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 Posted: Oct 6, 2015 08:54AM
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Tanks Malcolm.

 Posted: Oct 6, 2015 08:10AM
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A throttle pedal extension works well (Paddy Hopkirk Speedwell etc) as it gives you more pedal area to work with. Of course with the pedal box removed and a bit of ingenuity you can move the pedals around to where you want them.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Oct 6, 2015 07:33AM
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14" wide US, 48 European or 13 wide UK, I question whether there will be enough room in the foot well for proper throttle response. (It's been mentioned to me there may be problems due to size)

I'll check out our local club members car.

I'd rather know if it's a go or no go before buying a RHD mini.

Not opposed, I'd rather know before buying though, not after.

Thanks Malcolm 

Hijack over. Back to topic 

 Posted: Oct 6, 2015 06:29AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard1

I have driven in many countries, with steering wheels on both sides, driving on both sides, etc, including US cars in RHD countries. Really doesn't matter. But where I live you are not allowed to have RHD. The front clip I bought from Japan was RHD, so I had to convert. It is a MK VI, so the brake booster is on the right.

I used my MK I pedals from the original car in the LHD position, and stripped the pedals out of the support frmo the RHD, making a shaft to connect the two assemblies. So I brake on the left and the steel bar twists between the supports, activating the brake brake booster.

Note that both of these were from manual transmissions, but I eliminated one pedal as I put in an Automatic. I also bent the pedal to the left of the steering column to make more space for my wide feet.

I replaced the steering rack, although people here often just invert them. I did not change anything on the heater. seems to fit fine. I bought a LHD speedometer cable (since I had none), although maybe the extra long RHD would be fine.

The steering wheel can just be moved, although I added u-joints to move it a few inches further towards the door to center it on the larger seats I put in.

 

That may work on other cars Richard but it will not work on a Mini steering rack.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Oct 4, 2015 11:04AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SXSMAN

Question for Malcolm, it's related to your inquiry.

I've driven in the UK, although not a mini. I have no problems with a modern car.

My question is about the classic mini. I believe you're over 6' tall, yes ?

How big are your feet  ? I've been told I may have problems with the wheel well in relation to the throttle. Might this also be a factor for Dan, probably not his wife.

Local COMO member has a rhd, I'll see if Jason will let me drive it.

Curious....

Whay Jonathan i never thought you would ask LOL....

Height 6' 2" shoe size 12 US (according to the ones i am wearing right now).

I owned a RHD Mini p/up and fitted in that fine (well as fine as anyone fits in a Mini).

I actually prefer the MK 3 > older seats (recliners) to the later bolstered ones, if i owned a Mini with those for any length of time i would cut down the rear bins to allow the seat to go back another 2 to3 inches.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Oct 4, 2015 06:19AM
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US

I have driven in many countries, with steering wheels on both sides, driving on both sides, etc, including US cars in RHD countries. Really doesn't matter. But where I live you are not allowed to have RHD. The front clip I bought from Japan was RHD, so I had to convert. It is a MK VI, so the brake booster is on the right.

I used my MK I pedals from the original car in the LHD position, and stripped the pedals out of the support frmo the RHD, making a shaft to connect the two assemblies. So I brake on the left and the steel bar twists between the supports, activating the brake brake booster.

Note that both of these were from manual transmissions, but I eliminated one pedal as I put in an Automatic. I also bent the pedal to the left of the steering column to make more space for my wide feet.

I replaced the steering rack, although people here often just invert them. I did not change anything on the heater. seems to fit fine. I bought a LHD speedometer cable (since I had none), although maybe the extra long RHD would be fine.

The steering wheel can just be moved, although I added u-joints to move it a few inches further towards the door to center it on the larger seats I put in.

 

 Posted: Oct 1, 2015 12:36PM
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Just "converted" my heater to right hand drive (drilled new holes in the heater shell, so I could flip the heater core around and have the hoses coming out nearest the holes in the master cyl "mounting shelf" which is now unused).

 

I found the cups used for closet doors fit the no longer needed holes in the heater shell perfect, and didn't require painting:  //www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YHFHZA?keywords=closet%20door%20pulls&qid=1443731922&ref_=sr_1_5&s=hi&sr=1-5

 

Scott

New Zealand - The only place where a kiwi can mean a fruit, bird or mini owner...

 Posted: Oct 1, 2015 06:31AM
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Question for Malcolm, it's related to your inquiry.

I've driven in the UK, although not a mini. I have no problems with a modern car.

My question is about the classic mini. I believe you're over 6' tall, yes ?

How big are your feet  ? I've been told I may have problems with the wheel well in relation to the throttle. Might this also be a factor for Dan, probably not his wife.

Local COMO member has a rhd, I'll see if Jason will let me drive it.

Curious....

 Posted: Oct 1, 2015 02:50AM
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… everyone knows that turbodave is kidding, right?

Mirrored controls: the UK spec RHD cars have the turn signals and wiper stalk on the same side of the steering wheel as we do, but most Japanese OEM RHD cars have them mirrored. Turning on the wipers when turning is a hazard with them.

For me, when swapping from RHD to LHD, besides walking up to the wrong door from time to time, is the mirrors, they aren't where I unconsciously expect them to be in space, so when in a hurry I'll tend to look first in the wrong place, which makes me laugh.

The shifting with other hand was always fine for me (maybe being left handed makes me a little bit ambidextrous), but after a lifetime of shifting from 1st to 2nd by "pulling" the lever towards me as it goes back, I found myself sometimes grabbing 4th in the UK, when driving a rental car with a somewhat vague shift pattern (Vauxall Cavalier anyone?). Had to learn to "push it away" when pulling back, to not end up at 12mph in 4th, right in the middle of an interchange!

Norm "RHD / LHD"

 Posted: Sep 30, 2015 05:58PM
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I was pestered at work about how hard it must be driving with the steering wheel on the "other side"...

Just for a laugh, I said the wheel and shifter is not a real problem and relativly easy to get used to. The worst part to get used to is the mirrored the pedals; you have to press the gas with your left foot and clutch with the right foot.... That is where it gets pretty challenging.

The facial expressions of pure amazement initially, then the confusion as the cogs in their brain start rotating as folks actualy start thinking about how hard it must be to drive a RHD car, is well worth it next time you are asked...

It's been fun, but this place is done. I have no hatred, and appreciate the good times. But this place now belongs to Tony and his pink mini. 

 Posted: Sep 30, 2015 05:13PM
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CA

Change it to left hand drive.  Easy peasy...and safer.  iss on the locks etc.

 

"Everybody should own a MINI at some point, or you are incomplete as a human being" - James May

"WET COOPER", Partsguy1 (Terry Snell of Penticton BC ) - Could you send the money for the unpaid parts and court fees.
Ordered so by a Judge

 

 

 

 Posted: Sep 30, 2015 05:02PM
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Yes but only the rear bolts and loosen the front ones to change the steering rack.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Sep 30, 2015 04:56PM
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US

I have a Clubman, I know I need to move the cluster. I might need to convert my Mini to LHD to be able to send it to the Phil. Do I need to drop the sub-frame?

*1970 Morris Mini K (AUS) * 1973 Clubman GT (AUS) *

 Posted: Jan 25, 2014 09:22AM
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I am not in a big hurry but i will contact you later when the car actually arrives from GB, probably in two weeks.

Thanks.

 Posted: Jan 24, 2014 08:23AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clubman76


Where are you located? When are you going to be conducting the change to LHD? I am picking up a '62 Woody thats LHD and i was thinking about making it RHD, (and before anyone says it, I know that it makes a problem when passing...spent numerous years in the UK and drove US spec cars and trucks over there and brought back a RHD Mini and drove it for 7 years here in the US). This car is not going to be a daily driver but possibly monthly/ seasonal depending on the weather and how well the roads are. Email me, my address is in my profile.

Depending on how soon you are neding the parts and where you are located we could probably work something out to where its a one for one swap with parts.

Spokane, WA

1962 Austin Mini 850 Countryman Woody Wagon 

 Posted: Jan 24, 2014 08:01AM
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US
Quote:
Originally Posted by danielsg

Thank you to all who have replied tp my question. I will attempt to shame or reason with my wife into keeping it RHD. No promisses though.

Cheers!

If she's not comfortable with the RHD, I only see a few choices
1.) Convert the car You may very well find someone on this message bored that has all the parts needed that's done the conversion the other way around.
2.) Sell the car and find a LHD that suits her fancy
3.) Trade the wife in on a newer model. Remember divorce can be expensive...

Happy wife=happy life

 Posted: Jan 24, 2014 07:30AM
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Thank you to all who have replied tp my question. I will attempt to shame or reason with my wife into keeping it RHD. No promisses though.

Cheers!

 Posted: Jan 24, 2014 05:34AM
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US

I think this has come up before, and I think we mostly know where everyone stands on this. I have driven in the Uk and the islands where they drive on the other side. I have more RHD customer cars than other wise. I drive one as well as the other. If you want me to go really fast please let me sit on the left. I try and buy LHD cars ( that's what I like ) my 64 1071 S is in fact RHD and I struggle with what to do about that as I collect parts for it. Any other car and it would be a no brainer. Steve (CTR)

 Posted: Jan 24, 2014 04:38AM
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US


and flip the heater core in the box and you will also need new inner door locks, they will be backwards if you don't change them 

 Posted: Jan 23, 2014 07:17PM
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And as it is a MK I you are converting you will need two or at least one new outer door handle with a lock.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

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