Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Hey

Plans have been made to convert my 55 chev from LHD to RHD (aussie truck)

The brake pedal bracket will need to be flipped and i will need a rhd steering rack and a new hole for the column etc etc etc But the dash is my concern.

I was planning on cutting a LHD dash to bits and changing everything over and then welding it back together.. the difficulties lies in trying to cut out the hump and move it over so that the curves on either end of the dash stay as they are..
Or would it be easiest to get a sedan bel air twin hump dash and use that

and tips or pics would be appreciated
Cheers
Miller

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

If you plan to move the glove box to the other side careful cutting might save a lot of fabricating and welding.

Or is there a great looking dash from a late 50's or 60's Australian rig that might just fit in there with a bit of fitting? Something that will look perfect in the truck and fit without an extreme amount of work?

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

The glove box will be shifting over to the left hand side.. I found a couple pics of a RHD conversion that was done with some careful measuring so it went straight over.. but from what I could see there was a lot of fiddling to get right curve at the end which then created a bezel fitment issue

I haven't really thought about retro-fitting a dash out of something else, wouldn't mind keeping it as chevy as possible

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

You might try contacting user Nev68.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=Nev68

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps47d548cd.jpg

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

I love this mod. The US AD trucks had a hump in the firewall on the right side where the column would go for right hand.

Brian

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Seeing the example I'd say it would be well worth the effort to get it right even though it may take a lot of hours of work and possibly learning some new fabrication skills.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Nev's conversion ame out looking really clean, ill have to contact him when i get closer to action.

Would a bel-air dash be useable? or are they narrower then a pickup

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

The factory assembly manual shows all the stuff required for Right Hand Drive, I think in the RPO section at back. Besides the dash, steering, clutch and brake stuff and shift linkage are the biggies.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

The car dash does not fit directly, but here's something else to look at:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=794

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1453075930

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Cheers OrrieG, I’ll have a look into that manual. The truck came pretty bare..we don’t have a brake pedal, shift assembly etc, etc so we will be starting from scratch on the most part. The truck did come with a brand new LHD steering rack which we won’t be able to use :mad: :m7:

I don’t mind the twin hump look at all.. I was reading on google the bel air’s are slightly narrower? I guess a bel air dash could be cut in half and then welded back into place in the pickup which would maintain the curves and then cut out a hole for the gauge bezel

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

I am using a Commodore brake pedal, master cylinder and booster.
Steering column is IDIDIT

IFS is XJ6 Series 2
I thought about keeping the original front end but 1 drive convinced me to go for the IFS and that gave me some nice disc brakes up front as well :)

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

I really thought about doing a dash like this but ended up keeping the "truck" style dash, which I like as well. :)

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Did you use a jag steering rack with the Xj6 front end?

Pulled out the LHD ford power rack that was in it today. Tossing up weather to put another power rack back in or just for a manual rack and keep it simple.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Yes, I kept the jag rack

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Hi im also downunder in new zealand and currantly fitting jag xj infront and rear and looking for lh jag rack to keep lhd drive. If you dont use your rack I would love a chance to buy as they a thin on the ground down heare.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

steampunk if your referring to the steering rack that I posted a photo of that was a power rack off a ford mustang front end

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Thanks for that it is hard to find a lhd jag rack so I had to ask.I am on the lookout for a power steer rack the right size to prevent bump steer. I may buy a jag rack on ebay.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

The jag racks don't come up on Aus ebay that often but i know a jag wrecker in Melbourne that i get parts from.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

I did the change over a couple of years ago and used a jeep power steering box.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...d/IMG_5309.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...d/IMG_5319.jpg

See my build thread..

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

That's a good idea. In the US RH drive Jeeps were used to deliver mail in rural areas. I know some parts for RH drive Jeeps are still available here.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Hey,

We completed the conversion a couple weeks back so i thought i would check back in and show you guys how it went... And just in case someone in the future is going down the same road

Its not 100% finished. Just needs some high build primer and a final sand

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Looks good, and it should look great when finished.

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Nice work you are getting close.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psbdb53ee3.jpg

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

i have to admire the work you guys in rhd countries do to keep old trucks alive :D

Re: Right Hand Drive Conversion
 

Always wondered about driving from the right seat and in the Left lane?
Think it would be crazy for me as if i were in the situation i would have a panic attack
if i was say driving for awhile and forgot were i was at, Lol...
I guess what i am really saying is if i was ever to be able to be in your beautiful part of the world, i would have to leave the driving to a Local,Lol
Great work on converting your truck!
Allen