Tesla Jimny made in UK

Well done Dannyzook, that is a fantastic project! I hope Suzuki are taking note, after 2030 new Jimnys will disappear for good in the UK if they don't pull their finger out.

This is brilliant!

Scimike i cant see any reason why a 2cv wouldnt be easy to convert, not sure of the gearbox arrangement on them? Some use the engine to seal the oil in like the old mini? Again i dont know so cant comment, a nissan leaf motor and diff etc would work well tho onto custom hubs with the 2cv suspension etc.

Thanks Foxtrot, its been a long project i started it in 2018 and didnt think it would take this long but ive had other projects that have taken priority so its been slow, and yeah ive heard rumours of an electric jimny, it would make perfect sense, they arnt exactly built for a long commute and big miles and the ev torque would suit them really well, perfect city 4x4. Its one of the reasons im thinking of putting a tesla motor in it aswell as the tesla batteries thats already in it so if suzuki bring out an electric one mines still got an edge over it hahah. Its not been cheap!!

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask im more than happy to answer!! If your on facebook and interested in custom electric conversions i have a group ‘diy electric vehicles UK’ as when i was sourcing parts i paid thousands in import and shipping etc, the group helps connect those local and i could have saved around 5 grand if id had the group when building. Lesson learned. Hahaha.

Hi Dannyzook,

Thanks for the Facebook reference, may have to get the evil on my phone.:blush: , avoided so far.
Yep 2CV should be easy, 4 bolts hold the engine /flywheel on the gearbox, so any electric motor that can bolt inline and away it goes. Plenty of space inside chassis for batteries, so no need to steal cabin space. So should only need 15 -20kw? To give similar performance (26hp) and keep the gearbox as it part of the driving experience. Want AC or Permanent magnet brushless motor, don't want brushed solution.

I'll join the Facebook group to keep this forum Jimny related, but keep the updates coming on the Jimny.

Mike

I have a problem with the use of a g/box. If you spin up the motor in first gear and then attempt to change into second, you take your foot off the throttle and depress the clutch but the motor is still running at high speed. Electric motors take time to slow down ( my grinder takes up to 2 minutes to stop ) so the use of a manual box is not going to work. If you want 2 wheel drive take the propshaft directly from the motor to the axle. If you want 4 wheel drive you can take the drive directly into the T/box.

Roger

Hi Roger,
Apologies about the nearly year long wait for a reply! This got busy and life etc. The motor is actually the other way round because it can regen brake, if you was to put your foot on the clutch the motor will stop in a second or two. You actually have to put in a regen cancel to allow you to change gear, in which case the motor freewheels and acts like a flywheel so changes gear alot easier than a petrol or diesel car that still gives resistance. The gearbox solution works very well with electric and is a very simple solution, its been used by many conversions lots clocking up 100k+ miles without problems so this should help solve any negative views you have on it.

The problem with going directly to the transfer case is motor rpm, third gear is usually ideal and alot of conversions have put it in third and simply taken away the gearstick (to lock in third) as this comes close to an ideal reduction gear, the diff alone isnt enough and ive looking into different gear ratios for the diff and transfer case non meeting the requirements. However i might be looking soon to put a large dc motor (direct drive, as it has a different rpm range to my current setup) or a tesla drive inplace of the transfer case with custom gears cut.

However back to your original point you dont actually need first then second. 2nd and 4th is usually all you need or as my motor is small and the terrain steep then 1st-3rd (5th on motorway) is ideal. But even though my motor is very small it will still set off in 5th just pulling high amps.

Hope this answers some of your questions.
Dannyzook