HZJ80 - RHD to LHD swap (Europe)

aklosak · 03-16-07, 06:39 AM

hello Diesel Lovers :-)

quick question - does anybody know where in Europe I can make a swap from RHD to LHD for HZJ80 (to be exact HZJ81V - Japanese version of HZJ)? I am about to import such a beauty, but I cannot register RHD car in Poland.
I could of course register it as "oldmobile", but will need to wait 15 years first (oldmobiles must be 25years old minimum)

I've been told, in Dubai (Emirates) such a swap cost $1000, and is rather popular.

If someone has any experience in that matters, comments would be welcome.

Warm regards
andy

Martin White · 03-18-07, 07:06 PM

It is pretty much impossible to believe anyone could do that swap for $1,000 - unless that's a typo and you mean $10,000 which is more like it. Even that probably wouldn't be enough to do the job to factory original quality.

Fantom · 03-18-07, 11:52 PM

Czesc, I've seen some 60s with that done and it is stupidly expensive, you need to change so much, firewall alterations/swap, wiring due to power windows and other controls located on the Drivers door, dash and all the wonderful stuff underneath that's non transferable, mirrors, shifter - if manual then it is angled the wrong way, if auto the button is on the wrong side, maybe steering box (not sure). Many headaches to do it properly.
Good luck, how's home? I'm from Warszawa originally.

denis · 03-19-07, 01:19 AM

the best way you be to find a LHD donor and make a complete body swap but if you can find a LHD donor you're already halfway there. The steering and front panhard are different and will need to be reworked as well. I can't see the $1000 figure being realistic, or that might be labor only with an insanely cheap rate.

aklosak · 03-21-07, 01:07 PM

thanks for the input

I have decided, not to do this swap. It's too complicated, and will destroy the "look" of the original Japanese car.
Will be trying to register the car in UK, keep it there for 12month and then reimport it to Poland (as within EU transfer) - hopefully I will be allowed to do this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fantom

I'm from Warszawa originally.

I am from Cracow, but have been living in Warszawa for 5 years :-)
pozdrowienia!