Plug-In Hybrid Conversion
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8
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From: Hayes, VA USA
Plug-In Hybrid Conversion
Hey there, I don't mean to blaspheme by suggestiong a move away from my V8 but that is exactly what I'm going to do. 
I'm toying with the idea of converting one of my vehicles to a plug-in gas-electric hybrid (Elec for around the bend, Gas for long-haul and power). I have a beat-to-hell-but-won't-die-yet 1990 F-150. It has an aftermarket EFI V8 (can't recall the manufacturer at this point) and an automatic transmission. I would convert my car (a C
y Lumina) but I would rather drive the F-150. Problem is it gets around 10mpg and my daily commute is 30 miles one way. Before it failed inspection it was costing me $12 a day to go to work.
I've never so much as worked on a IC vehicle, let alone a Hybrid but I want to learn and this is a project I'm looking at. Does anyone have any experience or resources they could share? I know the full-size pickups aren't usually ringers for electric drivetrains but I figure any assist is better than the cost of driving.
I'm toying with the idea of converting one of my vehicles to a plug-in gas-electric hybrid (Elec for around the bend, Gas for long-haul and power). I have a beat-to-hell-but-won't-die-yet 1990 F-150. It has an aftermarket EFI V8 (can't recall the manufacturer at this point) and an automatic transmission. I would convert my car (a C
y Lumina) but I would rather drive the F-150. Problem is it gets around 10mpg and my daily commute is 30 miles one way. Before it failed inspection it was costing me $12 a day to go to work.I've never so much as worked on a IC vehicle, let alone a Hybrid but I want to learn and this is a project I'm looking at. Does anyone have any experience or resources they could share? I know the full-size pickups aren't usually ringers for electric drivetrains but I figure any assist is better than the cost of driving.
Resident A-hole
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,098
Likes: 33
From: Tallahassee
I read somewhere that a person used a starter for an airplane as a motor in the back of his truck with a generator to run it. There was no hauling room left in the bed but he got like 40 mpg and had plenty of torque and power. He could go anywhere because the generator ran off of pump fuel. Damn that was a long time ago I don't remember where I read it. Seemed like a good idea at the time though. I think he had a 4x4 and actually ran it on the front axle.
Lost in Iowa....
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 81
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From: Williamsburg, Iowa
noahhoward,
I would love to help anyway I could with this. I know what you mean by having a long commute. I have a 32 mile one way. I am not sure of what help I can be. I am only a newbie to the f150, but have worked some with Dodge Dakotas. I could help with any math/calculations that you need to have done. I was a math minor in college, so I know my way around a calculator.
Unfortunately I live in Iowa so any help I can give will have to be via phone or e-mail.
I would love to help anyway I could with this.
I know what you mean by having a long commute. I have a 32 mile one way. I am not sure of what help I can be. I am only a newbie to the f150, but have worked some with Dodge Dakotas. I could help with any math/calculations that you need to have done. I was a math minor in college, so I know my way around a calculator.Unfortunately I live in Iowa so any help I can give will have to be via phone or e-mail.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,986
Likes: 7
From: Minocqua Wi
HAHA, I have some dak experiance too....
and most people who do the electro conversions just take out the motor, and use some big honkin electric motor in its place, but I would imagine they take out the trans because electric motors have gobs of low end torque, and plenty on the top end too, so there is no need for a tranny.
I have some electric rc car experiance too, lol
and most people who do the electro conversions just take out the motor, and use some big honkin electric motor in its place, but I would imagine they take out the trans because electric motors have gobs of low end torque, and plenty on the top end too, so there is no need for a tranny.
I have some electric rc car experiance too, lol