Jeep Wagoneer RHD Conversion?

[rjnicko]

Hello all

My question is just out of curiosity really and to know if a Right Hand Drive conversion is possible on this model of Jeep and if so what would an estimated cost be?

Also if it isn't possible how hard is it to drive a left hand drive vehicle on UK roads. The Jeep is an automatic, so getting use to a different position for changing gears won't be an issue, but I'm meaning in terms of visibility at junctions and on motorway slip roads etc.


For anyone wondering what a Jeep Wagoneer is here is a picture. I think a rather stunning looking American classic





thanks a lot guys

Edited by rjnicko on Friday 20th April 07:03

Edited by rjnicko on Friday 20th April 07:21

Edited by classiccarfan93 on Thursday 22 August 10:12

Edited by classiccarfan93 on Thursday 22 August 10:13

[B Huey]

Cool.

[Truckosaurus]

Although I've not driven a LHD car in the UK, I have driven a RHD Defender in France and it is much easier than driving a car as you can see over the other traffic.

Visibility at junctions in a Wagoneer would be better than a RHD van as you've got windows all around and you'll soon get the knack of positioning yourself correctly at the junction for a good view.

The only time the LHD would be a problem is at toll booths and ticket barriers when driving solo. If you don't have to deal with those on a daily basis then you'll be fine.

[spoodler]

LHD in the UK isn't a problem, especially with a vehicle in which you are unlikely to want to do much overtaking. It would be far more of an issue in a low sports car for example.
LHD was a concern when I bought my Ford Ranger a couple of years back. I picked it up from Wimborne in Bank Holiday traffic and was surprised how quickly you can adjust. Arguably it's easier to position in traffic/narrow roads etc. than a RHD. And of course you can chat up floozies on the pavement whilst sat in traffic...
Biggest problem will probably be insurance (again).
Always liked these, especially the ones with the fake wood panels...

[sim16v]

You'd soon get used to driving LHD.

I'd say it wasn't financially viable to do the conversion properly, but you could lash something like this together ;-)

[bob1179]

I've got a LHD American truck and it is no problem at all. I sit higher up and can see over most of the traffic. Ticket booths and tolls aren't a problem either as I have a bench seat and electric windows so I just slide across and collect as usual.

The Wagoneer is lovely, get it bought and don't worry which side the steering wheel is on!

[Truckosaurus]

sim16v said:

Comedy Gold.

Love the extension lever on the indicator stalk!

[B Huey]

I've got a big old LHD Camper and it hasn't been an issue. Once you get used to it you'll probably enjoy it.

[rjnicko]

thanks for the responses guys, we shall have to see what happens. I'd love to take it to one of our annual Greenpeace protests. What I'm so fed up of

Edited by rjnicko on Friday 20th April 16:41

[shovelheadrob]

When they used to import the early Cherokees, they had a RHD conversion which consisted of a chain driven steering column as it was too much hassle to build & relocate a bespoke steering box, I'll let your imagination work out what they were like to drive once they had worn a bit!

[rjnicko]

shovelheadrob said:

When they used to import the early Cherokees, they had a RHD conversion which consisted of a chain driven steering column as it was too much hassle to build & relocate a bespoke steering box, I'll let your imagination work out what they were like to drive once they had worn a bit!

from doing some research online I came across one for sale what apparently is RHD from the ground up. In the listing it says its rare and apparently only one of 100 RHD editions that were made. So I can assume its possible a RHD conversion.

[caziques]

Only real problem with LHD is overtaking on single carriageway roads, and the odd toll booth.

Apart from that in number of respects it's easier - parking and getting out onto the pavement for example.

Mrs Caziques was not impressed with a LHD Scimiter I used one winters day to go over the Forth Bridge. Electric window went down for her to pay, then wouldn't go up - couldn't stop till the other side.

Perhaps everyone hasn't heard the story of being stopped by the BiB on a dark night in a LHD Spitfire, with passenger. Policeman came to the right hand side and said to the passenger "did he know how fast he was going?" he replied, "no idea, I'm not driving".

[lowdrag]

Living in France, I have one LHD and two RHD cars. I find that once used to it there is not a problem and sometimes advantages, like when driving the E-type on a right hand bend I can look up the inside and know it is safe to overtake whereas someone in a LHD car couldn't. I drive the LHD in the UK frequently and as far as tolls are concerned I have become rather accurate at throwing thr £1.50 at the Dartford tolls from the "wrong" side of the car!

[SkinnyBoy]

If you haven't already seen this then, put the kettle on make a brew and prepare to sit for an hour just salivating over this guys business!

http://www.grandwagoneer.com/

[mantaray]

Company called Howle Motors in London converted then , they at the time used to import all jeeps into the uk , this is about 1980 ish , call a company called Light house jeeps on 01953 681237 he has all there old parts stock and is the man to talk to about these jeeps .

[52classic]

Don't convert it. Driving LHD is part of the Cachet of driving a foreign car. If anything I would say that overtaking is safer and smoother. You have to hang back to see the road then smoothly power past which feels pretty cool.

I've run a Checker Cab, Renault Twingo and now an F350 truck, all LHD. You'll love it!

[rjnicko]

52classic said:

Don't convert it. Driving LHD is part of the Cachet of driving a foreign car. If anything I would say that overtaking is safer and smoother. You have to hang back to see the road then smoothly power past which feels pretty cool.

I've run a Checker Cab, Renault Twingo and now an F350 truck, all LHD. You'll love it!

I am hoping so . if it had been a manual LHD I reckon I would find it difficult or awkward chaining gears for a bit since I'm a lefty and find it really easy in a RHD manual for obvious reasons, but since its an auto we shall see what happens

I daren't even look at insurance quotes cos I am 110% certain an insurance company will freak out over its 5.9 Litre V8 and the fact that its LHD and me being 19 LOL and its gonna be ludicrous.

Thing what gets me its clearly obvious I'm not a boy racer if I want/drive/own a classic vehicle. my parents got me an '07 Fiat Grande punto last year and touchwood no mishaps whatsoever only 66bhp, I can imagine a Wagoneer being a right beast in comparison, 180BHP I think, although thats not a lot from an almost 6 litre V8 :O

Edited by rjnicko on Saturday 21st April 10:50

Edited by rjnicko on Saturday 21st April 10:51

[Rostfritt]

sim16v said:

You'd soon get used to driving LHD.

I'd say it wasn't financially viable to do the conversion properly, but you could lash something like this together ;-)

I believe that is what postmen in rural areas rig together so they can deliver without getting out. Having driven a car with a steering box, I have some idea what vague steering feels like, but this looks terrifying. That looks like it would slip if you pulled it sharply.

Driving LHD here is not a big problem, unless you need to use a multistory regularly, that thing looks like it wouldn't fit in one anyway, especially if you wanted to get out once you had parked. More importantly, is it worth the cost to ship that over? It wouldn't be cheap and might be import duty and SVA test issues.

[anonymous-user]

SkinnyBoy said:

If you haven't already seen this then, put the kettle on make a brew and prepare to sit for an hour just salivating over this guys business!

http://www.grandwagoneer.com/

Thread revival and all that, but having just seen some Wagoneers on Dirt Every Day, I googled them and found this thread, then followed that link, now need a lottery win.

[CAPP0]

Years ago a colleague bought a Cherokee Chief - same base vehicle? That was definitely RHD so there must be parts out there if you did want to do it.