Hey guys,
I thought I'd share my RHD conversion photos with you. It's not something you gets get to witness everyday (if at all). It's a lot of coin to get it done professionally but it makes life a little easier being a daily/weekly runner in the land of the right hand. Took around 6 weeks to convert at Eagle Automotive in New Plymouth, New Zealand (of course) which is around 4-5 hours drive away from me.
This question would have come up so I'll answer it now. RHD laws: A vehicle must be converted to RHD if it's not older than 20 years at time of import. Eg: 2008 - 20 = 1988. Any vehicle older than 1988, like 1986 is fine and exempt. All other LHD cars must be converted (if they can be, not all can). Rams, Mustangs and F150s are the normal, others may not be convertible.
You can "bypass" this law if you buy and own the vehicle in question for 90 days (or more) in the country of origin. You can then import it back, register it in your name and show your ownership in the US and it's fine to keep LHD. For me, I wanted RHD, for this truck. Anyhow, I got my truck today and man. What a blast and it's suprisngly easy to drive, just trying to get use to the "bigness".
They don't breed them THIS big down here LOL. Stalled it once and just a little jerky, the pedals are touchy, more touchy than I expected. Still , first drive this stuff is to be expected. Few days behind the wheel and you guys will almost be able to see my grin from up there LOL.
Anyhow, sorry for the long post, but I've waited (patiently) for 9 months to get this truck since I paid. I LOVE it, it's a f#%ken beast!
Oh, as for the rattle of the Gen-X, yes it is noticeable. I actually thought it was the truck's engine and it wasn't until my 4th or 5th outing that I clicked, "Oh shit! It's the shifter - duh!" It's not too bad, kind of sounds like "performance" whine. The shifter feels nice too. Haven't missed a gear yet, well, I actually took off in 3rd twice LMAO, smooth as too LOL. Enjoy the photos of the conversion. I'll be posting some "scenic" shots later next week, photography is a hobby - setting: beach front, no people, just coast line & Night Runner, same location as the very last photo.
Cheers,
Carlwalski
Freshly landed sitting in Mainfreights import holding area/zone.
Filthy from transit.....poor thing lol
Engine prior to conversion
Interior prior to conversion
The factory MPH Speedometer cluster
The new OEM KPH Speedo imported from Canada
The RHD Conversion begins!
Protection galore. They're very thorough at Eagle
New RHD firewall holes for brake booster and steering column, etc
From below.......
After being mocked up and painted
Underside with the transmission out
The T56 6-Speed manual transmission out
Inside the cabin
The newly completed RHD dash!
Closer up, bloody mint!
The new RHD dash, KPH speedo, pedals and X-Metal short shifter in place.....
From the (now) passenger side.
New RHD engine bay
Yay!!!!!!!!!!
From the passengers side
100% road legal: conversion complete, Vined, Reg, WOF, RHD cert/plate and NZ plates. Ready to roll......
A good groom, wash, wax & polish then on to the delivery truck and on it's way to it's new home
6/6/08 - truck arrives around noon
YEHAAAAAW! What a f#%ken BEAST!
Gently mate, gently...........
New engine bay configuration in person
New brake, clutch, steering column setup, etc
From above.......
Another view.......
The "old" drivers side
The new RHD cockpit
The shifter and dash area. The console that surrounds the shifter had to be altered and the "previous" coin/space in front of the console had to be sacrificed in order to fit the aftermarket shifter. It required 45mm. LHD, it would have been fine, RHD was not. So, I lost a place to put coins or gum, I'd rather have a performance shifter thanks! Cleans the top of the console up too IMO.
New RHD driver controls
Up the drive after several trips taking the family for their first drive and getting use to it's size and driving habits
Safe and sound in it's new home. Welcome, Night Runner, welcome
Photos next week from this location, a nice 1 hour drive.....
:rock:
I thought I'd share my RHD conversion photos with you. It's not something you gets get to witness everyday (if at all). It's a lot of coin to get it done professionally but it makes life a little easier being a daily/weekly runner in the land of the right hand. Took around 6 weeks to convert at Eagle Automotive in New Plymouth, New Zealand (of course) which is around 4-5 hours drive away from me.
This question would have come up so I'll answer it now. RHD laws: A vehicle must be converted to RHD if it's not older than 20 years at time of import. Eg: 2008 - 20 = 1988. Any vehicle older than 1988, like 1986 is fine and exempt. All other LHD cars must be converted (if they can be, not all can). Rams, Mustangs and F150s are the normal, others may not be convertible.
You can "bypass" this law if you buy and own the vehicle in question for 90 days (or more) in the country of origin. You can then import it back, register it in your name and show your ownership in the US and it's fine to keep LHD. For me, I wanted RHD, for this truck. Anyhow, I got my truck today and man. What a blast and it's suprisngly easy to drive, just trying to get use to the "bigness".
They don't breed them THIS big down here LOL. Stalled it once and just a little jerky, the pedals are touchy, more touchy than I expected. Still , first drive this stuff is to be expected. Few days behind the wheel and you guys will almost be able to see my grin from up there LOL.
Anyhow, sorry for the long post, but I've waited (patiently) for 9 months to get this truck since I paid. I LOVE it, it's a f#%ken beast!Oh, as for the rattle of the Gen-X, yes it is noticeable. I actually thought it was the truck's engine and it wasn't until my 4th or 5th outing that I clicked, "Oh shit! It's the shifter - duh!" It's not too bad, kind of sounds like "performance" whine. The shifter feels nice too. Haven't missed a gear yet, well, I actually took off in 3rd twice LMAO, smooth as too LOL. Enjoy the photos of the conversion. I'll be posting some "scenic" shots later next week, photography is a hobby - setting: beach front, no people, just coast line & Night Runner, same location as the very last photo.
Cheers,
Carlwalski
Freshly landed sitting in Mainfreights import holding area/zone.
Filthy from transit.....poor thing lol
Engine prior to conversion
Interior prior to conversion
The factory MPH Speedometer cluster
The new OEM KPH Speedo imported from Canada
The RHD Conversion begins!
Protection galore. They're very thorough at Eagle
New RHD firewall holes for brake booster and steering column, etc
From below.......
After being mocked up and painted
Underside with the transmission out
The T56 6-Speed manual transmission out
Inside the cabin
The newly completed RHD dash!
Closer up, bloody mint!
The new RHD dash, KPH speedo, pedals and X-Metal short shifter in place.....
From the (now) passenger side.
New RHD engine bay
Yay!!!!!!!!!!
From the passengers side
100% road legal: conversion complete, Vined, Reg, WOF, RHD cert/plate and NZ plates. Ready to roll......
A good groom, wash, wax & polish then on to the delivery truck and on it's way to it's new home
6/6/08 - truck arrives around noon
YEHAAAAAW! What a f#%ken BEAST!
Gently mate, gently...........
New engine bay configuration in person
New brake, clutch, steering column setup, etc
From above.......
Another view.......
The "old" drivers side
The new RHD cockpit
The shifter and dash area. The console that surrounds the shifter had to be altered and the "previous" coin/space in front of the console had to be sacrificed in order to fit the aftermarket shifter. It required 45mm. LHD, it would have been fine, RHD was not. So, I lost a place to put coins or gum, I'd rather have a performance shifter thanks! Cleans the top of the console up too IMO.
New RHD driver controls
Up the drive after several trips taking the family for their first drive and getting use to it's size and driving habits
Safe and sound in it's new home. Welcome, Night Runner, welcome
Photos next week from this location, a nice 1 hour drive.....
:rock:
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