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Old 12-01-2016, 03:39 AM   #1
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Yellow 08 Ford e350 eb50 Sportsmobile - Conversion to Right Hand Drive

G'day,
It's been a long journey, purchasing van online, on Ebay, January, 2014, for us$7,350.,
shipping van to Salt Lake City, UT for 4x4 conversion(for better or worse, only time will tell),
then on to Fresno, CA, for Camper Conversion, by Sportsmobile West.
Currently SMB is in New Plymouth, New Zealand, at Eagle Automotive Ltd - THE BUSINESS
Has been there since April this year. Had to wait 2 months for works to start.
This is a one off build, so becomes more complicated job, and as you all know,
Econoline vans have much smaller bonnet/engine bay area, with cabin space utilized
via the dogbox. Engine bay & dashboard are complete rebuilds, with door switches,
converted as well as changing mirror glass angles changed on side mirrors, with driver
sitting at different position/angle.

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Final picture is how dash will look upon completion.

When vehicle arrives in Australia, it has to be certified by an Automotive Engineer, to meet Australian Design Rules/ADR's.
Then inspected at State DMR in Western Australia for final on road licensing.
Because the vehicle has been converted to a "Motorhome", the regulations are slightly easier
to get Australian Compliance.
Before US purchase, we had to geta Special RAWS license, as this type vehicle, Ford Econoline
has not been imported before into Australia. Vehicles attempting to enter Australia without pre-arranged permit are destroyed at your cost.
There have been many complications along the way.
Cheers

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Old 12-01-2016, 03:58 AM   #2
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So, with 4x4 Conversion, Sportsmobile West Camper eb50 Conversion, Aluminess & Rigid everywhere, and finally Right Hand Drive conversion, very little of the original vehicle remains.

To fit in the High Top Seacontainer, lift had to be kept at 4", as loading containerthere was less than 1" to get through the doors, then once in container, there was 1.5" on each side and 2.5" above Aluminess Roof Rack.

Once vehicle is road licensed in Western Australia, will have lift increased to 6".

See more pictures in my Gallery.
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Old 12-01-2016, 04:07 AM   #3
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Picture of SMB in Seacontsiner & at Shipping Agents Warehouse in New Zealand.
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Old 12-01-2016, 04:48 AM   #4
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That's an unbelievable amount of work! You will definitely stand out there in Australia, good luck with the rest of your build.
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Old 12-01-2016, 06:37 AM   #5
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Very cool, that's crazy what you had to do to import that and custom build for R hand drive. Thanks for sharing
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Old 12-01-2016, 07:53 AM   #6
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Doug, Any close up's of the right hand drive conversion? I'm really wondering how they got the controlls in the somewhat smaller foot well on the right side. It's been a long road for you, congratulations...........
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Old 12-01-2016, 09:09 AM   #7
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That takes some determination and sheesh I can't imagine the $! Here's to hoping for a successful final leg of the journey. I'm sure that first moment when you fire it up and start out on the road will be a special one.
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Old 12-01-2016, 10:30 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arctictraveller View Post
Doug, Any close up's of the right hand drive conversion? I'm really wondering how they got the controlls in the somewhat smaller foot well on the right side. It's been a long road for you, congratulations...........
Here is a photo of footwell with what I believe will be the brake pedal, and yes It will be narrow. Will just have to adapt. Will be about the same as my Subaru Legend/ Liberty.

The engine was supposed to be moved 1.5" on the chassis rail to the left, rebuilding the doghouse, but has not been done, because many other problems would arise.
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Old 12-01-2016, 10:41 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheriffdoug View Post
Here is a photo of footwell with what I believe will be the brake pedal, and yes It will be narrow. Will just have to adapt. Will be about the same as my Subaru Legend/ Liberty.

The engine was supposed to be moved 1.5" on the chassis rail to the left, rebuilding the doghouse, but has not been done, because many other problems would arise.
Just means my wife will sit in absolute luxury in the left hand seat space. Not that these Ford Econolines had a lot of space to start with.

As long as vehicle functions properly, I will be happy.
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Old 12-01-2016, 08:23 PM   #10
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That's amazing......where does the right handed dash come from??

Do they exist? 3D printer?
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