Electric Dual Motor Volkswagen Double Cab Pickup

In this episode we take an in depth look at our dual motor VW double cab shop truck. This truck was the test bed for the development of our dual motor setup. It has seen over 40,000 miles since the swap, so lets see how it has held up.

[@owencleveland7102]

I’ve never been more inspired to build an electric car

[@michaelheinrich44]

if there was an affordable kit to retrofit old cars with electric drivetrain, there would be a load of models to convert. Maybe i would comvert my BMW z3

[@VesaGuardian]

"That´s right, we don´t have traction control"... That made my day!

[@EVWest]

Whoops.

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

I absolutely *love* the old meets new of this vehicle. The patina makes the exterior, while horse hair covered Tesla packs and a dual-motor set-up breath new life into a 50-year old masterpiece. Thanks for the in-depth tour of the "shop truck."

[@enzo9640]

Amazing! almost no engine noise and still with open windows and wind coming in it looks like you're flying! Very cool. Hopefully electric car conversions will become more popular in the future. Greetings from Brazil!

[@claytonholton2749]

Now make a package for everyone so all of us who want a conversion will be able to budget and save for our own conversion. Great job brought back a lot of memories from the 59 VW bus we had back in the 60s!

[@SkaterStimm]

I was lucky enough to get to drive in this amazing machine, back when Michael had a car seat in the back for his kid. Proof it is a daily driver, it cemented my love for EV conversions and double cabs. I now own a 68 DC hopefully soon will be upgraded to an EV West electric setup!

[@johnbehneman1546]

I love your shop truck !!!! A true work horse. I can't wait to see the upgrades!!!! Great video and a great education. Thanks for sharing.

[@austinwrighteous]

I sent ev west a message after graduation and was so stoked when Michael responded! They weren't looking for aerospace engineers, but he offered up a tour if I was in town. I hope to one day make an EV west powered Muira replica - post updates on the truck build!

[@ajwright5512]

Good Subject. I did Aeronautical Engineering...

[@iangrant8967]

Great video! Loads of detail and loads of info on driving a converted EV. Who knew you could use reverse as a brake! Love the story about the chicken tax!

[@kevn99]

This truck is dripping with character. Love it.

[@zapperone7]

So awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@bongosock]

Such a gorgeous truck, and ridiculously practical !

[@solosailorsv8065]

love how they left it totally Classic Patina ... with a High-Tech drivetrain

[@mattking1724]

The freaking GAS CAP IS SOOOOOO SWEET!!!!!!!!

[@ericpisch2732]

I love this truck so much, everything is just perfect

[@hughmarcus1]

Such a beautiful bit of engineering. I reckon I'm not the only one to watch this thinking, "I WANT one". Seeing that lovely green paint in the hidden areas, if it were mine I'd restore the paintwork. But hey, that's only my view.

[@doctordreable]

Beautiful build😍 very practical for Indian roads as well

[@soundslikebroken3333]

This is my dream vehicle. Fantastic job!

[@chas4life]

Really awesome build. I'm thinking I need to get me a Volkswagen. I've owned and driven quite a few of those things and I would love to drive an electric one. Good job guys!

[@digger663]

Excellent Bus and video👍

[@rstjx3j183]

Very informative and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

[@thomaskerkhoff579]

Very useful driving tips!

[@mark1981]

I liked the whole video, but had to do the thumbs up for the history lesson at the end. Cool tools man.

[@ericplloyd]

Beautiful, my dudes.

[@tomsummers1137]

Thanks for a great update on the DC. Louie’s latest build video just came out this am, and I heard your voice on the phone when Jehu and Louie called you for some tech advice. I still have not began my build. Long story. Let’s just blame COVID. Sharing both vids to the San Diego Air Cooled Club page. Luv yer sho!

[@londonpickering8675]

Oddly satisfying. Thanks for posting.

[@walteravieira]

Thanks for the entertainment and education!!

[@toxicslix]

That's AWESOME! Would love to have one...someday!

[@loucinci3922]

Awesome EV. I would love to do this to my 31 Chevy. Thanks for sharing.

[@pelewads]

Long-term subscriber. But I am rediscovering your Channel. It seems I missed the notification Bell, when I subscribed. Many, many years ago, I owned a Porsche 914. It was horribly underpowered, but nothing, I've ever driven, could handle windy roads, better. When EV conversions became more common, I immediately thought that this would be the perfect vehicle. You have one, in one of your older videos. But you don't go into the vehicle. Please, I beg you, I would really, really love to see more of this vehicle, after a conversion. This is a bucket list car, for me. Loving your Channel. And I'm enjoying catching up.

[@whitebarone]

Amazing work...I'd like to have one of these so bad

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

Good grief this was an amazing vid. Great work!

[@splashpit]

I don’t lust over many cars but l will for a duel cab VW

[@MrAddison1]

Really nice video very informative, thanks

[@markcbrems]

Of all the stellar features built into this beastie, my favorite little detail is the filler cap! Great “Chicken Tax” story. Whoodathunk!?

[@madtattergh2kt115]

I maybe be hind, but I've been with you for a while, and let me tell you you're doing a fine job!!!!

[@samuel97ful]

This is so sick i just went to you're websites it's awesome what you are doing , keep up the good work and i want to put a tesla motor in my little yaris imma pissed off some people 😂 , nice job !

[@toddsmith1690]

So awesome. God Bless. Thanks for sharing.

[@meadmaker4525]

I shudder to think how much that conversion costs, but I can't argue with the results. Super clean and very sweet ride!!

[@MrTaxiRob]

A new fully loaded Suburban is somewhere around $80k, so if I can future-proof my 1999 Burb for less than $20k, it's a deal. Also going from 11mpg to the energy cost equivalent of several times that would make it pay for itself pretty quickly.

[@ruftime]

Chicken tax= Pick-up truck protectionism more likely😎 Great job as always! EVs rock.

[@kevinistalking]

I love this video. Thank you.

[@nickalderson4563]

Wow ! This is my dream vehicle.

[@wildthinair]

Reminds me of the milk float I used to ride in the 1970s delivering milk door to door 🇬🇧

[@curtaustin8119]

My father owned a microbus - mind you, I'm now 69 years old myself. So the "free play" comment really meant something to me. In a gusty cross wind, I'd have to move my hands onto the spokes near the hub of the steering wheel so I could react quickly enough. If I remember right, a remarkable thing about these were that they could carry 2000 lbs.

[@davidcardill4607]

Hey!!! THANK YOU Brother for making these videos!!! I've worked in RE's all my life and mastered geothermal systems (water is the new heating oil) which runs off of the latent heat principle of change of state, which is modern refrigeration, and us doing something regarding the predicament we find ourselves in has to be a collective venture. :) I'm going to see if I can hook up with Musk and energize his boring company and bring both water sourced heat pumps and underground transportation to fruition simultaneously. I've got miles of experience with boring holes into the Earth :) Live Long and Prosper!

[@athousandtinycobras4349]

LOVE IT!!! I'd want to upgrade the safety systems and put a LSD on that bad boy if I was going to daily it, but, wow, what a great ambassador for EVs! Nice job!

[@bobrk]

Sweet, I'm interested in doing this to my '59 single cab.

[@johnb.8622]

I was thinking about getting a Cadillac EV as a daily in the future, nice concept 👍🏻

[@CaseyJHughes]

READY to convert my '75 Westy! Left sales an email and hope to hear back soon. Am in Encinitas...

[@Mj.Daily.Trades]

Wow. That torque shocked me I am watching your videos since 2016 I love your conversation style I wish i will be your student to learn skills from you... Love from PK.

[@nephalem_d3887]

Would love to see more on the Trophy Truck you guys built.

[@christianpaulroldan4010]

Nice project. .

[@Riley_1955]

Absolutely loved the video.....First time I have ever seen a DC VW truck.....It looks really sweet and really like that it is all electric....I want to go electric so bad in my car & bike that I can taste it but right now the asinine prices people are charging for EV vehicles isn't worth it to me ....Yet...So hopefully in a few more years the tech will advance and the prices will come down. You speaking about taking off in 2nd gear reminds me of my Porsche boxster 5 speed tiptronic auto that it is designed from the factory to take off in 2nd gear instead of first.....Must be that power to weight ratio or something. Keep the EV videos coming.

[@robertpryor7225]

That reverse switch next to the heater switch is scary, I think I would want a covered aircraft styles switch. That camera angle makes it look crazy fast!

[@robertpryor7225]

Cancel that, I just saw how reverse works, that's awesome

[@digger663]

I drive a 63 vw bus every day and would live to do this

[@michaelbeiyt]

Sehr gelungen!

[@agstuff3475]

Awesome!

[@marcusrose9066]

These kombi crew cabs are so cool and rare. Too bad VW doesn’t want all my money for this amazing EV West gem.

[@mykeegtam1hana147]

Gas Cap nd steering Wheel 😮😮😮😮 nice

[@weirdgamer407]

Wow thats so quick

[@LatinDanceVideos]

I liked his demo of coming to a complete stop using the reverse switch and throttle use regen braking. Was expecting a different system that worked through the brake pedal. Ie: first x mm of travel would be regen braking before the hydraulic brakes.

[@blanchae]

I used to work with locomotive control systems in the 80s. Each axle would have its own traction motor. Typically 6 axles/motors on a mainline locomotive. To control the motors and speed, the motors would be put in a sequence of series/parallel beginning at start and until full speed. Series at start and parallel at full speed to control the impedance of the 74 Vdc motors. I've often thought that 4 small motors run in a series parallel sequence would be interesting in an EV vehicle.

[@pieterbezuidenhout2741]

Shit l just loved your presentation on this vehicle. Simple and down to the bone with no Dr. Confucius explanations. Being technical but from old school l could agree with all your keep it simple ideas and it just makes sense. Would have loved if your expertise was available here in South Africa as l would be first in line for bloody sure. Thanks again l enjoyed very much.

[@MLFranklin]

Very cool minibus

[@Irvin_Wright]

Can you do a video on A/C systems and your EV conversions? Like which pumps are available, controllers, etc. Thank you!

[@scubatrucker6806]

Now I want to get a classic vehicle and bring it to you guys . I wonder what is the wait and average cost. I just love these ideas.

[@thomaskiefer9669]

As a german I really like the yellow sticker on the rear...lol ;-)

[@Pushyhog]

thanks Mr..

[@Brad_Jenkins]

Love your buss

[@williamkerley3378]

I want a conversion for my 7th gen celica. They are so light and have lots of hatch room for batteries. It would be so much fun.

[@idk2412]

For a conversion like this, or really any conversion you do, what considerations do you take in on the flywheel weight? Or, do you mostly use the same weight?

[@armyphotoguy]

This is awesome. Sad I'm a disabled vet that will never afford something like this.

[@KTPurdy]

so cool

[@corypobrien]

Any headway on the Tesla drive unit upgrade? Looking forward to seeing that build. Keep doing what you're doing. I love it!

[@magnusonf1]

thanks so much for this video! super informative. I have a 65' 11 window and dream of doing this conversion. However, there are so many different $$ numbers i have seen for a conversion. Starting from scratch to built running vehicle, how much should i be saving up for? Not just the kit (7,600), but with something like this double cab with dual motor and Tesla 54KW hr packs? Its so hard to go full electric without knowing the full extent of costs adders (install, battery, cables, fuses, etc) that could blow my budget. If I knew a full out number of a few different levels, I could better prepare finacially for converting my bus (which doesn't have a motor at the moment). Its either go Gas, or Go this way, which is my first chioce. Any help on this, would be greatly appriciated! Thank you!

[@robertneukirch8901]

excellent

[@surturiel]

One thing that always made me curious about those air coller VW conversions: What's is done in terms of frame rigidity? The old spine beetle chassis can't be strong enough for the added weight and power without trying to twist itself into a pretzel... ( I know buses are unibody, I'm referring to beetles and Karmann-Ghias) I ask because at some point I plan on getting one of those Karmann-Ghia TCs from South America...

[@charlschuck6]

Nice how would you as an owner of the vehicle renew the registration that for example California requieres , being an gas van now converted to electric ? What paper work needs to be obtain from a shop or smoke test only ?

[@inkno701]

Amazing bus/truck! Someday I'll find a cool classic car that deserves an electric restomod. What happens if you floor the accelerator and switch it into reverse with the pedal still on the floor?

[@WOODY11780]

Probably; ..... The tires will smoke !!!

[@numbersabcdefg]

Toys awesome!!!

[@OO-xc7zg]

👍👍💥💥 Well done💥💥

[@kgamaseg]

I would LOVE to have one of these! 180 mile range?! Dang! You give modern EV's a run for their money! Question: Has EV West ever looked into the in-hub electric motors like Elaphe, the motors used by Lordstown?

[@peterbarlow8912]

Nice easy fit for under rear seat batteries. What about the gas tank space. It’s less assessable but further back in the chassis of the heavier nose double cab. Had 3 single cab 65-67 pickups which had basement cargo bay doors where you could access the crossways gas tank space ahead of the firewall. I assume that access is behind the rear seat in a double cab. Don’t get me started on the list of 60’s vehicles I had in my 20’s and couldn’t keep. Hate to talk about the cool stuff I considered then but didn’t buy.

[@alejandrovieira6451]

Hi Michael, i looked on the website, but couldn't find the dual motor kit. Is it hiding somewhere special? I assume this would also fit a bay-window Single Cab? I have the double doors for the tool chest, so I was thinking that would be the perfect place for the pack. Maybe put it on sliders for maintenance?

[@BaldadonisMike2021]

i wish i had that set up in my old 69 Westfalia Camper..super cool.lots of patina...but super slow! Miss that van..not the motor lol

[@tony_25or6to4]

Do the reverse lights turn on when you pull the reverse control?

[@leslarson2642]

Do the rear axles have any hydraulic brakes other than the regenerative braking? In a different vein, in the 70s, Japan would import pickup chassis with engines and cabs and attach an American made box to complete the pickup truck, supposedly to avoid the tax. Guess which part rusted out first.

[@bikecommuter24]

I know a few people with VW's who say they will keep their gas engines don't want to bother with recharging and the only places they go to are car meets, cars and coffee and the occasional car show all within range. They also don't understand why Im pro EV, I grew up around cars and motorcycles, I took auto mechanics courses, went to Aircraft Mechanics School and years later Motorcycle Mechanics funny I ended up being a Photojournalist I'm retired now. I see EV's they are here and the tech is only going to improve, I was watching Autoline on TV a few weeks ago and one of the guest was talking about there make of cars all going EV she stated the the internal combustion engine is sunset technology it works and will be around for a few years. The new model EV's are nice but I would have something custom like the shop truck.

[@bozokuch6879]

This is amazing VW T1 lovely truck but with electric dual engine...congratulations! Pls inform me how can I order complete conversation kit for installation into my T2 doka and what about costs please? Cheers

[@shawncool5496]

As he is showing off the motors. I was thinking. Looks similiar to a remote control rc. Right down to the esc lol. Mind instantly went to. How big of servo would i need and what is the price of 1 can and 1 esc :).

[@angusmf]

Does it still have the gear reduction boxes on the axles?

[@Richard-bt1er]

If you are still using the original transmission, does the Reverse Gear still work?

[@TheXanUser]

(So Sweet!) How do you deal with the aggressive regen as far as brake lights in these conversions?

[@markcbrems]

These motor/controller systems generally have a provision to trip a brake light relay when in regen mode.

[@solosailorsv8065]

@@markcbrems Even my ebike can be wired for regen/brake lights. The new and cheap accelerometers should be used in all vehicles so brake lights go ON when the vehicle decelerates for ANY reason, thus alerting the driver behind. So, brake lights for; brakes, down shifts, tire blow out, engine failure, etc, etc MUCH smarter than a brake pedal, and can built into any PCB/MCU easily.

[@Barefoot_Joe]

Noice 😊👍

[@brianfischer788]

Very cool build and nice to see one that is not simply a drag and drop of a Tesla drive unit! Question: There are a couple of points when you smoke the tire(s). In each case, you are turning right and only the right rear tire is smoking. Do you have an open differential in your transaxle and the right wheel is the primary drive wheel? Is there a mechanical limited-slip option for an application like this?

[@EVWest]

Hi my name is Drew and I am the new media manager for Ev West. Please email [e-mail] with questions and/or set up a time to get on a phone call with our team. We are in the office Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm PST. Sorry for the delay reply.

[@northwestgravel]

Is ev west ever going to make diy swap platform for vw mk1’s? Vw mk1s are generally easily accessible and affordable plus a cult following. Something to consider. Or just stick to the rare and exotic cars.

[@jesp999]

is the spare built in behind the front bench seat

[@Slurm_Daddy92]

Why are you upgrading to the Tesla unit? This system seems flawless!

[@sevan7]

$$$$ that's why

[@Chisholm.Motorsports]

Thinking about converting my 98 obs chevy reg. cab short box

[@darwinskeeper421]

I have a question regarding charging the batteries for maximum life. Is it better to charge the battery pack every day or go for several days and let the charge level get down to a certain level and then charge it. For example, if I had a converted El Camino and a daily commute that used 25% of the battery's capacity, would I want to recharge the pack every night and bring it back to 100%, or would I prefer to drive it for 3 days, bringing the battery down to 25% capacity and then plug it in? Which setup would maximize the number of miles I got out of the pack before I needed to replace it?

[@TairnKA]

I had a "concept" of replacing the bed on a double cab with a single cab bed, place a 4wd frame on it and mid mount a diesel engine behind the dbl cab (there's other significant additions/modifications). Did you say that has a 184 mile range (92 mi to return)? I'm thinking (not counting the additional modifications, I'm guessing a 140 mile range (70 mi to return), at best? ;-) I've watched many conversions into smaller cars (Karmann Ghia) and am saddened by its loss of usefulness as a daily driver, ie: groceries. ;-)