LHD to RHD

Post by **beetleseb** » 22 Jun 2008, 16:34

Hi Guys

Just looking for some info, does anyone know how easy it is to convert a t25 from lhd to rhd?

We want to buy a crewcab tristar with the 4 doors etc but are struggling to find a nice one in the UK. I have some leads in sweden but they will be LHD as its a daily for the wife I really want to go RHD. It wouldn't be a syncro as we want it slammed etc

I'm pretty handy with the spanners and welder, have rebuit a few aircooleds and even gti'd my bay camper, but would pay someone to do it if its not too much as works getting mad.

Cheers

Seb

Post by **Mocki** » 22 Jun 2008, 17:29

oh oh....... its a lot more work than you may think........

its been spoken about a few times, general consensus seems to be too much work involved to be practical.........

someone will be along soon enough who has looked into it......

Post by **billy739** » 22 Jun 2008, 18:02

it is doable , and has been done(not by me)
a big job as most of the front is a different shape for the steering system

a regular show winning van has it done , the easiest way was to cut the front corner off the van and fit a complete rhd corner!

remember the wipers / wiring /brakes / clutch pedal / steering / structure / gearstick / throttle pedal / dash
there all in the wrong place!

Post by **Ye Olde Syncrospares** » 22 Jun 2008, 18:20

converting a swedish van to RHD is the least of your worries,itll be rusty-very rusty,itll need nearly every brake line changed and a full exhaust systym,but since itll be stripped down to a bare shell in the front at least itll be easier,cj.

Post by **beetleseb** » 22 Jun 2008, 18:26

SYNCROSPARES UK wrote:converting a swedish van to RHD is the least of your worries,itll be rusty-very rusty,itll need nearly every brake line changed and a full exhaust systym,but since itll be stripped down to a bare shell in the front at least itll be easier,cj.

This shocks me a bit as I've bought 50 bug from sweden and it very very NOT rusty! I've also seen some of the crewies my mates brought accross and they are all nice (no salt on the roads!). I wonder if the syncros you've seen had a harder life with the woodmen

The one I fancy is a fire vehicle well looked after etc.

Did they ever do a RHD 4 door crew cab?

Seb

Post by **Ye Olde Syncrospares** » 22 Jun 2008, 18:33

the old no salt on the roads thing is a load of "Balls",they throw more of it about then anywhere else that ive been,trouble is in the early days you had a choice of all the cars in sweden and took the best,now its nearly only the rusty old wrecks that are left,the quality has really gone down,as for 4 door doka in uk only tristar syncro had them,they are for sale now and then,cj.

Post by **beetleseb** » 22 Jun 2008, 18:47

Maybe I've been lucky with the stuff I've seen from owen? Ive always been impressed at his stuff but then hes got a lot of fingers in a lot of swedish pies and always looks after me! There is also a big difference with southern and Northen sweden

Have you ever done a LHD-RHD mr syncrospares? If not have you an idea of what metals different in the front? I assume (I may be wrong!) That the steering column, rack etc needs swapping, handbrake, dash, wiring, lights and pedals. the only thing to worry me there would be chopping the metal out as I don't want to take a mint OG paint truck and have to repaint it!

I did have a look at a UK RHD one, it needs 3 small patches (wheelarch, fuel filler and one door) but only a three door and scruffy, would need a repaint etc

Seb

Post by **BenT** » 26 Jun 2008, 13:53

beetleseb wrote:Hi Guys

Just looking for some info, does anyone know how easy it is to convert a t25 from lhd to rhd?

We want to buy a crewcab tristar with the 4 doors etc but are struggling to find a nice one in the UK. I have some leads in sweden but they will be LHD as its a daily for the wife I really want to go RHD. It wouldn't be a syncro as we want it slammed etc

I'm pretty handy with the spanners and welder, have rebuit a few aircooleds and even gti'd my bay camper, but would pay someone to do it if its not too much as works getting mad.

Cheers

Seb

Fellow named Shawn S. from San Francisco, California bought a RHD Tristar and converted it to LHD. It appeared to be a mojor undertaking. He took the entire floor pan out and dash out and replaced with LHD pieces. Wiring for entire dash has to be flipped over too. Then there's the steering box, shifter, pedals, etc. Unless you are very handy with a welder and your time is free, better look for a RHD Tristar instead.

Cheers,

Post by **vwjon** » 27 Jun 2008, 12:30

I HAVE DONE IT! it was the biggest pain ever. if i were to do it again, i would look at cutting the whole front off, remove windscreen, cut thru pillars, remove carpet and doors, cut left to right and see whats there. the problem isnt the steering its the brake booster, look how its mounted and the metal work round it, now look behind the glove box, uh oh!!! you will also need a bunch of bits for the hand brake etc. funny enough the electrics were extremely easy, plug n play!! exept the wipers, they were a nightmare!
if you want some help or info pm me. i'll not put you off, but make an objective comment!

Post by **1664** » 27 Jun 2008, 12:48

vwjon wrote:I HAVE DONE IT!!

Don't suppose you fancy converting mine to a Syncro?

Post by **R0B** » 27 Jun 2008, 12:52

thats.if you dont mind driving it to australia bren...

Don't suppose you fancy converting mine to a Syncro?

Post by **1664** » 27 Jun 2008, 12:56

R0B wrote:thats.if you dont mind driving it to australia bren...

It's going to New Zealand eventually Rob so I could just get the ship to drop it off on the way........

Post by **beetleseb** » 27 Jun 2008, 21:25

Thanks guys

I'm going to look for a RHD project instead and stick the 4th door in.

I'm fairly handy with a welder, rebuilt a 71 bus (put a piccy of it at the bottem), put a viarity of watercooled engines in my Aircooled bus etc etc but am really looking for something to drive not anouther project as I've got a 1950 beetle I want to start.

So if anyone see's a nice non syncro RHD crewcab let me know, no rot or bodges, not fussed on the colour or engine, just want a nice base. Don't mind a bit of work but it must be good.

Cheers

Seb

[IMG:500:374]http://www.muchos.co.uk/members/beetleseb/Busfront.JPG[/img]

[IMG:500:374]http://www.muchos.co.uk/members/beetleseb/BusBack.JPG[/img]

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » 28 Jun 2008, 17:48

hey have driven past that van a few times. Your only down the road from me.

Looks very good

Post by **beetleseb** » 29 Jun 2008, 11:43

Cheers, Let me know if you see any t25 crewie's! and feel free to pop in for a cup of tea, its always good to know fellow vw'ers

Seb

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