I am trying to decide which type donor vehicle I should be on the lookout for: a small car (Escort, Civic, etc,) or small truck (S10, Ranger, etc.) for my first (and possibly only, at least in the foreseeable future) conversion project.
I know a truck project will be easier and will give me more haulin' capacity for the batteries, and the batteries will be located outside of the vehicle's passenger compartment. On the other hand a small car will probably be more aerodynamic, will begin with a smaller curb weight, and will probably just look more stylish (in my opinion), but the conversion will likely be more mechanically complex, especially for me, the newbie.
I figure that a small truck will have a lesser range (miles) than a car, but this could possibly be offset by a larger battery pack, taking advantage of the larger payload capacity - true?
Suspension mods on a truck rear end will likely be easier (at least easier to get to...)
So what do all you experts think? As long as I have not yet acquired either style of donor vehicle, now's the time to sort out all the trade factors. Notwithstanding the "sex appeal" question, it seems that a truck is the better choice. But that one question of appearance/styling does loom large.
Steve
I know a truck project will be easier and will give me more haulin' capacity for the batteries, and the batteries will be located outside of the vehicle's passenger compartment. On the other hand a small car will probably be more aerodynamic, will begin with a smaller curb weight, and will probably just look more stylish (in my opinion), but the conversion will likely be more mechanically complex, especially for me, the newbie.
I figure that a small truck will have a lesser range (miles) than a car, but this could possibly be offset by a larger battery pack, taking advantage of the larger payload capacity - true?
Suspension mods on a truck rear end will likely be easier (at least easier to get to...)
So what do all you experts think? As long as I have not yet acquired either style of donor vehicle, now's the time to sort out all the trade factors. Notwithstanding the "sex appeal" question, it seems that a truck is the better choice. But that one question of appearance/styling does loom large.
Steve