South of the border diesels.

[moparguy]

Anyone know if diesel Dakota's are available south of the border. I know there are option packages built in other markets not available here. I'm thinks South America/Mexico may have a diesel Dak that with a little effort could be driven over the border and used here. Several folks are either building or looking at building 1/2ton and Dakota diesels, this may be a simpler route if fuel mileage is the primary goal.



I live in a state that doesn't require inspections so it could be a little easier to drive one in my home area than in some.



RJR

 

[illflem]

You can also buy brand new VW bugs in Mexico for $4k, but good luck getting it across the border. You can't import a vehicle that doesn't meet EPA emission laws. They punch in every license plate number at the border and run a check, you might end up buying a diesel Dakota and donating it to the US Border Patrol.

 

[Philip]

You will need to check on the import laws and how to do it. I have know idea myself.



I do know that chevy does sell a V8 S10 in South America and a Crew Cab S10 also.



Another option. If you find out they do sell diesel Dakota's somewhere south of us. It might be cheaper to import the engine and trans a lot cheaper. If you can get a parts book. You could order all the brackets and other items from you local dealer. But you have to supply the part numbers. The local dealer won't have them in his data base.

 

[JLEONARD]

I know they have 4 dr S-10 diesels in Brazil... I was in one last year.

The company I work for has a plant in Brazil... I work with them on a lot of projects... . I can easily find out if they have diesel Dakotas down there.

As a matter of fact I might be back down there in a month or two.

Jay

 

[93 1TON]

I parked next to a crewcab Sonoma last week in Denver. Rich

 

[MCummings]

Did you know you can get a Big Cammed, Carbed, headers with glass packs (3" exhaust).



2002 Dodge 3500 with a 15' bed.



Or even a 2002 3500 Chevy Dual rear axle 15' bed, V-8, Carbed, Headers, Cammed, etc. etc.





2002 Dodge Ramchargers are everywhere down here,, Ram 4000's are getting very rare.



I live on the USA/Mexico border, in reality, not many BIG trucks that come across the border are Diesel,, even passenger cars aren't diesel,, Diesel vehicles are more popular DEEP in Mexico, but even then Gasoline trucks are easy to work on compared to a Diesel, and can be *Southern Engineered* to run without proper parts.

 

[Uncle Joe]

There is another way... ..... let say that you have in your possession

a vehicle that came from out of the US,you cannot register it as it has no US paperwork(pink slip & such),however find a buddy with a repair shop,make up a repair ticket and submit a LIEN SALE (cost about $40)a month later you will have the paper work in your hand,go to your local dmv and register it in your name.

works best in non impact county(no emission testing)but could be dome anywhere in the US if you know the right folks.

 

[moparguy]

Actually, what I was considering (although likely won't happen) is buy a South of the Border vehicle and either ship it over, or perhaps drive over, then use it along with a suitable donor vehicle to come up with one that could be licensed.



Seems that with the Internet, one should be able to source the parts or complete vehicle to make this type project doable. Of course, finding a trustworthy agent to work with in a foreign country could be the biggest challenge.

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by moparguy

Of course, finding a trustworthy agent to work with in a foreign country could be the biggest challenge.

I've got a real good buddy in the Import/Export biz down here. Maybe I could help you meet him

 

[illflem]

What could probably work but would be illegal (but not immoral) would be to buy a gasser Dakota in the US drive it across the border, trade it in on a diesel, switch plates and drive the diesel back. As long as the VIN number is never checked again, I've never had one checked, you'd probably be alright.

 

[JR2]

Of course the vin numbers could be the same too, with a little extra work and some denero to smooth the way.



I checked the mexican dodge web page and did not see a diesel dakota...

 

[MCummings]

I think Southern Truck Parts has a diesel dakota



It's blue and has the standard Diesel motor (Standard Marine 5. 9 )

 

[DPKetchum]

I know of several vw here from there! they were brought over on big trucks surrounded by other items. They are registered as 72 model years or earlier with antique tags. Had several late model ramcharger's brought into shop driven by students from Mexico with visa permits and years ago use to get a fair amount of Datsun/Nissans from their. Some were nifty some were late model auto with Datsun tractor motors with no zip. We had 200sx here with 2400 alum. heads overhead cams etc and theirs were a old caste iron overhead valve tractor motor.

 

[tractorman]

websites

http://www.e-dodge.com.ar/configurator.cfm?Class_Num=81



Argentina site.



It is frustrating how they can offer a diesel in a Dakota every where else but here in the US...



Here's some more sites to checkout:



http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/index_e.htm?/products/products_e.htm

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Detroit Diesel

Looks like it's a 2. 5L 4-cylinder Detroit Diesel:



http://www.autointell.net/nao_companies/daimlerchrysler/dc-manufacturing/chrysler-mfg-campo-02.htm





Detroit Diesel built a new engine assembly operation in Curitiba to supply 2. 5L Turbodiesel engines for use in the Brazilian-made Dodge Dakota. This engine is also being used in the Jeep Cherokee sport utility vehicle assembled at Chrysler's plant in Cordoba, Argentina and by the Toledo Jeep assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio (U. S. A. ) for use in export production of the Jeep Cherokee.



Vaughn