right hand drive input

[ichthos]

It looks like I will finally be putting my bugeye back together in about a month after many years of restoration. To make a long story short, I ended up totally disassembling my bug and restoring it piece by piece. About the only thing I have not rebuilt yet is the front end. I have a few questions and need some information/opinions. 1) What are the drawbacks and benefits of converting to a right hand drive? 2) What specific parts would I need besides the steering rack and dash for a right hand side drive? 3) What would be a reasonable price for a right hand drive rack and dash? Any opinons and information would greatly be appriciated.
Kevin

 

[Glen_B]

Kevin,
Get a steering rack from a normal LHD Morris Minor, it is turned over to become a RHD Sprite rack.
One issue I notice in my wife's RHD Traveler is that left turn lanes are a bit dicey. Lean waaay over to the left to sneak a peek and be very cautious. Curbside parking gets easier, driveup mail drop boxes are easy, but drive-through fastfood windows are a pain. Small kids in the passenger seat quickly figure out a really fun game called "Look at the little kid driving the funny old car", as you hunker down in the driver's seat. good times!

Glen Byrns

 

[Bugeye_Al]

There's a RHD drive rack and dash on ebay right now. Here's the link:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sprite-MG...tem290201564783

 

[Coastalman]

I owned and drove a converted RH drive BE years ago. The coversion was easy, but remember you have move the master cylinder and pedal box so that will require some plumbing work. Shifting with the left hand is easily mastered. Driving the car is a real attention getter and lots of fun.

I believe the guy selling the steering rack on e-bay "thinks" it is for a Sprdget so you might want to check it out.

Charlie

 

[drooartz]

Wiring can just be looped over, but you'd probably have to re-route the hard brake and clutch lines from the MC.

I bought a RHD rack from another forum member a year or so ago, for a reasonable price. I'd say go for it, you'll enjoy the results. (I decided to hold off on the conversion myself for a variety of reasons, but I'm holding on the rack for possible future use.)

 

[bill_powell]

After some 25 years of USA Mini driving, six of seven Minis being RHD, I really have grown to prefer it. The caution concerning left turns is a good point. Be careful.

On the plus side, I like the ability to "peek" around vehicles on their right, as most tend to drift to the left of the lane. Also, if you are right-handed, you will find that your "primary" hand remains on the wheel, while the "off" hand does the shifting.

Drop top or sun roof for drive-throughs. Don't go through backwards; it only leads to trouble. Don't ask me how I know. I just do.

 

[JerryB]

Ichthos..................


If u r interesed I have a pristine rhd rack that I completely have gone thru with 7/16" steering arms and brand new 7/16" x 7/16" spherical bearings. These alone cost $55 the pair. Competely painted nicely and not a speck of dust/dirt. New boots. I want $200 includes shipping to the lower 48. oneandout(at)att(dot)net.

 

[jlaird]

Hay Jerry, you know that this site has a feature that converts the @ sign to a pic so your email address can not be mined.

 

[John Moore]

ooh! I might have to bid on that ebay auction!

 

[regularman]

Eh, not a big deal to drive either way. When I was in the UK, I drove left and right hand drive and it was no problem, same thing over here. Nothing can be worse than driving them US spec pickup trucks down those little English roads. You hav to kind of drive in the ditch.