BCDelica wrote:t's a bad idea to take a VIN from a $500 1990 USA Mits van and putting it on a JDM 1990 Delica, no. Seems too easy, so it's gotta be against the law.
A straight VIN swap is certainly not a good path. The reality is that there is no hard and fast rule on US Customs importation (Believe me: I've done more research and spoken to more officials than any sane person should). The reality is that US highways are awash in 100% legal vans and cars that have a "mixed" heritage. The one thing that all of these vehicles have in common in order to be legal is that some member of their direct family made it into the states for sale as a new car. Great examples of this are:
Toyota Hilux/Tacoma
Toyota Surf/4runner
Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero
various Volkswagon TDI's
So an example is that you can't bring in a Hilux to the US, but you can bring in a half-cut (diesel engine, solid axles, drivetrain, etc), combine it with a US Tacoma and get a vehicle that is 100% US legal and is for all intents and purposes a Hilux - it's just a homegrown version.
The same can be said for your Pajero/Montero combination. This is even better than the Hilux because the diesel engine you'd swap was already sold in the US on domestic vehicles (give or take an upgrade or two).
As to the Delica/L300 combo - it isn't impossible but you'd have to be motivated to do it (a) right and (b) legally.
Hope this helps - if you have questions let me know as I have spent a lot of time on the subject.
Call me BCDelica-less
Good Ship Miss Lil' Bitchi