And it begins, Electric Land Rover Conversion

[pblarose]

Hello everyone, my first post!

Just moved to Victoria and this is my project.

It begins, I have my 1963 2A SWB which I am fully/restoring converting. I am expecting this to take 2 years and for me to learn a bunch of things. The plan is to make this into an EV with about 150-250 km of range and some ports to provide power in the field (kinda of re-interpreting what these work horses could be).

First things first, anyone use redi-strip to acid dip their project (they are in Delta BC)? I think it might be a sensible way of doing the frame, but the whole things by hand may also work. I am going to start removing panels and generating an inventory of things I need. Frame looks ok, outriggers are solid, rear cross member need a lot of attention/full replacement.

Second, she currently has a running 1965 petrol engine. Intentions are to convert her to electric and so who is in the market for an engine and petrol auxiliary systems? (exhaust, gas tank…) I'll post a for sale ad on the topic.

For planning purposes, anyone have a swb safari roof? Are they worth it? Or just have the hard top and a soft top for the summer?

Looking forward to diving in and listening to the more experienced folk out there.

[terayon]

Congrats on taking the plunge!

I said to myself after I rebuilt my '63 2.25L that it's the last engine I'll ever rebuild - next time it's electric!

I'm keenly watching this space, and I'm sure a lot of us are interested in what you discover.

Good luck!

[m_kenton]

hi
I could use that carberator for my 109 if available
also the transmission as mine just broke my main shaft
thanks
marc
6045002662

[m_kenton]

I also have a safari roof in my garage
marc

[Landydoni]

I'm Keen to follow along - I have just started an EV conversion on a 73' 88"

[ryancr500]

Following

[franko]

Hey sounds like fun! Would be really interested to hear how you will get that top end range. I'm out in Brentwood Bay should meet up sometime and chat. Also you should check out what my neighbour out here is doing with electrical conversions, look up Webb motor works. Some amazing stuff happening right in our backyard.

[pblarose]

Apologise for the slow posts but have been getting used to the new work schedule and moving into the house. Damn life getting in the way of projects.....

In any case she was disassembled quickly and then pause as I worked up the courage to cut out and weld in the rear cross member. That's all done, and now I am in the process of stripping parts and getting them ready for patches repair and paint. Plan is to strip repair and paint the back, then flip her around and do the front. ( I don't have the room to do it all in one go)

Question for the experts, my wings have what can only be describe as tar inside of them. Do people just coat them with a rubber/tar/polymer to reduce the noise? It takes hours to take the stuff off so I was thinking of just shooting the interior with some sort of bedliner/rubber/asphalt???? Seems a jug of rubber asphalt would make the inside of the panels both invincible and deaden the vibration/tin can noise

[oldgravy]

No thoughts on the coating, but your work so far looks awesome!

[Colin]

At the All british field meet there was a Austin Healy converted and VW bug under going conversion. You might try to reach out to those groups to see if there is anyone in your area that's done it that can give you advice and where to get bits and pieces.

[pblarose]

This stuff... You can only mechanically scrape it off and then maybe dissolve it with a bunch of chemicals.... Some sort of asphalt or tar?

I think I'll just recoat with something after at least removing the paint that someone attempter to use on here....

Argh... I was hopping it was like a lanolyn/wax...

Panels are in good shape underneath.

[red90]

Regular undercoating.

[pblarose]

do they just spray tar/asphalt normally? If so, roger out, will just re-apply to get a similar look.

[red90]

Traditional undercoating is an asphalt based sealant and sprayed on.

https://canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/asphalt- ... 7999p.html

[pblarose]

90pct of the welding is done. Panels are now primed and I have a donor car.

Anyone on the island have an old clutch pad? I just need the center spline.

[Chris_W]

Hi pblarose, I too am converting an 88 to an ev using a leaf. I’ve got a spare clutch plate but I’m in Squamish? Interested to see your configuration. Not sure if you’ve seen how these guys do it but I think it looks like they have a good formula.

[pblarose]

Back to a rolling chassis! Most of the rebuild is done. Added the torrent disk brake kit so she can actually stop now.

I have the leaf donor and just waiting for the local lift to free up so I can use it and pull the battery.

Plan is for straight into the transmission. Batteries under driver, passenger and between the frames in the rear.

ECS for power steering, going to try and use the one out of the leaf.

Moving pretty quickly now.

Anyone happen to have a 3d cad for the bonnet rubber bumpers? About to build those tonight because they are like 60$....

Also anyone know of a good bright galvanizing spray available on the island. The three I have tried are a boring dull grey.

[ryancr500]

Looking Great!