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In April of 2007, we purchased a Chrysler PT Cruiser that had been converted to electric propultion.
Our goal was to find or build an electric vehicle capable of at least 120 miles in one day. While the PT
proved to be a valuable learning experience, there was no way to get the mileage out of it that was needed.
The PT was sold after making some improvements, and the decision was made to build an electric vehicle from scratch. The purposes for this vehicle was be to run errands necessary to the daily work of the business, and as a prototyping tool for broadening our product range. Without the need for gasoline, it was also our hope to use this to show the benefits of alternative fuels in a practical application. Until 2007, Deyeme Racing focused almost solely on cars within the sport-compact market. Using this truck and our more conventionally-powered Dodge Durango, we intended to begin offering parts in the body-on-frame truck markets. The AN Chassis Dodge Dakota was manufactuered on a unique frame, from 1987 to 1996. It was larger than the Mitsubishi rebadged "Ram 50" and smaller than the full size Dodge Ram truck. This in-between size was one of the biggest reasons for choosing it to convert. Not as heavy-duty as a full size truck, but with enough room under the bed and hood for the hardware necessary for a longer-range EV than is commonly converted. The name Thor was given to this truck as a symbol of the source of it's power (the mythological red-haired thunder god). The truck's body work was finished in gloss black, with red graphics, to compliment the theme. This truck was located out of state, and was purchased from a seller advertising on eBay. For $1800, we brought the truck home. It drove home just fine, and after minor suspension work, passed MO State inspection, and was given tags, while still under dino juice fuel. More body rust was present than initially apparent, forcing us to replace, rather than repair, some of the body parts. The conversion to electric was started in July '07. During the summer, the process went very slowly, as we were still busy with the day-to-day aspects of the racing business. As autumn approached, the engine and other parts came out, the electric motor and other parts began finding their place. The truck was finished mechanically in 2008, and the body work was finished early in 2009. Thor is now an occasional local driver and field work truck, with plans for minor improvements and refinement. |
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