For about the last year I have been working on converting my 1996 Land Cruiser to battery electric power. I'm getting close to it driving under its own power for the first time so I thought I'd start a thread here. It'll take a couple posts to bring it up to speed.
The basics of the plan and the build:
Purpose: I wanted an 80 project truck and I wanted to convert a vehicle to EV so I decided to combine them. Will be used to drive short distances around town or for offroad trails. I have a 100 series to tow it to trailheads, or where ever (Moab). I'm just converting it to EV because I think it will be fun to drive and a cool project, not to save the world.
Specs:
-EM57 electric motor from 2013 Nissan LEAF (100hp, 190ft-lbs)
-LEAF inverter and chargers (6.6kw and Chademo fast-charger)
-2017 30kwh LEAF battery and BMS
-Resolve-EV VCU controller
-Blackbox-C transfer case doubler
-FZJ80 transfer case
-Lokka in rear
-OME 2" medium lift
Range won't be great around town and highways will likely deplete the battery in minutes, but at crawling speeds where there is no aerodynamic drag, the range might be further. With double reduction in the transfer case it will have tons of torque from a stop and should be smooth and lots of fun on trails. It should have enough battery to complete most of the popular trails around here (10-15 miles or less) and with double reduction it should be able to climb anything. Either way it is going to be a good time!
Future upgrades are possible including, obviously, more battery capacity. Part of the reason for choosing an LC over a smaller 4x4 is the payload capacity and space for more batteries. I can upgrade to a 2020+ LEAF inverter for 200hp also.
I found a '96 80 series and got it for $1000. It has lived a tough life with 6 or 7 previous owners and 324k miles. But it ran and drove and was 100% stock so I picked it up. That was Nov 2020.
I drove it on gasoline only to pass emissions, get it registered, and I took it for a shakedown run and got it all muddy. I put some work into it and some junkyard finds like seats and LS400 steering wheel and cleaned it up. I took it to the certified scales and weighed it at 5080lbs. I will weigh it again after the conversion.
I bought a 2013 LEAF SV from Copart and towed it home.
I stripped out the LEAF for the electric drive components and wiring harnesses. I sold as much from it as I could then junked it.
Then I pulled out the old iron boat anchor 1FZ with the help of some buddies and the tranny too. Buh bye.
Comparison between 1FZ and EM57 electric motor:
The basics of the plan and the build:
Purpose: I wanted an 80 project truck and I wanted to convert a vehicle to EV so I decided to combine them. Will be used to drive short distances around town or for offroad trails. I have a 100 series to tow it to trailheads, or where ever (Moab). I'm just converting it to EV because I think it will be fun to drive and a cool project, not to save the world.
Specs:
-EM57 electric motor from 2013 Nissan LEAF (100hp, 190ft-lbs)
-LEAF inverter and chargers (6.6kw and Chademo fast-charger)
-2017 30kwh LEAF battery and BMS
-Resolve-EV VCU controller
-Blackbox-C transfer case doubler
-FZJ80 transfer case
-Lokka in rear
-OME 2" medium lift
Range won't be great around town and highways will likely deplete the battery in minutes, but at crawling speeds where there is no aerodynamic drag, the range might be further. With double reduction in the transfer case it will have tons of torque from a stop and should be smooth and lots of fun on trails. It should have enough battery to complete most of the popular trails around here (10-15 miles or less) and with double reduction it should be able to climb anything. Either way it is going to be a good time!
Future upgrades are possible including, obviously, more battery capacity. Part of the reason for choosing an LC over a smaller 4x4 is the payload capacity and space for more batteries. I can upgrade to a 2020+ LEAF inverter for 200hp also.
I found a '96 80 series and got it for $1000. It has lived a tough life with 6 or 7 previous owners and 324k miles. But it ran and drove and was 100% stock so I picked it up. That was Nov 2020.
I drove it on gasoline only to pass emissions, get it registered, and I took it for a shakedown run and got it all muddy. I put some work into it and some junkyard finds like seats and LS400 steering wheel and cleaned it up. I took it to the certified scales and weighed it at 5080lbs. I will weigh it again after the conversion.
I bought a 2013 LEAF SV from Copart and towed it home.
I stripped out the LEAF for the electric drive components and wiring harnesses. I sold as much from it as I could then junked it.
Then I pulled out the old iron boat anchor 1FZ with the help of some buddies and the tranny too. Buh bye.
Comparison between 1FZ and EM57 electric motor: