Steering Wheel Location

[Turist]

G'Day.
I have just joined this forum and I thought that some of you may be interested in the little modifications that we need to do prior to putting a truck on the road in Australia.
Following pics are of my 2006 Silverado.


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/Chevy1.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/Chevy2.jpg
Hope the links work,

Bob

[trbankii]

Wow! :eek:

LITTLE modifications? :eek:

Guess you're talking about LHD to RHD? :D

[DennisG01]

Yup, that sure is a 'little' modification! Do you plan on doing anything else - I mean, as long as you've got it that far torn apart...

[Turist]

Yes it is a big job but at the moment, if you want a powerful truck in Australia there is no option but to import and convert to right hand drive.
It is illegal to drive a LH drive vehicle on our roads.
Ford were building the F series in Brazil for RHD and I had a 7.3 for 4 years.
Ford have a temporary halt on this program pending a new vehicle.
When completed the vehicle must be engineer certified to comply with ADR's, Australian Design Rules.

The Chevy will have a polished alloy Roo Bar (Bull Bar, we tend to hit more kangaroos than bulls), polished alloy side steps, ARE canopy, rear view camera and screen, UHF and HF radios.
All cabling will be done while the vehicle is dismantled.
Radio communication is an important feature for outback travel where mobile phones are almost non-existant.

Regards
Bob

[Cowracer]

Bob,

I was over in Sidney and Brisbane in 1999 and what freaked me out was the number of old american cars with RHD running around. I'm talking about PRISTINE '57 chevies and old t-birds.

I loved it over there, but the plane ride was a tad long. I never made it to the outback though, (sigh).

How the national cricket team doing? The guys I was working with made it a point of national pride to teach a yank the ins and outs of cricket.

Tim

[Turist]

Hi Cowracer.
If you like old American cars here is a pic of my '69 Caddy DeVille.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/7aa95a7a.jpg

[Bnave95]

Hi Cowracer.
If you like old American cars here is a pic of my '69 Caddy DeVille.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/7aa95a7a.jpg
Did you also change the steering on the boat:D
Great car;)

[a5150nut]

Na, thats just an optical delution. He just put the negative in backwards!

[Turist]

The Caddy conversion was done in the 80's before we had the very severe constrictions that we now have.
No emissions control issues, no crash test requirements etc.
The steering was the easy bit. Original steering box was used, just move to opposite side and turn upside down.
Wiring was a problem as we didn't have the benifit of re-manufactured looms.
The window controls for example worked backwards.
The dash was re-molded with fibreglass and looked original.
Although I fitted a modern radio/sound system it was all hidden and only the original was visible.

With the 2006 Chevy we have to have full compliance with all modern regulations.
Crash test data from the US is used along with computer modeling for RHD.
The same company that produces wiring looms for GM Australia makes a loom for RHD so everything works properly.


Regards
Bob

[trbankii]

Looking forward to pics of the truck once you get it all back together!

[restoguy]

I'm kinda suprised that it's illegal to drive left hand there. I think you can in England. You can drive right hand in the states if you want, it's just a little wierd. Anway I'm interested in seeing more pics of the process and finished product. Just to see how much work you have to go through to get a D/A down under. Another question, how much does this whole thing increase the cost of the rig(with shipping too)? Might make the rest of us greatful for the opportunity to pay $40K for a new diesel! Best of luck.

[Turist]

Here are some pics of the finished job.
I now have 2500 Kl on the clock and the truck is great to drive.
Fitted extras include;
Roo Bar
Polished aluminium side steps
Air Bags on rear springs, controlled from dash.
Long range fuel tank, 210 Ltr
ARE Canopy
UHF Radio
Rear view camera with retracting video screen.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/EngineBay.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/RHInternal.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/RHSide.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/Turist/RooBar.jpg

[Turist]

It costs around $3,000.00 to ship to Australia.
The conversion costs, including a lot of one off Federal Govt taxes is around $30,000.00
Unfortunately if you want a decent sort of tow vehicle you have to pay.
The largest SUV currently produced for this market is the 100 series Toyota, not enough grunt for me.
Ford have dropped the Brazil built "F" series previously being supplied in RH drive and will not comment on future plans for a truck for Australia.

Thanks for your interest, this is a very good forum.
If you care to look I am the president of an outback off road caravan association.
Our web site is http://www.bushtrackerownersgroup.asn.au

Regards
Bob

[trbankii]

That is one sweet looking truck, irregardless of which side the steering wheel is on!