Welcome Guest. ( logon | register ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| Topic Tools | Message Format |
Author |
| ||
TWODOGS Extreme Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: UK Vehicle(s): Norwegian Army 240GD Posts: 584 | LHD to RHD body shell ? Has any body out there changed a LHD 460 body shell to fit a RHD ? In theory change the side of the battery box , cut holes for pedels and steering ? my G is away getting a bit of a touch up so I cant have a look Am i missing something ??? Twodogs | ||
#68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
hipine Date registered: Jul 2006 Location: US, CO, Bailey Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A | RE: LHD to RHD body shell ? If we assume the situation is something like "I have this RHD G and the bulkhead area is rusted out. I'd like to change the body out wholesale, but I can't find a suitable RHD body to switch to. I DID find a LHD body and was wondering waht would be in volved with trying to replace my RHD body shell using this LHD one." You're correct that the "dog house" itself starts out NOT drive-side specific. It only becomes so when they choose which side to weld the battery box into. Even the pedal box is a bolt-in piece. So if you want to do the conversion, you'll need to carefully remove the battery box from your old dog house being careful to preserve the entirety of the battery box sheet metal and then do the same, sort of in reverse on the LHD shell, you'll need to remove that battery tray being careful to leave ALL of the body sheet metal intact. I think there might also be some parts such as bracing for the stering column, etc that would need to be moved over. I'ts been a long time since I had the parts truck torn down to that level. The real PITA is going to be transferring ALL of the parts from your car into the new shell. There is a world of minutia there. Honestly, I might think about just buying another G. It's funny I say this because I've actually been entertaining the idea of a COMPLETE body restoration in the form of a place that takes your old body, acid dips it to remove all the old seam sealer, rust, etc. Repairs any rust, replaces the body sealers, and then performs a zinc phosphate and primer dip on all the body parts, just like modern auto assembly plants did before they moved to pre-plated steel. The tough part is that in order to get it done for any reasonable ammount of money, I'd have to disassemble every component off the body myself, deliver the metal-only body shell parts to the place, pick them up later, and re-build the whole car. A daunting task and unforunately for me after disassembling the parts truck I had, I know exactly what I'd be getting into so I can't even claim ignorant bliss. It would be a heck of a nice thing to do though, turn the clock back 27 years on the body of my G, and bring it's rust resistant properties up to todays modern standards. Ah, one can dream.... -Dave G. | ||
#68407 - in reply to #68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
roughneck Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: UK, Germany & USA Vehicle(s): 270 cdi.300 GD 300 GE.lwb 300 GE.swb. Disco 2 Posts: 4398 | RE: LHD to RHD body shell ? Cliff, do you recall how straight forward putting a LHD engine into a RHD truck was:rolleyes: | ||
#68464 - in reply to #68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
TWODOGS Extreme Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: UK Vehicle(s): Norwegian Army 240GD Posts: 584 | RE: LHD to RHD body shell ? thanks for the info gents ... | ||
#68469 - in reply to #68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
TWODOGS Extreme Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: UK Vehicle(s): Norwegian Army 240GD Posts: 584 | RE: LHD to RHD body shell ? The reason I asked was there was a German wolf on ebay minus engine and box .....rough as .... but the body could of been made to go onto a RHD 460 therefore not having to be re-regestered in the UK as the original chassis would of been used ...however i didnt get it . all things happen for a reason Twodogs | ||
#68493 - in reply to #68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
Boy G Expert Date registered: Feb 2007 Location: Bushveld, South Africa Vehicle(s): Diesel G's: 617A and 602 Posts: 1683 | Re: LHD to RHD body shell ? Two Dogs, I am nearing completion on exactly that conversion, together with a total rebuild. Put some info and pics under "617a Advice Needed" on about page 2 of this forum. It has been a reasonably easy job - the dash and pedals are quite easy. Not so easy is the transverse arm that runs parallel with the steering drag link. They are opposite between the LHD and RHD and will do weird things with your steering if you dont swop that. You will need the following: RHD steering box and magnet base drill for the 4 mount holes. RHD axle housing or complete axle RHD pedal box with brake booster RHD accel. linkage My frustrations have been: Wiring harness Can you believe that the windscreen wipers defied all attempts to change them as the LHD donor body has no RHD "dimples" where the shafts go through. My pleasant surprises: The dashboard is mirror image The handbrake mount is there - just cut the hole Even I managed to cut and switch the steering / pedal mount struts and holes OK Why did I do it: I wanted a brand new turbocharged, air conditioned RHD 5 door G. Couldn't find / buy / afford such a thing But as Murphy has it about 6 months ago I bought a 2001 461 290 GDT in lovely condition for a good price (but I am still working on the project!) Rgds | ||
#68499 - in reply to #68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
hus55 Expert Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: north cyprus,lapta. Vehicle(s): 300GDS, G300 LONG,300GDT CLK55 AMG CAB. Posts: 2230 | RE: LHD to RHD body shell ? never mind twodogs,i am sure you will find what your looking for i have just looked at that 617a thread and its obvious you are a perfectionist BOY G imagine having the body panels galvanised and polished like the saudi's look forward to the end result. | ||
#68500 - in reply to #68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
Iver460 Veteran Date registered: Apr 2006 Location: Norway Vehicle(s): '82 300 GD STT Cab (two other Gs in family) Posts: 291 | RE: LHD to RHD body shell ? TWODOGS - 3/28/2007 5:52 PM all things happen for a reason Twodogs And the reason is WDB46131117041080? | ||
#68508 - in reply to #68493 | |||
Author |
| ||
Boy G Expert Date registered: Feb 2007 Location: Bushveld, South Africa Vehicle(s): Diesel G's: 617A and 602 Posts: 1683 | Re: LHD to RHD body shell ? Show us then! | ||
#68509 - in reply to #68287 | |||
Author |
| ||
Boy G Expert Date registered: Feb 2007 Location: Bushveld, South Africa Vehicle(s): Diesel G's: 617A and 602 Posts: 1683 | Re: LHD to RHD body shell ? Show us then! | ||
#68510 - in reply to #68287 | |||
« View previous thread :: View next thread » |
|
|