Hey y'all,

My British boyfriend made me promise to move to England by the end of August, so I am.


Questions:
• What modifications are needed for a stock American 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to be acceptable by U.K.'s standards?

• Is it better to just buy and replace my American JK's rear bumper and front fenders with a British JK's rear bumper and front fenders that may already have the required rear fog lights and side turn lights installed?

• Are steel off-road bumpers (with or without a winch) street legal in the U.K.?

• Too, how much does it cost you to fill up your JK in England? [Today, I filled up my 22-gallon-capacity tank for $72 USD for 19-gallons of 87-octane unleaded gas in New Orleans.]

• Any other advice or suggestions, e.g., insurance costs, left-hand driving on left-side roads, off-road groups, etc.


Have looked throughout JK-Forum's site for info regarding bringing my car abroad. Not too worried about the cost of shipping ... more worried about the modifications needed for my American 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited to be cleared and OK to drive in Britain -- would like to have all of the modifications done here in America before I bring my Rubi over.

One website noted that I'd need rear fog lights in the bumper and front blinking turning signals on the fenders to replace the factory yellow reflectors, but what else is needed? Also, would it be better and less expensive to just replace the rear bumper and front fenders with British versions with fog lights and side-turn lights already installed?

Does anyone have any information or can refer me to a website or group that would know about needed modifications to American JKs to pass the U.K.'s vehicle inspection?

Too, also wanted to know if steel, off-road bumpers -- like Mopar's Jeep off-road bumpers -- are legal in the U.K. I've wanted one ever since I brought my Rubi and would like to get it now while in the U.S. if it's street legal in the U.K. that is. Would still need to see if it were possible to install rear fog lights in the steel off-road bumper, again, if the steel off-road bumpers are legal in the U.K.

By the way, I was in England two weeks ago ... saw a few Cherokees and Libertys but only one two-door JK.

Thank you in advance for any information or suggestions! So excited about the move! And, yes, I'm definitely bringing Rubi to England. (She's already paid for.)

 

Thank you! Really looking forward to it. If you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate. This will be my first time living in a foreign country for longer than three months, though I've traveled to most of Europe over the years.

 

Good info. I forgot about the headlights; didn't know about the taillights. I've only found one or two websites with some information but not a lot. Thank you again!

 

Hi

This site might be useful for the things you will need to do to pass the SVA test.

h**p://www.fte.co.uk/fte4x4/jk/jk_sva.htm (replace ** with tt)

As far as metal bumpers with winches I believe they are legal so long as they do not have the front 'hoop' or stinger bar on the front. (however I know of a few guys running the AEV front bumper and it seems to be fine as it is a new-ish law that the police are not that clued up on)

As far as fuel its it currently £1.37 per litre of petrol where I am. So to fill the 85ltr tank your are looking at £115!

You will be one of the very few rubi 4drs in the UK. (we only got the 2dr petrol rubi)

 

Thanks ScotlandJK! Great website. It's unfortunate that there isn't more information out there on this ... too, just did the conversion from £115 to USD. Looks like I'm looking at $190 to fill up my tank. Will definitely have to cut back on my driving in the U.K....

 

Yeah you dont see many JK's or any other Wrangler models on the roads either.
Can go a month or more before I spot another. Quite special I suppose

 

Just want to thank you all for your advice (e-mails included). Will be back in England this upcoming week ... plan on visiting a Jeep dealer for a one-on-one and up-close look at the UK-spec JKs.

The FTE Project Unlimited website has good information that I will give to my dealer here in Louisiana. Thankfully, the modifications don't look too costly.

I imagine there are others in my position who are seeking this info out as well; will keep you posted over the months.

 

Hi. Little old thread but if you still need help converting your jk to eu standards, just pm me and I will help you. I have converted mine when I moved to uk one year ago. Conversion doesn't cost more than £100 - £150 including all necessary parts.