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In April of 2007, Deyeme Racing purchased a Chrysler PT Cruiser that had been converted to electric. The initial 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 learning experience,
there was just no way to get the mileage out of it that was hoped for. The PT was sold after a few minor improvements, and
the decision was made to build an electric vehicle from scratch, using the well-known Deyeme Racing enginuity and design processes. The purposes for this vehicle will 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 is also our hope to use this to show the benefits of alternative fuels in a practical application. Once the conversion is complete, and the bodywork is done, this truck will definately be a show-stopper! Until now, Deyeme Racing has focused almost solely on cars, and mostly within the sport-compact market. Using Thor, and the upcoming Poseidon project, we will 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 and unaerodynamic 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 (electricity). The truck will remain black, and the graphics and other accents will be red, to reflect the red hair and beard of the Norse god of thunder. 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. The frame suffered only a little, and is easily strong enough to handle the weight of the conversion. The conversion to electric was started just a few short weeks later, in July '07. During the summer, the process went very slowly, as we were still quite 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 arriving, and the conversion is now well under way. The PICTURES page shows the chronology of the conversion, starting with the truck as we got it. The MODS page will detail what is installed, how, and why. Some of the parts that we created and installed on this truck are also available for sale on the PRODUCTS page. Our goal is to have the truck street-driven by Dec. 1st, and the conversion completed by Jan. 1st. It will be kept as a daily driver while we begin work on the second Dakota EV project, Energon II. The reason for doing two of these is to use the first one as a test-bed and experimental project, and the second one, to polish and perfect what was learned from the first. We fully expect a 60 single-trip range, with a 100 mile daily range, out of this truck. The goal for Energon II is 120+ miles on a charge. |
Pictures Modifications     |