RHD To LHD conversion kit? Help Please

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C

California 4x4

10 Year 15 Year
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Dec 30, 2009
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SF Bay Area
Hi, I'm new to this forum, So hopefully I don't make to many mistakes but here we go.
So I need some help. I'm currently looking at a local BJ40 for sale, but the car is a RHD. I'v never driven a RHD and would rather have it a LHD. Do you guys know of a conversion kit, or would it be a totally custom job to get it changed over? I can pretty easily re-weld the dash and switch the glove box and dash gauges. But would it be difficult to switch the steering column and pedals to the other side?
You don't see to many BJs around now adays so hopefully I can figure this one out. Let me know. Thanks! :)
 
If it was me I'd keep it RHD since I like having vehicles that are different. However, you did not ask what I felt but how to convert it.

If you can do the metal work then what's left is the steering box will need to be changed out for a LHD variant, probably the draglink and tierod as well, the brake booster/MC and clutch MC would need to be swapped over with the pedals so you'd have to create mounting points (possibly cut that patch from the firewall and weld whats cut out from the other side?), the fuse location could possibly be on the opposite side of USDM and I could see the wiring all being short in some areas for moving things over. I'm sure there's quite a few other little pieces that are different, it's doable but may be more work than you're interested in.
 
You could probably get a parts 40 and swap the two. On the other hand you could get used to driveing a RHD and be stoked to drive a unique rig. not to mention having a deisel. My understaning is that the biggest problem with the RHD is converting to power steering f its not already. Good luck Im sure some others will chime in
 
No I glad to hear your opinion! Yea I thought about leaving it RHD, I just assumed it would be extremely strange and hard to drive. Shifter on the left would take some getting used to too. Well, with the knowledge that its possible I'll probably try purchasing it and drive it RHD and eventually switch it. I may just get used to it.
 
Its a huge undertaking try driving it RHD for awhile then decide if you want to swap it over.
Firewall needs to be change with a FJ
Entire steering linkage as well as steering box has to come from a FJ
Wiring will have to swap from a BJ RHD you may be able to flip the harness upside down but I think you will run short on some of you wires.
Fenders will have to be cut to fit steering box only the left fender.
Shifter will have to be bent or changed out it is offset for the RHD.
Window frame you need a FJ the wipers wont clear your vision point.

Just a few things I can think of... like I said try it first before you decide if you look at my fleet I have both and drive any one of them daily no problem switching back and forth
 
i won a RHD troopy and it's really no big deal to drive at all. most people get scared and "overthink" it completely. just get in and drive.

we have a customers' troopy at the shop right now and part of the work we're doing to it is to switch it from RHD to LHD. it's a fairly major undertaking. in his case, we also converted it to ps amongst other mods.

where in CA are you? you're welcome to stop by the shop and check out the rig. we're in stockton.

hth!

georg @ valley hybrids
 
X2, when I bought my RHD BJ42 I was thinking of the whole swapping over thing but now it is a blast to drive and fun to see the looks you get, its actually just as easy driving as LHD, get used to it and have fun with it would be the easiest. It was funny though for one day I notced I was eating left handed for some reason and I am actually right handed? caught myself and laughed about it? Something about shifting with left hand automatically made me start eating that way? go figure

R
 
California 4x4 said:
No I glad to hear your opinion! Yea I thought about leaving it RHD, I just assumed it would be extremely strange and hard to drive. Shifter on the left would take some getting used to too. Well, with the knowledge that its possible I'll probably try purchasing it and drive it RHD and eventually switch it. I may just get used to it.
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Not a biggie, getting used to it will only take a few days. Still, your mind will keep playing tricks on you if you drive other LHD vehicles.
 
oUZIo said:
Not a biggie, getting used to it will only take a few days. Still, your mind will keep playing tricks on you if you drive other LHD vehicles.
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Nah you just get confused on what side of the car to get into to drive I do it all the time you eventually get used to it,the best part is when you get pulled over and the officer aproaches the PS.
 
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I used to drive a recycle truck with both RHD and LHD. I got used to it quickly. Some days I'd switch back and forth eight to ten times in a shift.

It can be switched if you find you don't like it, just get in and drive it.
 
As one of my email addresses reads, "RHDisFun" . Don't waste all that $$$ and time to "fix" something that isn't broken. I flew one-way to pick up my RHD BJ42. I got in, fired it up and drove it 2500 miles back home - you're making it a bigger deal than it is. It's a non-issue. Besides, it makes drive-thru food pickup much more fun. $.02
 
tm7302 said:
Ok, the worst thing about a RHD cruiser is when you pull into a fastfood drive-thru or ATM.
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No big deal,.............Just go through backwards. Problem solved. :D
 
If LHD to RHD kits were readily available - I would definitely buy and import a 2009/2010 FJC FJ Cruiser :hhmm:
 
I jump from LHD to RHD vehicles all the time as I go back and forth between the US and Ireland. But I did learn to drive in a RHD stick shift first and I'm glad I don't have to go through that learning experience again.

One thing to add to the above comments is if you do leave it RHD for a while check your headlight lenses are appropriate for driving on the "wrong" side of the road and you don't blind oncoming drivers.
 
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