Overhaulin'

Im a soldier in the states moving to japan, to a military base they said they had to modify my car?

my question is wat do they do to the vehicles to modify thrm and how much will i have to pay..... thanks

Public Comments

1. They turn it into a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan, your choice.
2. Every country has different lawful requirements about vehicles entering and exiting their country. I had a buddy who came back to CONUS from Japan and had to spend 10,000 on mods just to bring it into the country. May be cheaper for you just to buy a car there and sell it when you are done.
3. foreign countries have many different laws and setup for their roadways. Just some of the things I can think of: emissions standards, might be a limit on how much u can pollute; Physical size, a H2 isn't going to fit on half of their smaller roads; Change driver side?; if its an american company you'll probably have to remove the logo, they are very nationalistic. Those would be some routes I would look into. If you plan on being their for a few years, I suggest selling your current, and getting a small little car over their, our cars are more expensive so its not like you'll loose money on the deal. My $.02
4. Most of the modifications have to deal with conversions for the different fules and emmissions. The US has the worst emmissions in the world. We will only catch up to Japan's presnent day standards by the year 2012. So it just may be cheaper to leave your care here with relatives and purchase a small car over there.
5. Your car headlights will have to be re-aligned because you will be driving on the left side of the streets, for one. I could not get over driving a car made to drive on the right side and driving on the left. Very tricky having to pass another car so I actually bought a used Japanese car from another GI who was shipping back to the U.S.
6. With the navy you can't take a US car to Japan. End of story. I highly suggest you check with the outbound TMO to see if it applies to the army too. When you get to Japan you'll find hundreds of vehicles for sale by departing service members. Your sponsor should explain the Japanese inspection system to you so that you can purchase a used car that is likely to stay on the road the longest. Their inspections are incredibly through and it's not uncommon for cars to be junked rather than make the required repairs. The person who said US cars are dirty has no idea what she's talking about. Unleaded fuel, in use in the USA since the 1970's has only recently become available in Europe and Asia. Sulfur free diesel isn't even on the drawing board in Europe and Asia while we're now on our second year of it here in the USA.
7. Even if they can, it's not really worth the trouble. If you need a car in Japan, it would be cheaper and easier to get one there.
8. They will remove your catalytic converter since Japan does not use unleaded gas. You will also have to get a Japanese smog control kit installed on your vehicle, since their air quality standards are higher than most of the states. I'm not sure on the costs because the yen=dollar exchange rate and prices have changed since I was there.
9. When I was leaving Germany, I couldn't bring back my VW. It needed to be brought up to American safety specs. The bumper, windshield, emissions had to be changed. It wasn't worth modifying, so I sold it. But people could bring over their American bought cars with no problems. So I do not know why you would have to change your car. It might be worth it to buy a used one while there and sell it when you leave.
10. it is too darn expensive to modify American vehicles to Japanese emissions standards. we are talking $5-7K easy. and then you'd have to change back when you return. In Fact, the military many times will not even authorize shipment of a POV to Japan. you ARE, however,authorized to store your car at government expense while you are there. do that, pick up a beater for a few hundred bucks and be done with it.
11. My daughter is currently at Kadena, and she found that it was easier all around to leave her car here, and buy a used car there (interest free). The cars there are all RHD, and it really isn't safe driving from the left side of the car.
12. ... and lastly, they have to train it to burn rice. ; )
13. they drive on the other side of the road there- ??
14. Don't take your american car there. It's really not worth it. Buy yourself a Skyline when you get there (2 -3 grand for a nice one.) Then sell it for the same price when you leave. That's what people do when they PCS overseas. Yes they will ship one car for you, but I've been there, their streets are small. I guess if you own a small it'd work. PLUS they drive on the left side of the road and it will be strange enough to drive on the left let alone have a left hand drive car driving on the left.