Right Hand Drive Conversion

[Miller197]

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

[mr48chev]

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?

[Miller197]

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

[1project2many]

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

[MARTINSR]

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

[mr48chev]

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.

[Miller197]

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

[OrrieG]

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.

[1project2many]

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

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

[Miller197]

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

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

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

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

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

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

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

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

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

[Miller197]

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.

[Nev68]

Yes, I kept the jag rack

[steampunk c1]

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.

[Miller197]

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

[steampunk c1]

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.

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by steampunk c1

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.

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.

[Bangkok Dean]

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




See my build thread..

[1project2many]

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.

[Miller197]

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

[mr48chev]

Looks good, and it should look great when finished.

[Bangkok Dean]

Nice work you are getting close.

[_Ogre]

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

[58CameoAZ]

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