Truck Conversion Kits

[plugger]

I was glad to see quite a few others in the forum thinking about starting a conversion project.  I'm considering converting an S-10 or Ranger using the tech support and component kits from a supplier such as Canadian Electric (canev.com) or EV of America (ev-america.com).  I wonder if anyone out there has had experience with or comments about either supplier or any other comments about getting into a conversion this way.

[lenapralos]

I think converting a truck is a great way to go.  As for canev.com or ev of america, I've researched both of these companies and believe that ev of america does clutchless systems only, but that was over a year ago when I talked to them.  I believe it's important to keep the clutch because even with a synchronized gear box you can still damage your gearbox trying to switch gears with out one, or you can stop completely to switch into a different gear but why would anyone want to go through this?  Canev.com does the clutched systems and I was able to witness an installation of one of their kits in an s-10.  To be honest, not everything fit very well.  The truck being converted had a v-6 originally and although they claim to have a working adaptor plate for this tranny, the adaptor I saw installed did not fit with out applying over 1/2" spacers to all the bolt points connecting the adaptor to the tranny.  This exposed the flywheel to all sorts of grime and mud that it was not intended for.  Perhaps this kit is better suited for the 4 cylinder models of s-10 chevy and would fit flush to the tranny if the tranny was for one of the 4 cylinder models. 

For my Toyota truck conversion I bought an adaptor plate from electroautomotive.com and was pleased with the product, but that was not pleased with the whole order - it took 3 months too long to get to my house.  If I were you I would ither buy only the adaptor plate from shari prange at electroautomotive or talk with the dudes over at canev.com about how well their plate fits onto the ford ranger tranny and tell them what I told you about their plate not fitting the s-10 chevy with a v-6.  I believe EV parts sells adaptors, but I think they are made at canadian electric vehicles(canev.com)

I so wish I had my own machine shop here in Seattle (and that I was a good machinist) so people here in Seattle would have better access to working adaptor plates.

John

[Deanman]

Hi, I'm also planning on converting a Ranger and am looking for the truck right now. I also had narrowed down my list of suppliers to a few, including EV of A, Canev, and KTA. But how do I pick from here? Has anyone actually bought a kit from any of these outfits?
I'm also figuring on buying the "Basic" kit, rather than one setup for a specific vehicle. From what I'm reading, the S-10 kit (part of it anyway) didn't fit right anyway, so I'd imagine the kit would have to be customized for the particular year of truck. I chose a Ranger because I've owned one before and just like Fords.
Anyway, hope to learn much here.

Dean

[bstrom]

I've heard nothing but good stuff about KTA.  I bought a universal kit from a guy who had an extra kit and was getting out of the conversion business.  It was from EVA in New Hampshire.  I'm still light years away from starting the conversion, so everything is still in boxes.  I will probably by my adapter from the California folks... .Still working on restoration of the 1958 VW pick-up I'm converting.

[leitmotif]

I intend to convert 56 Chev pickup to AC 3 phase drive with 50 HP motor and Hitachi VFD.
All industrial high quality stuff off shelf here in Seattle.  No brushes, commutators and other maintencance problems, reputable manufacturers, local support (people who really know what they are talking about and good warranty support etc) no transmission (because I have motor properly sized to load), no clutch adapter plate and all that junk, dynamic braking for Seattle hills.  Will have to machine a ujoint coupling for motor though.

Dan Bentler