RHD Conversion

P

pieter marchant

New member
Jul 11, 1999
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Gees I get peaved when I see those GMCs for sale on the gmcmi homepage! If
you've never seen an "Aussie" green with envy, its about the same colour as
the upper half of the 77 Palm Beach !!! lol

A question for those mechanical genius' (or is that genii ?) please:

I am going to need to convert from left to right hand drive when I get my GMC.

Is the dash instrument cluster the sort that can be unscrewed and moved
across to the other side? What are the likely problems I'm going to have to
endure?

Similarly, converting the steering. Does it seem a major operation or does
it appear uncomplicated? Again what problems am I going to likely to face?

Any input, on or off list, would be appreciated. Thanks

Pieter

**********************************************************
CAMPING AUSTRALIA
http://www.charmantus.tzo.com
ICQ: 35348626
 
Having traveled in your fine country, and having problems getting around,
I also toyed with the idea of taking one of my cars over there. I looked
into the switch, and having spent some time looking at the GMC, I think
the Dash has to be redone completely, as it is not as simple as some.
The steering box and front end all sit on the left side of the coach, and
moving that to the right side might not be a simple as a change in
location. I know there are some great experts who could help, but I do
not know how one makes such a complete change in the steering.

If I can help, let me know. Perhaps you might want to order the
maintenance manuals and look at them to see if you can make sense of what
is involved.

I have friends from Perth visiting me in Oct during the Balloon Fiesta
Roundup I am hosting on Oct 5 to 10 in Albuquerque. I have over 120
coaches coming and some"experts," as well.

Wish you well, and good luck.

D'day

Al Chernoff
77 Eleganza II
 
Thanks Al. Looks like I might have a totally new experience to add to the
pool next year!! lol
Albuquerque in October with 120 coaches ... now that's something! But, like
so many temptations, if I'm ever going to get my GMC, I'm going to have to
learn not to spend every penny I get!
Pieter

>Having traveled in your fine country, and having problems getting around,
>I also toyed with the idea of taking one of my cars over there. I looked
>into the switch, and having spent some time looking at the GMC, I think
>the Dash has to be redone completely, as it is not as simple as some.
>The steering box and front end all sit on the left side of the coach, and
>moving that to the right side might not be a simple as a change in
>location. I know there are some great experts who could help, but I do
>not know how one makes such a complete change in the steering.
>
>If I can help, let me know. Perhaps you might want to order the
>maintenance manuals and look at them to see if you can make sense of what
>is involved.
>
>I have friends from Perth visiting me in Oct during the Balloon Fiesta
>Roundup I am hosting on Oct 5 to 10 in Albuquerque. I have over 120
>coaches coming and some"experts," as well.
>
>Wish you well, and good luck.
>
>D'day
>
>
>Al Chernoff
>77 Eleganza II
>

**********************************************************
CAMPING AUSTRALIA
http://www.charmantus.tzo.com
ICQ: 35348626
 
pieter get on icq

>Thanks Al. Looks like I might have a totally new experience to add to the
>pool next year!! lol
>Albuquerque in October with 120 coaches ... now that's something! But, like
>so many temptations, if I'm ever going to get my GMC, I'm going to have to
>learn not to spend every penny I get!
>Pieter
>

>>Having traveled in your fine country, and having problems getting around,
>>I also toyed with the idea of taking one of my cars over there. I looked
>>into the switch, and having spent some time looking at the GMC, I think
>>the Dash has to be redone completely, as it is not as simple as some.
>>The steering box and front end all sit on the left side of the coach, and
>>moving that to the right side might not be a simple as a change in
>>location. I know there are some great experts who could help, but I do
>>not know how one makes such a complete change in the steering.
>>
>>If I can help, let me know. Perhaps you might want to order the
>>maintenance manuals and look at them to see if you can make sense of what
>>is involved.
>>
>>I have friends from Perth visiting me in Oct during the Balloon Fiesta
>>Roundup I am hosting on Oct 5 to 10 in Albuquerque. I have over 120
>>coaches coming and some"experts," as well.
>>
>>Wish you well, and good luck.
>>
>>D'day
>>
>>
>>Al Chernoff
>>77 Eleganza II
>>
>
>
>**********************************************************
>CAMPING AUSTRALIA
> http://www.charmantus.tzo.com
>ICQ: 35348626
>
>
>
>
 
Hi Scott,

Actually those pics were quite useful as it gave a better idea ... even if
it wasn't close up. I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew here!!!
I don't really want to wait much longer but, once a vehicle is 30 years
old, it doesn't need to be converted. Now GMC came out in 1973 didn't they?

Nah. I don't think I could wait quite that long!!!

Pieter

>Hope you keep your pecker up on this one. Take a look at my websites and the
>others showing GMCs.

**********************************************************
CAMPING AUSTRALIA
http://www.charmantus.tzo.com
ICQ: 35348626
 
>>>>>>>

Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 14:13:18 +1000
From: Pieter Marchant
Subject: GMC: RHD Conversion

Gees I get peaved when I see those GMCs for sale on the gmcmi homepage! If
you've never seen an "Aussie" green with envy, its about the same colour as
the upper half of the 77 Palm Beach !!! lol

A question for those mechanical genius' (or is that genii ?) please:

I am going to need to convert from left to right hand drive when I get my
GMC.

Is the dash instrument cluster the sort that can be unscrewed and moved
across to the other side? What are the likely problems I'm going to have to
endure?

Similarly, converting the steering. Does it seem a major operation or does
it appear uncomplicated? Again what problems am I going to likely to face?

Any input, on or off list, would be appreciated. Thanks

Pieter

>>>>>>>

Pieter,

WOW! And I thought changing out the steering box was work!!! I think
you'll find this project quite a chore. I'll bet it could be done but there
are a TON of things to consider such as the steering box bolts to the left
frame member with the pitman arm at an angle. Except for the pitman arm the
rest of the steering appears fairly symmetrical. If you could get one in
mirror image form you'd be half way there ( but that's doubtful) and if not
mounting it would be an engineering marvel. I think I would keep the RHD and
spend your money on goodies and toys to add to your coach instead but that's
my 2 cents worth. Anyways, best of luck, guy!

Nate '75GB Omaha
 
Hi Nate,

Yeh, I'm coming to that conclusion as well. Of course unless one actually
has a unit, alternatives are hard to deduce ... for example,could a RHD
column of a local GM car or truck do the job?

However, based on advice offered on and off list, I think I'm going to
consider getting my hands on an early model in "ordinary" condition then
fully restore in Oz. Once 30 years old, it can be driven in LHD
configeration (hey, I know it sounds daft but I don't make the rules! lol).
It's going to take me a while for the restoration if I'm going to do it
properly anyway.

Thanks everyone for your advices.

Pieter

>Pieter,
>
> WOW! And I thought changing out the steering box was work!!! I think
>you'll find this project quite a chore. I'll bet it could be done but there
>are a TON of things to consider such as the steering box bolts to the left
>frame member with the pitman arm at an angle. Except for the pitman arm the
>rest of the steering appears fairly symmetrical. If you could get one in
>mirror image form you'd be half way there ( but that's doubtful) and if not
>mounting it would be an engineering marvel. I think I would keep the RHD and
>spend your money on goodies and toys to add to your coach instead but that's
>my 2 cents worth. Anyways, best of luck, guy!
>
>Nate '75GB Omaha
>

**********************************************************
CAMPING AUSTRALIA
http://www.charmantus.tzo.com
ICQ: 35348626
 
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