[mstalanon]

yep, the Ranger is very doobable. A local guy here has converted 'em.

Wayne at Evblue.com

[Skemcin]

Originally Posted by mstalanon

yep, the Ranger is very doobable. A local guy here has converted 'em.

Wayne at Evblue.com

From what I've heard, the Chevy frame is easier to work with than the Ford. The S-10 frame is pretty straight making it easier to fabricate a battery box in more square/rectangular fashion where the Ranger isn't quite that uniform/symetric.
[food for thought]

[mstalanon]

don't know about anything older than 2001.

But for models 2001 to present, here's a six page DIY section that lionev documented how they do theirs.

From the pictures here, the underside is pretty straight.

http://www.lionev.com/DIY_Ranger.html

[Project_Hunter]

Well, hopefully I'll let you guys know how easy it is to convert an '88. I'll post pics from time to time and I'm sure I'll be swooping in to ask several questions. I've had a hard time getting ahold of the guy who is selling the truck but I think he works nights and I work days so maybe I'll be able to get in touch with him tomorrow and my EV conversion will begin.

[raffles0412]

My mechanical skill level is not quite nonexistent, but I'm starting building an EV here in Ireland using a 2+2 kit car I brought over from the UK. The weight of the car (incl. ICE) is 1800 lbs. It has a good sized trunk, c.450 litres. My thoughts were to go with 120VDC, but I'm struggling to decide which motor to go with. I read the Wiki which covers the ADC motors, but my main options seem to be to import either the Impulse 9" or the Warp. I am looking for a 60ml range and cruising speed of 60mph, although most of my journeys are of less than 30miles.

I would appreciate any views of which might be the best motor for me.
Thanks

p.s. currently removing the ICE which gets a short paragraph in most books, but is a bit of a struggle what with rusted bolts etc

[Tommey Lee Reed]

Originally Posted by rbgrn

For all new members and first timers, here is the basic guide to getting started.

Start by posting a new topic in the EV Conversions Forum.
A good topic might be "Planning <make> <model> conversion"


What you will want to post is:

• Your skill level with auto mechanics and fabrication
• The range you are hoping to get (how many miles/charge)
• What level of performance you are hoping to get
• How much money you are willing to put into your project
• What parts you've already considered, if any.

Members will help make recommendations and design assistance is generally good. They won't do all the work for you though so you must put in the time and come back with additional questions.

Make sure to have a look through the DIY EV Wiki, as much repeatable information is held there. If you make a discovery or want to help spread the knowledge you've obtained, please contribute. All registered users can add and edit existing wiki pages.

Once you've got your plan down and have started the build, head over to Technical Discussion to get into details of wiring, mounts, fabrication and any problems you've encountered. More savvy users will be able to assist you with your technical needs there.

If you're looking to build a much faster car or are trying to squeeze more bang for the buck out of your newly converted EV, post about in Performance Discussion.

If you're building or converting a motorcycle, bike or other two or three-wheeled vehicle, a good place to start would be in the Electric Bikes Forum.

As for parts and additional services, there are Classifieds, eBay auctions, and a Vendor Forum.

Good luck with your conversion!

Start with a light weight car and enough room for a battery pack!

[trabant601]

These links and tips and those in the "Electric Trabant?" thread are great. I will certainly be in contact with appropriate people regarding advice and ideas.
I have made a small video of the donor Trabant in Indiana (perhaps the first electric Trabant in the USA), Rumpi might find others.
I will post a link to show the donor video ASAP in the "Electric Trabant?" thread.
btw: I have decided to remove the clutch. All of the advice here has been great but... the mate with some knowhow and a welder said he will not help me if I leave it in. I am convinced. The Hungarian Youtube video didn't hurt either.
More soon in "Electric Trabant?" thread.
trabant601

[wheelbarrow]

hi
what about one of th old minis, like in the first italian job?
has that been done? surely they would be good as they are very small
(im hoping anyway)

[freddyflatfoot]

Ok, been lurking for a bit, and *maybe* thinking of diving into an EV conversion.
Have a reasonable idea of what I want, but wanna do it cheap, well maybe not as cheap as ForkenSwift, but I hope you get the idea!
I'm not expecting much, but thinking of a small Japanese hatch. Daihatsu/Honda/Subaru or similar, with a minimum of two seats. (<1000kg, tare)
Reasonable acceleration, around 70-75 kph top speed, and a range of around 50km.
Looking to build an around town runabout/grocery getter/kids pickerupperer. Well, maybe 4 seats would be better!
Here is what I'm thinking so far, so I hope I'm on the right track!
Possibly 72 volts, 250-500A controller, 6.7" ADC motor (or similar).
Batteries, well, I haven't got much of a clue! Maybe something deep cycle around 85 AHr? Was thinking LiFePo4, but probably a wee bit expensive, I do love them on my e-bike though! I'm just a bit confused on all the differenet types/styles of lead batteries, and their suitability for an EV!
Just concerned if I go lead, then weight, voltage sag, and Peukerts will all be isssues limiting range and performance.
And at around $2000 AU or more for lead, what sort of lifespan can I expect?
Lets say I can keep 90% of my trips to <50% DOD. Do I think of lifespan in terms of cycles? year(s)? months?
And bear in mind that there will probably be two drivers, and she drives more than me! And is probably not as savvy.
I dunno, maybe its just me, but is the Wiki just a little short on facts/examples that would really get noobs started on the right track?
Would really like to collect as much info, so I know pretty much what I need before I start!
Be nice to have some sort of chart that would give a pretty good idea of performance/range for different voltages/battery packs.
i.e. car x @ 72v will do x kph with xAHr of lead, with x km range.
car x @ 120v will do x kph etc, etc.
Thanks!

[TX_Dj]

Freddy,

Seems you have a lot of questions. Questions are good!

Every car will be different, every driver is different, and ever locale presents a different set of terrain hurdles for the car. As such, it's really hard to say if it will be a good fit for you.

Weigh out your pros and cons, decide how much you REALLY need 4 seats vs. 2, etc... once you have a firm idea of what you want to accomplish with the conversion, it will be easier to say with some certainty. However, if you're in a flat area, have a light enough and aerodynamic enough car, and never need to get on the motorway... 72v should be more than sufficient to meet those goals.