[EMAN44]

Ok so I have a timeline set for up coming things that are being done to my car. I have three main things that I want to have done before this time next year and in time for Nopi 2007 and hopefully FocusFest. Besides the upcoming bodywork (Finished WW lip kit, Car repainted, Vert. doors) and performance mods (Cam gears installed and SCT tuned by Tom, Powerworks Intercooled SC, LSD, beefing up tranny) I want to do something unique that I see on 240SX's and JDM Civic's running around everywhere. I want to convert my car into a Brit style Right hand drive car.

I'm not familier with this kind of work but I have seen it done on Nissan's before. For the interior I know I'll have to change the dash to a Euro one, and I'll have to either get Euro pedals, or just simply change my stock ones over to the right. For the center console, I'm pretty sure I can leave it alone, and only have to change minor things to the where the dash meets up to it.

And I'm sure that under the hood I'll have some work cut out for me. I'm thinking that I'll have to get a lot of parts from the UK (steering rack, etc...). Does anybody have an idea of exactly what I'll need parts wise and where would be a good idea to look? I am going to contact BAT tomorrow to see what they can do in this situation. Besides BAT I don't know who else to contact that can get these parts...european.net doesn't have these type of parts to the best of my knowledge. If anybody has any ideas or inputs that would be great.

I think that my ideal situation is if anybody from the UK or Europe would like a LHD car like US spec and they would be willing to trade the accompanying parts. Anyway, all thoughts are welcomed...




Emanuel

 

[Algorhythm]

I think the easiest thing to do would be to buy a RHD car.

 

[zx3frenzy]

the best way i could think of would be to contact a ford dealer in a rhd country and order direct from them. shipping will be a pain but thats the only way i would know to source the parts. and just off the top of my head i can come up with, steering rack, steering column, dash and assorted dash mounting brackets(and occasionally some behind the dash metal work), pedal assembly, brake booster, clutch/brake master cylinder(as usually they are different because of where they mount), and alot of very misc. brackets nuts and bolts.

 

[dirtbrown]

just letting u know...its not cheap...and its hard to find people that do GOOD work......

 

[pspringe]

I'm sorry, but I just don't see why someone would do this.

 

[DFv2]

Peer pressure...

 

[Xetchx]

Peer pressure...

lol so true...

 

[iantm]

Your best bet would be to contact a wrecker in the UK, and have a front clip (everything from the a-pillar forward, including dash & firewall) shipped over. It won't be cheap, but you'll get everything you need.

I know that these are often available for hondas, toyotas, and nissans. Don't forget that you're also going to need to redo the windshield wipers (they go in the opposite direction on a rhd car).

 

[EMAN44]

I think the easiest thing to do would be to buy a RHD car.
Today 07:25 PM

The point is I want to make "my" car a RHD.

the best way i could think of would be to contact a ford dealer in a rhd country and order direct from them. shipping will be a pain but thats the only way i would know to source the parts. and just off the top of my head i can come up with, steering rack, steering column, dash and assorted dash mounting brackets(and occasionally some behind the dash metal work), pedal assembly, brake booster, clutch/brake master cylinder(as usually they are different because of where they mount), and alot of very misc. brackets nuts and bolts.

That's the amount of parts that I was thinking would be necassary. I would think that some of the stock dash mounting hardware could be reversed and used with RHD. I could also fabricate something up. I was more worried with the steering equipment and brake and clutch issues.

just letting u know...its not cheap...and its hard to find people that do GOOD work......

I was planning on doing what I can by myself, with the help of fellow fanatics. I'm sure that there are some people that would be interested in the project and might lend a hand. As for shops, I have some reputable shops around Atlanta that I have in mind...

I'm sorry, but I just don't see why someone would do this.

I think it is unique, haven't seen a U.S. Fofo with it, and it's my car and I like it.

Peer pressure...

Ummm....NO

lol so true...

Your momma! J/K!

Your best bet would be to contact a wrecker in the UK, and have a front clip (everything from the a-pillar forward, including dash & firewall) shipped over. It won't be cheap, but you'll get everything you need.

I know that these are often available for hondas, toyotas, and nissans. Don't forget that you're also going to need to redo the windshield wipers (they go in the opposite direction on a rhd car).

Yeah I was also thinking of a front clip. I know that some JDM shops that ship over front clips also take cars from Europe. I was going to call around tomorrow and see if anybody can get a front clip from a Focus. It's just that Euro Foci came with different motors and tranny's (1.8L, 2.0L, 2.3L, etc...) that I'm wondering if they all have the same or similiar components like the U.S. Foci do.

Thanks for all the replies, I just left to eat and came back and saw 7 replies allready...GO FF! If there is anybody on here from Europe, and lives or works near a Ford dealer, maybe they can lend me a hand.




Emanuel

 

[pat247]

Ludicrous is all that comes to mind. You have been DQ`d and need to turn in your man card.

 

[Lockdown]

Its going to be expensive but will look cool. You will have to shift all the electronics over and you or who dose it will need to do alot of wiring. You basically have the extend everything except the radio and center console.

You will also need new door panels or mod your current ones so you can move all the window controls over.

I think you wont have it done by nopi for this year.
1. Customs can take awhile - this time of year customs gets really busy
2. Parts might show up hear and their due to customs/who you order them from
3. The amount of work to be done will take probably 2 weeks+ and thats on the fast side.
4. Problems you might run into and having to order last minute parts

I think its a great idea but done plan on having it done quickly.

 

[EMAN44]

Ludicrous is all that comes to mind. You have been DQ`d and need to turn in your man card.

Haha

Its going to be expensive but will look cool. You will have to shift all the electronics over and you or who dose it will need to do alot of wiring. You basically have the extend everything except the radio and center console.
You will also need new door panels or mod your current ones so you can move all the window controls over.
I think you wont have it done by nopi for this year.
1. Customs can take awhile - this time of year customs gets really busy
2. Parts might show up hear and their due to customs/who you order them from
3. The amount of work to be done will take probably 2 weeks+ and thats on the fast side.
4. Problems you might run into and having to order last minute parts
I think its a great idea but done plan on having it done quickly.

I don't plan on having it done by Nopi this year, but hopefully Nopi08. I figured that i would have to extend some of the wiring of the speedo, headlights, everything on the left to the right side. All the center stuff will be allright. I don't have power windows so I think I'm allright there. I'm hoping to begin this project after completing all of my OCS and MP training, so hopefully I can use that to have some pull with customs, we'll see. I'm prepared to be patient with this project though, as I'll have many other things being done to the car.




Emanuel

 

[Lockdown]

Haha

I don't plan on having it done by Nopi this year, but hopefully Nopi08. I figured that i would have to extend some of the wiring of the speedo, headlights, everything on the left to the right side. All the center stuff will be allright. I don't have power windows so I think I'm allright there. I'm hoping to begin this project after completing all of my OCS and MP training, so hopefully I can use that to have some pull with customs, we'll see. I'm prepared to be patient with this project though, as I'll have many other things being done to the car.




Emanuel

Yeah I read the part were u said Nopi 2007 in your first post and was like good luck getting it done then.

Also just to mention being trained in OCS and MP really wont get you any pull with customs. Everything that goes threw customs gets treated the same regardless of who its going to or from (unless its goverment to goverment or special things). Yes it might make your item get proceed a bit faster but from what my friend who is customs at the port of Baltimore he said it really wont make and difference because its taking longer the process incoming items.

 

[foci01]

I think having a RHD North American car is a great idea.

I do think getting a front clip would be the best Idea.

Good luck in your conversion and PLEASE post pics of your progress.

 

[killer ZETEC]

now if you can get an st front clip then your really on the ball!!!
i say go for it and then try to go through a drive thru lol (you'll find out what i mean. i used to have a mail jeep and yes rhd is cool

 

[EMAN44]

I'll def. start posting pics and progress when the parts start coming in. Hopefully Customs won't be too anal. About the drive thru...my fiance pointed that out a couple days ago, but it's really no big deal as she is with me most of the time, and if I'm alone I won't mind actually walking into the restaurant.




Emanuel

 

[EMAN44]

Here's a quick question...does the JDM Ford Focus (Japenese Market) have RHD? I only ask because I found a shop near my parents house in GA that specialize in JDM motors, swap, parts, FRONT CLIPS!! I gave them a call, and they said that they would contact their suppliers in Japan to have a look around for some rare Focus front clips. But if the JDM Focus isn't RHD than I can tell them to not bother with it. I also called BAT and they couldn't help me, they were kinda rude too, like I was bothering them with a phone call or something...

The search continues...




Emanuel

 

[focusonkarate]

good luck it would be something that no one else in america has good luck.

 

[ChuckDee]

there's no such thing as a JDM focus. they're only european based, and i dont i ever have seen a rdh focus anywhere! not even through the internet.

 

[rebelyouth]

I get the concept and it would be cool but I am thinking just get a euro and have a full euro look, but I also disagree on the practicality of it. The streering system is on the side for a reason, try pulling out from behind a trailer, your blind of the oncoming lane.