[fishanderson]

hi i looking to do up my 63 bug but now want to put a leaf motor and inverter in her and attach it directly to the trans axl with no clutch i will just drive her in 3rd gear and use reverse gear i have been looking at a Thunderstruck vcu as controller with a Curtis ET-126 throttle connected to original cable is this set up a good plan or is there a better plan out there thanks fish wellington nz

 

[tylerwatts]

Hi Fish
Why use bug trans reverse? I'd strip the trans and weld the shafts to have a fixed 3rd ratio only, motor can do reverse. Plus it removes extra mass and drag in the drivetrain for better efficiency.

And LEAF cells will fit nicely in the rear parcel boot, or under the bonnet as well if you need loads.

Cheers
Tyler

 

[fishanderson]

i am aiming to use the transaxl as it is less work than welding in shafts and then building a frame for motor.... with transaxl (tr) i can just make up a plate that bolts onto tr and then bolts to motor and get a shaft made up to fit both less work and yes aiming to put batteries in front in old fuel tank position and on rear shelf behind seats ...thanks for feed back ...

 

[tylerwatts]

i am aiming to use the transaxl as it is less work than welding in shafts and then building a frame for motor.... with transaxl (tr) i can just make up a plate that bolts onto tr and then bolts to motor and get a shaft made up to fit both less work and yes aiming to put batteries in front in old fuel tank position and on rear shelf behind seats ...thanks for feed back ...

I only mean why use the reverse gear IE changing gears manually? The leaf drive will reverse without changing gear.

I know you need to keep the trans as the rear suspension uses the drive shafts as links to the suspension setup, not something you can easily replicate.

Cheers
Tyler

 

[Tremelune]

i will just drive her in 3rd gear and use reverse gear i have been looking at a Thunderstruck vcu

You're fine either way! All you need to engage reverse with the Thunderstruck VCU is a switch to change from forward to reverse. If you want to trigger the reverse lights, you'll need a special relay that can trigger a 12v circuit with a 5v signal (I found one on Amazon for US$5).

 

[fishanderson]

You're fine either way! All you need to engage reverse with the Thunderstruck VCU is a switch to change from forward to reverse. If you want to trigger the reverse lights, you'll need a special relay that can trigger a 12v circuit with a 5v signal (I found one on Amazon for US$5).

i have no reverse lights so all good ...lol cheers

 

[fishanderson]

You're fine either way! All you need to engage reverse with the Thunderstruck VCU is a switch to change from forward to reverse. If you want to trigger the reverse lights, you'll need a special relay that can trigger a 12v circuit with a 5v signal (I found one on Amazon for US$5).

thanks but 1963 bugs don't have reverse lights ..old school baby ....