So awesome. As I edge into the start of this episode, I'm already envisioning cruising top down, silently down some back roads just listening to the birds and the wind. I love a roaring, snorting ICE, but the idea of a classic like this just silently gliding down the road is glorious.
Good lesson learned to go down south and get better, cleaner platforms. That's why we do more road trips. We are going to South Africa in August to bring home a couple defenders
In the early 2000 I had a 67 CJ 5 ex Army open station as a daily ( in central Europe) almost bought a 69 Defender 2 door, but as a non mechanic I decided not to ,...and still regret it 😂
Glad to see you'll be patching it up and painting it. Patina builds are great, but this is one of the cars that deserve a good paintjob and no holes on the floor. As for the EV swap, its great for what you're gonna use it. People online get pressed too much about other people's decisions without thinking of the intended usecase. Its not logical for it to be restored, it will never be a track car or a drag racer, and with the leaf drivetrain it will be quiter, have more power and torque than stock, and probably the same range 🤣
I believe Rich has said that he(BlackJack) has just chosen to go his own way and do his own things. Don't really know the details tho. Seriously doubt anything to do with being in jail tho. 🤔👍🏻
@@tdotw77 He is not in jail lol, and doing fine. He was going to start his own channel but that was 4 years ago. Realizing that RU-vid is hard work hurts...
Feels like the cherry on top of the custom icing on the cake is if the Leaf battery ever goes kaput it doesn't really matter what it's replaced with; Another Leaf batt, a roll-your-own, a different OEM, sky's the limit on that front. Also have to agree with this build concept in general, at this point in my life it would be nice to have just one classic in the fleet that's "get in and go, no matter how long I let it sit" without all the usual preflight headache (yes I enjoy the maintenance, don't always have the time or energy and just want to get in something and go)
I feel like this channel is 100% under rated. I don't work on farm equipment. I won't be cat swaping anything 😂 And someone can smack me silly before I EV swap something. (If battery Teck gets better EV will be awesome) But I can't stop watching 😊
Personally, I love the sound and vibrations of a internal combustion engine. It makes the car live, it brings emotions. Not necessarily the most modern engines but most engines older than 30 years have character. Even the small ones. So I would never make a swap like this. But I’m very interested in the build process and look forward to the next video. This is a awesome project!
Interesting project. Keep the IRS upgrade as you wish but I would make it front wheel drive. Just take the Leaf front end and and basically drop it in. That way you don't have to worry about heat rejection placement, steering is done, front suspension done, motor and genset mounted, electronics works better, etc. Just have to find a place for EV battery (trunk anyone? LOL) So much simpler in my opinion. Looking forward to next instalment.
Cannot wait to see the rest of this build rich, I remember asking you ages ago if you would ever do an EV swap and you said something was in the pipeline ! And this is it ! Excited !!
If they didnt make that first- gen Leaf that ugly it would have sold much better. Batteries are weak on these, and the range really isnt great. But a full EV swap is a great project. And after 43 years in that barn its safe to asume that it wouldnt have seen the road otherwise. And even if EV´s arent your thing, this old thing needs plenty of interesting restoration work :)
Make sure you do some kind of a skid plate to protect the batteries! I’ve read several reports of people hitting road debris with those leafs and with the batteries being very low they get damaged very easily 👍 it’s about the only complaint I’ve heard about them.
For someone who drives a Leaf as our daily and also has a classic car, I'll be making notes 🤔🤣 Love your diesel/gas builds but it's nice to mix it up a bit !
@@chloehennessey6813That's the thing though, there are enough old cars to fix up for both sides to do what they want! You build yours the way you want it!
You took that in trade you just gave the old man a beautiful car it is one of the most heartfelt things that I think I've seen in a long time there should be more people like you I try to do the same thing anytime I get a chance
Another cool build. I think you’re reasoning behind the EV makes sense- and it sure makes for a unique build! This is going to be cool. Can’t wait to see the next installment!
Cambridge Custom Chrome for your re-plating needs. I have had some parts re-plated there. Good quality work, a little pricey, but worth it in the finished product. They do have website & not really that far from you. I wondered how long it would take you to start an EV project after Edison Motors showed you his truck. Should be an interesting project.
Deja Vu! (?) In post-war 1948, my parents bought a new Chevy Fleetmaster convertible: sort of a light Army drab with yellow fog lights - Still remember riding in the back seat as a 4 yr. old....
Very interesting build actually even though I'm also not into EV's, I'm just am interested in seeing how you're going to tackle the unique hurdles this project going to throw your way.
I agree with the electric conversion for your specific intended driving purpose. Just recharge it, go have fun, and then store it. Exact same reason why I would like an EV conversion for a VW bug.
Really looking forward to following this build. With all the freed up space up front, you can easily install a small silent petrol / diesel generator as a range extender / emergency charger.👍 Oh, and I didn't even know Canadian duck toss was a thing... 🤣
EV conversions of classic cars is always super exciting to me, because it's the only thing that can realistically revive classic vehicles to the point of using them as daily drivers again, and really, if you have a nice car sitting somewhere that never gets driven, what's the point of owning it?
24:15 Man that is ALOT of (wal?)nuts sitting under that convertible frame package tray. Holy crap. That was a busy lil squirrel 'family' for quite a few years(decades). Could be worse tho, could be mice piss\poop pellet covered shredded insulation.🤮😷 This is an interesting build idea, seems like a really good learning experience in preparation for the Edison build coming up. Keep it up. Nice to see something a lil different than a Cummins swaped everything(although i do love diesels to death)! This'll be interesting for sure. Seems like you've already put alot of time & thought into the fabrication parts & pieces you're gonna need to put it all together & function properly. 👍🏻👌🏻🤔🛠️🔧🔋🔌🛢️🚦⛽🚗
Honestly, I was NOT excited about this video when I saw it pop up on my feed, but I clicked on it anyway just out of curiosity. Now, after 15 minutes of watching, listening, imagining and smiling, I am looking forward to see what you end up with. Thank you for sharing your imagination.
Love the "new" project. That shell cook beautiful, Will have to wait to see the end pictures but am holding my breath. That soft top frame looks to be in magnificent shape. Look out for the rear "window" section. If it's like my old frame, it can get stuck and you may have to replace parts (new/modern style) you know the sort of thing you do! Would love to get involved but I'm on 'tother side of the Atlantic... Thanks for sharing, look forward to parts 2- 20? etc.
@@Bennyboysgarage_ I don''t know but I haven't seen him in a video in years save for this one, which is old footage. Rich has had this car sitting around a loooong time now.
I've been thinking about doing something like this EV swap for a while. Maybe my next project. I'm not a mechanic but I'm obsessed with this kind of work lately. I began my own project vehicle about 6 months ago and it is way more time consuming than I could have imagined. But its super rewarding. Thank you for being a source of inspiration
kudos to you Rich for taking this on. It will be an educating experience for all, I am sure! I have a hot rod and commute in a hybrid Corolla and the hybrid is pretty ridiculous with how miserly it is and how smooth as well. I will be very curious to see how this all comes together.
I think a challenge of this build is going to be getting the right cables and connectors for the high voltage system. I suspect a few are going to need to be lengthened and doing that is not entirely trivial with the interlock stuff they have as part of the cables. I’m not certain what Nissan used and how available parts are. I’m guessing your friends at Edison might be able to help you though.
hey Rich, don't be shy to show your EV life 😃 since the Edison Motors colab happened, your viewers should know that about you 😁 as a car guy, driving electric is not something, you sould be embarrassed for and you have perfect reasons for doing it anyway.
Turned my notifications to all I don't want to miss a single episode of this swap. Love the way you explain the hurdles and how you're going to get over them. Going to be a great build!
I have been thinking that electric swapping these obscure classics is a great idea for a long time. Other options I have seen / thought about is using the electric motors from electric for lifts and mating them to a gear reduction. The "Smarts" of the forklift motors are much less so your not chasing gremlins for a long time, the size and intelligence of batteries presents the next challenge. looking forward to this series.
Wow! What a project.😲 I'm actually kind of amazed that they had a hydraulic power top for those in 1948, and the hydraulics are still mostly intact!😉 I did some trading around with a friend of mine back in the late 1980's for a late 1947 1/2 T. pickup (looked like the '48s), in running condition with a 216 - 6 and a 4 speed. I was more interested in the cab and chassis, and built myself a 1 ton flatbed dually with a later model 250 - 6, and a 5 speed O.D. trans. out of a military duece-and-a-half. I drove that truck for over 22 years before I finally retired it and sold it in 2012.😊
Just started watching this EV swap. I've restored a lot of old cars & trucks,but this is in great shape. Interested in the process. Sure hope WD promotes you, or you should buy stock! 😊
Where has Stefan (black Jack) gone? Used to see him all the time in your videos. This is going to be a cool build with some sensible upgrades. I like it!
Your headlight bezels are from a 53-54 Chevy. Are you sure this isn't a 1947? The 48 Chevy has a center vertical bar in the grill. Maybe the grill was changed? Lots of work ahead of you on this one! That duck is in love with you, just saying...
Gotta remember that the Leaf was a shitty EV a decade ago. Modern EVs are way way better and work great for most people even in cold climates (see Norway)
"Turducken" Louisiana dish of sausage stuffed in chicken stuffed in duck stuffed in turkey. Sometimes deep fried in peanut oil. Take it either as a suggested project name or a suggestion for your web footed helper.
honda genset in the front, leaf running gear, make it so you can charge while driving and she'll be mint........or a prius lol, good to see your doing something like this, if theres a epic group of guys that can make things like this happen its Deboss Garage!!
This EV project BROUGHT me to you! So...there's that... Honestly, I really enjoy the idea of making these old ex-wrecks roll again using EV tech. If you look at electric motors as pre-dating internal combustion engines, then you can call it "really old skool." I look forward to your inevitable success; you CAN DO this! Aloha, folks!
I hate seeing people destroy historical vehicles for restomods, but that car was a wreck. Its not even worth the part out. I think this is a perfect project that makes logical sense. It also puts a cool old car back on the road.
I’m an old guy with old Chevys. I’m looking forward to this build. Oh, that old 216 is very desirable in Commiefornia. An old school engine builder in my neck of the woods pays a bounty for them.
We need to stop stigmatizing ev's. EV's are awesome cars. I bought mine and love it. And my reason to buy it? Just becase i wanted it. No enoviromental bullshit reason. Just because I wanted it. The save the planet propaganda surrounding ev's is the reason why stubborn, school of hard knocks graduates hates them. Its just another car. No different than gasoline, diesel or cornjuice.
