Converting to RHD

[81c10on24s]

I'm looking to swap my 81 over to RHD and I was wondering if anyone has done this or knows any tips to help me out. The main thing that is getting me is the draglink, so if I could get some help thanks.

[gezn2]

They did export a few of our trucks to RHD countries, so there *might* be a few factory stock parts floating around....
I've noticed members here posting from OZ, NZ and UK, they might be able to throw some light on the subject, at the least they might be able to hook you up with some pictures of how it's done safely over there
A little google-fu seems to indicate that that Canadian CKD kits were sent to OZ though '81 and converted there when assembled by Holden so chasing down the Australian connection might pay off

[rod86]

hmmm if only i could help... but i will see if i can find any thing out over here, my truck is still LHD and i dont have to convert it to RHD.

[bigblock73]

My question is WHY? You live in AL...is this just to be different?

[smashingchuck]

I've often considered doing this mod as well - just to add to the "different" factor. Let us know what you find out. Min would be a real pain in the ass because my truck is a stick.

Do they still keep the throttle on the right when it's switched over, or is it a mirror image?

[rod86]

hehe well the pedals are the same as you see them - accelerator close to the kick panel instead of tunnel, just bout everything else is same just oposite, steering column is just moved straight across to the right only thing i dont know is the steering box/arms and what dasboard and parts... and the shifter could be interesting depends if you can get linkages for the rh side...
and the most important thing - dont embaress yourself by going an getting in the wrong door and find your sitting in the passenger seat...

[84 400]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

My question is WHY? You live in AL...is this just to be different?

Thats what i was thinking too. The only time i hear of this being done in the US is when converting a vehicles for postal usage. I have seen many jeep Cherokees, jeep comachies and the like with this set up. they use a similar saginaw steering column so there might be an answer there for the gear shift. I just don't understand why you would want to.

[bigblock73]

I can't find a decent 73-78 dash pad...let alone one for RHD!!

[81c10on24s]

I just like RHD so I thought I would give it a try. I'm putting a custom dash in it so that's no problem for me.

[westie 666]

Do what we in NZ do and import one, or at least the parts if you can't get them there.

The cost of converting a late model truck here is $15000.00 to $20000.00 $nzd.

[AceX]

After seeing it on countless imports and actually assisting in the conversion of one, let me tell you straight up that it is not worth it.

You might get a few looks and puzzled faces, but the amount of work that goes into it, plus the inability to find parts and the cost of the parts when you do get them is astronomical.

You'll have to switch the throttle, brakes, e-brake, all the wiring in the dash, the dash itself, the steering and column, the accessories on the engine, the door switches (if you have power door locks and/or windows).

Oh, lets not forget the that mounting points for the dash probably won't match up anymore, so you'll have to redo those too.

Trust me, the list is longer than you could ever imagine and in the end, it's a pain to get used to driving as well...

[81c10on24s]

I'm not doing it to get peoples attention, I build my vehicles for me and nobody else. I could careless if anyone looks at it or talks about it.

[Pyrotechnic]

Well the other things to consider is safety and visibility. You are on the left side of the truck because we drive on the right side of the road.

Say you are at an intersection trying to make a yield on green left turn, with your right hand drive truck. There are other cars in the left turn lane from the oncoming traffic. Those cars in the turn lane are blocking your view of the traffic thats going straight. It's especially bad because you're on the right side which further obstructs your view. Now, had you had a normal left hand drive truck, it would be a lot easier to see the oncoming traffic, but with right hand drive, it's only going to make driving harder and less safe.

I mean if you were in Australia or any other country where they drive on the left side of the road, then do right hand drive, but if you plan on driving this thing on US roads then I would seriously consider keeping it factory.

There was a 73-87 SWB truck on Craigslist that was mentioned here. No one really wanted it because of it's right hand drive status. An extreme decrease in the value of the truck should be expected too, unless you drum up some interest from someone in a right hand drive country. If you did sell it here and it had a decent body, you wouldn't get much for it, and it would be either parted out or used for mail work.

If you gotta have right hand drive, try importing something that was right hand drive from the factory from Japan, like a Nissan Silvia or Skyline, or a Mini Cooper from Europe...etc.

[AceX]

Originally Posted by 81c10on24s

I'm not doing it to get peoples attention, I build my vehicles for me and nobody else. I could careless if anyone looks at it or talks about it.

I'm the same way. I've built my truck for me the way I like it. If everyone else likes it, cool.

I'm still opposed to it though. I hadn't even thought about the stuff that Pyro mentioned. I admit, it would be really cool, different, and would also be a great learning experience, but unless you are an extremely abled mechanic and/or fabricator, it's going to be a VERY hard project to pull off.

If you do decide to do it anyway, import an entire front end, including the front part of the cab. The more parts you can get from another vehicle to help you reference and complete the swap, the better.

Good luck.

[xtreme80]

You drove an import before you got the truck didn't you?

I just don't see the point. At least on an import it has that "authentic" Jap look to it. Our trucks are made in american, flint, detroit, and others. We have american muscle, why give in to the style of the import croud?

Just my opinion. Not trying to offend you or anyone else. Don't get me wrong, I think RHD C10's are cool as hell.... if you live in NZ or Australia or something like that.

[bb1979]

As i have tried to explain in my emails to you it isn't a simple job and you can't just walk into the parts store and pick up what you need. The company I emailed you the info on is the only one I know of in Australia which does this conversion but they do wait until they have enough orders to make it worthwhile. You have said that they don't fully answer your question do you want to forward that onto me and what part they don't fully answer and I will chase it up for you.

Could somebody post some photos of were the idler and box mount to the frame and also a photo of your draglink, maybe with some dimensions so as I can compare with the Aussie versions, I am almost 100% sure the bolt locations on the frame are the same.

If somebody could do the above maybe I can help you out enough that you don't need to import the parts. Basically, over here in Australia if you own an American ride you do one of two things, import stuff or hot rod it and properly engineer your mods for half the price.

As I said before it cost me over $1500 to put power steer in my truck and that was using 2nd hand box and pump and a lot of Aussie injinuity, and it has handled 6 years of hard driving and abuse with no issues

[rod86]

well said from another aussie who knows more than me coz i hav no intentions of making mine RHD...

[81c10on24s]

The main thing that I am getting stumped on is the draglink. And don't any of you worry about safety I wouldn't build anything thats not safe enough to put my family in or even my own life.