RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
Jun 13th 2019, 9:19 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1
RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
Hello
I have a VW LT 46 2.5 TDI minibus and I would like to have it professionally converted from right hand drive to left hand drive.
Anyone knows a good garage or mechanic around Birmingham, Manchester, London, MK or elsewhere in the UK who can help?
Thanks
Melody
I have a VW LT 46 2.5 TDI minibus and I would like to have it professionally converted from right hand drive to left hand drive.
Anyone knows a good garage or mechanic around Birmingham, Manchester, London, MK or elsewhere in the UK who can help?
Thanks
Melody
Jun 13th 2019, 1:07 pm
#2
UK spouse visa
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 156
Re: RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
Hi - just wondered why you want to have it converted? I brought my LHD Porsche from USA last year to UK and i really don't even notice that i am on the wrong side when driving, plus the insurance doesn't even register the side of the car i am on, Cheers, RB
Jun 13th 2019, 1:41 pm
#3
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,442
Re: RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
Short version: sell it and buy a replacement.
It is highly unlikely to be economically viable to have the steering switched, because of the considerable amount of labour required (I once paid £1,000 for work that required my car's (not a VW) dashboard to be removed, primarily for the significant amount of labour required), not to mention all the parts - it will obviously require a new dashboard and an entirely new steering system, and perhaps some new instruments and controls (if they don't the dash on the other side of the vehicle). Some of the control wires, such as to the pedals, will also need to be replaced as they will be too long or short to reach the other side of the vehicle. Then there may be other things in the engine bay that you wouldn't expect to need to be changed, for example perhaps the exhaust system might have to be rerouted.
BTW I presume that if you are moving back to the UK you are asking about converting from LHD to RHD car in the UK, as 99.9% of cars are in the UK are RHD.
It is highly unlikely to be economically viable to have the steering switched, because of the considerable amount of labour required (I once paid £1,000 for work that required my car's (not a VW) dashboard to be removed, primarily for the significant amount of labour required), not to mention all the parts - it will obviously require a new dashboard and an entirely new steering system, and perhaps some new instruments and controls (if they don't the dash on the other side of the vehicle). Some of the control wires, such as to the pedals, will also need to be replaced as they will be too long or short to reach the other side of the vehicle. Then there may be other things in the engine bay that you wouldn't expect to need to be changed, for example perhaps the exhaust system might have to be rerouted.
BTW I presume that if you are moving back to the UK you are asking about converting from LHD to RHD car in the UK, as 99.9% of cars are in the UK are RHD.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 13th 2019 at 1:46 pm.
Jun 13th 2019, 1:56 pm
#4
UK spouse visa
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 156
Re: RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
Short version: sell it and buy a replacement.
It is highly unlikely to be economically viable to have the steering switched, because of the considerable amount of labour required (I once paid £1,000 for work that required my car's (not a VW) dashboard to be removed, primarily for the significant amount of labour required), not to mention all the parts - it will obviously require a new dashboard and an entirely new steering system, and perhaps some new instruments and controls (if they don't the dash on the other side of the vehicle). Some of the control wires, such as to the pedals, will also need to be replaced as they will be too long or short to reach the other side of the vehicle. Then there may be other things in the engine bay that you wouldn't expect to need to be changed, for example perhaps the exhaust system might have to be rerouted.
BTW I presume that if you are moving back to the UK you are asking about converting from LHD to RHD car in the UK, as 99.9% of cars are in the UK are RHD.
It is highly unlikely to be economically viable to have the steering switched, because of the considerable amount of labour required (I once paid £1,000 for work that required my car's (not a VW) dashboard to be removed, primarily for the significant amount of labour required), not to mention all the parts - it will obviously require a new dashboard and an entirely new steering system, and perhaps some new instruments and controls (if they don't the dash on the other side of the vehicle). Some of the control wires, such as to the pedals, will also need to be replaced as they will be too long or short to reach the other side of the vehicle. Then there may be other things in the engine bay that you wouldn't expect to need to be changed, for example perhaps the exhaust system might have to be rerouted.
BTW I presume that if you are moving back to the UK you are asking about converting from LHD to RHD car in the UK, as 99.9% of cars are in the UK are RHD.
Last edited by movingtolakes; Jun 13th 2019 at 1:56 pm. Reason: typo
Jun 13th 2019, 2:03 pm
#5
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,442
Re: RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
.... I find that people often confused "LHD/RHD" with "driving on the left/right", so guessed that is what Medoly meant. 
If you are correct then "sell and replace" is a no-brainer as an RHD vehicle in the UK will sell for a higher price than an equivalent LHD version, so even allowing for the dealer profit margin (assuming purchase from a dealer), the cost will be substantially less than paying for a conversion.
FWIW I would expect that conversion would require about £3k-£4k of parts and cost about as much in labour.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 13th 2019 at 2:14 pm.
Jun 13th 2019, 2:08 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,134
Re: RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
I'm not sure what you mean mean by "the insurance doesn't register....". If your insurers don't know that it is a lhd then you are taking a major risk.
Jun 13th 2019, 2:10 pm
#7
UK spouse visa
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 156
Re: RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
Jun 13th 2019, 3:42 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 65
Re: RHD to LHD Vehicle Steering Conversion
As it is a minibus, would the passenger door need to be moved from the left to the right side and the seating rearranged accordingly
