econoline ev conversation interest?

[shenrie]

the shop I work at picked up a job converting an old van into an ev. don’t have a ton of info just yet but I thought I’d ask to see if anyone here was interested in watching the build? it isn’t a camper or even 4wd, but it is a van, so I thought I’d ask :h7:

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Definitely interested, but then again, I don't even own a van.

 

[boywonder]

You kidding?? of course!


If not here then put it on youtube.......

 

[1der]

:d8: Hellloooooooo!!!!

 

[marret]

I'm with them:n5:

 

[shenrie]

Ok cool, just wanted to make sure at least a few people were interested. I’ll inquire about a game plan. I know we are picking up a couple of wrecked Tesla’s today as donor cars, but other than that I’m in the dark on path forward.

What section should I start the thread in?? Electronics, camp fire, or maybe drivetrain?

 

[Twoxentrix]

This will be an interesting read :a4:

 

[sn0mad]

looking forward to this! thanks, shenrie

 

[86Scotty]

Yep, more interest here. Do you have enough yet or should I invent some new profiles?

:b5:

 

[shenrie]

^^^ lmao, naw we’re good. No need for fake profiles. Just wanted to make sure people here were open to the idea. It’s not widely accepted in the different automotive circles. We’ve got a lot of positive feedback for the vehicles we’ve done so far, but it definitely came with some negativity. It’s all good though, cant please everyone. What started off as an experiment just to see if we could turned into its own entity. We even had a few guys get shipped off to a movie set in another state to convert some vehicles for a show coming out soon.

I did inquire today about the build, but it’s not finalized. So I’m not at liberty to share anything just yet, but now that I know there’s a few folks here interested, I’ll start gathering info for when I can.

 

[marret]

What section should I start the thread in?? Electronics, camp fire, or maybe drivetrain?

Right, could be several subforums, but I like drivetrain or electrical/electronics.

Maybe we need a new subforum for EVs.

 

[IanF-SMB]

Definitely interested. I've been pondering an EV conversion to a 92-08 E-series into a moderate range daily driver.

My thought would be to pull the body off the frame and then completely re-build/re-work the frame to be more EV specific. An perimeter type frame tends to be easier for battery fitment than a ladder frame. And helps to protect the battery bank from side-impacts.

Another option would be to buy a Mach E and do a body-swap, although when I saw one of those yesterday in a parking lot, I was surprised at how small it is. I'm not sure how easy it would be to adjust the Mach E "roller skate" wheelbase.

 

[Motorwerx]

I don't think I ever watched the build to completion, and I do remember safety coming second or third in a lot of ways, but this guy was working on converting his VW bus to electric with some help from EV West not too long ago:

 

[N147JK]

Interesting, but seems counterintuitive to the camping mission. Need good range into areas with no service (let alone high voltage electricity). Seems like the last place for an EV.

 

[shenrie]

^^^ I agree for the immediate future, but eventually the technology will improve and it will be a decent option. More efficient solar and more efficient batteries. Time will tell. I like the idea personally. I feel like a big ole hypocrite driving my loudass 7.3 in the woods seeking peace and quite...

My thought would be to pull the body off the frame and then completely re-build/re-work the frame to be more EV specific. An perimeter type frame tends to be easier for battery fitment than a ladder frame. And helps to protect the battery bank from side-impacts.

^^^ exactly how we did our 64 galax-e.

I don't think I ever watched the build to completion, and I do remember safety coming second or third in a lot of ways, but this guy was working on converting his VW bus to electric with some help from EV West not too long ago:

Too cool, I’ll watch that when I have a chance. I’d pee myself if any air cooled old school bus like that handed me my ass up a grade or from a stoplight, lol.

 

[freeagent]

Count me in too. Would be interested to follow this. I think a lot of us here are always interested in van anything even if it's not always camping specific.

 

[86Scotty]

Interesting, but seems counterintuitive to the camping mission. Need good range into areas with no service (let alone high voltage electricity). Seems like the last place for an EV.

I totally agree, I just want to see it done. EV conversions are neat and lots of E-series vans are used for local delivery/service work which IMO is the only place EV makes sense.

 

[BCam]

I don't think I ever watched the build to completion, and I do remember safety coming second or third in a lot of ways, but this guy was working on converting his VW bus to electric with some help from EV West not too long ago:

This guy is pretty flaky, with minimal knowledge and skills. He takes almost no safety precautions, welding without a shirt, etc. and continually screws things up.

He has a current video about traveling cross-country in his bus but broke down the first day out (I didn't watch it).

There are other videos by people with better skills on a number of types of vehicles. Some are based on kits, but I haven't seen any econoline or other van conversions. Here's the first of a series by a guy converting a Hummer:

My concern for a SM or home conversion van is re-charging. It makes all the sense in the world for a delivery van but what do you do in the boonies?

 

[IanF-SMB]

My concern for a SM or home conversion van is re-charging. It makes all the sense in the world for a delivery van but what do you do in the boonies?

In theory - big solar array set up at camp; assuming one will be camped for a few days without moving.

Realistically - more of a local trip van and not for trips into the boonies (which is how I would use one).