RHD to LHD

[Epic]

If you would have a donor car, would it be possible to convert a RHD car to LHD?
Is it an impossible job?

 

[Grumps]

We have a local firm that convert trucks from RHD to LHD for export so if they can do that I'm sure a zed could be done. I'm sure there would be complications but nothing that couldn't be overcome by someone competent enough.

 

[Sean d]

The wiring loom would be a major issue as most of the modules are stored behind the glove box

 

[Epic]

Since I saw in the last couple of months a lot of nice cars sold here on the forum, I'm thinking of upgrading my 1.9 to a nicer 2.2 or 2.8. The only issue I have is that I need LHD.
Wires I think can be solved by an experienced electrician. I was thinking that the dash would not fit.

 

[Mario]

You will need to change at least dash, windscren wiper mechanism, headlights, door handles (lock in the right place) steering column, pedals and brake booster, ...

 

[Stevo7682]

I have to ask the question would it not be easier to buy a Lhd car to start with .
You get some really nice condition Japanese imports that are Lhd

 

[Epic]

Either I'm not good at searching or they are sold very quick. I didn't find any that are nice and reasonably priced. (Indeed I found some at 16k+ but I don't have the budget to go that high)

 

[Stevo7682]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/352618098675
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/401731962684
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/113673300264

 

[Mazza]

Try Trovit.co.uk

Search on Z3 LHD

 

[IainP]

I have two LHD cars, not Z's, I've considered swapping to RHD.
Only two real issues with swapping.
Steering rack
Wiring
Rack is not a problem as lhd/RHD cars exist. Simple swap.
Wiring is a problem as the loom is made to fit, so, you either need a loom from the opposite car or, you 'flip' the central part of the loom. Which I wouldn't recommend as there are an awful lot more wires in BMW loom than you think.
If you have a dead donor, you "simply" swap all the LHD bits into the live RHD car.
Rack, dash, speedo, wiring.

The Australians use chain drive systems to swap American cars to RHD and extend the wiring

 

[gookah]

its easy:

just the reverse of this

 

[Epic]

Does anyone have a picture of the firewall from inside the engine bay and behind the dash?

 

[mrscalex]

The wiring loom would be a major piece of work. And you risk the possibility of ongoing issues if it isn't done properly. This will give you some idea.

https://zroadster.org/threads/wiring-loom-replacement-project.25391/

I honestly wouldn't recommend it. LHD cars come up from time to time in the UK and sell for modest prices compared to mainland Europe.

 

[colb]

Check out whats for sale on German ebay, the number of cars we have for sale on UK ebay is probably the same, just going to have a look now.
https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_fro...C2.A0.H0.XBMW+Z3.TRS0&_nkw=BMW+Z3&_sacat=9801

 

[mrscalex]

I paid £850 for my new BMW wiring loom. That is infinitely preferable to large scale repair (my issue) or modification.

 

[Epic]

I looked over the internet all this year and didn't manage to find a decent priced LHD 2.8 that comes in a decent condition. All the findings where either in poor condition or over 8k€.
I managed to find the car I wanted here on the forum, actually today it will get delivered to me.
https://zroadster.org/threads/bmw-z3-2-8-topaz-blue.30219/

I thought of using a 1.9i donor (that I have) and swap all the parts for LHD. Wiring loom indeed looks scary, but I think buying a new one is an option since it does seems safer than modifying the one in the car.
The only piece of the puzzle that I don't yet know about is the firewall and if it is different from RHD to LHD or it has the holes for both precut.

 

[euroactive]

Hi guys - do you know of someone who can reconfigure a RHD Z3 headlamp to LHD format?

Thanks
Justin

 

[t-tony]

The simplest way would be to fit some "Masks" to the outside of the headlight lens such as you can buy to convert RHD lights to a "flat top" beam for temporary use in mainland Europe from here in the UK. If you need a permanent solution you need to buy some LHD headlight units.

Tony.

 

[IainP]

As Tony says Justin, that’s the simplest way.
If it needs to be permanent it’s either buy lhd lights or, fit a lhd bi xenon projector kit, (actually takes an H1 bulb) from eBay, about £30. The reflectors in the dipped beam are the only difference, so it’s the simplest way to do it versus cost. The headlights come apart easy enough with a heat gun. Only thing to watch is trial fitting, once the nut on the back it tightened it can’t be removed. So finger tight only whilst lining up, adjusting wiring.
I’m sure there’s a How To somewhere on here, the projector route is popular.
Iain

 

[bertiejaffa]

This seems like an epic piece of work - looking forward to seeing the thread if you do it. Re the dashboard question. The dome parts come out so the main dashboard is the same for either LHD or RHD but it would probably be easier to just get a LHD dash, but, as everyone has said, the wiring loom would need to be switched round which, having had mine back to the bare shell, is not something I would like to attempt - and i was an electrician