Converting from LHD to RHD

[Soulman]

Hi Guys,

How hard is it to convert a 230 to RHD,
Although happy to drive LHD in Australia and not interested in Concourse or anything!
But fi it is easy enough I might contemplate it!
Thanks,

Soul.

[Garry]

Soul,

Answer is very very very very hard and not viable. 

Having said that, everything can be done for a lot of $$ and I have heard of one but not seen it, but a large majority of parts are left or right hand specific through out the car and it would be far cheaper to sell and buy again.  That is why the LHD Pagodas imported to Australia sell for up to half a RHD car in the same condition.  It would cost more than that again to convert.

Garry

[Soulman]

Thanks Gary,

There was a guy at The concourse meet at Flemington recently with a silver 250 that he converted himself, looked good.

I figured if it was cost effective ill do it!

I own 2 LHD cars now and have no problem with it , but opens up the chance for my wife to drive the Pagoda if it was RHD.

I understand the RHD value thing and appreciate it, I just figured buying a LHD car is a start to find out if I could live with one permantely !

Soul.

[Garry]

I was there but missed that one.  Wish I had seen it as I had heard about it but not seen it.

Will have to keep my eyes out for a silver 250SL, wont be too many about.

Garry

[stickandrudderman]

It's a major undertaking as the chassis legs and sills are different between LHD and RHD, not to mention the more obvious stuff.
I've only seen one and that was for sale here in the UK. It was a disaster and was worthing nothing like the 20K that was being asked.

[georgem]

In summary, the front of the car forward of the A pillar would need to come off inc the two chassis arms and the firewall. New RHD firewall. The chassis arms are different because one mounts the steering box, the other has  the mount for a pitman?arm.  I know from personal experience that the steering box mounts can be transferred across to a left hand drive chassis arm and I imagine the steering arm on the other side could also.. A new steering box. New exhaust headers to clear the swapped over steering wheel shaft. Back go the guards, grill surround etc and the easy part is over. Into the dash and pedal controls etc.
 Dollar signs are rolling before my eyes BUT if this is what it takes to get your wife involved in your hobby - its a bargain

cheers

George

[Soulman]

Thanks Guys,

Like i was saying..... who cares about the wife driving it !

Soul.

[w113dude]

Thanks Guys,

Like i was saying..... who cares about the wife driving it !

Soul.

Just make sure she doesn't get to see your last post.

[Markbhai]

Not having the wife drive sounds like a reason to convert TO LHD.

 

[Soulman]

But its a real Bummer going thru Mc Donalds!

Soul.

[Garry]

When I lived in the USA in the '90s I drove a RHD car and at the tolls I had one of those grips that you pick up rubbish with that I would put a dollar note in and hand it to the toll collector and tell them to throw the change in on the floor of the car.

Had nearly $100 rolling around on the floow when I went to leave after three years.

We actually got stopped by the police one day when driving to work with a friend who was reading the news paper.  Policeman told the passenger he couldn't drive and read at the same time until he realised that there was no steering wheel on his side.  He then lectured both of us about trying to cause confusion to other drivers and that we were not to do it anymore!!!

[Soulman]

I have 2 other LHD cars here in Australia, and every time i take my wife out in one she literally packs her pants convinced the oncoming traffic is going to hit her !

Soul.