RHD conversion steering box question

[721302]

I am working on doing a RHD swap on my 72 super and have found a source in Austrailia for the parts and was wondering if a 73 steering box will fit my 72? i know 73 was a change over year in which the later cars had the 2 bolt struts but i have also read that the rack and pinion came out in 73 and that all the steering boxes are the same from 71-73.5 untill the r+p replaced the boxes.

[1303R]

if your going to the hassle of swapping over to right hand drive why not get a rack and pinion? only need to weld in some captive nuts in the chassis rails and a few clearance mods.but as your going lhd to rhd your gonna have to mod the bulkhead anyways

[721302]

what frame head mods are you eferring to? according to the haynes restoration manual the only mods needed are a hole for the pedal assembly and the rod for the master cylinder. The steering boxes and idler arm are direct bolt ons from side to side according to the manual.

[1303R]

surely you must have to cut a hole for the steering coloum? and mounts for it? oh hang on, its a 1302 so different bulkhead to what i'm thinking of .

[721302]

LOL yeah i forgot about the column holes to but thats probally the easy part

[Hoghead]

I have a 66 RHD in Thailand that I am using for a GL Speedster donor with tube frame and rack and pinion A-arm front suspension.
As such I do not need any of the Beetle bits including steering and dash

You are welcome to them for a round of amber liquid if ever in Chiangmai, but shipping will be the expense.

Robert

[barls]

if the steering box is twice the price of the standard one you have the right one, mainly because it was only a 2 year item on only the 1302 they are bloody expensive

[Steve C]

Hi

The same steering box was used on RHD supers from 71 - 74.

Steve

[721302]

hoghead, thanks for the offer but a 66 standard would be the wrong parts for my car.

SteveC, that is the answer i was looking for since i did not know the exact year that the boxes were interchangable. I assume in 75 is when the r&p came out and a steering box was no longer used?

And would you know if the pitman arm attached to the steering box is RHD/LHD specific as i will be needing one for a RHD if they are RHD specific. I know the idler is RHD and i have that on the way.

[yellrhd]

If you're not in a really big hurry I am planning on removing the whole front suspension off of my 73 RHD 1303.
I will be using it as a body donor for my 75 and plan on keeping the R&P from the 75 and putting on the 73 body so I have no need for the 73 bits and pieces they can be yours if you pay for the shipping (I only have access to US Postal).
Problem is I won't be able to get to it till sometime in July

[721302]

I sent you a PM

[Sunroof53]

Originally Posted by 721302

I am working on doing a RHD swap on my 72 super and have found a source in Austrailia for the parts and was wondering if a 73 steering box will fit my 72? i know 73 was a change over year in which the later cars had the 2 bolt struts but i have also read that the rack and pinion came out in 73 and that all the steering boxes are the same from 71-73.5 untill the r+p replaced the boxes.

This conversion is covered in lindsay porters book ,A guide to purchase and diy restoration published by Haynes.You have to cut a hole for the master cylinder/Cut hole for pedal assembly/add mounting plate for pedals/swap steering column support ,you can de spot weld the old one .Install the dash support/Drill holes for column.

[721302]

I have that book and it has been very helpfull with the swap and the gathering of the parts