LHD to RHD axle conversion question
- Thread starter ArmyRover
- Start date
You could probably make life easier by just installing a complete axle assembly from a D1. IMO, it is easier to swap a complete axle than it is to replace the knuckle to get a LHD knuckle. The added perk of this is that you know every part you could need for the front axle will be for whatever year D1 you pull it out of, rather than being a hodgepodge of parts.
Moved this over to the 1983-2016 forum.
Regarding your swap, might be easier to find a newer axle and just move the wider arms over. I did this and took the opportunity to clean up and repaint the bits while I was at it.
Regarding your swap, might be easier to find a newer axle and just move the wider arms over. I did this and took the opportunity to clean up and repaint the bits while I was at it.
We have been scrapping complete rhd 10 spline axles.
If we have one laying around, you can have it.
If we have one laying around, you can have it.
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Ah, I totally missed that you want to use a LHD axle in a RHD truck.
ArmyRover
Member
I may take you up on that after the holidays and if Trey’s sale is still going I might buy a few bits off you as well
i should have one as well coming out (with both LHD and RHD swivel pin housings LOL.. )... Really you just need to get a RHS swivel pin housing and do that one since it has the steering arm connection, that's all i did so far. once you have both RHD and LHD swivel pen housings you can do the conversion in your own time.
You will need a LHD steering box and the rest swaps over from RHD to LHD. Doug has a writeup on his site about the whole process. There is a bunch on my build thread as well. But this was step one for me
You will need a LHD steering box and the rest swaps over from RHD to LHD. Doug has a writeup on his site about the whole process. There is a bunch on my build thread as well. But this was step one for me
defenderholty
Well-known member
I have the same thing going on. I have a 97' Defender LHD axle that I need to get under my RHD truck. -If I can ever get my IP problem sorted out. I'd like to hear what needs to happen to make this work.
where are you at? My truck has a universal axle under it (works both RHD and LHD) and I need to do the bearings and brakes. I’m happy to pull the RHD housing and swap you.
defenderholty
Well-known member
I am north of Atlanta. I have a RHD axle on my truck, it just has 200k on it and is a tad loose. I figured I would just swap the relevant parts from the old to new(ish) axle.
If your existing is pre 1994 10 spline axle it would be far easier to swap for what you need with Jim. Remove caliper, & tire rod end, remove the 7 12 point head bolts that hold the swivel ball to axle tube and pull the entire assembly out axle shaft included. Swap is reverse of removal.
defenderholty
Well-known member
shit. it would just about be as easy to convert to LHD. Mine is a 1985. Another motivation for the swap is that my old axle housing is toast. Years of maybe salt from the UK, but it is rusting to pieces. Rear too for that matter.
Not quite, but incentive to go for it. Get a disco one steering box with the better drop arm (no integrated ball joint) and the d1 24 spline disc brake rear axle and do it right. It takes us about 28 hrs labor time to fully convert one with the parts on hand (we make the brake lines).
A cheap bucket sand blaster is a very usefull for cleaning up rusty parts and making them look new again. https://www.sears.com/craftsman-50-...3BdtY_pn6wZFf-wzMvgJpGznUKUMb9ywaAhlnEALw_wcB
Use the smaller size Black Diamond media sold @ tractor supply (red bag). Makes crusty ugly stuff bare white metal in no time.
Follow up with some self etch primer and VGT Epoxy frame paint and they will be better than what rover put out. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...dFkcLLSI0a3Mxx0q660aArdmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
There are videos on how to convert the lower dash to lhd that make a lot of sense now that that part is around $2k
A cheap bucket sand blaster is a very usefull for cleaning up rusty parts and making them look new again. https://www.sears.com/craftsman-50-...3BdtY_pn6wZFf-wzMvgJpGznUKUMb9ywaAhlnEALw_wcB
Use the smaller size Black Diamond media sold @ tractor supply (red bag). Makes crusty ugly stuff bare white metal in no time.
Follow up with some self etch primer and VGT Epoxy frame paint and they will be better than what rover put out. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...dFkcLLSI0a3Mxx0q660aArdmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
There are videos on how to convert the lower dash to lhd that make a lot of sense now that that part is around $2k
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