Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum banner

Lighting conversion for UK certification issues

7K views 25 replies 6 participants last post by  ZerosFJ 
#1 ·
I just imported an FJ to the UK and it has to get an IVA certificate before it is road legal here. The lighting has to be modified on the vehicle and I am trying to find out if the light in the exterior mirrors is an LED or a bulb..? I have downloaded a service manual but there is no explosion drawing of this so wondered if anyone had the quick answer to this and if so what bulb is this..??Also the beam pattern on the main head lights is wrong for the UK and originally I thought that we might be able to rotate the lights but looking at the explosion drawings that doesn't really seem feasible and we also need to add side lights which I think we will have to drill through and mount within the main headlight. My other thought was to order a set of headlights from Australia as they are right hand drive vehicles there and one would assume that the beam pattern was the same as the UK...? Anyone got insight or info on this...? Thanks
 
#2 · (Edited)
Mirrors are standard push in blade type.

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...471-todays-mod-oznium-side-mirror-lights.html

Japanese spec FJ's have side marker lights. I believe that the Prado uses the same or very similar.

Google your questions, it's easier than the Search engine here. Go to images under Google and it'll bring up pictures of what you seek. It took me all of 5 sec's to get that mirror bulb link. BAZROSS, a moderator here lives in OZ. He'll chime in on the rest. I'm sure of it. ;)

Good Luck!
 

Attachments

#4 ·
G'day,
Aussie headlights would work, and we have the parker lights already set in the bottom of the head light as well.
I can check what two complete housings would cost you if you like, but they won't be cheap.... :lol:
IF you require side markers as well, I can check those too.
The stock side mirror lights in US FJ's are a standard bulb configuration as Hannibal advises.
Also our headlights have motorised leveller's built into them, but without the control switch in the dash, and probably some form of ECU control they won't work in your FJ, unless current US FJ's now have this feature ... I don't know.

So let me know if you want some help.
Cheers
Baz
:blueblob:
 
#5 ·
Hi I'm in the UK and have just imported an fJ too but trusted the conversion to a garage as it is easier to get through IVA that way.
You need to add a side repeater, I'd you were asking about the mirror light to convert for side repeater forget it it does not comply with the angle of view required. There are plenty of options for adding a light to the fender.

I'm using Ship My Car in Milton Keynes, or try Mildenhall Autos if your in East Anglia? They both do this all the time so can offer the best advice.

You also need to add a side light into the headlight lens, again easy to cut a hole and add a bulb holder. I think the only mod at the rear is the fog light. I also understand you'll need to temporarily blank off the tow hitch if you have one as doesn't comply. If the truck has any lift of spacers it will also fail IVA... You can download the who. IVA document form the net.
 
#23 ·
You need to add a side repeater, I'd you were asking about the mirror light to convert for side repeater forget it it does not comply with the angle of view required. There are plenty of options for adding a light to the fender.
Yes there is, and if you want the factory look, do it as it's made for Australia-version.

I managed to get the dimension from some aussie guy when I installed mine few years ago:
I measured it for you.

Its 60mm to the side
Its 30mm to the bottom (this is to the bottom of the radius *fold* where the panel goes flat down to the mud guard) easiest reference point to see visually with an engineering ruler.
The signal light is E-approved and the Toyota part.no is 81730-20192, it's the same which is used in Land Cruiser 100 (Amazon in UK).

Picture just after installation:
 
#7 ·
Hi Baz,

Yes I figured the Auz machines would be the same pattern as the UK. If you could find me some prices that would excellent if you have the time and yes I am guessing that they will expensive. Actually looking at all FJ prices in Australia they seem to be way above US.
Thanks and let me know when you can,

best,

Jellico
 
#13 ·
G'Day Mate,
No probs, I'll check out the pricing tomorrow. Another option, which might be cheaper is either Aussie aftermarket headlights / Aussie HID's ..or 2nd headlights off ebay. But I'll check out the pricing on new oem as well.

Aussie pricing is much higher than in the US, just a fact of life down under, unfortunately ... even Aussie made product is cheaper in the US, than we can buy for here - locally .... kinda crazy ..... :lol:

Cheers
Baz
:blueblob:
 
#8 ·
Hi UK-TLC, thanks for the info and yes actually I did call ShipMyCar and left a message on their answer machine but nobody has come back to me. Also they are up in Milton Keynes and I am down in Gloucester and I just paid £500 to get the car from Harwich down to me so to get it back up to Milton Keynes and back would probably cost another £800-£1000.... mad as it only cost £1,800 to get it from the US.

The side marker lights Hannibal suggests look like they will do the job but the ones on the ShipMyCar website look pretty tidy too. I have a garage down here and my mechanic is looking into some options but do you know what ShipMyCar did you sort your headlights...??
Yes I have downloaded the IVA document and it's a pretty comprehensive but thanks for the heads up on the hitch I would of missed that. The testing station are a pain though as they have quoted up to a month to get it into the station at Bristol.....I'm going nuts not being able to drive the beast....Where are you in the country..?

Thanks,

Jellico
 
#10 ·
Hi

Ship My Car are not too hot on answering the phone as they are so busy, but emails get answered quickly info@shipmycar.co.uk. or you can get a quote for IVA mods on their website
https://www.shipmycar.co.uk/uk-testing-registration-quote/

I'm not sure what they've done to change the lights, I don't have the car yet. But I know they prebook tests so the wait time is shorter than direct and as they do the job all the time the car should go straight through (they tell me the FJ is straightforward). Don't suppose it is much further than trailer to Bristol?

I'm in Norwich, so about as far from MK as you but opposite direction. Did you buy a new or used FJ?
 
#15 ·
Hi Baz,

That would be great, thanks. Actually my garage that specialises in Land Rover say that they might be able to use a Land Rover head light as it is the same diameter but would definitely be good to know what a price is from Auz if we need to go that way.

Yes I have noticed that all Auz prices are much higher than US. Originally I was thinking of getting an Auz right hand drive but looking at Auz prices and shipping it did make economical sense.
 
#16 ·
Hi there,

I just replied to your last thread but it didn't go through as it had logged me out and now can't find the thread....?

But no I bought a second hand vehicle and got a mint 2013 Army Green vehicle with 7,000 miles on the clock with one owner and got it off a Toyota dealer so all serviced and ready to go. I was originally thinking of getting a new vehicle but not being a US resident meant another layer of complexity but I think getting a machine with low milage means the original owner took the hit on the depreciation you get just driving it off the fore court.

Yes the shipmycar side marker looks pretty neat but I have actually submitted the paperwork for an appointment in Bristol so just waiting to hear. Do you know if there is a UK FJ meet or club...??
 
#17 ·
I think I did find a club, but haven't managed to,trace it again. There is now a Bigger Toyota club base than I'd ever managed to get going in all the years I had my LC. I know of about a dozen FJ's in the UK, some are USAF personnel
 
#19 ·
Not sure when I'll get it. Customs cleared it and it arrived in MK last Thurs, so now down to mostly the time taken by DVLA to register as mods and IVA won't take too long, maybe 3 weeks min. Nope never driven one! Sold my old Land Cruiser a few years ago after 14 years and 250,000 miles so the FJ has that to follow.
 
#20 ·
The interior is fantastic and a dream to drive but from all the reviews I had read there was an issue with vision and the blind spot from the C pillar. I don't think this is a problem at all and I was pleasantly surprised how good the vision is plus the mirrors are excellent and there is also the camera in the mirror. Its definitely a big vehicle but if you have had a Land Cruiser then this should be a perfect replacement. What colour did you get, where did you get it from and is yours new..??
 
#21 ·
I'm used to driving 4x4s, vans and left hand drive trucks so no real concerns over visibility, guess it depends on your benchmark whether it is good or bad, the worst car ever driven for visibility was the Isuzu VehiCross and although that had a camera it was a fish eye lens.

Mine has come from a dealer in NJ, I bought a new one, cement gray as the price was less than the 2013's I found. I've shipped a few accessories too. Its taken me 6 months to get it this far! All sorts of unnecessary hold ups that meant I should have been able to do the same deal in a few weeks max but it will be worth the wait.
 
#22 ·
G'Day Jelli,
Still waiting for my Yota parts guy to confirm current pricing, but I looked up the old pricing I got when considering doing a swap, in Dec 2012 the headlight assay was AUD$745 each, plus tax.
So guessing it might have increased since then.
Once I get confirmation, I'll let you know.
Cheers
Baz
:blueblob:
 
#25 ·
Re: Lighting conversion for UK certif

Hi,
Have been following the threads on your FJ. I am looking at buying a second hand LHD low mileage FJ from a dealer in Hamburg and it was registered for Germany so will have the repeaters & rear fog light already. Will have to sort the front lights however and hope to use Ship My Car for the UK Registration. I'm interested that you chose to buy a new one from NJ instead of looking for one already in Germany (quite a few German dealers import them) and what was of the USA model not too expensive after shipping & import duty? My aim is to run the FJ in the UK next year then get Julian www.overlnd-cruisers.co.uk to toughen it up for overlanding before shipping to Canada and heading north to Prudhoe Bay then turn south all way down Pan American Highway to Ushuaia in Patagonia - FJ should be tough enough for this 30,000 mile trip! Let me know how you are finding the FJ and driving it inUK. Really like your choice of colour. Regards - Digby
 
#26 ·
Re: Lighting conversion for UK certif

Hi,
Have been following the threads on your FJ. I am looking at buying a second hand LHD low mileage FJ from a dealer in Hamburg and it was registered for Germany so will have the repeaters & rear fog light already. Will have to sort the front lights however and hope to use Ship My Car for the UK Registration. I'm interested that you chose to buy a new one from NJ instead of looking for one already in Germany (quite a few German dealers import them) and what was of the USA model not too expensive after shipping & import duty? My aim is to run the FJ in the UK next year then get Julian www.overlnd-cruisers.co.uk to toughen it up for overlanding before shipping to Canada and heading north to Prudhoe Bay then turn south all way down Pan American Highway to Ushuaia in Patagonia - FJ should be tough enough for this 30,000 mile trip! Let me know how you are finding the FJ and driving it inUK. Really like your choice of colour. Regards - Digby
I bought new in the US as the price was better even after taxes and shipping than a comparable car from Europe. Also it gave me the opportunity to bring in OME parts without additional shipping cost.

In my opinion you'd be better to ship your FJ to US stock and get someone ther , eg the supporting vendors here to do your mods. That would be better value as no shipping cost of parts to the UK as most come from the USA and you'd have more options available to you.

Your trip sounds good, I drove Alaska to Arizona and on to Texas in 2004 in my old LC, having gone Trans Canada in 1998 in the same LC, it was built custom here by a friend of mine... Picture is on the MacKenzie River Ice Road to Tuk'

I have a few bits off mine if you want anything, pm me.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: DAIO
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top