Sorry, you mis-understood. Originally Posted by MichTrucks I just remember seeing a huge amount of pictures posted that showed their operation. Those pictures showed rows for cabs ONLY. The EPA regs. (which aren't yet finalized) require the cat. converter, drive train and other components to be all of the same family (family as described by the EPA). Those of us that actually are getting certified are acutely aware of the requirements, while those giving "the we are certifying speech" don't have a clue of what the requirement actually are. ********* I was referring to the proposed new EPA certification of used mini trucks of which most of us will be importing under. And within that, I was digging at those who "toot" about how much they are doing to get certified and how easy it is. Those are the ones we won't see after the extensions expire. Those that are currently certified are doing so, or have done so as an ATV of which I assume you are certified as. And what your certification describes in none of my business. There are 2 types of certifications and only one has been given and tested to. The 2nd classification that most others will be importing to, "used mini trucks that are speed limited and become new", hasn't been released by the EPA yet in it's final version to the best of our knowledge. All others, and there are a few of us, are importing speed limited mini trucks on an extension. You apparently are not in need of an extension because you are currently certified as an ATV. Please feel free to check my posting history. We post to provide information or ask for information. We don't post to flame or denounce anyone or their products. We have been a CONTINOUS advertiser and supporter of this information and discussion forum and wish to offend no-one. Again I apologize for the mis-understanding.
I post to flame and be flamed But yes, Canadian1 the overwhelming majority of trucks shipped to the Philippines are indeed cut into pieces and shipped from Japan that way. (Maybe from Viet Nam too, that I do not know) Your particular refurbisher may not follow this practice, as a few dont, however I would put money on a number of around 2500:1 Cut vs non-cut (Or even higher!) Mich trucks is correct in thinking he has seen stacks of cut trucks from Japan in the Philippines. I have been there, seen it, done it. The local market is looking for the lowest cost product possible. The labour is so cheap that its less expensive to reassemble them in the Philippines than it is to pay the freight on whole units. As well, there are duties of 100%-150% on whole vehicles shipped into the country. Of course the government is fairly corrupt on every level from the top to bottom, so they are ways around just about any problem. Many trucks ar cut, even if it isnt a frame cut. The uncut trucks would be too expensive for locals and so they generally are export-only units. They are usually shipped into specific duty-free zones where they can be imported, worked on, and exported without having to pay the taxes. Personally, there is nothing wrong with a cut vehicle if done properly. (body shops cut, bend, modify frames and body parts every day. Limo's are cut and stretched) The biggest problems are: - the quality of the work. The domestic standards in the Philippines are VERY low. Its hard to convince them we need better. - the LHD conversion. Going back to quality, there is a lot involved in the LHD conversion. Not just the mechanical but electrical and cosmetic as well. I saw some trucks come out of Subic. Frames cut and welded so bad I thought a 4 year old did it. Because they cut and flipped the steering rack, they torched a hole THROUGH the frame so the end of the steering rack could stick through. I would take a RHD truck LONG before I took a LHD conversion. But, thats just my opinion.
refurbs mich trucks did not say he had seen stacks of cut trucks. he said he saw stacks of CAB ONLY and you will see stacks of pick-up bed only and engines and trans. and transfer cases and other components. these body parts and drive train components are being prep for refurbishing. he said he saw stacks of CAB ONLY, NOT CUTS. also, the cuts you may see are being shipped to vietnam and not from vietnam. there is an american on this fourm that lives in PI and i do not remember him saying anything about cuts for the PI population. there may be, i personality do not know.
Suzuki cabs = cut truck. They are welded to the frame. Yopu cannot really remove the cab from the frame. They do not remove the cabs for refinishing. They cut the frame right at the back of the cab. They then weld the frame back together and start refinishing. (Cab on frame, not cab off) They are not allowed to import whole vehicles into the Philippines without massive taxes. To not pay the import duties the vehicle has to be assembled there. That and shipping purposes are reasons they are cut. I would say that 99.99% of the trucks for the domestic market are cut. If you havent been there, you should go. Especially if you are dealing trucks from there. You will see what really is going on and not just rely on what someone there has said. There are hundreds of facilities there refurbing / reassembling trucks. Not just a couple. We probably went to 15 facilities ourselves and drove by 20 more, all in 1 city. Look closely at this photo: http://minibrutes.com/album/displayimage.php?album=3&pos=37 Cut frames, cab still attached to frame. This is how the vast majority come into the Philippines for reassembly and domestic sale. Many of the exported ones are done this way too. (But not all) Again, been there, seen it, got the T-shirt and the pictures.
this is the lead in to the following pix here are the pix to back up all the talk here about the phillipines and the thread above.. read it and weep
There is some pretty talented folks there though. When you dont have much money, you build what you want instead of buying it. I was amazed at some of the stuff they do.
