Japanese auto parts into America?
May 15, 2010 4:04 PM Subscribe
Is it possible for a US American to buy a part from a Japanese junk yard? How?
I have a 2003 Honda Element. I want to replace the center console bezel ("garnish,") seen here as #9.
The American part has a hole for the emergency flasher switch, the Japanese version has this hole, as well as a hole for an accessory power plug. I'd like to install one in my car.
In a perfect world, I'd be able to find an Internet enabled Japanese junk yard and buy this part with the original switch and plug still installed. But this isn't a perfect world, and I'm not sure where to start on this hunt.
I know I could just drill a hole in mine, but the Japanese part is nicely countersunk and looks correct.
Any ideas how I could get these parts?
I have a 2003 Honda Element. I want to replace the center console bezel ("garnish,") seen here as #9.
The American part has a hole for the emergency flasher switch, the Japanese version has this hole, as well as a hole for an accessory power plug. I'd like to install one in my car.
In a perfect world, I'd be able to find an Internet enabled Japanese junk yard and buy this part with the original switch and plug still installed. But this isn't a perfect world, and I'm not sure where to start on this hunt.
I know I could just drill a hole in mine, but the Japanese part is nicely countersunk and looks correct.
Any ideas how I could get these parts?
Best answer: I am not sure if they carry anything but motors but there are a number of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) engine importers (you can try searching for JDM junkyards with a us address). Hmotors online is a good resource for the engines and might just be able to get the part you are requesting. My understanding of the market there is that most people replace their cars much more often than here and there isn't a huge junkyard industry like the US. Good luck.
posted by bartonlong at 5:22 PM on May 15, 2010
posted by bartonlong at 5:22 PM on May 15, 2010
Can't you order them from a dealer? You can get european market only parts from Audi and BMW dealers (as long as you have the part number), I would imagine it would be the same for Japanese cars as well.
posted by wongcorgi at 6:48 PM on May 15, 2010
posted by wongcorgi at 6:48 PM on May 15, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions, I got the part! I emailed j-garage.com, described what I wanted and they hooked me right up. I had to send a copy of of my drivers license, they took Paypal, the parts showed up today. I've got a project for the weekend!
posted by Marky at 4:25 PM on June 1, 2010
posted by Marky at 4:25 PM on June 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by gomichild at 4:26 PM on May 15, 2010