Right Hand Drive
 

I wonder if anyone has done a right hand drive on a 60-66.....:uhmk:
Now that would be cool...
Now I wonder what it would take to do it???? Hummmmm????????????

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

I think the easiest way would be to contact someone in Austrailia. Maybe a salvage yard that sells to the US. Or someone from here on the forum. You would probably just need a steering box and dashboard. I think all of the other parts would be the same. Just my .02 cents, though. It would be cool.

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

OH! I hadn't thought of Autrailia......
That would be as cool as ice cream.
I would LOVE to make my 63 short fleet a RH drive.. It's already different with Pontiac Firepower laying between the frame rails.
I would definately do it if I could find a dash.. I could use a late model gear box to use on the right side frame rail... OH NO! :jdp: I can't start another project......... :uhmk:

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

heres one

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Don't forget, you would have to move the brake and gas pedals to.

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

"bdydrppedc10" over on the C10 Forum site is doing a RH Drive. Here is a link: http://c10forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4395

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

use any gm box that mounts to the inside of the frame rail and move it to the right hand outside and there you go! example 92-98 chevy trucks

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

THAT IS TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL!
(I am so freaking dated)
:lol:

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Nice! Thanks for the link.
I am just in the dreaming stage .... :uhmk:

I think that taking a donor firewall and "flipping" it, so to speak.
Yes, lots of work but it could be done.
One other question would be 63 style heater blower set up or would the 64-66 style be easier to "flip"?

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Heres some pics I saved on my hard drive from who knows where and when. I think I remember reading that it came factory that way...

http://img1.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...fc547ae716.jpg

http://img1.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...ba6f820bb4.jpg

http://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...dfa8efb4ca.jpg

http://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...0a965803c6.jpg

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

When I was a kid in rural Michigan, a very long time ago....
I was fascinated by the mail lady as she had a RH drive mail jeep...
Not so rare I know, but I always thought that it would be kinda cool to have a RH drive car or truck.
The cab is stripped down on my 63 hot rod truck.
The 63 is taking a back seat to the 66 and the 66 takes a back seat to the 79.
I have WAY too many projects going but the RH drive idea doesn't seem to want to go away.
I can see hanging the pedals and other stuff would be pretty simple.
The heater box has me stumped. The 63 is inside and the rest (60-62 and 64-66) seem to be outside.
I originally wanted to do an extended or crew cab conversion, maybe I should go the whole way and do an crew cab RH drive, rear engine, 4 wheel independent suspension truck....:uhmk:

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Whatever you do please don't do like the manufacturer did to AMC Jeep Wagoners that were imported to the UK in the late 70s/early 80s . They had a wheel on a stubby little column with a cog like a bicycle sprocket on it , this then ran a looooong saggy chain across to the left side where the rest of the column was in its original place with a matching cog banged on the top . It even needed periodic lubing and adjusting :lol:

What were they thinking ...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Just go aftermarket and mount it under the dash... done deal.

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

They weren't! That's obvious. :lol:
So I see your in GB Ratty, have you seen any RH drive 60-66 GMC's or Chevy's?
I never noticed any when I was there visiting family in Leeds...
Then again, I was busy trying not to freak out driving on the wrong side of the car and on the wrong side of the road. ;)

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

I was thinking more along the lines of clean and stock looking.
I was out looking under the dash in both the 66 and the 63 and if there is enough room for the box that comes off the firewall to clear the motor, then I might be able to make it work.
Wish I could look at the truck that Murdoc sent photos of... That would answer a ton of questions. :metal:

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

No , you see thats where you're wrong . We drive on the correct side , its the rest of you that do it wrong . If it was good enough for King Richard its good enough for us :D

There's plenty of yank iron over here but most of it is LHD . Most of the american stuff over here is imported secondhand from the States , either by individuals if its pre-70 or by the good old USAF if its later . There's an awful lot of later 70's C10's on Q plates that have military paint under whatever glam colours they now wear .

Most of the RHD stuff I've seen has been imported from South Africa . Chrysler used to sell RHD converted vehicles over here in the 60's but the majority of Chevy stuff available these days had Daewo written on it a few years ago , a fact that us British enthusiasts are about as happy about as you guys are I'd guess ;)

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

:metal:
I have often wondered about "junk yarding" in the UK and what in the world would I find???
Maybe I would find that elusive crew cab 60-66 truck.. :lol:
Well, if I ever get pulled over for diving on the wrong side of the road I'll have to tell them that Ratty said we are all doing it wrong on this side of the pond... :metal:
Got your PM Ratty.. thanks

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Something I forgot to say ;

Speaking as a GB based american car enthusiast/hotrodder I personally wouldn't want a RHD yank motor . Part of the joy of these vehicles is the fact that they're different from the norm over here , your average Joe know's nothing of racing on the deserts or cruising the strip , he just sees something like what he's seen at the movies and goes "Yeah , cool car" .

Those of us that are properly into the whole scene see much deeper than that , to the extent that if you saw two 1965 C10's for sale (For example) in identical condition and spec except for the side the drivers seat was mounted , the LHD one would be worth more . Sounds crazy but thats the way it is , I guess a factory RHD would be worth a bit more to you guys even though its 'wrong' for your roads .

Its funny when you look back at the history of our two motor industries (Cars , trucks , bikes , it doesn't matter) that you can see how the two grew up to suit their enviroments . Leaving aside economic issues created by two world wars in general the Brits and Europeans built smaller lighter vehicles that handle well which were suited to our tighter twistier roads with no (Or very high) speed limits whereas you fellas built big comfy cars that could cruise all day on the straights with a low limit . For the same reasons you guys invented Speed Week and Drag Racing whilst we came up with Grand Prix and Rallying .

Don't believe me ? Well even to this day I challenge you to go first to a Harley dealer and ride a Road King , and then go to a Moto Guzzi dealer and ride a California . Both big air-cooled V-twins built for covering big distances in comfort but one designed in the US and the other in Europe . The Guzzi is the better bike in almost every respect from a European point of view , it goes stops and corners way better than the Hog , but if I ever make it over the pond I know which one I'd rather ride .

Its a funny old world , sorry for diving off topic ;)

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

PS , 'Junkyarding' in the UK is pretty much a thing of the past now , unless you really need a new ashtray for your Nissan Micra , sorry ...

PPS ; Why do we drive on the left ? Google knows ...

Up to the late 1700's, everybody travelled on the left side of the road because it's the sensible option for feudal, violent societies of mostly right-handed people.

Jousting knights with their lances under their right arm naturally passed on each other's right, and if you passed a stranger on the road you walked on the left to ensure that your protective sword arm was between yourself and him.

Thats cleared that up then , where were we ;)

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

I was riding with a cousin in Yorkshire in a "Micro mini??" That went all day on pennies and I think it had a 3 cylinder?? and my Aunt Edna has a 3 wheeler that the disability people gave her to drive...
ALL too small for my 6' 280 lb frame...
:lol:

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Bloody hell , has she still got the three wheeler ? I swear they only gave them to disabled folks so the rest of us knew to stay well clear , they were all painted pale blue for some reason . She'd be no use for this thread though , think they were all centre-steer :D

A micro mini is something that ladies who dance for money in cheap bars wear , have you got your cousins phone number ? And don't do yourself down , ther's plenty of 280lb ladies wearing them over here . We wish they wouldn't but there you go ...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Here down under my 64 is still left hook , one thing to keep in mind when steering from the opposite side of the car is being patient when you want to overtake another car you have to find the right moment and place to do it.
The conversion would be quite simple another idea for steering system would be using rhd rack and pinion

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

THAT"S IT! :metal:

Rack and pinion would be rockin!

Was out assessing the truck and I think I am getting closer to making the commitment.

A rhd truck here would be so completely different and what the heck, I could get a job delivering mail! :lol:

Now on to peruse the internet for parts...

What the hell am I getting myself into???? My grandfather would say something to the affect of ee-by-gum are ya bloody daft lad??? and I would say.. yup! Sure am Gramps.. :sumo:
Maybe I should go with this motor … hahahaha

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

What happens when you want to pass a truck on a two lane road? Sitting in the passenger seat, you'll never know when the lane is clear...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

There is always someone throwing common sense around :lol:

Well, dang it, you got me there....

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

As for passing another vehicle see my post above you just got to be patient and wait for the right moment , thats what I have to do its actually after all these years of driving has made a patient driver and thats a good thing.

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Yup , like Old Cruiser says patience is the key , that and road positioning . I have to do the same thing here when driving LHD for work and pleasure , you'd be amazed how much you can see up the inside of a vehicle you're following , plus if you just hang back a bit further than normal(Not a bad idea in itself) you can usually see enough to make a safe pass .

The bigger problem you'll have from sitting on the 'wrong' side is that of perspective as to your lane positioning . With the bus I drive for work I frequently get a second driver flown out to me for longhaul runs so we can stay within the driving regs and these guys have generally never driven LHD in the UK or Europe (All European countries other than us are LHD) . Without fail they'll spend the first couple of hours bouncing catseyes and rumble strips (Not good on a sleeperbus) because their 'sixth sense' of where they are on the road is thrown out of kilter by sitting on the other side of the vehicle .

I ususally tell people to watch their road positioning by concerntrating on the driver's side mirror not the offside , seems to work in most cases though not in all . Had one guy cause £2500 worth of damage to the side of my bus last year on a straight bit of motorway , christ knows waht he hit , needless to say he won't be driving for us again ...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Here are a few tings I believe will/could be obstacles to get over in a RHD conversion.
Clutch linkage (if using a standard)
Steering (we touched on this, no chains :lol:)
Heater box (also touched on)
Firewall mods (seems like straight forward fab work)
Throttle linkage (probably best to use a cable)
Dash and under dash components (same as firewall)
As for the clutch linkage, I actually have a Chevy bell housing with a clutch fork that comes out the right hand side. It's some odd ball conversation piece I have hanging around. But I use Pontiac motors exclusively in any automotive build I do. Maybe a Lakewood scatter shield? I am checking into that.
I guess there is always the hydraulic clutch route.
I am sure putting allot of thought into this "idea", but I do like to be different.:uhmk:
Any thoughts?

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

I had that problem over there but it didn't last that long.
I am an old fart with loads of patience...
No big deal there.. :metal:

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

IMO a hydraulic clutch system would simplify things greatly for this conversion.

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

I think your right.
My NV4500 comes set up with a hydraulic throw out bearing.
Just a matter of running a line.
I use hydro-boost on my truck so those lines will need to be dealt with as well.
Holey socks batman! I will have to re-route the brake lines too... wow
Still on the fence as to whether I should do this or not...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Stumbled across this looking for a radiator for my 66.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2373859606.html
Pretty cool...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

He has a 1960 Vespa 400....
Just now found out..

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

still wanna do the swap

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Yes, I still think doing a RHD truck would be fun and definately different...
I am not in a place to start a new project at the moment but keeping my feelers out for things to do the project.
Then there is the crew cab too...
what to do... what to do...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

My truck will be out soon so u can come out west and check it outta sometime... it has a remounted gear box...but when I do my crossmember I'm going with a rack n pinion
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Re: Right Hand Drive
 

An interesting thread, many things to think about. What kind of rack are you going to use? Have you found one yet? New or used? Thanks.
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Re: Right Hand Drive
 

Most likely power since I have a pump already ... it will be new.i have chosen one yet focusing on the drivetrain now...
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Re: Right Hand Drive
 

we offer our bolt in and weld in IFS kits as a right hand drive we have the right hand drive racks columns etc...

Re: Right Hand Drive
 

What's the price on a Rhd rack.... rhd column shifter.... pm if u like
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