Left to Right,,,,

[John Moore]

Hey gang,

Sorry I haven't been too active on the site lately, but I just started a new job and have been gone for the past few weeks training in Cleveland. I'll be working for a company that sells tires, so I'm slowly learning everything you ever wanted to know and more about tires. woo hoo! lol!

But hey... I was looking at flea bay today and noticed two right hand drive Bugeyes. That got me thinking about how easy would be be to convert my Bugeye from left to right hand drive. The only reason I would do it would be different! Other than a Dash and steering column what else would I need? I already ordered a new harness from British Wiring, would that work in both applications?

Are Right hand drive dashes or columns difficult to locate? Other than being difficult to order Big Macs at the drive through are there any other reasons not to do it?

 

[jlaird]

Only the dash is different.

 

[john_j]

Only the dash is different.

The steering rack is different as well, but getting one, certainly over here, isn't a problem as they were also used on Morris Minors and they made shed loads of them.

Getting a dash is more difficult, maybe someone makes a glass fibre one?

Otherwise you can weld up the holes in yours if you're careful not to twist it (I tacked patches in the extra holes in mine with a MIG and leaded the remaining gaps) and cut new holes on the other side - the basic pressing is the same.

 

[John Moore]

Thanks guys. Maybe I'll keep an eye on ebay.uk.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

speedwellengineering sells fiberglass dashes. Winners Circle might sell them too. I dunno.

 

[John Moore]

speedwellengineering sells fiberglass dashes. Winners Circle might sell them too. I dunno.

Yeah, I thought about checking some of the UK suppliers. Good idea.

 

[jlaird]

The rack was just turned over was it not??

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Jack, Wouldn't that mean you'd turn left to go right?

 

[drooartz]

The rack is different -- I've got one on my shelf if I ever want to convert Tunebug to RHD. All you should need is that rack, and some solution for a dash and you're good to go. The wiring harness can be adapted without much trouble.

I've got a well documented fascination with RHD cars -- don't think I'll ever convert Tunebug, but I haven't ruled out picking up a RHD Spridget in the future.

 

[Whitephrog]

From the Service Parts List

Rack Assembly RHD ACG6010

Rack Assembly LHD ACG6009

Looking further down the list the housing and pinion have different part numbers for RHD and LHD.

 

[Sportsdoc]

Don't forget having to switch your master cylinder, reroute brake/clutch lines and accelerator.

 

[jlaird]

Ahhh, yep good point on the turn over.

Wonder if the LH rack could be turned over inside. ie a rebuild kind of.

 

[drooartz]

I don't think so, Jack. I'll have to compare the 2 racks one of these days and see. RHD racks aren't particularly hard to come across. If I remember correctly, a LHD Sprite uses a RHD Morris Minor rack, so a RHD Sprite would use a LHD Morris Minor rack.

Can't confirm this though, as I'm at work and away from all my resource books...

 

[john_j]

Other than being difficult to order Big Macs at the drive through

Not a problem, just reverse through ;-) (copyright Top Gear!)

 

[racingenglishcars]

I don't think so, Jack. I'll have to compare the 2 racks one of these days and see. RHD racks aren't particularly hard to come across. If I remember correctly, a LHD Sprite uses a RHD Morris Minor rack, so a RHD Sprite would use a LHD Morris Minor rack.

Can't confirm this though, as I'm at work and away from all my resource books...

Confirmed!

 

[drooartz]

Thanks for the confirmation, Donn. Hate to spout off without my trusty references at hand. I'm not that old, but the mind still can falter... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[racingenglishcars]

I was also thinking of doing that to my sprite. Heck I can even save 20% of the registration "fee" (plundering) that I have to pay for license plates if the car is RHD. LHD Morris minor racks are all over the place in this country.

In DC I had driven many RHD cars and enjoyed them very much.

 

[John Moore]

Don't forget having to switch your master cylinder, reroute brake/clutch lines and accelerator.

It would use the same MC just in a different location. I noticed that my BE already had a RHD acc cable mount in place on upper footwell. The MC hardlines would definitely need to be re-routed but no big deal.

I'm definitely intrigued by the idea.

 

[1965_MGB]

I have done some research on this same subject, just on my B'. I have caught a bunch of flak over it, but I think it would be kind of cool cruising down the road.

 

[drooartz]

In the end, it's your car, so make it what you want. I decided in the end not to convert the Tunebug, but I've always got my eye out for an original RHD Spridget. The conversion is easily reversible, so you can always switch back if you'd like.