Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
that looks like a very good example.
Why go through the hassle of converting to RHD!?
Why go through the hassle of converting to RHD!?
I'll be honest I want to be able to confidently use it a couple of times a week and I don't think I'd be comfortable doing so LHD as too much room for error when overtaking etc.that looks like a very good example.
Why go through the hassle of converting to RHD!?
Presumably (and hopefully...) you will be using the original chassis number of the car - which identifies the car as having left the factory in LHD configuration - after the RHD conversion? In which case you have to register it on that chassis number regardless.
You'll have to inform your insurance company of the LHD to RHD conversion, and they may request an engineer's report.
I'll be honest I want to be able to confidently use it a couple of times a week and I don't think I'd be comfortable doing so LHD as too much room for error when overtaking etc.
I've invested that much time and research into the parts and how-to that it's something I really want to get stuck into and complete. It will be a huge achievement for me personally and as I've said I'll be much more comfortable using the car
@Jay. I fully intend on documenting it as best I can, I've read so many different things from loads of different sources that it will be good to get it in one place. Steering racks seem to be the tricky one with no definitive solution (lots of different methods used though and I'm sure most worked out okay other than some bump-steer...).
@chrisvega thanks man, will drop you a message about collection tomorrow.
Yeah I appreciate there's probably a lot of pros and cons but it's something I'm going to see through, call it personal preference. I'm sure everyone will have their own opinion of whether to do it or not.its a lot of effort when you could just hang back a couple of extra meters when overtaking?
Yeah I appreciate there's probably a lot of pros and cons but it's something I'm going to see through, call it personal preference. I'm sure everyone will have their own opinion of whether to do it or not.
The steering rack is the simplest part of the conversion. Unbolt the LHD rack and bolt in the RHD rack....job done. What could be simpler? Doing a FULL RHD conversion is very time consuming and you will need lots of parts. Just converting the car so that the controls are on the other side is a whole different matter and pretty straight forward. I am happy to use a LHD column, heater box, wipers, door cards, ect, as I'm not trying to pass the car off as an original RHD car. The parts you really need are: baulkhead plate, rack, pedal box, and dash. The rest you can improvise on.
Yeah the problem is sourcing a RHD rack haha, by complexity I meant the array of Subaru/BMW/Miata options people have tried. Sorry for not being clear there.
I'm just going to be doing a controls conversion right now 100%. I have a RHD steering column and heater box fortunately. Duncan at Z Farm reckons they can flip the wiper linkage and just get a panel beater to change the scuttle panel - not an immediate problem though as you say.
Whilst I've got my heart set on the RHD conversion I'm trying to keep an open mind as to how far/where I take the car. Plenty of time to make decisions and at the moment I'm super happy with it.
Sounds like you've got it sorted. Do your research before taking your car anywhere, lots of options now days.
Congrats on the purchase, not been following this thread but glad you got yourself sorted with what looks like a lovely car ...
However, WHY make it RHD? have you driven a LHD car as a daily - I won't be the first on here to have done so - it really is a doddle. I had a big Dodge truck I drove every day for about 6-7 years. LHD. Problem? Never. My old fastback was of course LHD - problem? Never.
Some old knackered thing I was rebuilding from scratch I WOULD make RHD if I wanted to - a Z etc but I certainly wouldn't do a US car - Mustang etc and I CERTAINLY would not do this beautful old thing you've bought. Original as sin, factory paint, cared for all its life and you want to rip the inards out and make it RHD!?
Your car of course but that is a shame!
Well, that's a good and honest reply! I just hate seeing good, original cars cut up for, to me, no reason! or no GOOD reason, in my eyes.
It's your car and you can enjoy it how you want - you'll get lots of good honest advice on this site - not from me I hasten to add, as I am pretty new to them myself and still very much at the bottom end of the learning curve but there are plenty on here who have done various conversions to RHD and know most pitfalls along the way ...
Interested in how you get on between now and when it comes off the road for the winter ... I think when you get used to the car you'll be fine - flog the bits and get some money back and live with the car as LHD - but we'll see. Wishful thinking on my part, most likely.