XH electric conversion?

[KiwiJohn]

What would happen to me? Would I be banished to the deepest dungeons in the kingdom if I converted my XR6 XH ute to electric?



The vehicle, which I have had since new, is in very good condition and much admired and the general reaction I hear is that I should not 'spoil' it but rather get a wreck and convert that. There is that but I could live with myself!

My opinion is that a vehicle in sound condition will make an easier and less expensive conversion whereas converting a dunga would be the cost of a restoration and a conversion. Of course I love my ute, it is in regency red, has body kit, leather interior, pukka sun visor and a deck lid, all fitted at new but for all that I doubt it would bring enough in a sale to equal a good restoration.

I would be looking for a conversion with good (not tyre shredding) performance and 400 or so K range, 300 would be OK.

So what do you think?

Anyone done such a conversion.

P.S. I am in my 70's and would be paying to have the conversion done.

[Gothefalcon]

You don't have to buy a complete POS... But I'd buy a "good example" and convert that first. That way, should you need/want to change anuthing along the way.. it wouldn't matter if a hole had been drilled, or something had been fitted in the wrong place etc.
it would also allow you to work out if it was worth doing in the first place... coz if not, you'll want to put your pride and joy back together the way it was

D

[Fairlane 500]

Looks like you have a gorgeous original old ute mate.

I honestly can't see any point in doing such a conversion, I would just keep it & enjoy it the way it is.

[raceteam]

It's your car, do what you think is right.
Have a look at this https://www.mercury.co.nz/e-transport/evie

[Franco Cozzo]

I probably wouldn't butcher the one you have as it's in mint condition but check out EV West - they do electric conversions with salvaged Tesla motors:



A Ute is handy because you've got room to put the battery bank somewhere.

It seems the Tesla motor would replace the rear diff.

Cool project, get a different car to butcher though.

[kcodezd]

An X series utility would certainly have ample room for batteries where the fuel tank resides.

[kcodezd]

Arh you beat me too it Franco

[Franco Cozzo]

I don't know if we have the expertise to do this work in Australia, keep in mind someone is going to be playing with a few hundred volts DC - lethal.

Legal liability? Engineering?

Super cool idea though id like to see someone attempt this locally.

Melbourne has a few Tesla's on the road, should be some sitting in wreckers.

[TheInterceptor]

Tonnes of potential, lifes too short to worry about butchering it. If you don't, the next owner sure will so you may aswell make the most of it and do what you want.

Since youre getting somebody else to do it for you, definitely do it! 100% torque from the get go, FREE charging points everywhere, no oil changes no head gaskets no nothing its a much simpler and cheaper way to motor.

I wonder what kind of kits are available.

[Franco Cozzo]

Tell you what the motor controllers can be exy:

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/produ...9cr7d8c3j8m226

$11,000 USD for the controller alone.

[Ratmick]

Have a chat to these guys...

https://www.evolutionaustralia.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/ElectricCarCafe/ if you're so declined.

...mate of mine runs it.

[jstanovic]

Just use your Ute. Looks to be great condition and you are fond of it. Why bother doing it to another Ute? Then you’ll have 2 utes, can only drive one at a time, and why bother having a petrol Ute if you want an electric one?

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I don't know if we have the expertise to do this work in Australia, keep in mind someone is going to be playing with a few hundred volts DC - lethal.

Legal liability? Engineering?

Super cool idea though id like to see someone attempt this locally.

Melbourne has a few Tesla's on the road, should be some sitting in wreckers.

I think old mates in NZ (op)
There is a rodeo with magna rear end (yep you read that right) getting around somewhere here with electric motor. Have seen at some small car shows.

Found:

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

I think old mates in NZ (op)
There is a rodeo with magna rear end (yep you read that right) getting around somewhere here with electric motor. Have seen at some small car shows.

Found:

He is indeed, I was in my office when I made my posts

[zilo]

Originally Posted by KiwiJohn

I would be looking for a conversion with good (not tyre shredding) performance and 400 or so K range, 300 would be OK.

So what do you think?

Anyone done such a conversion.

P.S. I am in my 70's and would be paying to have the conversion done.

I havent done an EV conversion but now have 100kw of Lithium batteries in an off grid setup and I can tell you they are breathtaking compared to lead batteries...they charge ten times quicker and can deliver power far better than a petrol motor....(I am planning a battery powered boat)


just do it...it will be the best thing you have ever played with.

[Sprintey]

There was one kiwi fella that I saw on youtube that did a BA-BF ute, electric motor joined normal transmission, where engine block was he put in two battery banks in a vee formation, looked like a trick V8...



And - if you use Tesla bits, you will have the best looking Tesla ute ever created!

To consider - if you keep your XR6 ute original, it will have the best/historical value (I know, nothing to do with an electric conversion). I try to keep my ED Sprint as original as possible.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

There was one kiwi fella that I saw on youtube that did a BA-BF ute, electric motor joined normal transmission, where engine block was he put in two battery banks in a vee formation, looked like a trick V8...



And - if you use Tesla bits, you will have the best looking Tesla ute ever created!

To consider - if you keep your XR6 ute original, it will have the best/historical value (I know, nothing to do with an electric conversion). I try to keep my ED Sprint as original as possible.

EV West also does some modified powerglide sans torque converter to couple to an electric motor:

https://www.evwest.com/catalog/produ...9cr7d8c3j8m226

Looks like you couple two motors together inline then put the box on the back of it?

I feel like EV Modders are like when Henry Ford come on the scene and the rest of us are still interested in horses.

[Sprintey]

Interesting! I guess you wouldn't need a torque converter as when you take your foot off the brake the lower gear direct drives the EV motor(s) so they can crawl off the line in traffic, or take off fast, depends what you want to do - and probably feels a bit like a torque converter with that nice smooth roll.

Really liked driving an HR Prem back in the day with powerglide 2sp, was a bit of a novelty

[GasoLane]

It was done a few years ago.

[hayseed]

Anyone know anything about these Blokes..???


https://www.ozdiyelectricvehicles.com/kits-parts

[sr71]

Go for it KiwiJohn. You've got a nice ute there. Worth about $8000-$10000 over here.
You've got peace of mind knowing that everything is in good condition. I'm assuming that, from the way it looks and how you have taken good care of it.
I'd love to see how this turns out.
Some big players like Dana, Allison, and ZF are developing electric drive axle set ups. It seems to be for heavy transport applications. But could fit into the rear springs. I recall ZF developing a transaxle for electric hybrid applications Not sure if it went to market though. Diff,axles and electric motors in the one unit. With thick cables ready for electrification.
Full electric as seen in the above XR6, looks good.
Good luck with the project.

[roKWiz]

Very nice example.
Would be great if whoever does the conversion build it so the process can be reversed if needed.
Sort of reminds me having a grade 1 listed heritage building and ripping the guts out of it to put modern appliances in it. Fine if it can be reversed.

But hey like others have said, its your car. I wish you success.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

I think old mates in NZ (op)
There is a rodeo with magna rear end (yep you read that right) getting around somewhere here with electric motor. Have seen at some small car shows.

Found:

God damn that thing is an eyesore.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by sr71

Go for it KiwiJohn. You've got a nice ute there. Worth about $8000-$10000 over here.

Worth more over there I would wager, although I don't know what the current fx rate.

Originally Posted by sr71

You've got peace of mind knowing that everything is in good condition.

Yes, all the bits he would throw out.

[Crazy Dazz]

To the OP, all I can say is do your homework first, and don't believe the hype and the BS.

Mainstream manufactures, having invested billions in R&D, struggle to put viable Electric Cars on the road.
Ignore the Tesla Bull**** factory, most EVs are small and lightweight for a reason, and they still struggle to deliver the range you want.

If I wanted to build my own electric car, I would start with a lightweight FRP Kit. Something like a Lotus-7, or Cobra replica.
Although something designed for a mid-engine layout, like a Lambo replica, might be better for weight distribution.

[KiwiJohn]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

To the OP, all I can say is do your homework first, and don't believe the hype and the BS.

Good advice Dazz, thanks.

[Craig@AUDI]

Originally Posted by KiwiJohn

P.S. I am in my 70's and would be paying to have the conversion done.

Not to sound horrible, but why would you desire to do this at your age, and out of your own pocket?

[Falcon SXR8]

Probably much cheaper to just buy a tesla. Then you have the added bonus of saving a piece of Aussie automotive history from being butchered.

[KiwiJohn]

Originally Posted by Craig@PowerFord

Not to sound horrible, but why would you desire to do this at your age, and out of your own pocket?

Not horrible at all mate! My age is the very reason why I would pay someone to do the job, I surely do not want to leave a half finished project in the garage when they nail me in my box.

[KiwiJohn]

A Tesla may be cheaper but who want to drive a Tesla when one could have a ute?