LHD to RHD

Post by **mud** » 18 Feb 2007, 11:11

This is probably mad but has anyone out there ever converted a left hand drive Syncro to a righty? I am after a RHD 16" but they seem as rare as hens teeth which got my brain ticking

I am guessing that it would be possible to use a RHD stering mechanism and dash from a breakers? Probably massive work and possibly illegal? Any advice gratefully received.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 18 Feb 2007, 11:34

Yes its possible, but LHD isnt a problem... these vehicles are not fast (unless you have a big moter swap) and you tend not to drive the wheels off them.. + you can see over most things..
But It you want to go to that trouble then fair enough..

I have owned a LHD 2 wd caravelle for 7 years (in the UK, and done a lot of miles - 90k miles).. never a problem really...

Post by **syncropaddy** » 18 Feb 2007, 15:20

I looked at doing this conversion and its quite complicated as the bulkhead and floor is handed and you would have to do quite a bit of swoping and welding. You would then need all the RHD brake pipes, pedals, wiring loom, speedo cable, move the handbrake over and few other bits and pieces. Its a lot of work for little gain. Get a RHD 14" and convert to 16" would be much easier

Post by **bigbluebus** » 18 Feb 2007, 15:35

there's a guy on Brickyard that's done it, can't remember his name but remember him saying it was pig of a job.

I agree with Si Toomanytoys, LHD really isn't a problem.

Took me few miles to get used to it but once I adjusted road positioning I hardly noticed.

Have found it tricky couple times overtaking tractors n stuff but that's about it

Insurance may be slightly, and I mean ever so slightly higher

Maybe find someone local to you with one and ask for a spin, see what you think . . [/u]

Post by **Aidan** » 19 Feb 2007, 11:52

I think the fact that Russel wouldn't even contemplate doing this conversion tells you that it's pretty much a no - no, the handed ness is a big issue.
Driving lhd over here is fine unless you spend your life trying to do 60 on busy A roads and want to overtake everything in sight, in which case you'd be driving something with safe acceleration capability like a porsche or a motorbike.
Driving position and visibility is one of the usps of a T25 imho, and in a syncro it's just a little better . I hope I never have to drive a car again, unless it's fun and fast and on a racetrack, or on the computer.

Post by **mud** » 19 Feb 2007, 12:35

OK thats decided it for me. Thanks for the response guys.

Post by **Mick** » 19 Feb 2007, 16:03

toomanytoys wrote:... these vehicles are not fast (unless you have a big moter swap) and you tend not to drive the wheels off them

?

Post by **toomanytoys** » 19 Feb 2007, 17:14

Was up Mick??

Syncro15 · Post by **Syncro15** » 19 Feb 2007, 18:22

It is possible and worth it IF you have something which is worth converting.
Syncro 16 vans have aditional strengthening to the shell but Crewcab and Single cab 16s don't so you'd only need to swap the running gear over.
Syncro 16s do get broken from time to time, but parts are very expensive and the mechanical upgrade aren't really worth the hassle of looking specifically for those parts.

Post by **mud** » 19 Feb 2007, 18:25

Thanks again. I have definitely decided it isn't a job for me and will look out for a LHD 16" or a RHD 14" and try to do the 16" wheel thing.

Post by **Mick** » 19 Feb 2007, 18:28

I'm not contentious and rarely post. Everyone has an opinion which is fine by me, life goes on. But I keep hearing that these are slow - so just what is slow and is that from experience ? If that's what you think then fair enough but my lumbering 16" doKa with stock wasserboxer 2.1Dj No cat. 112BHP is not slow to my mind. Dubfreeze M1 A50 ~ 110/120Kph ~ 70mph - motorway limit and I have to throttle it back. I also like to 'chase' Golfs and such on roundabouts.
So last post now for another couple of months.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 20 Feb 2007, 08:49

Mick, I didnt say they are slow, I said they are not "fast"... (there is a difference)... not as fast as a more modern van etc... Ive got a 1.9dg in my syncro, and that has to be worked hard to keep up with modern traffic flow a Dj would be a whole lot better.... oh and I have covered 20k km in it from July to Dec last year all over Europe and done 200k km in my caravelle in 6 years... so I do actually drive the things..

I was offering a perspective to a newbie that had never driven one.. anyone jumping out of a modern (ie less than 10 year old) vehicle will find them a little more... well shall we say.. involved to drive...
I hate driving modern cars, because most are so sterile and over assisted, touch the brakes through the windscreen, turn the steering a mm and do a U turn... touch the throttle and off it goes..

Post by **mud** » 20 Feb 2007, 08:55

Hi guys. I think we are going off at a tangent from the initial thread which was about LHD to RHD conversions. I have owned several VW's over the years- Karmann Ghia, Beetles, Baywindow bus as well as several Land Rovers- series 2 and 3, 90" and 110" so I am no stranger to driving in the slow lane whilst wrestling with the steering wheel

This newbie loves a challenge

Post by **KarlT** » 20 Feb 2007, 09:00

mud wrote:Hi guys. I think we are going off at a tangent from the initial thread which was about LHD to RHD conversions. I have owned several VW's over the years- Karmann Ghia, Beetles, Baywindow bus as well as several Land Rovers- series 2 and 3, 90" and 110" so I am no stranger to driving in the slow lane whilst wrestling with the steering wheel This newbie loves a challenge

After some of them the T25 is luxury!!

Post by **toomanytoys** » 20 Feb 2007, 11:14

Ah well, prob a performance improvement then

Club 80-90 Forums

LHD to RHD

LHD to RHD

What is fast ?