EV conversion - electrifying a Tacoma

Ford announced that they're selling their Mach-E motor to support conversions. I had heard it sold out the same day of the announcement but it looks like it's in stock now.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9000-MACHE

At this point, why bother converting a Tacoma? Would be cooler to see a T-100 or something from similar era. I'm sure Toyota is looking at plug-in hybrid options for the Taco especially now that they've been absolutely roasted for their obstruction to EV infrastructure growth.

 

ANd that's just the motor. Lots that needs to go with it.

 

converting from a prius

from a front wheel drive to a rear / 4wd

a clean move gas engine out .............then drop in EV power if U could find a bolt up

swap ALL EV controls

????? is what donor vehicle ??

 

Obviously a complete swap will not work, the Prius’ inverter controller could be used with OpenInverter, as linked above. Apparently the motor technology must match the controller’s ‘tune’.

 

I'm probably not much help here. But I think a hybrid Tacoma or 4Runner would be awesome! Since they are doing a Hybrid Tundra, I would assume Toyota would be doing a Hybrid Tacoma/4Runner in the future. I think a Lexus Hybrid drivetrain would also be the "easiest" to swap like others have mentioned. But trying to do all the programming would take a very special skill set. Not that there are many out there, but the RC also came as a Hybrid.

Here is the simple answer. Do an EV conversion and get a generator that can charge the batteries on the fly! haha

 

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/a38513778/toyota-electric-pickup-truck/

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I'm totally on board with EVs, but I need a 6ft bed or I'm not interested

 

I read about this the other day, seems like it might be the easiest route although I'm sure it won't be cheap.
https://diyev.com/

 

I mean there is always the new Ford Eluminator motor, but it does require a few other add-ons. I haven't looked into it much, but it's the only OEM option I am aware of. It's not the most powerful EV motor you could use, but you'd have factory support for any questions. I believe I have read it's around $8k or so total to retrofit into a classic car, depending on batteries mostly. I think it would be cool to have a 2 speed transmission/transfer case type setup to ease the load at lower speed and maximize range on the highway. But that's just my brain spinning and overcomplicating things unnecessarily.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9000-MACHE

Ultimately, I think a hybrid powertrain would be better overall though like I had mentioned before. I just don't see myself wanting to be stuck off road with a dead battery with no way to charge.

 

Read a couple articles saying Toyota will implement battery models to a couple already said models in 2025. Pretty sure the Tacoma will be in there

 

I want a hybrid with 40mpg city and 25mpg highway for $20k, same as Ford Maverick !!!

 

But with a 6' bed, unlike the Maverick

 

That would be nice!! But those Mavericks are some of the hardest vehicles to come across right now besides the RAV4 Prime. Sad thing about the Maverick Hybrid is that they are only available in 2wd too.

I fully expect the next gen Tacoma and 4Runner to have a Hybrid powertrain, maybe even a plug-in Hybrid. Heck, it might even be the only powertrain option by that time. The only reason I haven't considered trading my 2nd gen is because there really isn't any benefit to the 3rd gen mechanically. If there is a Hybrid 4th gen and the MPG is in the mid 20's, then I'll consider trading depending on other mechanical and styling features. If it's butt ugly, I don't know if it'd be worth it. lol

Though I don't think I'll want a Tacoma as an EV only. I don't like the thought of relying on pure electricity at this point in technology. In my area where ambient temps often hit 0F or lower in the winter. EV's don't like that type of temps.

 

One time a guy at a car show driving big old 1980s Chevy square body said that my truck was a Prius, regardless of how shitty the gas mileage was; Pretty sure the highest mileage I've gotten in the last year and a half is 22 MPG on the highway. Don't have time to watch the videos right now, but I'm hoping that they involve utilizing my truck's existing engine...

 

https://www.aemev.com/products/ev-v...ase-ldu-inverter-control-board-ev-conversions
https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/5629
https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/5632

 

Why not get a F-150 Lighting, out of the box BEV truck?

Given the choice between an ICE Toyota product or BEV Toyota. I would rather go with the ICE Toyota.

 

I would rather go with whatever step product will get us to less pollution, any of the fuels.
Anyone wanting to cry a river over lost jobs in a sector, I'm sure there were a lot of pissed off stilt-walking street lamp lighters when electricity showed up.

 

And horse poop clean up people

 

I don't own an energy company, or an alternative energy company. Don't care one way or the other.