Converting my dump truck

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

I'm still open to other motor and inverter suggestions. I wanted to support OI logic boards.

Right now, the LDU is probably the most powerful option available at a reasonable price. Any of the newer EVs making more power are doing it with multiple motors, and more complex gearboxes.

I think it's just a matter of sorting out the right drivetrain/gearing selection for your use case.

[jrbe]

What about looking at truck e-axles? I'm not sure theres much of a market yet but i think this may be your best bet to having something strong and reliable. The LDUs are powerful but not what I'd consider to be reliable. You may be able to adapt their inverter or another inverter to the eaxle.

[JNHEscher]

Right now, the LDU is probably the most powerful option available at a reasonable price. Any of the newer EVs making more power are doing it with multiple motors, and more complex gearboxes.

I think it's just a matter of sorting out the right drivetrain/gearing selection for your use case.

Yeah, that's what narrowed my options down to the LDU. I can still easily fit two LDUs. Gets expensive, but most conversions do

[JNHEscher]

What about looking at truck e-axles? I'm not sure theres much of a market yet but i think this may be your best bet to having something strong and reliable. The LDUs are powerful but not what I'd consider to be reliable. You may be able to adapt their inverter or another inverter to the eaxle.

I've been interested in those, but like you said, there's not much of a market yet. I think I would have to go through hoops of emails and a small fortune to acquire a set. Other thing that always bugs me about beam axles is the low-hanging differential. Where I drive my truck, I occasionally snag a stump or a rock. I'd hate to bash my motor or rip HV cables off.

Reliability is a toss-up, for sure. Even with Tesla's faults, I'm almost certain that their system (with the aftermarket fixes) is still far more reliable than the diesel drivetrain. My truck has the Navistar HEUI fuel system that craps out on a regular basis and the transmission has CANbus that blanks out at times.
Upside to where I plan to mount the LDU is that I would simply lift the bed and the full unit is right there and highly accessible.

I still intend to make this truck all-wheel-drive with locking or limited slip differentials front and rear. The increase in traction will be such an immense help.

[jrbe]

Do you have a picture of what the rear axle looks like currently?
I can't really see it in the picture of the back. May help think of different ideas. I was thinking 2 motors if it's split..

[JNHEscher]

Do you have a picture of what the rear axle looks like currently?
I can't really see it in the picture of the back. May help think of different ideas. I was thinking 2 motors if it's split..

I don't have much interest in making modifications to the current drive axle unless doing so costs much less.

If I remember correctly, it's a Meritor. My size 10-1/2 boot for reference.

[JNHEscher]

Keeping the build thread going.

Bus bars for the LTO cells showed up. Cleaned those up and fired up the EBC to top balance the cells. Wonder how long the three lead acids batteries in the truck will power this

Likely won't be until January that the first set of Winston 200Ah LYP cells show up. Once they do, they'll replace the lead acids. Hopefully they will encourage the engine to start again.