaked · 23-04-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Your car import policy is stupid!! Aussies can import any car, as long as long as its converted to right hand drive and pay rip off taxes and charges. I think, before 25 years old ,the car can stay left hand drive, but must have a sticker on the back saying "left hand drive"...I suppose Obama is protecting Detroit ???
Have you seen how much your cars are here, converted to right hand drive.!!!
About 4 times the your retail price!! Mustangs are around $100k+ !!!

I think his question relates to gettin a wrecker for what he needs. Don't think he wants to debate politics on Detroit.

ken1939 · 23-04-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Try FTG Auto Salvage. Fern tree Gully in Melbourne.

Sent them an email, will see if I get any action from them.

The beauty of the Pickle Auction is to get a distressed one for cheap. However, everything has its price.

ken1939 · 23-04-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Your car import policy is stupid!! Aussies can import any car, as long as long as its converted to right hand drive and pay rip off taxes and charges. I think, before 25 years old ,the car can stay left hand drive, but must have a sticker on the back saying "left hand drive"...I suppose Obama is protecting Detroit ???
Have you seen how much your cars are here, converted to right hand drive.!!!
About 4 times the your retail price!! Mustangs are around $100k+ !!!

I have to say at least this was in force long before Obama. The part I dont get is I can import a 70's model, no emission standards, potentially less safe than a 2008 version in design, and thats ok..drive it at will!

ken1939 · 23-04-2012, 10:10 AM

Then again, if I have to do it Johnny Cash style, once piece at a time, I will have to follow that method.

One time get the cab
One time get the front clip
One time get a bed.

eb2fairmont · 23-04-2012, 10:30 AM

Small world. Was in pensylvania last week.

I'd suggest looking at our xd-xf model utes. You can import those and underneath they are largely mustang based. These are unibody while the ba's are a hybrid design with a rear half chassis welded to the cab.

Cheers

David

Landau Stable · 23-04-2012, 10:51 AM

You will spend a hell of a lot of coin to get this done. If you are hell bent, then i suggest you buy a complete one via ebay etc. Then have the car taken to someone who is willing to strip it down for you, and send it over complete. I would suggest removing the rear tub, and stripping the front bar and guards, and sending them inside the tub. Then i would suggest unpicking the chassis rails from the floor of the cab, and sending the rear end and chassis rails in one hit. Then send the front clip as a whole unit, and try getting the motor to go along inside of it as a front cut like the Jap importers do. Then it will be some reassembly by a competent tradesman and off you go. If you decide to go ahead, send me a PM, as i could be willing to strip the car properly for you. The trouble with wreckers is that they don't care about how they strip the cars. Speed is their aim, and they will break things in order to take a shortcut. Those broken items may be worth nothing to them, but when you are trying to piece a car together, you'll find yourself needing more than expected.

Darren351 · 24-04-2012, 10:14 PM

FTG auto salvage just had a flood damaged BA XR8 ute arrive.

would be perfect for what you need, just rip the motor and box out and leave the rest complete.

I will word Chris up when i visit tomorrow

Hayden1 · 24-04-2012, 11:06 PM

I understand how you feel haha

If you were to get one, GET A BF! Not a BA.

The BA's had quite a few troubles, the main ones being transmission (I know you won't be using it), handbrake, air con, brakes etc. In my opinion they are quite an embarrassment to any ford fan.

midnightXR6 · 24-04-2012, 11:23 PM

I used to know a fella in Folrida who import skylines and evos but to bring them in and register they had to come in as parts. He got around this by shipping them without the driveshafts or diffs so they couldnt be classed as a running vehicle.

Then all he had to do was source a diff or shaft.

Seems the laes have changed yet again.

ken1939 · 25-04-2012, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren351

FTG auto salvage just had a flood damaged BA XR8 ute arrive.

would be perfect for what you need, just rip the motor and box out and leave the rest complete.

I will word Chris up when i visit tomorrow

Thanks, I know they didnt answer my emails, but then again, it does sound sort of strange doesnt it? You can PM me stuff if you want.

Yellow_Festiva · 25-04-2012, 03:31 AM

What are the import laws like in surrounding countries? Can a complete car be bought in via Canada or Mexico? May be an option?

ken1939 · 25-04-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

What are the import laws like in surrounding countries? Can a complete car be bought in via Canada or Mexico? May be an option?

Well, my Focus was made in Mexico....

Canada has a 15 year rule, but I still face the same problems getting it into the states.

Rockape · 25-04-2012, 08:52 AM

A BA BF ute would be a real head turner over there.

aussie muscle · 25-04-2012, 09:20 AM

Have you tried talking to a vehicle importer? they might know all the rules, restrictions and paper work that needs to be done.

madwag · 25-04-2012, 09:26 AM

can it be shipped whole but registered as a club car or something like that so its not a daily driver or something?

ken1939 · 25-04-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

Have you tried talking to a vehicle importer? they might know all the rules, restrictions and paper work that needs to be done.

Yes, I have to several. Its been NO, NO and well NO. You cant you cant you cant.

I think they are partially correct, if this was a Lambo or something I am sure it would be waay different. I think the course of action I am taking will be the most prudent, and in the end...work.

ken1939 · 25-04-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madwag

can it be shipped whole but registered as a club car or something like that so its not a daily driver or something?

There is a rule based on use as an off road vehicle, or a show car. The show car thing has a time limit. Off road sounds good, but well, I could not gaurantee that

dawsman · 25-04-2012, 12:38 PM

These guys have a BA ute drag car, you could ask them for some advice on importing parts?

http://http://www.rdpmotorsport.com/

Check out some of their videos on YouTube. There's even one where they're driving it on the streets (legally I believe) and pointing out cops along the way!

ken1939 · 26-04-2012, 02:15 AM

Thats the guy from Ohio. I already asked him before I started this thread. He said the only reason he could bring it in was it was his car and he moved to the US.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsman

These guys have a BA ute drag car, you could ask them for some advice on importing parts?

http://http://www.rdpmotorsport.com/

Check out some of their videos on YouTube. There's even one where they're driving it on the streets (legally I believe) and pointing out cops along the way!

XC GXL · 26-04-2012, 04:26 PM

They come up for sale here in the UK from time to time so you might even get it fairly cheap.
Heres one for sale now Falcon Ute UK. Approx $8k US.
There are tones of AU Utes over here as well.

Wayne

ken1939 · 27-04-2012, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC GXL

They come up for sale here in the UK from time to time so you might even get it fairly cheap.
Heres one for sale now Falcon Ute UK. Approx $8k US.
There are tones of AU Utes over here as well.

Wayne

Interesting angle for certain. You would think shipping should be a tad lower, but I wouldnt expect it. Still be in that grey area of getting the driveline pulled.

Werd. · 27-04-2012, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC GXL

They come up for sale here in the UK from time to time so you might even get it fairly cheap.
Heres one for sale now Falcon Ute UK. Approx $8k US.
There are tones of AU Utes over here as well.

Wayne

whys he got a hot air intake on it? also what's the deal with falcons in the UK, are they private imports or were they exported and sold?

midnightXR6 · 27-04-2012, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC GXL

They come up for sale here in the UK from time to time so you might even get it fairly cheap.
Heres one for sale now Falcon Ute UK. Approx $8k US.
There are tones of AU Utes over here as well.

Wayne

I wouldnt touch that one with a barge pole.

Im almost certain as recognise the reg that it was being sold on ebay with no front end a couple years ago as a result of a bad smash.

I priced up all the parts it would take to fix it but didnt bother in the end as the original seller was always distant in answering questions.

Most Falcons BA models in UK are personal imports and the older AU ones are dedicated gas that were imported by a company called verte and as so had the badge changed.

XC GXL · 27-04-2012, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midnightXR6

I wouldnt touch that one with a barge pole.

Im almost certain as recognise the reg that it was being sold on ebay with no front end a couple years ago as a result of a bad smash.

I priced up all the parts it would take to fix it but didnt bother in the end as the original seller was always distant in answering questions.

Most Falcons BA models in UK are personal imports and the older AU ones are dedicated gas that were imported by a company called verte and as so had the badge changed.

Thanks mate. I didn't know that. I don't really take that much interest in the AU/BA/BF cars over here to be honest. It's just when they come up I remember them.

I wouldn't want the poor guy to buy a heap of $4it.

Thanks

Wayne