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Well, I'm not married to the Throttle-on-a-Stick idea, but I don't think it would have to conflict with steering. Since the throttle on most EVs is just a simple potentiometer, it shouldn't be too hard to try out several different ways of running the throttle.
As for the manual steering, yes, something like what Gealii posted, except that I was thinking of the $100 from the salvage yard version, NOT the $Thousand Dollar performance parts store version.
I did e-mail two friends who have EV pickup truck conversions. I was only able to help minimally on both those projects, so I wasn't there when they did the steering.
I asked what they did and the one guy said he converted to manual steering. The other guy used a Toyota electric power steering pump, which he said was expensive, and he's still having trouble getting the controller to work on it right.
Another friend of mine who converted a Dodge Neon to electric also converted it to manual steering.
So, of just people I personally know, it seems like a manual steering conversion has been the most popular way to go. I also like the idea that it's the simplest setup - no additional pumps, motors, etc. etc.
I'm going to start hanging out on an S10 forum for advice specific to that truck, such as doing a manual steering change-over. (Anyone have a favorite S10 forum with people as cool and helpful as the users here?)
Ryland: Good point. I know those motors are supposed to be really well built. While a fair number of EV motors really aren't any different than forklift motors, the big NetGains have an extra bearing and a few other beefed-up details.
Maybe when I actually locate the motor I'll really be using in the project, I can take it over to Tom B at the Helwig Carbon research department. He's always tearing apart big motors and may have some advice on bearings, possibly adding one, etc.
Maybe a pillow-block bearing could be added to the end of the driveshaft?
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