lightweight cars and trucks to start.

I am wanting to do an electric car or truck conversion. I have done a little research on the subject. I am currently looking to find the lightest possible single cab truck possible. I am also taking into consideration that I may wish to replace any possible parts with plastic if possible. Although I am new to EV conversions making a vehicle lighter is not new to me.

Back in the 1980s I was what they call a motor head. I was into drag racing. I loved Mopar. Just like EV conversions weight was a key factor. Drag racing was called the 1,320 shuffle. Every 100 pounds equals one car length in a quarter mile. For example if two cars with the same aerodynamics and the same gear ratio, horsepower and torque taking off at the same instant : a 3,500 pound and a 3,000 pound car the 3,500 pound car will be five car lengths behind the 3,000 pound car at the finish line.

There are after market manufactures that make plastic or fiber glass panels and doors. Heavy bench seats were removed and replaced with light bucket seats. At one point in time we built a Plymouth Arrow made by Mitsubishi. It weighed about 1,750 pounds with a four cylinder. We put a small block V8 in it. A 318. We dropped the gas tank and used a gallon milk jug full of gas and went 30 miles with it. The rear end fell out two days later. Looking back on that it would be an excellent EV conversion. The problem is finding one that is not completely rusted out underneath.

I know that electric fork truck motors are commonly used in EV conversions. I also know golden motors has 10 and 20 kilowatt motors. Before I make a decision on the type of electric motor and batteries that I will use I would need assistance in locating a super lightweight vehicle as cheap as possible. A 10 to 20 year old vehicle with a bad motor and or tranny would be ideal. Also under $1,000 and close to $500 for the vehicle is my target range. Nothing over 2,000 pounds once the gas motor and automatic transmission is removed. The frame underneath has to also be in decent shape.

I live in upstate NY. The Albany area. I do not wish to tow anything over 100 miles. I have been looking online for a list of vehicles but have had little luck. I hope someone here on this forum may know and could steer me in the right direction. A used Hybrid may be an option. It may be possible to upgrade the electric motor and batteries and 86 the gas motor. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. LC.

On Craigslist you need only go to 'Cars & Trucks' and enter "$300" as the minimum price upper left, plus on the upper right you don't want 'Newest,' you want '$$$,' lowest to highest. Around me at least you're not likely to ever see a car under $300. If you can tow it home yourself sometimes there's a reasonably nice thing not running, but the tow truck can add up quick. My own experience is Mazda has the cheapest parts, Honda and Mitsubishi can get expensive quick. http://albany.craigslist.org/search/cta?sort=priceasc&minAsk=300

Nice Cavalier, if you get the engine running you make a video before you pull it out and you can sell it. http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/4985927856.html

The Chevy S10 has been a popular choice, the model has been replaced by the Colorado for over a decade.

http://evhelp.com/S10_Conversion.htm

http://electrics10.webs.com/

http://www.bradmerritt.com/blogs/project-vehicles/what-car-can-i-convert-to-electric

Yeah, he doesn't speak well, but he has a point about planning. There's some noises that remind me of the guy that shocks himself.

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I was a Mopar man for most of my life. However in 2006 I was in desperate need of a vehicle and after buying a ford escort which lasted only a few months I found a S10 for $300. I had it about two years before selling it as it would no longer pass inspection and I did not have off street parking. The truck never left me stranded and I got a lot of use out of it. I regret selling it to this day. I had money problems and the tickets piled up with it just parked on the street. three no inspections when I was not even driving. I even lost my drivers license for six months.

The point is the truck was running great motor and transmission wise. The problems were in the brakes and suspension. I really loved that little black truck and will be looking for one just like it for my EV conversion. Thanks for your posts. Keep posting if you can. How about a rebuild kit for the used electric fork motor from the junk yard.

Thanks. LC out.