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Old 12-27-2011, 04:09 PM   #11 (permalink)
bennelson
EV test pilot
 
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oconomowoc, WI, USA
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Space and weight would be the main issue with a vehicle like a Tracker.

The problem I see with the idea of changing out an engine is that it is one more big thing to do!

The idea with a small 4x4 was to be able to leave the engine, and just do some custom work adding and controlling the EV system.

Things could be further complicated by instead adding a driven rear axel to a front wheel drive car, or putting an entire front-wheel drive engine/tranny/wheels in the front of a rear-wheel drive pickup truck.

A friend of mine actually suggested getting a Ford Ranger and Ford Escort. Put the Escort front-wheel drive system in the Ranger, and then just put the electric motor on the rear differential. He suggested that that would save weight and complexity over dealing with 4-wheel-drive components.

If EVERYTHING in an Escort and Ranger were interchangeable, that would be tempting.

Another way to do a hybrid would be to add an electric motor IN-LINE with the driveshaft on a rear-wheel drive vehicle. It would need a very nice tailshaft and yoke to go to the driveshaft, not to mention custom shortening the driveshaft, but there would be no messing around under the hood and a pickup truck would have plenty of room in the bed for batteries.

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