Hybrid Electric Assist Jeep Diesel

[redveloce]

I'm sure the idea has already been beat to death here, but I have been thinking of adding an electric motor to my Jeep to assist during acceleration or high load situations.

My Jeep is pretty unique, as I've swapped the inline 6 for a 2.2L direct injection Kubota diesel. The Kubota pulls the Jeep just fine, but as evidenced by ripping out a perfectly good inline 6, I can never leave things alone

I've thought about different methods for integrating the motor, including tying into the rear output of the transfer case, replacing the front transfer case output with the motor, and replacing my engine adapter plate with a sandwich motor. I think the easiest method would be to connect the electric motor to the front of the crank though, even if this wouldn't allow any driving without the engine running. The crankshaft on the Kubota has a nice splined output sticking out the front.

I've been researching all that I can, but I still have a large knowledge gap when it comes to electric and hybrid systems. It seems pretty obvious that I'll need a motor, and high amp variable controller of some sort, as well as the battery, but I'm not sure what options are out there? I've looked into the sandwiched motors on the Civics and Insights, but it's unclear whether these are bearing supported, or whether I would have to have a bearing case fabricated? Also, is it even possible to rip the hybrid system out of a Honda and retrofit it to semi manual use? I passed up an Insight with a bad transmission for $800 a few months ago, but that's part of what spawned this idea.

If I could figure out all of those parts, the next thing would be figuring out control. I'd probably use an ardiuno to control the assist based on boost, maybe EGT, and a few other readings.

This is all idea and speculation at this point, but this is always how it starts, and how I end up spending way too much time and money I welcome any thoughts and ideas.

Here are a few pictures of my Jeep to show what I'm working with.

First the Jeep. Swap complete and daily driven.


The engine about a year ago. I've continually made changes, so it has a completely different turbo and some other parts now, and will soon have a liquid cooled intercooler.


Mid swap, figuring out clearances and engine mounts


Closeup of the same. Here you can see the splined output on the crank.

[CFECO]

Nice !!!

[CFECO]

What kind of MPG do you get?

[redveloce]

I'm averaging 25MPG. It got 13 with the same commute before the swap. The guys that have put the same engine in Rangers are getting high 30's and into the 40's. Shows you what you get for driving a barn door

[mechman600]

Electric assist is an excellent idea - an idea I am throwing around for the wife's Matrix as well.

Driving the front of the engine will work and it is the simplest, but then hybrid assist must always be linked with engine assist, aka - you cannot do EV only. Instead, I would find a way to drive one axle with the Kubota and the other with the electric motor. Either direct drive the rear axle and keep it in "4WD" (which will actually be front wheel drive) or vice versa. It all depends on space for EV parts. That way you can kill the Kubota for stop and go traffic.

I would also go with a good AC system (if the budget allows - $4600 for the AC50/Curtis) so that you have regenerative braking. That way even when you are relying on the Kubota, it will be much more efficient in city traffic.

My dilemma is that my wife's Matrix is FWD. So either I buy an AWD rear diff/suspension (it's all different) and EV the rear, or I buy an AWD transmission to drive it from the "PTO" at the back.
Or I drop $40K on a Fusion Hybrid Energi.

[Superfuelgero]

Swap the transfer case for one with a PTO.

[MetroMPG]

Subscribed! These "want to hybridize my vehicle" threads are some of my favourites.

I want to hybridize mine too. It's somewhere on the list, anyway...

[Frank Lee]

Brucey did it.

[CFECO]

The PTO output on the transfer cases and transmissions that have them are not HD enough to drive the vehicle.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Brucey did it.

Yup. So did Coyote_X with his Metro XFi convertible. Rare birds.