Can I get an opinion on a project EV

[Steve R]

Hey guys,

I realize this is off-topic and the thread may be moved but I'd like to solicit the opinions of fellow Taycan owners. I'll try to keep it brief.

I have an old 1937 Plymouth pick-up truck and while it's fairly rare it's not considered a classic but instead an antique, it's perhaps worth about $24k so we're not talking about something fancy. I use it at a farm/ranch I own. Here's a pic:

It looks a bit funny but you get the idea. Now here's the thing; EVERY time I drive it somewhere I have to hope/pray that it'll start-up again and get me home. The carb is rebuilt, the fuel tank was flushed, they've gone through the ignition, replaced the points but for whatever reason, once the engine is hot (and sits for more than 7-10 minutes) it often doesn't want to start. Point is, my sense of confidence and reliability is deeply compromised which cripples my wanting to use it.

I'm VERY much wanting to convert this to an EV.....but I'm catching a LOT of flack from people who say I'd be destroying a piece of history, ruining it, etc. Fact is, I own it so it's my call but I'd like to ask what you would do. Let me list a few other reasons that should be a factor:

No power steering, the brakes are drum and horrible, it can't do more than 55mph so it sucks on the freeway, it handles like crap, it gets horrible mpg, it drips oil and the leaking can not be fixed and unless you double-clutch it's finicky to drive so NOBODY else will drive it (not my wife, kids or friends)....only I drive it. It's the original 6-volt system so getting a jump is an issue. It drives like it is: an 80-year old truck.

An EV conversion will mean a new rear axle (with disc brakes), a new driveshaft, probably a BMW manual transmission and a Hyper9 electric motor along with a new front-end also featuring disc brakes....also (on the EV side) all the charging system, cooling system, batteries and other 'stuff'....but the whole conversion can be done while keeping the truck looking completely stock!

Cost effective? Probably not.....for the cost to do this I could instead buy a new Fords Mustang EV and drive it out the door. I'm not doing this as an investment, it would be for fun and to be unique. Will I get my money out of it? I don't care! What I care about is that I'll have a vehicle that will always run, cruise on the freeway nicely, handle well, stop much better (safer!!!) and it'll be clean. I'm not going for fast speed but it'll be much faster than it is now....which isn't saying much. I'm not talking about taking an Tesla system and making it into a hot rod, just a standard electric motor oriented in much the same manner as the OEM configuration.

I'm in Los Angeles but the very few EV conversion shops are already 2-3 years on wait-list and most these guys are notoriously unreliable, have huge ego's and aren't very helpful. And btw, they will gladly sell you the parts but good luck with the last stage of trying to get everything programmed and working! The thing is, I'm DONE with the reliability issue...I just replaced a new fuel pump and now the starter is starting to act funny. This concept of keeping it original is just killing me but I'm still hesitant to alter this thing and 'destroy' it's OEM nature.

I don't want a Ford lightening or that ugly Tesla truck....I want to take something old and make it cool again but I struggle with the destroying history thing. What do you all say?

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[whitex]

Are you looking for a turnkey solution, or actually willing to buy individual parts, whether new or from salvaged EVs and do the integration all yourself? If the first one, you will need a shop, or at the very least buy an EV with a similar frame/wheelbase so you can move the body onto that. If you want to go full custom engineering, then you sure got your work cut out for you.

 

[W1NGE]

Hey guys,

I realize this is off-topic and the thread may be moved but I'd like to solicit the opinions of fellow Taycan owners. I'll try to keep it brief.

I have an old 1937 Plymouth pick-up truck and while it's fairly rare it's not considered a classic but instead an antique, it's perhaps worth about $24k so we're not talking about something fancy. I use it at a farm/ranch I own. Here's a pic:

It looks a bit funny but you get the idea. Now here's the thing; EVERY time I drive it somewhere I have to hope/pray that it'll start-up again and get me home. The carb is rebuilt, the fuel tank was flushed, they've gone through the ignition, replaced the points but for whatever reason, once the engine is hot (and sits for more than 7-10 minutes) it often doesn't want to start. Point is, my sense of confidence and reliability is deeply compromised which cripples my wanting to use it.

I'm VERY much wanting to convert this to an EV.....but I'm catching a LOT of flack from people who say I'd be destroying a piece of history, ruining it, etc. Fact is, I own it so it's my call but I'd like to ask what you would do. Let me list a few other reasons that should be a factor:

No power steering, the brakes are drum and horrible, it can't do more than 55mph so it sucks on the freeway, it handles like crap, it gets horrible mpg, it drips oil and the leaking can not be fixed and unless you double-clutch it's finicky to drive so NOBODY else will drive it (not my wife, kids or friends)....only I drive it. It's the original 6-volt system so getting a jump is an issue. It drives like it is: an 80-year old truck.

An EV conversion will mean a new rear axle (with disc brakes), a new driveshaft, probably a BMW manual transmission and a Hyper9 electric motor along with a new front-end also featuring disc brakes....also (on the EV side) all the charging system, cooling system, batteries and other 'stuff'....but the whole conversion can be done while keeping the truck looking completely stock!

Cost effective? Probably not.....for the cost to do this I could instead buy a new Fords Mustang EV and drive it out the door. I'm not doing this as an investment, it would be for fun and to be unique. Will I get my money out of it? I don't care! What I care about is that I'll have a vehicle that will always run, cruise on the freeway nicely, handle well, stop much better (safer!!!) and it'll be clean. I'm not going for fast speed but it'll be much faster than it is now....which isn't saying much. I'm not talking about taking an Tesla system and making it into a hot rod, just a standard electric motor oriented in much the same manner as the OEM configuration.

I'm in Los Angeles but the very few EV conversion shops are already 2-3 years on wait-list and most these guys are notoriously unreliable, have huge ego's and aren't very helpful. And btw, they will gladly sell you the parts but good luck with the last stage of trying to get everything programmed and working! The thing is, I'm DONE with the reliability issue...I just replaced a new fuel pump and now the starter is starting to act funny. This concept of keeping it original is just killing me but I'm still hesitant to alter this thing and 'destroy' it's OEM nature.

I don't want a Ford lightening or that ugly Tesla truck....I want to take something old and make it cool again but I struggle with the destroying history thing. What do you all say?

I'd keep it native - these are cool trucks IMHO.

 

[MrBlueSky]

I'm VERY much wanting to convert this to an EV.....but I'm catching a LOT of flack from people who say I'd be destroying a piece of history, ruining it, etc. Fact is, I own it so it's my call but I'd like to ask what you would do. Let me list a few other reasons that should be a factor:

No power steering, the brakes are drum and horrible, it can't do more than 55mph so it sucks on the freeway, it handles like crap, it gets horrible mpg, it drips oil and the leaking can not be fixed and unless you double-clutch it's finicky to drive so NOBODY else will drive it (not my wife, kids or friends)....only I drive it. It's the original 6-volt system so getting a jump is an issue. It drives like it is: an 80-year old truck.

Your call for sure but, the highlighted text is the very reason I would keep it as is. Everything you list above makes it what it is, an 80 year old classic (rather than antique imho) with bundles of character (said the salesman lol). However, I get you need something more reliable and usable but, personally I would look for something else to do that for you and keep your piece of history if at all possible. It's not that far off celebrating its centenary and that it is very, very cool.

 

[B61]

Another vote for "don't do it, keep it as it is!"

 

[Genau]

You and your friends and family will get so much more enjoyment and utility out of it post-conversion, and you can keep the original parts in storage to appease any purists. Keeping it original is like not installing plumbing in an old house. Certainly the people who built the house would have installed plumbing if it was a thing then.

 

[WRC_1S]

Don't do it. Beautiful old thing. I'd love a drop side chevvy pick up. But I'd drop a big block V8 in it, new transmission and slam it on bags! Basically the polar opposite of EV??.

 

[Archimedes]

Chop it, drop it, put a reliable motor and some brakes in it, and make it a rat rod. Or just sell it and buy a new EV.

 

[bluegrassvroom]

go for it. it's yours. if it'll make you happy and get attention for your business (one reason to drive this with your business name on it) - then do it

although the truck is "worth" $24k now - that's on paper. to you it's worth not much with the headaches and uncertainty. Make it reliable, enjoyable, and usable. EV-alize it

(and this is coming from a former Hummer owner) Not a tree hugger - but a business owner who understand the value of a head-turning vehicle with your business name on it

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

It looks a bit funny but you get the idea. Now here's the thing; EVERY time I drive it somewhere I have to hope/pray that it'll start-up again and get me home. The carb is rebuilt, the fuel tank was flushed, they've gone through the ignition, replaced the points but for whatever reason, once the engine is hot (and sits for more than 7-10 minutes) it often doesn't want to start. Point is, my sense of confidence and reliability is deeply compromised which cripples my wanting to use it.

That sounds familiar (I have a 996 ?), so here's another/a different take: check the cables - battery to alternator or starter, or any other cable in the ignition path. Corrosion on terminals reduces the effective area, to which electrical resistance is inversely proportional. When the engine is hot, the draw on battery (if it's the starter) or the charging (if it's the alternator) is adversely affected, and that results in difficulty in cranking/starting. (psychic question) Does the situation appear to fix itself after things are cooling off a bit?

This is, of course, completely orthogonal to the EVization aspect, to which the fix is not necessarily mutually exclusive.

 

[Steve R]

You and your friends and family will get so much more enjoyment and utility out of it post-conversion, and you can keep the original parts in storage to appease any purists. Keeping it original is like not installing plumbing in an old house. Certainly the people who built the house would have installed plumbing if it was a thing then.

Okay, admittedly this is more of what i wanted to hear. I understand the idea of keeping things original but I absolutely will keep the looks entirely original but upgrade the test. Leaving the appallingly unreliable engine, oil dripping. Poor gas mileage and marginally safe brakes and overall handling is just not practical...nobody else drives the truck and I'm shying away when I don't have time for a tow. Also, in grandstanding on the concept of safer... when toy can get significantly better brakes, better handling and vastly more reliable it makes the car safer and that makes great sense.

I love your analogy about a home without plumbing or even electricity... nobody would leave it original because adding those features vastly increases both practicality and enjoyment....and in the end being able to drive it and use it, maximizing utility, iis key.

Also, I bought this truck for me....not the next guy. And for the guys who say pick up some other project that's already been messed with....I already did that with a 1946 Chevy truck where did a 4-link suspension with huge tires and put a 350 small block with an old school big super charger in there, with gas prices as they are, that's not even a practical thing to drive and it's bloody loud.

I still appreciate and value all the opinions expressed here but at this point, much like pulling the trigger on the Taycam, I'm really feeling bring8ng this antique truck into the modern era is the way to go but I will again mention that it will remain 100% OEM stock from every perspective until you open the hood or see it driving

 

[Jhenson29]

I love your analogy about a home without plumbing or even electricity

@Genau how did you pick plumbing over electricity for this analogy?! ?

 

[mcdermottm]

It’s your truck so do what you want and ignore what others say. While I appreciate the ”original-ness” of old cars, they are junk even in new condition. Going full EV sounds cool but sounds like a giant PITA trying to reengineer everything not to mention A LOT of money. It’s your money, though, so do what you want.

We recently bought a 1963 C20 for our daughter who, of all things, wanted a mid 60’s pick up as her first car (she’s 14 YO). It’s horribly unreliable but looks cool. We are working on the reliability by adding EFI. If I was in your position, I’d take whatever money you would put into the EV concept and put the current body on a new frame which will come with disc brakes and power steering options and put a new motor in it with EFI.

 

[ChronoMax]

I say do it. Forget about those insanely overpriced "conversion kits" that dont even include the battery pack. I say buy a Chevy Bolt and pull all of the components out of it. Take a look at this:

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a34892593/the-chevrolet-bolt-drivetrain-is-incredibly-simple/

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