Engine bay 1Engine bay 2Hinge 1Hinge 2Battery box 1Battery box 2Behind seatNice interior
OwnerGeorge Mifsud
(former owner, EV has been sold)
LocationPort Townsend, Washington United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1987 Toyota Pickup
short-bed pickup
MotorNetgain WarP9 Series Wound DC
Drivetrain5 speed manual, rear-wheel drive
ControllerCurtis 1231C-8601
Batteries20 US Battery US 125, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerZivan NG3
Heaterreplaced original heater core with ceramic
heating element from a floor heater. Will
relate heater temperature control on dash to
how much current is sent. Will have a
temperature reader near the heating element as
well as a fuse as a safety feature.
DC/DC ConverterIota DLS 55
InstrumentationCustom, not quite done but will have a digital
display showing voltage and a scale showing
how much 'gas' is left, on one row. The second
display row will show current and a scale
showing the user how many amps they're sucking
relative to the 'max'.
Top Speed60 MPH (96 KPH)
Acceleration0 to 40 in 14 seconds
Range50 Miles (80 Kilometers)
Put it through the paces. 20 miles at 50mph and
the rest driving around rural and somewhat hilly
Port Townsend.
Seating Capacity3 adults - bench seat
Tirescame with the car - nothing special.
Conversion TimeEntire process took 8 months, but the bulk of
the work was done in 3 months.
Conversion Cost$12,500 and still no paint job
Additional FeaturesSince we wanted the bed to be usable, we decided to hinge the bed
to the side. The bed sits on large rubber stoppers and the non-
hinged side has a latch that pulls the bed tight. We made custom
hinges because the hinge point needed to be very low. We have a
steel arm that drags along a trough and locks into position when
the bed is in optimum position.

I am also proud of the simplicity and economy of my battery boxes.
The walls are coroplast, or plastic cardboard. It's very cheap by
the 4 x 8 sheet and is really sturdy. I used 6mm and simply cut
and dropped them into the angle-iron frames. Some of my boxes were
too tight and I had to glue them to the outside of the frames with
adhesive.

The charger is mounted on the back wall of the cabin, behind the
bench seat. This has the added advantage of warming things up a
bit for those chilly mornings.

I enclosed the controller and have a small computer fan sucking
air past it. I was getting a consistent squeal on warm days, due
to the controller having issues getting the correct juice to the
motor, which wailed in anguish.

I added a reservoir and small 12v pump for the windshield washer
because the original was in the way of the front battery pack.

Did the usual vacuum pump/switch/reservoir thing for the brake
assists.
My friend Robert and I learned much from this experience. The 'next
times' include:

1. Changing the battery configuration in the two battery boxes behind
the cabin. We discovered that the space between the drive shaft and
frame were not equal. We ended up re-routing the rear brake line and
emergency brake cable.

2. We probably don't really need a ginormous fuse. We already have a
breaker behind the driver's side of the seat.

3. Have a clean and warm environment to work in. Have space and a
nice welding table.

4. Gather all your tools and components and then 'just do it!'

code by jerry