Member Since: 12 Aug 2010
Location: Fife
Posts: 2048
Electric Vehicle Conversion stuff...
Hi All.... EV Disco.... My thoughts so far....
I'm in the market for a new(er) vehicle for my dog walking vehicle.. I fancied an Electric powered one... However Nothing really fits the bill in terms of my limited budget and the style of vehicle. I liked the Honda Element (but they are only available on Import in the UK). I do a maximum of100 miles/day.
I have seen a few Defender conversions and a Range Rover Classic one utilising Tesla power cells.
You can retain the gearing and things are moving on from using fork lift motors.. Adapter plates are now available off the shelf for the TD5 (Defender?) as well as a range of other vehicles...
The Power train tech is certainly available with many older cars such as 911's, VW Campers, Triumph Spitfires are all getting converted on an increasingly widespread basis...
The question is... Can a Disco 3 or 4 be converted to fully electric?
Doner vehicles can be sourced (thanks to LR and its oil pump and crank issues!). While the cost of conversion would not be cheap it might be around the same as replacement engine when you factor in the parts and labour costs? You would then have a very capable, Eco vehicle with a limited range but without the ongoing fuel and maintenance costs.... and no road tax!
My thoughts hopefully have some merit I hope? A limited range, spacious and capable vehicle would fit my own needs perfectly.
However... There are some hurdles that would need to be overcome
IE The hydraulic power steering could be replaced by an electric unit..
Where I get a little lost is with regards to the ECUs.. Reading some of the forums, simpler vehicle ECUs can simply be bypassed or removed. Different Coding can be used to overcome security such as central locking. New gauges can be used for speed and range..
Can you, for instance, re-programme some of the ECU functions??
When Jag, or other engines are dropped in some of these ECU issues must raise their head
So I was wondering who else has been thinking about making a Disco 3 or 4 into a fully Electric vehicle? I'm sure I cant be the only one pondering this..
Any thoughts....1 TR6 Rusting away quietly
1 FARR UTV SOLD
1 International Harvester SOLD
7 x D3 all SOLD
2 x D4 both SOLD
1 x Mrs D4 'Panther' SOLD
1 x Outlander van SOLD
1 continual stream of car parts and me living in the garage...
Last edited by G_Cam on 8th May 2019 5:02 pm. Edited 1 time in total
5th May 2019 12:02 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
The Light Weight, Defender and the RR Classic are are very simple vehicles (electrically).
The D3/D4 is a computer nightmare, and while the actual Electric Drive conversion wouldn't be impossible, the integration into the cars systems would be really difficult. I'm sure there are some very clever people somewhere who could do it, but I wouldn't know where to start!Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
5th May 2019 1:32 pm
G_Cam
Member Since: 12 Aug 2010
Location: Fife
Posts: 2048
Thanks Richard... I totally agree. I can get my head around most of it, however the electronic black magic boxes are where I am also lost TBH!
I did briefly ponder on converting a Triumph 2.5 Estate... but went off the idea as it was just not as practical or as spacious as a Disco is for the Dogs..
Graham1 TR6 Rusting away quietly
1 FARR UTV SOLD
1 International Harvester SOLD
7 x D3 all SOLD
2 x D4 both SOLD
1 x Mrs D4 'Panther' SOLD
1 x Outlander van SOLD
1 continual stream of car parts and me living in the garage...
5th May 2019 2:03 pm
Sea Raider
Member Since: 01 Nov 2016
Location: None
Posts: 4450
I don't understand electric vehicles
I had a look on Screwfix and the longest extension cable they do is 50 metres - be as well walking that distance unless the manufacturers get their act together EV's won't be any use to me in the sticks. I'm 2 miles from the Post Office
5th May 2019 2:34 pm
Madrilleno
Member Since: 13 Oct 2014
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1742
Sea Raider, you could buy 65 extensions and daisy-chain them. Take a while to reel them back up though.There are two rules for success,
1. Never tell everything you know.
Member Since: 01 Nov 2016
Location: None
Posts: 4450
5th May 2019 4:15 pm
G_Cam
Member Since: 12 Aug 2010
Location: Fife
Posts: 2048
Thank you both...
Well that is just being silly....
Extension leads simply would not work due to getting wrapped around trees when you go around corners
You would be better with a couple of jump leads attached to overhead power lines... of the telephone wires (if I opt for a 50v drive motor) 1 TR6 Rusting away quietly
1 FARR UTV SOLD
1 International Harvester SOLD
7 x D3 all SOLD
2 x D4 both SOLD
1 x Mrs D4 'Panther' SOLD
1 x Outlander van SOLD
1 continual stream of car parts and me living in the garage...
6th May 2019 9:21 am
Madrilleno
Member Since: 13 Oct 2014
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 1742
Yes, I suppose if you used extensions you’d have to put cones or something out as well because of the trip hazard.There are two rules for success,
1. Never tell everything you know.
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9402
You can get those rubber strips though to go over the cable, will massively reduce the trip hazard
Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
6th May 2019 10:18 am
Disco dazboy
Member Since: 02 Dec 2013
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 1782
You lot are just being silly just get a towable generator and you will only need a short lead then! D3 x2 now gone
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 4motion
6th May 2019 10:29 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8069
It’s already been done and in production! full conversion that actually works
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8069
INCOMING!..............It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
6th May 2019 10:35 am
Steamyrotter
Member Since: 03 Jul 2017
Location: Somewhere near Somewhere else in Somerset
Posts: 117
Everything is Doable...
You just need the time and take small bites...If things were meant to be easy, then I will soon complicate them....
Please note...
Anything I say is only from my personal experience and knowledge..
I don't assume to know everything, and know there is a lot I don't know..
But then I could be talking .. O
6th May 2019 1:16 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
I have a small van converted to electric it worked ok but didnt have a great range but the most anoying thing is you still have to pay the same road tax as before
6th May 2019 2:06 pm
gearmuncher
Member Since: 30 Oct 2018
Location: Woodley
Posts: 143
I think you have to register the van as electric to get the tax benefits. pure electric cars pay no road tax.
road tax is calculated on CO2 emissions, if you have none you pay no tax.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
unless the manufacturers get their act together EV's won't be any use to me in the sticks. I'm 2 miles from the Post Office 
.. O
