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Hi, I am a complete newbie to EV conversions.
I have a couple good candidate vehicles already on hand.
One is a stripped down former drag car, 3rd gen nova that needs the drivetrain replaced, but there is not much battery space.
Battery space equals more possible range, I think.
So my thinking is maybe I should start by planning to convert my 1966 ford f350 dualie stakebody, I think the rear bed can hold plenty of batteries, and could do a top across it with panels for slow charge later down the road.
From browsing other forum posts it looks like the popular donor vehicles are nissan leafs and chevy bolts.
My goals for range are 20 miles between charging.
It needs to be able to easily accelerate to and drive 45 miles per hour, 55 would be even better.
But later extending it by adding more batteries.
It currently has one battery under the floor of the cab, and I can easily operate the lights and signals off that.
(Possibly plan on changing it out for a deep cycle.)
My intended use case would be occassional trips to hardware stores, grocery stores, hauling bicycles to and from the park and avoiding traffic jams.
I do not know the vehicle weight with its given factory options, but it will be heavy.
No current plans to tow with it, but if I did, add another 4700 pounds between trailer and towed vehicle.
The current drive train (ford had several options that year,) is a ford 351 motor, with a 2 bbl carbeurator, and a manual transmission of unknown type with what should be a large reduction granny gear.
Vacuum assisted drum brakes. (So I need a vacuum pump.)
There is lots of empty space under the hood for a larger motor, any needed fabricated supports for a motor, or electronics.
![Motor vehicle Gas Wire Automotive exterior Automotive tire]()
But I would like to plan to have most of the batteries in the bed of the truck/ eventual custom exclosure.
1.) Will power transfer from a battery bank in the rear bed to the front engine compartment be difficult?
2.) Would I be correct in thinking it would require cutting a hole for a pretty large diameter tube with power wires running through it?
I have looked at a few aftermarket ev parts websites, but have not really come to a conclusion as to what motor I would want, and that decision will dictate a lot about the rest.
3.) Realistically, how many kw of motor do I want if it is going to be in a pretty heavy old truck.
4.) Would a forklift motor make more sense than say a nissan leaf or chevy bolt or when thinking of a truck?
Also, I have plenty of other things to spend money on, so this is going to be more of a make plans and save for when the current motor dies kind of thing.
5.) Are there any other donor vehicles I should watch for besides nissan leaf and chevy bolt?
I have a couple good candidate vehicles already on hand.
One is a stripped down former drag car, 3rd gen nova that needs the drivetrain replaced, but there is not much battery space.
Battery space equals more possible range, I think.
So my thinking is maybe I should start by planning to convert my 1966 ford f350 dualie stakebody, I think the rear bed can hold plenty of batteries, and could do a top across it with panels for slow charge later down the road.
From browsing other forum posts it looks like the popular donor vehicles are nissan leafs and chevy bolts.
My goals for range are 20 miles between charging.
It needs to be able to easily accelerate to and drive 45 miles per hour, 55 would be even better.
But later extending it by adding more batteries.
It currently has one battery under the floor of the cab, and I can easily operate the lights and signals off that.
(Possibly plan on changing it out for a deep cycle.)
My intended use case would be occassional trips to hardware stores, grocery stores, hauling bicycles to and from the park and avoiding traffic jams.
I do not know the vehicle weight with its given factory options, but it will be heavy.
No current plans to tow with it, but if I did, add another 4700 pounds between trailer and towed vehicle.
The current drive train (ford had several options that year,) is a ford 351 motor, with a 2 bbl carbeurator, and a manual transmission of unknown type with what should be a large reduction granny gear.
Vacuum assisted drum brakes. (So I need a vacuum pump.)
There is lots of empty space under the hood for a larger motor, any needed fabricated supports for a motor, or electronics.
But I would like to plan to have most of the batteries in the bed of the truck/ eventual custom exclosure.
1.) Will power transfer from a battery bank in the rear bed to the front engine compartment be difficult?
2.) Would I be correct in thinking it would require cutting a hole for a pretty large diameter tube with power wires running through it?
I have looked at a few aftermarket ev parts websites, but have not really come to a conclusion as to what motor I would want, and that decision will dictate a lot about the rest.
3.) Realistically, how many kw of motor do I want if it is going to be in a pretty heavy old truck.
4.) Would a forklift motor make more sense than say a nissan leaf or chevy bolt or when thinking of a truck?
Also, I have plenty of other things to spend money on, so this is going to be more of a make plans and save for when the current motor dies kind of thing.
5.) Are there any other donor vehicles I should watch for besides nissan leaf and chevy bolt?
