[G Mc]

WARNING .Some viewers may be offended.... :angry:

Stripped out all the A/C stuff yesterday and went about getting the dash ,heater etc. out...WHY you ask...well, i'm thinking of a RHD conversion and wanted to weigh up all the necessary changes to steering ,shifter, brakes and so on ....and this what i'm left with.... :confused1:
Steering will be either a sprocket and chain affair mounted inside the firewall or if i can route a longer shaft from the right side to the cab to the steering box, whichever is easiest and the brake will require a shaft from the stock pedal unit to an equivalent set up on the right side...any thoughts guys...btw , dont ask why i would go to so much trouble ,its just what i do..

 

[meetthespeakers]

Jesus, that looks...like...fun. Good luck with that! Why not just swap a new front on there (96+ safari/astro, silverado, denali, or something?), and new interior? What is your goal of the total project? Cruiser, lowrider, x-cross, prostreet? I saw your other thread on the rims, why not go with a AMG style/theme stro?

 

[G Mc]

Jesus, that looks...like...fun. Good luck with that! Why not just swap a new front on there (96+ safari/astro, silverado, denali, or something?), and new interior? What is your goal of the total project? Cruiser, lowrider, x-cross, prostreet? I saw your other thread on the rims, why not go with a AMG style/theme stro?

If only it was that easy mate..I live in Ireland you see..so i'm guessin there might be a handful of Astros on the "whole " island,north AND south ..so its nigh on impossible to find parts over here, everything has to be sourced from you lot or in the U.K. WHICH IS A REAL PAIN.. :angry:
Suffice to say i'm going ahead with the conversion ,it might take a while though, the steering brakes are sorted in my head,just have to put them into action, dash will be a complete new job ,just using the clocks. heater switches etc.
I think it will work out fine and at the end i'll have a RHD Astro like no other...

To me thats what its all about... :layrubber:

 

[gtkane]

OK, I'm gonna have to rain on your parade here.

Chain and sprokets to attatch the steering coloumn? BAD IDEA!!!! :thumbdown:
There is no way that would pass safety standards in any country. Have you ever had the chain come off of your bicicle? Imagine that with steering components at 100 kph-you now have a 3400lb missle that will take out anyone or anything in it's path.
Putting yourself at risk is one thing, but when the public at large is at risk....

Besides, have you realized the complexities of this project?
If you put in a steering coloumn and gearbox on the right side, you lose the heater. And it's not a simple job of moving to the other side- that's where all your wiring harnesses are.

Did you sit in the passenger seat first? How much legroom you got?
The drivers side has about 8" of flat floor- JUST enough room for pedals. The pass. side has, what, 2 inches?? Where are the pedals gonna go?(and don't tell me "twist throttle from a motorbike")

I could go on, but just think about it...all this to change to RHD just because?

Please get a better plan happening before you cut anything. M-vans shouldn't be needlessly sent to the scrapper.

 

[G Mc]

Rain away mate..i dont listen to people i dont know...,,You dont know me or my capabilities,...i see you've done plenty of mods to your own, would you have stopped if someone said "DONT DO THIS OR THAT ..?,i doubt it....
Like it though.. :bravo:

BTW..i've seen that chain drive system on cars without any problems, but it was not my first choice anyways,,

 

[gtkane]

If people were saying "don't do this or that " for no other reason than cosmetic appearances, then I wouldn't have listened.
But I am talking safety here.
When I built my truck, I had a copy of the Highway Traffic Act in front of me, and built it to the letter of the law. It has been safety inspected and passed with no question. The only time I had been pulled over by the police was in 2007. But the officer just wanted to shake my hand and say "well done".

There is a difference between doing a project, and doing it right.

I have no doubt that you can change your van to RHD, just please do it properly.

 

[meetthespeakers]

There have been some thing brought up that I didn't think of... the foot space on that size is def not gonna be fun. Is the engine in the astro offset to the passenger side or something? What makes it so cramped over there?

Also what kind of dash would you do aluminum, fiberglass, custom gauges?

 

[G Mc]

There have been some thing brought up that I didn't think of... the foot space on that size is def not gonna be fun. Is the engine in the astro offset to the passenger side or something? What makes it so cramped over there?

Also what kind of dash would you do aluminum, fiberglass, custom gauges?

Theres just enough room for the pedals in the foot well ,but not for two feet ,i never put both feed out straight anyway even though i've never had an auto before ..so no prob there, the dash will be a custom affair, gonna keep the clocks and switche sand work something around them , and work out some heat/vent stuff too...Got the steering set up yesterday so i'm working on the brake/throttle pedals today..its looking good so far..

BTW gtkane..Our vans have to be tested yearly before theyre let on the road and have no doubt that mine will pass....thanks for your concern..

 

[meetthespeakers]

Sweeeet. Well you know we like progress pics. Keep us up to date! I can't wait to get going on my interior.

 

[generaljake01]

:text-worthless: more pics please...

 

[ihatemybike]

Sounds like a **** of a lot of work. Hope it comes out even better than you imagine.