348 righthand drive conversion

Sell the LHD and buy a RHD. You're probably going to spend a small fortune. Relocating the hand brake, instrument pod, steering wheel (let alone the shaft and rack), wiring (drivers door has both window switches along with mirror controls would then need to swap sides), Pedals, then relocating the fuse box in the passenger side footwell, pedals along with linkage, hydraulic fluid reservoir and lines. Holy cow, I bet you would be looking at way more money than it would be worth.

Even if you had to take a $10k hit on selling the LHD one to buy an RHD one, you'd still end up ahead.

If anyone ever researched the VIN and saw that it used to be an LHD one, it would automatically become a car with "a story".

Don't do it...don't do it man!

Seriously, if you do end up doing it, take lots of pictures.

 

I agree with this - it may come back to haunt you if you ever decide to sell.

 

Hey guys; help the guy, don’t discourage him! He may be in love with his 348 and he doesn't won’t to part with it. It’s like having a wife would you guys divorce your wife just because you are relocating?

 

You get more money for LHD than RHD will cost so others have said, just sell yours and buy RHD (and probably walk away having money in pocket)

 

I agree with Spiderman. I am all for supporting someone in a project but on something like this, you need to use some common sense and not let your emotions take over.

 

I'd divorce her if she wanted to move her boobs to her back...

Kai

 

A converted RHD might be even less desirable re: resale than an original. Not sure of exact location of RHD buttons and switches, but rearranging LHD gauges, etc. to RHD may leave some things not the same as an OEM RHD car.

 

I wouldnt convert it either! TOOOOOOOO much effort for my liking!

Have you considered bringing it in as a LHD and keeping it that way?? You can register it in WA and the NT as a LHD car.

That may be something to consider. Then, when its 30 yrs old, register as a LHD in whichever state you live in at the time.

I know the car is CHEAP, which is why you want to bring it in. The cheapest 348 for sale at the moment is a red/tan with 30K on the clock for AU $89K. It looks rather average inside the cab too. Other 348's average over AU $100K.

Best of luck with it, but its a big job to convert mate and sourcing some of the parts would be a pain in the ass! And dont forgot the $10K-$15 or so to comply it before you can register it here in Aus.

 

No way this conversion makes sense, too expensive and too much work.

If I were in this position and taking the car with me was my only option (maybe you brought it new or it has some other sentimental value) then I would move to NZ and register it (lol) Or do as Pap is saying and register it in a state of Aussie that allows LHD.

I have owned a LHD car here in NZ and it is fine, esp when it is a small car like a 348.

 

Maybe it would be easier if all you RHD countries start driving on the correct side of the road! (Left)





J/K!



I spent about two months in Australia while I was part of the University of Oklahoma Solar car race team back in the early 90's for the World Solar Challenge. Just when I finally got used to driving on the right in a RHD car, I came back and was screwed up all over again. It took me about a week to make the switch back. Great time though! Loved the hell out of the trip and the people.

 

Huh?? We already drive on the RIGHT side of the road, it's you guys that have it wrong.....

Solar Challenge, I think I remember something about that. I was very young then and I think we did one of those stupid research studies on it at school, I remember being quite excited as it was something interesting this time, unlike studying 3000 year old poems or how flowers grow.

 

My favorite story about LHD and RHD countries was the one where Sweden decided back in the 50's or 60's (can't remember which) to change from driving on the right lane to the left lane OVERNIGHT! They lowered the speed limit to something like 25 or 30 mph max for anywhere for about a week. At noon or something one day, they made the switch. Needless to say, there were more than a few fender benders. I cannot imagine something like that happening in the US. It would be mass carnage.

 

I've heard that story too.


Too funny!!

 

Here is a pic of the solar car we took to Aussie in '93. Around 1200 miles through the Outback from Darwin to Adelaide. Best time of my life!


Sorry to get off topic.
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heat must have been a killer

 

you can buy one here and save yourself a lot of drama

 

I thought I read that in Italy they used to drive on the left hand side of the road on mountain roads (easier for the driver to see the edge). Once you were at the bottom then you went back to the standard right hand side of the road. This was ages ago. Not sure it caused many problems as "lane discipline" has always been optional in Italy anyway

 

Still an active topic:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125086852452149513.html?mod=yhoofront

 

You could say that! Our drivers would rotate out every 3 hours or so. They would lose 10 lbs of water weight per day easy. And the flies!! The flies!! Yes, I can still feel them swarming around me at night. Luckily, they only lasted about 15 to 20 minutes once in the morning and once in the evening.

 

eyboro, I think that is a little too simplified. I recently relocated and I brought my wife with me!

I think a better analogy would be this:

Kind of like relocating, but you really like your house. So instead of buying a new house, you want to uproot your existing house and move it 700 miles away. You'll spend way more money on the logistics and moving it (and it probalby will never be the same having been moved off of its original foundation) and at the end of the day, you just moved it to an area where property values are lower, so when you go to sell it, you'll probably get less money for it, and people will be scratching their heads going "Why would you do that?"

Although, I do like the boob implant correlation as well.

I would never discourage anyone from doing a project that would be worth while, but I think I'd be donig the brotherhood a disservice if I encouraged someone to engage in a train wreck when it really didn't make sense.

 

+1

 

.... And your point is?









I might not divorce her, but I would definitely not rearrange her parts either!