Cool or Sacrilege: This Is an EV Converted Land Cruiser Done On The Cheap, But Would You Do It?

[@EVSwap]

Wow it was so much fun spending the day with the TFL Crew at Tumbleweed Ranch! Thanks again for having me and I hope to get on the trail with you again soon! P.S. still cleaning mud off!

[@wade7959]

No Leaf ever looked so good!

[@fixedwing1]

Well done Jimmy. I have two boys who I constantly work to teach that there are no roadblocks, just obstacles to overcome. I'm sure you overcame many obstacles to get to where you got your LC. Also I am very enthusiastic about EV restomods and love what you did here.

[@trailrunnah8886]

This is so cool! I'm really impressed by the thought and engineering that went into this. Maybe I missed it, but do you have an engineering background?

[@poplaurentiu4148]

Big Love from Europe for your EV Land Cruiser conversion !!!

[@bakhtiyarpakhirdinov2461]

​@@wade7959 Toyota Leaf Cruiser :)

[@forgedfromfreedom]

So many people here complaining while missing the whole point. This conversion is NOT about ruining a classic (relax; they made more than enough of these for everyone), nor is it about gas mileage or anything like that. It’s about experimentation and discovery of what is possible. At some point we will be able to do conversions like this with much more power, and range, but you have to start somewhere and that somewhere is this innovative dude starting something interesting and daring.

[@EVSwap]

Thanks for the kind words! It's definitely an experiment. The original truck was pretty beat up and leaking every type of fluid and has 324k miles. Not a pristine specimen haha

[@WaynePittenger]

@Menti Capti And of course their mindset is “I hate EVs, so you shouldn’t have one either”. As I see it, EV conversations are the new hot rodding. It’s bringing new life to lots of old vehicles.

[@MrIpjrobson]

They are also breathing new life into an old vehicle too.

[@lunamaria1048]

Sorry to interrupt the echo chamber, but NO they didn't make enough 80s for everyone. The 80 Series were too expensive so didn't sell well in North America. They sold so poorly that Toyota even stopped selling Land Cruisers in Canada, in the middle of the 80 Series life cycle. That and Australians keep chopping 80s in half to put dumb trays on them, reducing numbers. He could have modded an old Ford Explorer, or Chevy Blazer, or something that isn't basically the most desired Toyota 4x4 on Earth and a collector now Of course it is some kid doing it. This car is part of Japanese heritage and an automotive legend to us. Go tear up a classic Bronco or something There are not many 80 Series left, which is why they can cost more than some new cars, if in just ok condition. I see them going for $30k plus, in many cases.

[@carholic-sz3qv]

Who is even hating!? It’s not their money it time!

[@leehowdle1951]

This is one of the best conversions I’ve ever seen. Well done.

[@qieedishmael9897]

I would look into dropping the gas tank and putting extra batteries there. Armor it up and seal it, should help alot

[@tjohanne]

That guy is genius. Being able to use Leaf motors like that is 🤘 I guess he can pick them up for free sooner or later.

[@brianb-p6586]

The Leaf motor is the most commonly used salvaged EV motor in conversions that use the vehicle's original transmission.

[@carholic-sz3qv]

@@brianb-p6586 people are even starting to use Toyota/Lexus hybrid-electric components for EV conversion like Damien Maguire…

[@brianb-p6586]

@carholic1336 yes, I believe that the L110 hybrid transmission (used in the Lexus GS 450h and 600h) was suggested for this build. The advantage of the Leaf components as used in this case was being able to get the motor, battery, and supporting electronics all from one donor, and designed to work together.

[@ajsturtz]

This makes good sense for trailered off road rigs. Even on a hard trail day my odometer seldom exceeds 25 miles, and 90% of the gas I burn is sitting and idling. EV only off road trails are coming. In our lifetimes rubicon and other trails will go EV only.

[@EVSwap]

​@Menti Capti yep those were kinda my thoughts. I have a solar setup at home I can charge up with. If I had more land it would be a no-brainer.

[@EVSwap]

Exactly my thinking. You can spend all day wheeling and only go 25 miles. I'm already working on adding more batteries.

[@carholic-sz3qv]

Lol!!!! You don’t need to idle all the time!

[@carholic-sz3qv]

@Menti Capti with old diesel engines you can run biodiesel made home and have more range than batteries and even more capabilities!

[@carholic-sz3qv]

@@EVSwap i just hope CATL could develop their sodium batteries quickly so that more range could be have for cheaper than lithium batteries.

[@KennyGillis]

Jimmy, you crushed it! I bet it’s a blast just cruising around town in. Even if the range was only 50 miles, I’d drive this thing all the time. 6 times cheaper than a Rivian w about 6 times less range. I bet 90% of my driving trips are less than 30 miles. So freaking cool! Looks rad too w all the off road goodies! Nicely done!

[@BretChilcott]

Wow! This is an awesome conversation. This guy (Jimmy) is a genius! Congratulations!

[@gabrialshiverdecker9184]

It's truly amazing

[@KalleSWBeck]

Part of the fun of cars is trying new stuff This is a super cool build.

[@troy510]

They didn't add the price of also needing to buy a truck and trailer to tow it around lol. So add that to the budget too.

[@scottkahre9206]

Absolutely awesome conversion! I’ve done a ‘97 Sidekick, and it turned out great. But you’ve taken the off-road capability to the next level.

[@santosh911]

They didnt really comment about this, but not a single obstacle posed even the slightest problem for this 5ton truck with only 100hp! Truly amazing. Ive seen them test far more modern trucks that struggled.

[@shiftymcgee9359]

I think this is awesome. I’d convert my 2015 Xterra when the engine finally dies. 130k miles on it. Not anytime soon, but it will happen.

[@PatrickRich]

I think the thing that amazes me most is that he got his handbrake to work. Seriously though I've been following this project and its really cool.

[@matt889]

AWESOME I love it, I am currently converting a 1982 Ford F-150 4 speed manual 4x4 into all Electric using Nissan Leaf parts, actually All the same parts as in this video! Super inspirational!

[@overunder_4x4]

More ways to wheel. Eco friendly option that decreases disturbing wildlife. Sounds great to me. What a great builld.

[@aaronerickson8878]

lithium mining is so eco friendly

[@zelenizub2036]

Nathan you are a genius, Fiat 500 conversation would be awesome. Nisan Leaf drivetrain in that, would be like a rocket. That thing weighs like 6lb.... Now you're on to something.

[@brianb-p6586]

There was a Fiat 500e. Why put a lot of effort into building a hacked-together imitation of what you can just buy factory-made?

[@gabrialshiverdecker9184]

Jimmy, congrats on the build! Very impressive!

[@883mjc]

This is awesome. I wish I was this guys neighbour. I would have to try my own rig.

[@christianalvarezcrivellaro9185]

I'm blown away! I have thought recently and dreamed of one day converting my 99' 4runner 4x4 manual into a Diesel ALH or (thought not possible yet...) into an EV. Fantastic work Unique Mobility!

[@hadesomegamoto7639]

Wow cool I want to build an electric 4Runner now. I think an electric MR2 would be great because it is midengine all the weight is in the middle of the car. There are plenty of places to put batteries like the engine bay, trunk, frunk, etc...

[@Silverback_GMT410]

It’s crazy how some people in the comments can crap on EVs for not being able to drive 1000 miles on a charge, then there’s people saying 50 miles is more than enough. 😂😂😂

[@brianb-p6586]

As the builder knows, there are not 96 cells (as mentioned @10:45) in the battery; there are 192 cells packaged in 48 modules. The cells are connected in parallel pairs then in series for an overall configuration of 96S 2P. Presumably just a slip.

[@samkavanagh8249]

Love it! I would do it for sure

[@samkavanagh8249]

But it’s more plausible if it was like 250 mile range

[@EVSwap]

​@Menti Capti yep my goal this year is to add more batteries and get the range above 100 miles. Then I can leave my house go wheeling and make it home.

[@FrankTheTank417]

This was a fun video. Love to see more like this.

[@thebrizzy]

I wish this guy was my friend. So cool.

[@Pogotheclown935]

Jimmy is a great driver and builds whatever he wants, awesome job as always👏👏👏

[@HoundStuff]

Very cool truck, nice job on the conversion!

[@laszlocsorba5753]

Great job guys. Thank you.

[@jeremyp3630]

Looks like it works great and I hope to see it in person at cruise moab this year!

[@vegpwrshlominator1873]

Awesome job! This really is the future long term.

[@MrIpjrobson]

That is so cool! Would love to see more conversions like this.

[@phild9813]

Like s giant RC crawler lol.

[@EVSwap]

That's exactly what my inspiration was!

[@starwarskong]

That’s amazing!

[@CACressida]

In my mind, he did the EV conversion just to register it as an EV to get away from emissions testing and then swap it to a 6BT in the future. Sounds proper.

[@infernoking7504]

Omg yes 🤣

[@jdotsalter910]

I'll be checking for this guy for when my 3rd gen 4runner limited's engine finally craps out. I wish him well.

[@aaronerickson8878]

You know that engines can be rebuilt, right?

[@martinmccloskey2435]

I have a 2021 Land Cruiser with less than 4,000 miles that I would like to sell. Where is the best place to list it (i want to include pictures and list everything that is in it)?

[@pablomoreno1999]

A leaf's powerplant doesn't sound enough for a LC.

[@Cloud30000]

How are the batteries being cooled? Adding an inverter and drawing 160kW will generate a LOT of heat and kill those batteries if not actively cooled, especially at low speeds like rock crawling.

[@brianb-p6586]

Leaf batteries are not actively cooled, even in the original installation in a Leaf. Yes, that does limit sustained discharge rate, but it's not a problem the way this vehicle is used.

[@truckerrickakamanowar]

I like it. 👍

[@somesituation]

man yeah spending weekends boondocking from mesa az to sycamore creek this would not be an option haha

[@Flying_Dollar_Motorsports]

Ive often thought about doing this to my my Xterra.

[@jamesp6283]

I think in another video the guy said he got the Land Cruiser for really cheap as it had a blown engine

[@threeboardsfour]

70 mile estimated range, 75mph estimated top speed, no heater and no air con. Given the cost of conversion and the amount of work involved, it just doesn't add up for me.

[@Malc664]

This swap is very well done and works great. Just one question, what's an old man emoo?

[@leandroflaherty]

A brand of suspension

[@smileyguyz]

@@leandroflaherty Yup, Old Man Emu is ARB's suspension brand.

[@glennkverneland833]

Definitely cool!

[@sam-ww1wk]

Cheap....no. If your time/labor and mental bandwidth are worth nothing, maybe. Considering time and money, it's still a labor of love. That said, cool af, and a rewarding project.

[@bluceree7312]

That's a badass truck.

[@Queensizemusic]

Love! LOVE! LOVE!

[@bruceklassen8261]

Loved the video

[@outbackev-hunter6035]

in Australia we need to have an engineering ticket( electric)

[@zachkane7378]

Nice the 1000 thumbs up 👍.

[@jgeorge9380]

i’ll give you a 1978 SAAB 99Turbo (B motor, Garret and 4speed running strong) for this if you swear NOT to crush it.

[@tonyp156]

Damn this kid is smart

[@rickstrawbridge892]

You are all freaking nuts. I'm done with TFL. There isn't enough oxygen in Boulder.

[@gbaines4284]

Cool vehicle!

[@shaolin224]

Poor fella left the e brake on when Tommy went in. Probably the reason why he really felt alot of motor braking even on slippery conditions on high gear. Great rig none the less.

[@MrChadx1]

Good eye! I had to go back and take a look. Yep, emergency brake left on when he pulled away with Tommy. Weak e-brake + high torque electric motor = "Electric don't care!". Couldn't even feel it.

[@jon7926]

Sounds like an r/c,car. Nice

[@8chrisharris8]

Bad a$s! Love it.

[@jorgefonseca9452]

He fixed the poor MPG at Land Cruiser's😅

[@rafterwhomestead]

Nice! Cool build man. I think you toasted your parking brake at the 23 minute mark.

[@plus790]

Nothing "sacred" about the truck, but it is ruined. Battery tech isn't good enough yet--I do look forward to the day we we can get 300+ off-road miles out of a charge, but this thing isn't anywhere close to that so it's useless.

[@lunamaria1048]

This is worse than an Australian chopping the rear off of an 80 Series to put one of those dumb trays on it. This experiment wont last long and will be one less 80 Series. My brother co owns a shop that specializes in customizing Toyota/Lexus 4x4s and restoring classic Toyota 4x4s. They celebrate whenever an 80 Series is coming in, because there aren't as KZbin viewers think. The 80 Series sold so poorly in North America that Toyota even stopped selling Land Cruisers in Canada, mid life cycle. If you are doing something like this, you use an old Ford Explorer, or something nobody cares about. Not the most sought after used Toyota 4x4 on at least 2 continents. In good condition an 80 can fetch more than some new cars go for. I'm Japanese and my father worked for Toyota, as did his father, and my brother owns a shop that customizes Toyota/Lexus 4x4s and restores classic Toyotas (the 80 Series is a classic), so I might be biased here. But I doubt it.

[@brianb-p6586]

If these vehicles were really that valuable, it wouldn't be possible to buy them cheaply. Opinions are interesting, but cash often tells a different story.

[@lunamaria1048]

@@brianb-p6586 A stock 80 Series, in good condition ( a vehicle made in the 1990s) can go $15- 20K, or more, in North America. $10k is "cheap" for a good condition 80 Series. You speak on a topic you have no comprehension of. The 80 Series is currently the most desired Toyota classic 4x4, (especially with the explosion of the popularity of overlanding) so prices have skyrocketed for that reason, but not just. The fact they didn't sell well in North America increases their rarity, which (again) increases their value. Then factor in strong resale value of Toyota products, the fact it has the name "Land Cruiser" on it. Google prices of 80 Series Land Cruisers around the US lol. Don't. Worry, I never say "I told you so".

[@brianb-p6586]

@Lunamaria In a publicly accessible online forum for EV conversions, in April of 2021, in the second post of his build thread for this vehicle, the owner-builder said: "First I acquired my Land Cruiser. I got it for $1000. It had no Colorado title when I bought it which is why it was so cheap. Luckily the Cruiser is now registered in my name!" So in reality, Land Cruisers in questionable condition are not so highly valued, and this one was indeed cheap... regardless of the other prices at which other people are selling other Land Cruisers. In this particular case, the builder notes in another comment on this video "The original truck was pretty beat up and leaking every type of fluid and has 324k miles. Not a pristine specimen haha" Even as a pile of generally something like original parts, with no title, a truly valued vehicle would sell for more than USD$1000. Apparently onlt good Land Cruisers have any significant value in the U.S. Apparently, you speak on a topic of which you only have general comprehension, and not specific knowledge.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

Range is way, way too low. I wheel all day when I go and you're going to get 25 miles tops offroad in this...good commuter car though if you live close to work.

[@Voyagersk9]

Needs way more miles to be worth it. Good idea but needs more work. I love it!

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

Mud in Colorado? I call it Crappy Clay...

[@infernoking7504]

I would rather have a smaller simpler engine rather than a complex ev setup do I think its dumb yes I do think its still a dumb thing to do is it different yes.

[@matthewprather7386]

This simpler than even the simplest internal combustion engine. Different, yes. But simpler too.

[@aaronerickson8878]

​​@@matthewprather7386 Lithium battery packs are not simple

[@matthewprather7386]

@@aaronerickson8878 please point out the complexity you’re thinking of..

[@taylorj959a]

when you see it brought in on a trailer you know you've got a vehicle that hasn't enough range. I'm cool with electric vehicles but they are in no way shape or form "green"

[@EVSwap]

You ain't lying. It's definitely a trail queen right now. More batteries planned for 2023

[@CheeseBurgerXJ]

Gas/diesel generator with electric motor is the wave, i want to convert my xj to that once the emissions force me to

[@kennethjinkins8967]

when I can charge it in 5 minutes and drive 500 miles in below zero weather pulling a trailer , then you'll get my interest

[@sapperROSS]

Cool build, but useless for trails or a weekend of trails at that.

[@anzew88]

Take it to some proper offroading in the mountains, along side the hummer EV

[@buffdude222]

Just because you can . Dose not mean you should !

[@joshr805]

nooooooo

[@speterbilt]

That whinning noise would be annoying

[@MrNicholg]

These things were underpowered garbage even when new. This is awesome. I hope we see a lot more of this in the near future.

[@aaronerickson8878]

You have no idea what you're talking about.

[@pacificwarrior7679]

That poor, poor cruiser. 😢

[@jairoobregon1245]

Is not there yet 😡😡😡😡

[@g4yrut]

done on the cheap? these vehicles in decent condition sell for well over $25,000 at import auctions, and even more locally. this is not a deal

[@AgentXRifle]

100km range… hard pass!

[@Hasithism]

You could get more battery I guess

[@loganlovescarsandmotorcycles]

Nope

[@ryzen397]

I would not do it.

[@patriotsheepdog]

This is quite possibly the saddest abomination of a vehicle I’ve ever seen. 🤦

[@scottyellis3442]

Golf cart

[@scottyellis3442]

@Menti Capti yep, I have one. Started out with a battery golf cart but it was no good compared to my gas one.

[@gogmorgoaway]

Why does no one know how to pronounce emu?

[@aaronerickson8878]

How to spend money to make your truck worse

[@ryzen397]

I mean its a cool truck but where I live I can build whatever I want with whatever emissions. We don't have fascist democrats forcing us to do or not to do things.

[@TJY2K]

You're cool. HEY EVERYONE, COME LOOK AT HOW MUCH COOLER THIS GUY IS

[@jonm7888]

Not being able to pollute the air as much as I want is Fascism. Our education system has failed us.

[@FatalAnimal]

Ohh yeah - well I bet my dad can beat up your dad🤣

[@TonyCox1351]

“Where I live you can build whatever you want but if you build an EV you’re a pussy” _spits_ _into_ _dip_ _can_

[@LTHero.]

@@TJY2K wow thanks for showing me how cool this guy is and not keeping it to yourself . That makes you so cool !