EV_Dude

Hello all!

A coworker has offered me a free 1994 2wd Yota pickup that has a completely blown engine (cracked block I think.) It's got a 5 speed manual in it, don't know the transmission #, not sure when I'll be able to get it. I also have access to a very large electric forklift motor that is powerful enough to drag race a lighter weight EV easily, and easily powerful enough to move the truck. And to further sweeten the deal, I know where to get batteries for almost free, so I can build it in the style of this truck:

http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/037.html

Although I refuse to put all of the batteries in the bed, too top heavy for me and it kills the cargo space >.< I'll likely stash most of them *under* the bed.


My main concern is the amount of torque the stock drivetrain in the pickup can withstand reliably. The motor is capable of up to around 1000lb/ft of peak torque at a stall, but I'll have a current limiter to limit that torque to a set value. I need to know what to set the limiter to, or if I need to swap trannys to have it high enough to move the truck somewhat quickly once it weighs 5300lbs (due to batteries)

Thanks in advance,

EV_Dude

mt_goat

Since some of those trucks had a V6 in them, I'm guessing it could handle about 200 ft-lbs without a problem. I think the V6 had around 180 ft-lbs stock. Probably the biggest problem will be axle wrap, lol.

EV_Dude

Woops, forgot to mention this one is a 4 cylinder. Same transmission as the V-6?

Although, ouch, only 200 ft-lbs >.< I hope that's enough torque to get me around decently with the weight. A transmission swap would add more work/costs to the so far really cheap conversion. Although if a stronger transmission would just bolt right in, I might be able to scrounge one up somewhere... ?

You mention axle wrap, at what point ft-lb wise is that a major concern? Given torque multiplication, would it only be of concern in 1st gear? I could probably set a lower current limit for 1st gear to prevent that.

Thanks,

EV_Dude

EV_Dude

Lol, just noticed your location is oklahoma state. I am also located in Stillwater.

EV_Dude a.k.a. Dale

mt_goat

Yes, 1st gear and reverse. I don't know about the 4 cyl trannys. The axle wrap all depends on the leaf springs, how worn out they are, broken or missing leaves, etc... You can always install a traction bar if you're wanting to smoke the tires on it or something.


I don't really know that much about the 2wd trucks except some parts are weaker than the 4wd models. Like the wheels have 5 lug studs instead of 6 on the 4wd.

mt_goat

Yeah, go Pokes! I'm really in Edmond now, but my heart is all orange

motoriderbc

Your probably going to want to use an on-road motor controller such as an Curtis 1231C-8601 (96-144V 500Amax). Th forkift motor controller probably won't work well. I'm currently converting a S-10. They supposedly handle the torque without problem, so the superior Toyota drivetrain will be fine.

EV_Dude

I plan on making my own motor controller, the forklift motor controller is SCR based, it won't handle the voltage I'm using (36v max instead of the 120v I'm running), and it's huge! On the other hand, my experience in building solid state tesla coils gives me an edge on building a very large pulse width modulator to control the amperage.

EV_Dude