Tesla swapped 2wd 1st Gen build

Alright I’m going to start a build thread now since I’ve got a pretty good lead on what’s going on.

Little background story

i finished my LS3 swapped 3rd gen Tacoma and was ready for something else so I unloaded it pretty cheap

I bought a 2021 Tesla Model 3 standard range for a work car because gas was killing me in my 2023 Lunar rock 4runner for work.

after owning the car for a couple months I pretty much feel in love driving a full electric car. The torque and power is addictive. So I got to thinking I needed to build an electric truck. After doing tons a research and finding frame dimensions of the 1st gen Tacoma I figured it would be a perfect contender.

starting off I picked up a pretty nice 2002 5 lug 2wd single cab from a older gentleman in Tennessee, Rust free which is almost impossible to find where I live in southern Illinois



I drove it around for a little while while I sold the 3rd gen and loved
Driving the little truck around, but that came to a end and tear down started



I knew I wanted to do a Tesla drive unit and not some other electric motors

Tesla Model S drive units are a little to wide for the Tacoma so I picked up a Model 3 Performance test drive unit, should have about 300 or so horsepower and all the instant torque you can ask for



I found a pair of Rotiform wheels locally for a really good deal so I picked them up 18x8.5



then I started mocking it up and seeing what was needed


Mounting the drive unit was as easy as I thought it was going to be

I welded a 2.5inch tube across the rear mounting locations and just had to build little tabs for the front mounting tabs


I then welding some 3/16s plate around the rear tube just to make it a little more solid

Next I had to figure out how to power this drive unit, there are all kinds of battery options out there, my goal was to have at least 200 mile range which is very hard from a EV conversion, so I picked up a Model 3 battery. This thing is enormous, heavy and expensive lol.



you don’t see a lot of guys using the model 3 battery because it is so large.
I started to take the battery apart because I had a idea lol



there are 4 modules in a model 3 battery each one weighing about 300 or so pounds


There is also a thing they call a penthouse which is on the top of the battery and it holds almost all the things needed for a EV conversion - dc/dc convertor, charger, contactors, battery management system. So I decided to relocate that to under the hood, so it’s easy accessible and kind of out of the elements, also when you pop the hood you see a shiny thing that says Tesla lol


so the plan is to mount the two longer modules in between the frame rails and the other two will be in a custom battery box mounted in the bed, there really was no other way to stuff these massive batteries anywhere else, trust me

so I have roughly mounted the two longer ones in the frame rails and I don’t think it can get any closer to fitting. I just need to build a little sheet metal or thin aluminum cover for it to seal it up


I’m currently waiting for the battery box to be made from a local fab shop. Should be done this week then I’m going to have it painted body color to blend in in the bed of the truck.

that’s about as far as I’ve gotten on the EV conversion part, I’m going to use EV controls controller to run all this. I’ll order that probably this week or so too.

Now to handle this extra weight I ordered some QA1 plates from MJBtaco

but I’m more of a fan of Ridetech/fox shocks over QA1 so I picked up a set of Ridetech HQ coil overs for a S10 which has the right shock but wrong spring weight (I’ll order right spring weights after doing a proper corner weight of the truck after it’s all together)


then picked up some tie bars from speedway motors so they will work on the QA1 plate


Next I picked up some used Brembo Cadillac ATS brake calipers. And a new set of the EVO brake rotors and had a local machine shop redrill and bore them out



and that’s where I’m currently at at the moment

I really don’t have a lot left to go and this should be a fun one

my plan is to do some autox and road race events

 

First like and comment!

I’ll read the post after

 

Subbed.

 

In to watch this one!

 

This is insane, I opened this thread thinking it was only an idea. I wasn't prepared to see a mad scientist actually doing it.

Sub'd!

 

subbed

 

Wow

 

I don’t mess around lol

 

This is what the people want!

 

Don’t unload lead this one pretty cheap!

 

Not an EV guy but this is still sweet! Know what you mean about finding a good rust free Tacoma I'm IL!

 

Agree

 

@crashnburn80

 

This is so awesome! I can't wait for more updates and pictures.

 

@BartMaster1234

 

Hell yeah dude! I’m a big fan of your work! I was able to attend professors John Kelly class at Weber State University. I still have his contact so if any questions arise please let me know! Keep up the good work dude!

 

Looks factory to me!

 

Nice! You doing only the rear motor from the model 3 performance? Both motors combined are closer to 550hp. Also which battery pack are you using? There are several available in the 3.

 

@daveeasa

 

So it’s interesting. But the weight is a real problem.

I am wondering if you could potentially be better off without the bed mounted battery parts?

I’m personally leaning leaf guts. But some of that is my irrational Musk hate.