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I LOVE my 1999 XJR. But something that I find a bit uncomfortable is the placement of the hand brake handle. I'm six feet tall and my right leg rubs against it (unless I'm using cruise control and can stretch my leg out). My car is left-hand-drive, but I noticed that the right-hand-drive cars place the hand brake handle on the opposite side (to be next to the driver). I would prefer the handle be on the passenger side. So, I'm wondering about retrofitting the hand brake assembly and system from a right-hand-drive car to my car. Anybody tried this? Can it be done? I'll be doing some research, and report back. But any words of experience would be greatly appreciated.
My first thought is the lever part of the linkage that's roughly under the rear seats might lack the mounting holes for the other side. I'd assume it's reversed on your car being LHD.
On a RHD car that lever is pivoted on the passenger side, so would be the wrong way round for your setup. It might be the shell has both holes, it wouldn't surprise me if it did.
From the new shell work I did it looks ambidextrous. 100% possible.
RHD handbrake wouldn't work without custom bending in a BF vice. Not sure what the LHD lever shape is but can be reused.
Plate that covers the hole left and be swapped.
Underfloor lever will fit by turning the assembly 180, or upside down, if it's even an issue?
This is great info! Many thanks! You said you didn't believe the the RHD handbrake would work. However, it would remain in the same position as pictured. Seems it would work, no?
first of all. every type of retrofitting and modification is technically possible but it depends on if it needs to make any economic sense with the time and effort invested in
while I/we do respect your reference but I can say this is a very very rare scenario that fellow owners want to relocate the hand brake to another side.
The lever would lock or bind against the centre trim when trying to release it. It would need work.
Why would it bind? It appears the center console is symmetrical, or am I wrong about that? Assuming it is, the lever from a RHD car would be mounted just as shown in your pic; the steering position would be opposite.
first of all. every type of retrofitting and modification is technically possible but it depends on if it needs to make any economic sense with the time and effort invested in
while I/we do respect your reference but I can say this is a very very rare scenario that fellow owners want to relocate the hand brake to another side.
Your point is well taken. This is why I am exploring the possibility here before beginning any work. It looks to me as though the swap would be relatively straight-forward, assuming I could acquire all the needed parts. I have two friends with X308s, each of whom has complained about the position of the hand brake gouging into their leg when they drive. My wife doesn't complain because she is smaller. This is certainly not a deal-breaker, and I simply love driving the car. But the swap would certainly gain me some comfort.
I see no reason why the relocated cable would bind as long as the cable has
adjustment that can compensate. A spacer may be needed for clearance but
otherwise it seems a worthwhile project.
I was referring to placing a RHD lever on the driver seat side, LHD - if you're thinking of reaching over to use it that would become a 'bind' really quickly!
If I sit in the passenger seat of my LHD car, I can easily reach over the center console and engage/release the hand brake with my left hand. There is no “bind.” I would like to put the brake lever from a RHD car on the passenger side of my LHD car so it is not gouging my leg. (I have long legs, so with the seat all the way back, and my right foot on the accelerator pedal, the current hand brake lever pokes onto my leg.) My 2001 Corvette is set up this way and it works great.
Why would it bind? It appears the center console is symmetrical, or am I wrong about that? Assuming it is, the lever from a RHD car would be mounted just as shown in your pic; the steering position would be opposite.
Looking at the pic further up the thread it appears the handbrake lever is kinked away from the centre console part way up, so fitting it on the wrong side might not even be possible as it'd be bent into the tunnel.
You are right that the lever is angled out, however my thought would be to acquire the hand lever
from one of our members "across the pond" where that RHD lever is stock.
This is a great idea. I definitely want to do this. Like the OP, the lever jabs into my leg pretty hard. Does anyone have a RHD e-brake lever assembly you'd like to sell? Or better yet, two of them....one for OP and I'll take the second one!
I know the seller name off XJ40.com, he's a good bloke & I think I recall him breaking a few cars so might have more in stock unless you want to fight over it?
I know the seller name off XJ40.com, he's a good bloke & I think I recall him breaking a few cars so might have more in stock unless you want to fight over it?
No fight here. OP thought of it first and deserves first shot. I won’t buy it unless he decides against it. If it’s still available next week I’ll assume he decided against it or found another option. Thanks for posting the link!
No fight here. OP thought of it first and deserves first shot. I won’t buy it unless he decides against it. If it’s still available next week I’ll assume he decided against it or found another option. Thanks for posting the link!
First come, first served... I doubt I will have trouble finding the assembly when I'm ready. And yes, thank you Hooli for posting the link! And Eric, I'm glad to find another person who "feels my pain!" LOL. Thanks for posting.
Right-hand-drive Hand Brake Swap?
