LHD -> RHD Conversions in Calgary?

[nuge77]

Does anyone know of any shops that can do a LHD to RHD conversion in Calgary (or even Western Canada)?

I tried searching through the forums and on google but didn't have any luck. Just wanted to check locally before having to go to California to get pricing and guidance.

Thanks!

[ddduke]

Why would you even want to get that done? I really hope your title is backwards or you're moving to England and can't live without your vehicle.

[sr20s14zenki]

Troll alert.....

[nuge77]

No, the title is correct but I am moving to Australia.

Actually, I haven't bought the vehicle yet so I'm looking for some pricing and guidance as to what 1/2 ton truck this would be worth doing with.

Aparently doing this with a H2 Hummer is very much worth it but I'm not huge fan of those trucks.

[sr20s14zenki]

Ahhh haha now it makes sense. Doubt youll
Find alot about that here. We are going to attempt a lhd gtr at our shop this winter ;)

[nuge77]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
Troll alert.....

Yes, I probably would be. Was just hoping for a little help and then I'll go back under my bridge.

[nuge77]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
Ahhh haha now it makes sense. Doubt youll
Find alot about that here. We are going to attempt a lhd gtr at our shop this winter ;)

Alright, thanks anyway. I'll try calling around then but sounds like I'm going to end up in California. Just worried what customs is going to think about a Canadian vehicle, being shipped from a US port to Australia.

Good luck with the conversion! I'm assuming your going RHD -> LHD then. hahaha ;)

[sr20s14zenki]

Yep. There's a company in the states that makes a mirrored dash and trim. Gonna give er a shot

[nuge77]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
Yep. There's a company in the states that makes a mirrored dash and trim. Gonna give er a shot

That might be different than the shop I've been looking at: USWD (http://www.uswd.com/USWD.htm). I'm hoping that their quality of work is better than the quality of their website.

What's the name of the company that does the mirrored trim and dash? I wouldn't mind talking to them too to see what they say.

[BensonTT]

Why RHD conversion? Do a center conversion way better imo

[nuge77]

Hahaha, well maybe next time. It's weird enough driving on the other side of the road. At least when the steering wheel is opposite I can focus on keeping my body close to the centre line. I can't imagine how confused I would get sitting in the middle of the car.

Besides, I'm still trying to re-learn how to use the turn signals instead of constantly switching on the windshield wipers when I lane change. :banghead:

[TheRealTimHorton]

This must really be a special car if you're willing to ship it to California for a conversion that will cost god knows how much and then pay to ship it to Australia.. What kind of car is it?

[beyond_ban]

LHD GTR like a bous haha

... and what ^ he said, if i was moving to Australia i wouldn't pay to ship something over, i'd just get one of their badass utes.

http://www.modifiedcars.com/pix/cars_1280/26957_164402.jpg

[revelations]

Originally posted by beyond_ban
LHD GTR like a bous haha

... and what ^ he said, if i was moving to Australia i wouldn't pay to ship something over, i'd just get one of their badass utes.

http://www.modifiedcars.com/pix/cars_1280/26957_164402.jpg

LIKE A BOSS

[know1edge]

what...is that thing

[unkicrackie99]

Originally posted by know1edge
what...is that thing

A Holden! It's a cross with a GTO and a El Camino. Aussies go crazy for them.

[nuge77]

Actually, I haven't bought the vehicle yet but have been shopping around for a new 1/2 ton truck like a F-150, Tundra, Avalanche, Ram 1500, Sierra, Titan, etc.

I'll end up paying $40-$55k CDN for the truck if I buy it in Calgary. If I have to get it converted in LA, I may buy it there (or Houston) which I would think might be even cheaper - haven't looked into that yet.

I found a company that will ship a sea container from Vancouver to Sydney for $3,700.

For example here's what some newer F-150's are listed for in Australia:
2010 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson (16,651 kms) - $105,000 AUD (http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=4&R=11017500&keywords=&trecs=86&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=12EC1EC1B139&__Nne=15&__Qpb=1&seot=1&__N=834 1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294965925 4294966463&silo=1011)
2007 F-150 Lariat (56,315 kms) - $118,500 AUD (http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=8&R=10988803&keywords=&trecs=86&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=12EC1EC1B139&__Nne=15&__Qpb=1&seot=1&__N=834 1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294965925 4294966463&silo=1011)
2007 F-150 Saleen (30,000 kms) - $93,000 AUD (http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=0&R=11012814&keywords=&trecs=86&__sid=12EC1EC1B139&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&__No=15&seot=1&__N=834 1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294965925 4294966463&silo=1011)

Right now, the Australian dollar is a little bit stronger than the Canadian dollar as it trades today at $1.03 CDN.

I've been told that the price discrepancy between the markets is because dealers that import vehicles have to pay 100% duty on the vehicles. The visa that I'm getting allows me to import a vehicle and then sell it after 12 months so I just thought this would be a good way to get a vehicle taken care of for the first year that I'm there and a way to transfer some money from Canada to Australia without paying broker fees and modified exchange rates.

I know the conversion will be expensive (over $20k) but unless I'm missing something (and I may be as I've just started looking into this) that still leaves a fair bit of wiggle room between my buying and selling price.

Honestly, I probably would only drive this truck as a novelty in Australia. It's too wide for width of their roads, I wouldn't be able to park it anywhere in the city and gas... (ahem) petrol is about $1.50 / L.

And yes, they do love their Utes down there. I might have to spend some more time around them as they haven't grown on me yet. Swaying more to a diesel Holden Jackaroo (= Isuzu Trooper) - it just sounds so... Australian!