WHY JDM? (1 Viewer)

[audaciousduo]

I've been asked by a few friends why go through all the work of converting a RHD JDM truck to LHD? Why just you don't patch up the Canadian BJ70. Other than I don't care for the right hand drive here is a comparison of body rust. These pictures are of the jack compartment on the rear left inner quarter panel. The white truck is the new JDM truck. The black truck is the Canadian BJ70. Same angles, different truck. Yup thats my driveway and BFG Mud terrains in the back ground of the black truck. I'm not sure why the Canadian models rusted out so bad, we don't get much for snow and road salt on the west coast.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

While I realize it is not the main subject matter of your thread, why such a dislike of RHD? Is it not quite expensive to convert a JDM to LHD? Just curious.............................1978HJ45

 

[audaciousduo]

Not being able to see around the vehicle in front of you when passing and turning left is my main issue. It's not as much of a problem in a lifted cruiser but still awkward.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I guess I never thought about it in those terms since I never pass anybody in my Cruisers. Usually everyone is trying to pass me while giving me an angry look. Take care......1978HJ45

 

[prado t]

The only problem I have ever had was the Fast food drive through window. RHD or LHD make no difference to me. Why JDM? Because most of the Canadian BJs are way too expensive for a vehicle missing half of the steel due to RUST. The Japanese steel factories have poor drossing methods ( taking the slag and impurities out of the steel)
in the 70s ,80s, and early 90s

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I am sure your family doctor would like you to avoid fast food anyway! .................................1978HJ45

 

[seapotato]

Yep, rust free and low mileage is the main reason.

I don't like RHD either, and had planned to do something similar, cept I was thinking prado with a 3b & 5speed, and retiring my old 70.

But, got lazy, found an 80 for a price I could stomache, so I'm trying out the rhd 80 thing for the moment
nice truck but it'd be better with the wheel on the other side.
Anyways, lets not turn this into a rhd debate...having a rust free 70 series will be awesome!

Now the trick is to see how long you can keep it rust free....

 

[crushers]

well, first of all quit tailgating and that solves a lot of the passing issues or relax and enjoy the drive after all you didn't by a Vette.
turning left is dangerous in either LHD or RHD but turning right in a RHD is more dangerous since you have the B and C pillars and the passengers big noggin in the way.
Slush, rain, accidents, white outs etc are more survivable in a RHD since you are further away from the center line.

but

each to their own when it comes to what they like or dislike. me, i drive both on a daily basis and see the benefits and downfalls of each.

what can really piss me off is when someone has an opinion of something they have never tried.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

BIG NOGGIN....wasn't that a popular phrase back in the 1930's or do I have it confused with BIG KNOCKERS? ....1978HJ45

 

[audaciousduo]

well, first of all quit tailgating and that solves a lot of the passing issues or relax and enjoy the drive after all you didn't by a Vette.
turning left is dangerous in either LHD or RHD but turning right in a RHD is more dangerous since you have the B and C pillars and the passengers big noggin in the way.
Slush, rain, accidents, white outs etc are more survivable in a RHD since you are further away from the center line.

but

each to their own when it comes to what they like or dislike. me, i drive both on a daily basis and see the benefits and downfalls of each.

what can really piss me off is when someone has an opinion of something they have never tried.

It was way more of an issue in some of the RHD British sports cars I've driven, couldn't see at all when passing and had to do it on blind faith. The height of the 70 gives better visibility and makes it more live able but I'm still going ahead with the conversion. I have all the parts and wan't to build something I'm happy with. It's not a Vette but it's still a hell of a lot faster than any of the Land Rovers I owned. To each their own. Pissing people off has never concerned me, spineless yes men and political correctness are ruining the world. People need to call it as they see it.

 

[crushers]

Nah, more like the 50s. pops use to use it all the time.
the tradition carries on.
big KNOCKERS can be anywhere in the vehicle and a distraction to the male drivers.

BIG NOGGIN....wasn't that a popular phrase back in the 1930's or do I have it confused with BIG KNOCKERS? ....1978HJ45

 

[crushers]

blind faith?!?!
you would actually try and pass when you were not absolutely sure it was safe to do so?

<you looking for a spot on Canada's Worst Driver series?>

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The 50's.......I believe that was the last decade Chevrolet made vehicles people actually wanted. ............1978HJ45

 

[audaciousduo]

blind faith?!?!
you would actually try and pass when you were not absolutely sure it was safe to do so?

<you looking for a spot on Canada's Worst Driver series?>

Back off poke out for a peek and pass. The blind faith was hoping the British electrics didn't let you down while in the process. It's always an adventure with a lucas coil and bakeolite distributor.

 

[audaciousduo]

The 50's.......I believe that was the last decade Chevrolet made vehicles people actually wanted. ............1978HJ45

Up to about the mid 1970's when the big three figured out if you build vehicles that last thirty years you don't sell as many as you would like to. It all caught up to them because it's not a secret they have been making garbage for three decades and no one wants it anymore.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The only memories I have of my 70's era british automobile
(triumph) was how good I got at hitchhiking back to town so I could call a tow truck. ( long before the cell phone days). That ownership experience has helped me appreciate every vehicle I have owned since.
............1978HJ45
.............................( you mean the Chevy Vega was not built to last 30 years)........................................

 

[audaciousduo]

The only memories I have of my 70's era british automobile
(triumph) was how good I got at hitchhiking back to town so I could call a tow truck. ( long before the cell phone days). That ownership experience has helped me appreciate every vehicle I have owned since.
............1978HJ45
.............................( you mean the Chevy Vega was not built to last 30 years)........................................

The beginning of the end, Chevette, Vega, K Car, Omni, Pinto, Bobcat all disposable garbage. Although the Vega's made great race cars with a small block shoe horned between the fenders.

 

[seapotato]

well, first of all quit tailgating and that solves a lot of the passing issues or relax and enjoy the drive after all you didn't by a Vette.
turning left is dangerous in either LHD or RHD but turning right in a RHD is more dangerous since you have the B and C pillars and the passengers big noggin in the way.
Slush, rain, accidents, white outs etc are more survivable in a RHD since you are further away from the center line.

but

each to their own when it comes to what they like or dislike. me, i drive both on a daily basis and see the benefits and downfalls of each.

what can really piss me off is when someone has an opinion of something they have never tried.

oh dear god, this again?

seriously , think before you post. I know you're the Ih8mud alpha male and have to piss on every post on the fence line, but just chill.

That argument is great if you're the only person who ever sits in the car/truck/garbarge truck/postal delivery vehicle/whatever.

I drive a RHD at the moment, and I realize as I'm doing it , that instead of ME being out on the left side where I'm likely to get smoked in a head on, it's my wife.
Maybe youre happy with that arrangement, I'm not thrilled about it.



It makes me drive more carefully, but at least I'm honest enough to accept that there are situations where RHD flat out sucks.

I'll accept the inequities of a rhd vehicle, because it's a helluva nice truck I have right now, and it's only flaw ( other than mileage)is where the steering wheel is sitting, but fact is, they are not designed for north american traffic situations. and that is that.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

oh dear god, this again?

seriously , think before you post. I know you're the Ih8mud alpha male and have to piss on every post on the fence line, but just chill.

That argument is great if you're the only person who ever sits in the car/truck/garbarge truck/postal delivery vehicle/whatever.

I drive a RHD at the moment, and I realize as I'm doing it , that instead of ME being out on the left side where I'm likely to get smoked in a head on, it's my wife.
Maybe youre happy with that arrangement, I'm not thrilled about it.



It makes me drive more carefully, but at least I'm honest enough to accept that there are situations where RHD flat out sucks.

I'll accept the inequities of a rhd vehicle, because it's a helluva nice truck I have right now, and it's only flaw ( other than mileage)is where the steering wheel is sitting, but fact is, they are not designed for north american traffic situations. and that is that.

Come on Ryan, not sugar coating it......

Rob

 

[crushers]

okay, if you can't see the advantage then so be it.
if you are on the RHS of the lane you are in you can see the ditch, bank, line etc MUCH easier than the LHS of the right lane seeing the RHS of the lane (so you hug the center line more). this can put the vehicle 30" closer to the center lane, which is a lot. with a RHD you are hugging the shoulder of the road more.
not caring about the passengers, what a BS statement. you know me so well that you can make such a heartless statement?

i have stated, and since you really can't read and comprehend worth s*** i will restate, "i drive both on a daily basis and see the benefits and downfalls of each." did you get that this time?

idiot.

oh dear god, this again?

seriously , think before you post. I know you're the Ih8mud alpha male and have to piss on every post on the fence line, but just chill.

That argument is great if you're the only person who ever sits in the car/truck/garbarge truck/postal delivery vehicle/whatever.

I drive a RHD at the moment, and I realize as I'm doing it , that instead of ME being out on the left side where I'm likely to get smoked in a head on, it's my wife.
Maybe youre happy with that arrangement, I'm not thrilled about it.



It makes me drive more carefully, but at least I'm honest enough to accept that there are situations where RHD flat out sucks.

I'll accept the inequities of a rhd vehicle, because it's a helluva nice truck I have right now, and it's only flaw ( other than mileage)is where the steering wheel is sitting, but fact is, they are not designed for north american traffic situations. and that is that.