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F-250 Crew-Cab Conversion

by James Gobble
(Flagstaff AZ)



I have a 1979 Ford f-250 crew-cab with a 351m engine and a four speed manual that I am wanting to convert over to electric. I only drive about 20 to 30 miles every other day. I want to keep the bed free for hauling stuff.


What would be better: to use the transmission, or connect the motor directly to rear axle?

How do I size a motor and battery pack for my truck and usage? What kind of $$$ could I be looking at?

Hi, James!

It's not impossible to convert a very heavy truck to electric, but it'll cost you! Otherwise, you're probably not going to be thrilled with the results.

At 6500 lbs. curb weight, your F-250 is heavier than most electric cars, and it takes a LOT of golf cart batteries - that's what most people use in their EV conversions - to move a truck that size. Recommending LiFePO4 instead; )

Even the biggest AC conversion kit I'm aware of at Electro Automotive is only designed to move a 3500 lb. pickup, which is still pretty substantial.
That system is 288-336v, will give a range of about 50 miles, and will be capable of regular freeway speeds. The kit is just under 10K and does not include the cost of the batteries.

That AC kit, Electro Auto says, can be either used with the manual transmission you've already got or in a direct drive configuration. There are good arguments for either choice.

Randy Holmquist up at Canadian Electric Vehicles has been using the AC-50 in his 3-ton airport luggage trucks, but they don't go very fast, like 25 mph.

I guess if it were me, I'd be looking for a lighter donor vehicle.

Regards,
Lynne

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Would it be CRAZY to convert a full size crewcab truck?

by Tommy
(Idaho)

University of Nevada's Big Bus Conversion

University of Nevada's Big Bus Conversion

I want to convert a full size truck! Maybe crazy, huh? Why wouldn't this work? And if it would...what size of motor would it take (AC or DC)?

Hey, Tommy -

If you want something badly enough, you'll find a way to do it.

See, the mammoth in the picture above is a big honking heavy beast, with a 3-phase AC motor and a fat payload of 110 six-volt NiCad batteries.

Send some pictures when you're done; )

Regards,
Lynne

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