RHD to LHD Conversion?

[Root Moose]

Hey all, newbie with 60 wagon lust here. LOL

I've been eyeing the JDM, right hand drive, high roof diesels out on the west coast.

I've driven RHD in other countries in the past. It's not something that bothers me per se but I suspect it'll get tiresome when surrounded by LHD vehicles and roads.

How hard is it to convert a 60 from RHD to LHD? Just straight mechanics and sourcing a "new" dash? Is the wiring loom long enough to route to the other side of the truck? Splice in extensions? Is the firewall stamping symmetrical so mounting the brake booster and such won't be a big deal? Other stuff I'm not thinking about?

I'm not serious about it at the moment, just wondering out loud. The search didn't reveal this had been discussed in the past so I figured I'd post.

 

[LCOwner]

I'd buy a beater LHD and get the parts you need there. I suspect the fire wall will be your biggest hill to climb.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Tofudebeest went through this conversion and its discussed in this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/182582-sheilas-evisceration-birth-hj62-tofudebeest.html

Later,
Butt

 

[T.Stanford]

Aw man , when you think about the number of things that have to be altered or changed out I would never consider this as a viable option , besides, having had a RHD 81 for two years now I don't see much advantage to the LHD . Yes in passing it's more "user friendly" but you get used to the eccentricities quite quickly. The JDM's ,(for Cruiser nuts) are really NICE vehicles, well kept , low mileage and usually (in comparison) rust free. Cheers, Tony

 

[takeitforgranite]

I would rock that s*** RHD - I'm sure you would get used to the drivability, you would be the only guy you knew with one, and hey, you could always start up a mail route!!!

 

[Tofudebeest]

1) RHD drivability is merely a quick mental adjustment.
2) You'll need a passenger or you'll have to park for banking and fast food (if you eat that s***). And, unless you have the equivalent of FL's electronic toll booth speed pass, toll boothes will be the toughest thing. I had to rig a telescoping rod to reach my work parking garage gate card reader, which amused many.
3) You'll need a baton/pipe/bat to beat away the babes...
4) The conversion is not bad, but pre-source a pedal bucket, unless you swap into a 60, as opposed to a 62. There's no way I'd try to convert a RHD to LHD, just move the best parts from the donor RHD to a replacement LHD, like I did.

 

[Joe_E]

Here's a good one to buy. It can be imported to Canada.
Only 850,000 Yen! (Whatever the halibut that means.)

Toyota Landcruiser (HJ61) (T29728) - Import this 1989 Toyota Landcruiser (HJ61) from Japan to Canada

 

[kevin in okinawa]

850,000 yen = approx $8500 (US)

 

[hoppie]

For the money and time you'd spend making the swap, you could invest it into a lot better things. RHD is no problem at all. Why would you want to make it normal???