[Vhclbldr]

I am considering extending the build timeline of my Electric Camino project in order to make it an All-wheel-drive similar to the Gymkhana 7 Mustang.
The unique advantages of using an electric motor are that they develop immediate torque, and power can be taken off either end.

My thought is that by moving the tandem motor setup just a little further back (and modifying the transmission tunnel NOW), I could (now, or later) modify the front suspension for AWD (like, with a DANA 50 from a Ford F250).

Has anyone ever done something like this?

 

[jwiger]

Curse you! I actually thought about this for my Mustang, but didn't want to spoil it. Jack Rickard has two Tesla drive trains, he could make an awesome AWD, I'm thinking a '57 Chevy would really suit his style. Haha.

Honestly though, I wast kicking around the idea of going with a TransWarp for the rear and a Leaf or similar front drive (try to set up regen braking, plus some tractive effort on the front tires, and lots of DC torque on the rear...).

I wouldn't bother with a solid Dana in the front of a car though. I would find something like a Subaru rear end, or pull from a small/mid sized Toyota or Nissan that had IFS to begin with.

 

[Vhclbldr]

Did some searching on a few 4x4 sites and whatnot. Could either go with a 86-92 Supra rear differential and mate it (somehow) with a 2000 Blazer front suspension and steering knuckles. This would keep the same bolt pattern (5 x 4.75 = 5 x 120.65 mm) and allow centering the differential. Nice and short diff, too. Custom halfshafts could be an expensive part, but it would solve the component problem for front suspension parts (fewer custom bits) and ensure that the differential is centered on the motor (and in the frame) properly. There are even some lowering kits for the Blazer that could let me change the stance a bit.

More research shows the Supra Diff only goes down to 3.73 gears (I am running 3.0 in the Ford 9" rear), so that could be a problem with motor speed and matching (or does the Zilla HV allow for different speeds and loads? hmmm)

The Blazer (Code GU4 in the glove box) has a 3.08 front gear ratio. Closer to the rear, but the Blazer front track width is 4" narrower than the El Camino. In addition, the differential would be offset.

More research shows the blazer halfshaft to be 23" long (left side is longer than right). Could be that the splines are similar, too?

 

[Woodsmith]

Are you thinking of taking a shaft from both ends of the one motor or making space to fit a second motor for the front drive?

Just thinking that with a single motor you would have wind up between front and rear prop shafts unless you have a dog clutch or a centre diff.

That would not be a problem if you had two motors.
In addition, you could have a dog clutch between the two motors so you could allow differential speeds or not.

 

[ken will]

I think it will be a great project!

Living in snow country I found that my El Camino was way too heavy in the front and way too light in the rear. Fun pulling Donuts, and drifting, but sucks going up a steep driveway.

Depending on your driving style you can move batteries around to get that perfect weight balance.
You might like more weight and a larger motor in the rear or more weight and a larger motor in the front.

Please post plenty of pictures.

Oh, and just to remind you; All El Caminos need to be Metallic Silver with black interior and of course a Black Vinyl Top!!

 

[Vhclbldr]

I think it will be a great project!

Living in snow country I found that my El Camino was way too heavy in the front and way too light in the rear. Fun pulling Donuts, and drifting, but sucks going up a steep driveway.

Depending on your driving style you can move batteries around to get that perfect weight balance.
You might like more weight and a larger motor in the rear or more weight and a larger motor in the front.

Please post plenty of pictures.

Oh, and just to remind you; All El Caminos need to be Metallic Silver with black interior and of course a Black Vinyl Top!!

Ken, one major advantage of the El Camino is the smuggler box behind the cab. I definitely plan to place batteries there and in the fuel tank area to help achieve a more 50/50 weight balance.

As far as motors, the current plan is to go with tandem Warp 9s, so disconnecting the shaft coupler (but not the motor coupler) and attaching the front motor's front output to a front diff is possible.

I briefly thought of working out some sort of clutch system for the shaft coupler, but that would require the ratios and tire sizes to be exactly the same or else the motors would be spinning at different RPMs at any given MPH.

Oh, and Baby is going to be Blitz Black outside and probably a grey/black interior.

 

[ken will]

My thought is that by moving the tandem motor setup just a little further back (and modifying the transmission tunnel NOW), I could (now, or later) modify the front suspension for AWD (like, with a DANA 50 from a Ford F250).

If you use an Independent Rear Suspension, you could eliminate the drive-shaft and move the motor all the way back under the floor of the pickup bed and couple it directly to the differential, which doesn't move up and down with IRS.
A lot of Hot Rodders are putting IRS in their cars. In a car the electric motor would be where the back seat goes, but, with an El Camino... everyone will ask " Hey, Buddy where the heck is the motor??"