There are some clean rigs in New Zealand!

[AussieK5]

How is it shifting this thing? If it was converted, did you have to do anything to the shifter? Just curious more than anything. Did you buy it like that or do the conversion yourself?

That truck is actually a factory K20 that was imported and assembled locally for the Rural Fire Brigade services. I don't know how many were imported but I have yet to come across a K20 that wasn't a factory RHD. I've owned three of them and looked at at least a dozen. I've own one C20 that was a factory RHD, but the vast majority are imports.

I don't think there is any difference between the US and AU models as far as the shifter placement and operation, the RH drive shifter arm may be bent slightly to place it closer to the driver. I've got a 435/205 set up on the shop floor at the moment and it looks identical to any on the interweb.

As far as driving it goes its no different to any other manual vehicle in the developed world, 1st is top left etc etc I can't recall driving any passenger size vehicle that differs from the standard shift pattern. Clutch stays on the left, go pedal on the right.

I've converted one K5 using a few 2nd hand parts from a K20 and its pretty simple process. Actually I strip and re-do the conversion on any RHD K5 that I buy, they have been without exception to date, dodgy.

You just need the full glass dash, pit man arm and the fabrication skills to mirror image any functions required by law to get a rego sticker....wiper sweep, dash, brake system, clutch, steering etc. I prefer to retain the LHD PWR steer box and mount it outboard of the RH chassis rail on a 3/8 cradle, frame cracking issues are a thing of the past with this setup. We have to change some other minor functions to comply like flashing amber turn indicators, and alter the headlight dip to the left. All easy stuff.

I get the option to leave and imported vehicle over 30 years LHD and not bother with the conversion, but who the hell would do that? Left hand drive is just plain weird!!

 

[DK5]

can you still buy those conversion kits from a company somewhere? I imagine they are probably obsolete by now. It would be cool to have an old Chevy RHD up here, they're virtually non-existent and I'm sure it would turn a lot of heads for sure!

 

[AussieK5]

Sorry mate, you all out of luck there, I've neither seen nor heard of any kits for sale.

Stay tuned for a couple of conversions (CC shorties) I will be doing after xmas sometime, I'll post up plenty of pic's.

If you get serious about it I can send you measurements to template out the steering system/master cylinder and clutch placement, as well as the how to for the wiper sweep flip.

Jas

 

[K10 KRAWLER]

Do you have any pictures from under the hood? I am super curious on how the brakes and steering are set up.

 

[AussieK5]

Steering set up on my old K20 with RHD pwr steer direct to the frame, no surprises here the frame was cracked and the box ended up tearing from the frame.

My old 73 K5 with an outboard box mount using the LHD box. The frame was 100% on the steer side, no cracks.

My current 79 with a similar version of what the 73 had.

My current K20 has a lightweight version of the outboard box, I'll be giving it the flick and replacing it with a 3/8 version before I put it on the road again. The relative thinness of the steel and lack of contact against the frame means this one stresses both itself and the frame too much for my liking.

I don't have any pictures, but the pitman arms vary from truck to truck, some are factory style, some are clearing fabricated.

As far as brakes setups go the only change is moving the booster/master cyl across to the left...simple cut and paste.
Jas

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Tie rod ends and stuff just flipped?

 

[AussieK5]

Nah...no more than you would need too for a LHD cross over set up. I'll caveat that by saying I assume you don't need too for a LHD cross over...never done one myself!

My memory is a bit hazy as it was the better part of two decades ago I did the from scratch K5 conversion, but we just used the flat top RH knuckle (with studs), fitted arms, draglink and manual box) from a donor RHD K20 and left it at that.

You got to watch out for the year break, 76 or 77 I think for whether the tie rod mounts high or low.

Jas

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Okay, gotcha. I honestly know less about the stock setup than I should as it is so that was more a "well, never hurts to ask" question than anything else.

 

[Blazenkiwi]

Diesel too

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Chevrolet/BLAZER/auction-278302412.htm

Hahahah, I own that vehicle now, I swapped it for an 87 Lancruiser, I'm in the process of cutting out a major amount of cancer, I reckon it must have came in from the states where they use salt on the roads cos all the cancer is where salt from the wheels would gather, I'll post some pics up of the sh!t I have cut out, had to completely redo the tailgate mounting area and lots of floor work etc

 

[tRustyK5]

If it's left hand drive I'd say US origin is likely. I think it was AussieK5 that first posted pic's of a right hand drive version. Looked kinda cool/creepy at the same time. I wasn't aware there were any right hand drive K5's until I saw that pic.

Rene

 

[Blazenkiwi]

Yep this pig is a RHD conversion, done over here in NZ I think, but definately brought in from the states, as deck cargo on a submarine I think hahahah