Legality of RHD conversions??

93civicoupe · Post by **93civicoupe** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:48 pm

you should be good

Tyler · Post by **Tyler** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:54 am

my gst had a n/t interior and dash because it was formerly stripped and that dash had a different VIN on it. i had no trouble with it. the only problem i had was the place that inspected it put the dash VIN and i had to take them the title and have them make a new one. you should have no problem with it. you have a VIN in the door jam that wouldnt be changed. just keep the original vin with you, and you'll be alright

andyjt · Post by **andyjt** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:21 am

HondaChild;153839 wrote:Does anyone know the legality of converting a car that has a U.S. VIN to a RHD car? This being done by a front clip swap.

Why a clip... A firewall swap would be alot safer as opposed to sectioning the front off and reattaching it and creating a weak point.

JustRob;153845 wrote:I don't think you'll have any problems, as long as your car has a proper title, insurance, and registration. It doesn't really matter what side of the car you drive on. How do you think the mail gets delivered? Especially in rural areas there a quite a few RHD Jeeps, Toyotas and Subarus that are used to deliver mail.

But those vehicles are made specifically at the MSO for the goverment and orginazations, not some auto shop clipping a Jeep or a Legacy.

JustRob;153882 wrote:Just pull the old VIN plate and reattach it to the new dash. You won't have any problems. What do you think happens when people have to replace a dashboard?

You keep the original vin unless a NEW part is installed. Its illegal to Tamper with a VIN/Rivits, not illegal to present the incorrect one to an inspection station.

T-Rock;153889 wrote:The replacement dashboard keeps the VIN on it to verify the part is not stolen and the original vin is left in the glove box. Nobody checks the dash VIN anyways unless your car was reported stolen.

+1..

HondaChild · Post by **HondaChild** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:15 pm

Tyler;153917 wrote:my gst had a n/t interior and dash because it was formerly stripped and that dash had a different VIN on it. i had no trouble with it. the only problem i had was the place that inspected it put the dash VIN and i had to take them the title and have them make a new one. you should have no problem with it. you have a VIN in the door jam that wouldnt be changed. just keep the original vin with you, and you'll be alright

The only problem about the doorjam VIN is that I don't have one. The drivers side quarter panel and door of my car are off of a milano red car.

T-Rock · Post by **T-Rock** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:05 pm

andyjt;153929 wrote:Why a clip... A firewall swap would be alot safer as opposed to sectioning the front off and reattaching it and creating a weak point.QUOTE]

I agree on swapping the firewall as being easier and safer, especially when you dont have the right equipment for clipping a car. But clipping a car at the A-Pillars and Frame rails does not create a weak point when properly sectioned with Offset Butt with backing welds in the apropriate sectioning joints as stated by Honda or whatever other vehicle make your working on.

HondaChild;153999 wrote:The only problem about the doorjam VIN is that I don't have one. The drivers side quarter panel and door of my car are off of a milano red car.

There is a VIN plate stamped into your cowl and there should also be a body plate underneath some where with all the vehicles info stamped on it including the VIN. So there should be no problem proving the vehicles origin and ownership. Besides that the only time anyone looks at a VIN is when the vehicle is being serviced (safety/emmisions) or if its been reported stolen.

Also you can get replacement VIN stickers from the dealership if you want it just takes some time for them to recreate them.

boosted hatch · Post by **boosted hatch** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:34 am

what bodyshop do you know do RHD conversion?

T-Rock · Post by **T-Rock** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:20 am

boosted hatch;154101 wrote:what bodyshop do you know do RHD conversion?

I dont know if any mainstream bodyshop would want to deal with a conversion like that due to liability reasons, you would probably have to find a mom and pop shop or an experienced someone who would do it on the side.