Rolled my 81. I need your help!

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

I have to agree -- each to his own..
I get asked all the time how hard is it to drive that truck..
My answer has become -- It Isn't hard at all.

An awful lot of people have the thought that it will be very difficult ..
If they went out with someone in their RHD truck and were given the oppertunity to drive it I feel they would agree. Easy..
 
My father drives an old Volvo (LHD) here in Japan.

It's not that I can't drive it well, but I don't enjoy driving it all that much. I think it would be different if the streets were wider and there were less traffic though.

Adjusting between LHD/RHD or driving on the right side of the road or the left side is surprisingly easy.
 
I really cannot see that doing a swap with Nick's wreck and a donor FJ80 from the states with a blown motor would take a lot of time.
What I would do is pull the bodies from both, swap the steering over from the FJ80 to Nicks frame, put the FJ80 body on Nicks frame and then swap out the dash, extending the wiring where necessary.
No aligning engines, relocating engine mounts, cutting of the firewall or other "custom" stuff other than the wiring.
Nick has also told me he can get a LHD wiring harness for about $350 which would make it even easier.

I've driven Nick's truck before he rolled it (not for long mind you) and if felt strange to have all that steel on the left hand side. It didn't feel safe but then I didn't drive it more than 5-10 minutes max so a longer time may well change my perceptions.

If it were me, I'd swap the body to an FJ80 LHD and be done with it. I figure maybe 2-3 weekends to complete maximum.
 
you will also have to work with the panhard rod attachment on the frame and swap the front axles but other than that it sound like a good plan ;)
 
denis said:
There are certain driving conditions when you would be reasonably safe overtaking while driving a LHD, and you would be plain dangerous doing the same with a RHD. The drivers position in the car definately has something to do with the driving position of the car on the road.
Numerous drivers seem to getting used to the disadvantageous position, but n,ot everybody can get away with it.
If I were to spend a fortune on a fancy cruiser I would spend a couple more grands to have the wheel on the correct side.
Click to expand...

This used to be me. When I 1st got my BJ74 I was considering getting a beater BJ70 and switching things out at some point. After a week I totally dropped that idea with a few realizations:

1) The driver of the vehicle is the "pilot". If it is not safe to proceed with a manouver then don't. I am responsible to pilot the vehicle in a safe manner, within the laws of the road.

2) Any percieved gain is not currently worth the time and effort to me.

3) It was easy and quick getting used to sitting on the right.

I sometimes now switch back and forth a couple of times daily between my LDH BJ60 and the RHD BJ74. It is seemless. I would not have believed this possible without having walked the road myself.

That said, if someone believes something to be true, and is not open to new information and change...they will not adapt. This is true of life in general.

hth's

gb
 
Last edited:
denis said:
In some places RHD would be downright dangerous if you evenr intend to move out of your own way and ahead of the numerous farm tractors and trucks.
Click to expand...

Yup, its downright dangerous to attempt to pass when you can't see what's coming. Another situation where a RHD has less visibility than a LHD in the same situation is when turning left at an intersection with a large vehicle waiting to turn left from the opposite direction; a RHD driver can't see if there's more traffic coming. I choose to wait until I can see what's coming. Sometimes that upsets the people behind me.

Aussie said:
I'm from Australia myself and have lived over here in the USA for 15 or so years. I go home every 6 months or so and driving a RHD, or LHD vehicle is no problem. The only issue I have is when I'm about to make a turn, and I use the windscreen wiper instead of the blinker!!:eek:
Click to expand...

LOL - now I do that 30% of the time on my wife's LHD and still 5% of the time in my RHD. Although I never considered a RHD->LHD swap, I did consider swapping the steering wheel controls. I'm over that now; my frail ego can handle my family's laughter when I hit the wipers by mistake.

If drivers bring a safer attitude with them while driving a RHD in a LHD world, then we'll all be safer than the same driver with a casual attitude driving a LHD.
 
wussyPup said:
Yup, its downright dangerous to attempt to pass when you can't see what's coming. Another situation where a RHD has less visibility than a LHD in the same situation is when turning left at an intersection with a large vehicle waiting to turn left from the opposite direction; a RHD driver can't see if there's more traffic coming. I choose to wait until I can see what's coming. Sometimes that upsets the people behind me.
.
Click to expand...

when you actually think about it you are just about 30" further over to the right than in a LHD. if a manouver is dangerous in a RHD then it is as dangerous in a LHD... common sense must rule, problem is you can not teach common sense so it is inevitable that some will die...
 
denis said:
OK, let me rephrase. There are certain driving conditions when you would be reasonably safe overtaking while driving a LHD, and you would be plain dangerous doing the same with a RHD. The drivers position in the car definately has something to do with the driving position of the car on the road.
Numerous drivers seem to getting used to the disadvantageous position, but n,ot everybody can get away with it.
Click to expand...

That I can definitely agree with. There is no doubt that being on the right seat on our roads here in NA means that certain situations warrant a lot more caution than on a LHD vehicle.
 
Agreed!!
 
wussyPup said:
just trying to work the crowd - help build the excitement in anticipation of Nick's (hopefully soon) announcement :) :)
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm fairly involved here and I hardly knew!

btw Nick's girlfriend is my daughter!!
 
cruiser_guy said:
Hey, I'm fairly involved here and I hardly knew!

btw Nick's girlfriend is my daughter!!
Click to expand...

LOL - Mud makes us all part of one big happy family! :cool:

My daughter wishes that her father could help her complete an FJ55 restoration 1/2 as nice as the one you did. Awesome!
 
Well guys,

I ended up buying Stones BJ74.
No need to post pics.
You guys already know what it looks like.
Going to drive it as is for now.
Stone did a excellent job on everything.

Down the line I might do some stuff.
I would like an ARB and electric winch.
PTO is good for now.

And yes, an exo would be very nice.
Steel is pretty cheap, and I have everything I need (minus a notcher)

Thanks everyone for the help.

Cheers
Nick
 
Last edited:
I should also mention, I did not count on buying Stones truck this weekend.

I just got finished my canoe trip.
It was about the same amount of time to stop buy and visit Gold Boy. Stone was there so it ended up being the perfect oportunity to look at his truck. The photos made the body look worse than it is (need to fix some minor rust).

Everything looked good on it, so I decided to get it. Only factor was time. We had to figure out when we could connect again. I had been thinking and praying about his truck for a few weeks now, so I was not rushing the process. Ended up working out that I got it that day. Drove it home.

Worked good too. Otherwise it would of been a month or so before I had a chance to pick it up. I just feel bad for Simon and Stone. Kinda crashed their fishing trip. Sorry guys. :(
We will have to get together and go fishing sometime.
Great flyfishing were I live. :)

Also, sorry Stone for taking your ride.
I bet you did not expect to be taking the bus home.
Glad it was about the same amount of time.
Thanks for the truck, I will treat her well.

Cheers,
Nick
 
Last edited:
Good news Nick.
A nice end to this story..
If you and Stone are happy campers then so am I, FOR YOU BOTH..

Enjoy your ride Nick..

Regards
 
Hey Nick:

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Simon, Ruth, yourself, and Marta (sp?). I wasn't in a total hardcore fishing mode, but wanted to meet some Mudders that I have chatted with but have not yet met. And Simon has been inviting me to go fishing, so it wasn't so hard to convince me.

You didn't ruin anything...the bus ride home was fine except on one stretch someone kept on farting in the bus and it smelled like rotting eggs for a few minutes. :barf:

And don't count me out of the Cruiser thing yet...I've got my eyes on a couple of local rust buckets that might do me for a little while until I can start building my dream Cruiser again. :) I know you'll take care of the 74.

:beer:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Need help identifying a component on 1998 HDJ100
Replies
3
Views
295
dstar
D
D
Thermostat Housing B Motor 3.0 (Need help identifying current setup)
Replies
2
Views
261
duncanrm
duncanrm
abemon16
HDJ-81 Essential Gauges
Replies
7
Views
1K
TheBussman
TheBussman
C
Need HELP -- HJ60 2H Stock -- CLUTCH KIT
Replies
3
Views
679
cpenasanchez
C

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom