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Sun Nov 02, 2003 8:08 pm

is there anyway i can convert my standard 72 beetle to right hand drive? and are there any kits out there to make it easier?

Sun Nov 02, 2003 10:18 pm

I wouldn't think so.....
You cannot buy a conversion kit to go LHD or RHD anywhere.
Why would anyone make them? If they did the LHD version would be available in the USA etc and the RHD version would be available in Australia the UK etc...
People normally change to suit THEIR OWN country not vice versa.....

You would need the complete dash board including the glove box including the lid,
two pieces of metal either side of the speedo,
a RHD speedo cable (extra long)
A steering box pittman arm and middle tie rod end (maybe the steering damper too.)
Maybe the two tie rod Arms (not too sure whether these are different lengths, but it is illegal to cut & weld steering parts.)
The steering box looks the same in My LHD workshop manuals,,,
The outer threaded tie rods themselves would be the same as LHD...
cheers

PS... there are thousands of RHD VWs in Australia, UK & New Zealand...
LEE

Sun Nov 02, 2003 10:27 pm

I have a really cool radio out of a RHD car (early though) that I am going to sell soon. I never knew it when I bought it though, it has volume on the right and tuning on the left. Davis Radio Corp., made for a French car by the labelling.

Sun Nov 02, 2003 10:29 pm

The pitman arm can be flipped and drilled to work with a RHD, you would need to use whats called a "bumpstop kit" to put the tierods in from the other side. All the rest of the steering linkage is the same.

Im not sure about a 72 beetle but on an early beetle you have to get the door mechanism from a real RHD car or an oval to have the door handle look on the right side for RHD. Also you will need a RHD rear veiw mirrow.

Sun Nov 02, 2003 10:47 pm

[color=blue][b]It IS quite illegal to modify steering parts of a Car...
So I wouldn't be turning and drilling anything that has anything to do with the steering....[/color]
[color=orange]Lee in Australia where ALL cars are RHD...[/color[/b]]

Mon Nov 03, 2003 8:32 am

Quote: It IS quite illegal to modify steering parts of a Car...
So I wouldn't be turning and drilling anything that has anything to do with the steering....

This may be true in Australia, but the bumpsteer kit I speak of can be purchased from most VW shops. Its is a kit that was covered in an article in Hot VW magazine and was highly recommended as a fix it for lowered cars to improve handling. Further more lowering, modified exhaust and many other things are "against the law", but they are still done. Installing "bumpstop kits" in not dangerous and I would say, though I may be wrong, legal in the state of Florida where the original author of this thread is from.

Funny thing is, changing your car to RHD may not be legal at all. But, Im Even though bumpsteer kits are. That may be the most legal part of the conversion. Im not sure this thread was started to discuss the legality of RHD conversions.

So where I apriciate the trivia on Australia law, I dont think it aplies to the question at hand.

Trayle Duncan
www.thegermanfolks.com

Jays RHD 1958. w/ 4.5" narrowed beam

Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:27 am

I dont see why you would want to send the money on making a 72 a rhd maybe if you save your money and buy an olded bug then start looking aroud thats what I did let me know if you like it

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/120782.jpg

Mon Nov 03, 2003 3:18 pm

I'm just about to do the same conversion to my cal import 57 rag, to make it easier to drive here in the UK.
Trayle, I might have to pick your brains on some of the stuff you mentioned. Btw, what colour is that bug in the pic you posted. It's beautiful and just what I want mine to look like when it's finished.
Thanks :D

Mon Nov 03, 2003 4:42 pm

That car is Dove Blue (L31). Hope that helps. I think I have the mixture code for PPG..... PPG code 11668.

Mon Nov 03, 2003 6:31 pm

I am converting a 50 to RHD. I have the pedal assembly and pitman arm from an Australian Bug. A split won't be that difficult to do because the dash does not have to be changed.
Trayle is narrowing my beam for it now.

Mon Nov 03, 2003 9:08 pm

Legallities of cutting and welding suspension parts are illegal, but how many ppl in Australia run with adjusters in their beam? Almost everyone, SO SHUT UP ALREADY ABOUT THE LEGALITIES!!!! IF you want RHD Parts PM me!

N!

Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:40 am

What I bought up the legalities of steering components was that someone suggested drilling holes in the steering box pittman arm and swapping it over....
I suggested that an Australian RHD Pittman arm would be needed...
Someone said NO just swap it over and drill holes.....
So read ALL the POSTS UNITY dickhead 28 or whatever...
Lee

Tue Nov 04, 2003 3:47 pm

Wow, alittle hostile arent we. This is not the place for your beefs bro. Take it to the R&R if you want to throw insults at eachother. I would say alittle bit of good advise would be to not to give advice about things that you arent 100% sure about. With that in mand, flipping the pitman arm is a safe, cheap, and acceptable way to convert a LHD car to RHD. You know how I know?????? Because Ive done it. And if Hot VW says the product I used is safe and legal.... Well then, thats good enough for me. Call me crazy??? Or call me experienced??? Its your call... You can take my advice or leave it. VW suspensions are my fortey.

Tue Nov 04, 2003 3:52 pm

Ok ladies; I suggest you both meet up at dawn. Handbags at 30 paces
:agrue:

Tue Nov 04, 2003 3:54 pm

Oh and thanks for the info Trayle. I think I've finally chosen the colour I want!

Tue Nov 04, 2003 3:57 pm

Hey 68auto, Trust me! Look up GFK. This is the man. You should be so lucky as to have Trayles advice. Man knows his shit. You should get the last Volksworld, Skim's orange 55.

Tue Nov 04, 2003 5:09 pm

I have a friend that has a 57 bug converted to rhd. He used the lhd pitman arm with no problems. I have all of the Australian parts, that is why I am using them. If Trayle says it can be done, believe it.

Tue Nov 04, 2003 7:45 pm

Thanks Mike. Ill have your beam ready next week. Ill give you a call and let you know when I ship it out.

Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:32 pm

Well, it looks like You don't need to drill the pitman arm for RHD...
and the original will fit... steering box too I presume...
and I will get the next VolksWorld... but it takes two months to get down here at the bottom of the world.... plus the NEW UK magazine...
I haven't seen it either....Lee

Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:55 pm

Dude Im trying to figure you out. Im not sure if Im reading your post wrong or if you are really trying to be confrontational. You cant just put a LHD pitman arm on a RHD car because of the angle of the knuckles. The short tierod needs less of an angle from the center than the long one. You must either flip the LHD arm or use a RHD pitman are, and If you dont drill the pitman are when you flip it to be right for RHD you will not have full range of motion on the long tie rod were it passes the tunnel. If you are saying that you dont need to drill the pitman that would come on a Aussie car I would agree with you. Why would you need to drill a RHD pitman arm? Thre is no such thing as a RHD steerig box, as far as Ive seen anyway(if someone knows different please let me know). But Im still trying to figure out what Volksworld has to do with this conversation?