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New to this group, finished my 1976 Bronco ground up job and just picked up a 1965 5 window E100 Pickup. Removing the ballast and going EV conversion, with power steering , power brakes , vintage air and since I won’t need the engine doghouse maybe a bench seat? Who knows lots of work before I get there.will be interesting for sure, investigating disc brake conversions and lowering the stance as well. First question I have is what’s everyone doing for tailgates. That seems to be the missing link on the ones I looked at.
I’m not a big EV guy by any means, especially new ones, but the Epup is the Perfect conversion vehicle. I’ve considered conversion, or hybrid for mine and look forward to your build.
As to the tailgate, if you aren’t looking for original there are lots of options. Most of the customs seem to use custom built or modified original smooth tailgates.
I’m thinking about building something out of cedar or reclaimed wood for my rustomod. The current tailgate is probably beyond help.
I guess really it depends on the theme of your build. I’m glad I’m not restoring!
Thanks for the comments. My wife is a bit younger than I and she complains about the exhaust smell and noise from the classic Bronco. I put a charcoal canister on it changed the exhaust, played with the timing. It’s fine for me but she is not a fan, I guess that’s ok I am happy to keep it for myself. That said the Econoline will be her toy to take kayaks to the lake in.
my biggest hurdle will be thoughtful packaging, I may have to keep the dog house , not sure yet but there is not much space in the cab for sure.
My kids are grown so two seats is enough. I figured I’d put the AC components and other electronics in the doghouse. Super easy packaging for the A/C. Condenser where radiator goes, electric fans, vents out the front…
Everybody has their reasons, I've just been hiding from computers my whole life and @ 70 I can't see that changing. Computers will destroy the world. I just don't want any of it to be my fault.
I’m not a proponent of electric vehicles. I do not believe they are the future and the government is shoving them down our throats.
however, the Epup is the PERFECT electric conversion, and I live 95% of my life in about a 5 mile radius of my house. An electric Epup would work perfectly for me.
I get it, this is just another way to justify a project. This will not be my daily driver it will be the local run about and an easy way to take kayaks to the lake on the weekends. I did a lot of searching and thinking about a practical platform to do the conversion to and the Econoline pick up ticked all the boxes for me. I have spent the last few months since the initial post stockpiling parts ( lots of competing priorities) for my time. Finding the little things like window and door seals, carpet , GPS Speedo , seatbelts and so on along EV Powertrain items
it will have A/C, disc brakes & power brakes, ( not sure it needs power steering but I have a column if it does)
I have sourced a drive axle with an integrated motor, the battery pack will go underneath the Bed. The rest of the electronics will go below or in the engine space under the cover.
the WAF “ wife approval factor dictates she pics the color
PS will depend on how heavy you make it. Mine is stock 200, 3 speed and doesn't need PS. I haven't even done Power brakes yet and I drive it daily. I do want to do them, but I've got too many projects, it hasn't reached the top of the list yet. Where are you? are you going 4wd?
EV it
