so who's ordering a Rivian?

[nakman]

@mcgaskins Since you are the resident Rivain guy, Can you fit larger tires on these? Whats the flex like on a rivian? Do you think its will replace your 200 series?

Hey Matt I have the same question actually. Is it possible to run larger tires, then "regear" through the software somehow? When we had a Prius I remember it being pretty important for the regenerative braking etc. that you keep the tire size right at stock. I mean this is like question #1 right? what size tires can I fit?

 

[mcgaskins]

@mcgaskins Since you are the resident Rivain guy, Can you fit larger tires on these? Whats the flex like on a rivian? Do you think its will replace your 200 series?

Hey Matt I have the same question actually. Is it possible to run larger tires, then "regear" through the software somehow? When we had a Prius I remember it being pretty important for the regenerative braking etc. that you keep the tire size right at stock. I mean this is like question #1 right? what size tires can I fit?

The good news is from the factory it comes with 34"x11" (275/65/20) tires which is the exact same size we had on the LX570 and is just a half inch narrower than what I run right now on the current 200. I think it's an excellent overall size, but I'd prefer more sidewall of course. The brakes are absolutely massive however, so a smaller wheel is not possible. When you consider it has supercar power and acceleration, it makes more sense to have such large brakes and wheels, but again I'd personally rather have more sidewall for wheeling. Regarding upsizing tires, I can't say at this point unfortunately But the good news is before too long whoever wants to check one out in person will be able to at a Rising Sun meeting Until then...

 

[mcgaskins]

I wonder if someone is going to start doing Fj40 conversions or ICON starts selling EV 40's

1961-1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Series - Electric GT

FJ40 Land Cruisers will never go out of style, and as a rule are one of the most robust and reliable vehicles ever made! That being said, the factory F and 2F straight six engines are underpowered and inefficient with parts that are expensive and scarce. A GM V8 swap is always a great option...

electricgt.com

 

[bassguyry]

He could sell that EV 40 for a small fortune. That thing is sweet!

 

[White Stripe]

I don't know what gm will price that electric kit at. The fj40 EV kit is 50 or 60k not including labor. I think it has a range of 80 miles or so.

 

[nakman]

@mcgaskins cool vid! Was suprised to see so much wheel spin though when they put one in the air.. I guess they didn't have the traction control stuff flipped on? Or still need to download that plug-in perhaps... but the full drift on pavement is pretty sweet, that's definitely no 2F!



As for the FJ40 conversion, is it too simplistic to just swap a Leaf? I know @J1000 is exploring this already... I've got a nice 40 body here that would love a second life... gotta do better than 80 miles though.

 

[AlpineAccess]

Wow that Rivian is gnarly.

 

[J1000]

@nakman yep that's my plan I have a salvaged Leaf I intend to use as donor parts. I'm using a BlackBox transfer case doubler to get the gear ratio correct. That's my plan at least.

 

[Danger Noodle]

@nakman yep that's my plan I have a salvaged Leaf I intend to use as donor parts. I'm using a BlackBox transfer case doubler to get the gear ratio correct. That's my plan at least.

I'd be very hesitant about a black box. They overheat a ton due to their design and are a lot of work to get a cooling system in.

 

[Shuksan]

@mcgaskins cool vid! Was suprised to see so much wheel spin though when they put one in the air.. I guess they didn't have the traction control stuff flipped on? Or still need to download that plug-in perhaps... but the full drift on pavement is pretty sweet, that's definitely no 2F!



As for the FJ40 conversion, is it too simplistic to just swap a Leaf? I know @J1000 is exploring this already... I've got a nice 40 body here that would love a second life... gotta do better than 80 miles though.

80 miles is short ... but you could probably daily drive with that range easy. Another point @J1000 made to me at some point is think about when we are out on trail and how often we stop for a few minutes (maybe leave engine running) and your rig is still using gas. When you are waiting in a line on fins and things you are using almost none of your battery reserves (maybe stereo/comms).

Lot's of front range day trips would require >80 miles. Argentine would probably be ~120 miles round trip from my house. Red cone is probably ~150 miles round trip.

 

[nakman]

80 miles is short ...

Lot's of front range day trips would require >80 miles. Argentine would probably be ~120 miles round trip from my house. Red cone is probably ~150 miles round trip.

Yup, my thoughts exactly. even Slaughterhouse would be pushing it, you'd use half the battery just getting up the hill to Conifer.

 

[J1000]

I'd be very hesitant about a black box. They overheat a ton due to their design and are a lot of work to get a cooling system in.

Yeah I have read that but also it's really my only choice to get the needed reduction. I plan to add a cooler and electric pump and monitor temperature etc. Luckily, it's not going to be traveling at high speeds for any period of time longer than minutes.

 

[DouglasVB]

On the range issue, just add more batteries to that EV FJ40 and you go farther. Same idea as adding a couple jerry cans on the back for gas. And same issue with more weight, etc.

Or if you are maxed on batteries, you could hang out in Silver Plume for breakfast before going up to Argentine Basin at the Bread Bar where there's an EV charging station.

Looks like Redcone would be a bit trickier. You'd have to go to Staunton State Park to use a charger there. But afterwards if you keep going over Radical Hill to Breckenridge, there is a plethora of charging stations.

Here's a halfway decent resource for finding charging ports: https://www.plugshare.com

It's really interesting to see the infrastructure build out over time. A few years ago there were hardly any charging stations outside of the Denver metro area. Now they're popping up in unexpected places.

This reminds me a bit of my uncle describing the first time he took a car across the USA before the interstates were built to go from New Jersey to Oregon. He said it was quite an adventure figuring out a route that 1) took him through interesting places and 2) had fuel, oil, and tires where he would need them. He miscalculated either oil or fuel and had to coast downhill from the crest of the Cascades in Oregon until he got somewhere that had supplies.

 

[DaveInDenver]

EV "jerry cans" is a bit of a problem. A 5 gallon can of gasoline weighs about 40 lbs but contains about 165 kW-hr equivalent energy which in Telsa batteries (their 5 kW-hr modules weigh 55 lbs) would be 1,815 lbs. The characteristic inefficiency of internal combustion and the FJ40 brick-like profile is offset by the energy density in gasoline. This means that 5 gallons for a 2F would get, I dunno, a measly 75 miles from the jerry can but OTOH it appears that the EV FJ40 gets about the same 80 miles with a 75 kW-hr battery so I'm left guessing it actually needs ~825 lbs of batteries to get the same range as the 5 gallons of gasoline did. It's more practical to pack as many nooks and crannies you can with batteries and just never travel more than 50% the distance to the nearest charger.

 

[Shuksan]

On the range issue, just add more batteries to that EV FJ40 and you go farther. Same idea as adding a couple jerry cans on the back for gas. And same issue with more weight, etc.

Or if you are maxed on batteries, you could hang out in Silver Plume for breakfast before going up to Argentine Basin at the Bread Bar where there's an EV charging station.

Looks like Redcone would be a bit trickier. You'd have to go to Staunton State Park to use a charger there. But afterwards if you keep going over Radical Hill to Breckenridge, there is a plethora of charging stations.

Here's a halfway decent resource for finding charging ports: https://www.plugshare.com

It's really interesting to see the infrastructure build out over time. A few years ago there were hardly any charging stations outside of the Denver metro area. Now they're popping up in unexpected places.

This reminds me a bit of my uncle describing the first time he took a car across the USA before the interstates were built to go from New Jersey to Oregon. He said it was quite an adventure figuring out a route that 1) took him through interesting places and 2) had fuel, oil, and tires where he would need them. He miscalculated either oil or fuel and had to coast downhill from the crest of the Cascades in Oregon until he got somewhere that had supplies.

I could see a not too distant future where Idaho Springs has a little coffee shop with a bunch of off road EVers topping off before hitting the trail. Instead of a tow truck a battery truck comes and gives you just enough to get off trail. Ha

 

[gungriffin]

Just get a diesel to tow your electric truck The answer is simple!

It will be very interesting to see what sort of range the Rivian gets when towing. I believe that we will see a lot of yard maintenance companies sporting Rivians instead of their usual large trucks soon.

 

[AlpineAccess]

Is there no smaller gas generator that could just stick into a hitch mount basket and run while driving to extend the range a bit on one of these?

A little water for your horses, or gas for your Tesla, or whatever.

It would crack me up to see some Honda tail gater generator in a hitch on an old FJ40 with some funny hybrid sticker on it.

 

[Shuksan]

Is there no smaller gas generator that could just stick into a hitch mount basket and run while driving to extend the range a bit on one of these?

A little water for your horses, or gas for your Tesla, or whatever.

It would crack me up to see some Honda tail gater generator in a hitch on an old FJ40 with some funny hybrid sticker on it.

This is not all that far off from what Li auto is trying to do in China. Electric, but onboard gas generator.

 

[J1000]

Just get a diesel to tow your electric truck The answer is simple!

It will be very interesting to see what sort of range the Rivian gets when towing. I believe that we will see a lot of yard maintenance companies sporting Rivians instead of their usual large trucks soon.

TFL tried to tow across country with a Model Y and a small trailer. Spoiler alert in the middle of Wyoming they realize they'll never make it and it's faster to turn around and get the Land Cruiser than keep trying to drive electric.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Is there no smaller gas generator that could just stick into a hitch mount basket and run while driving to extend the range a bit on one of these?

A little water for your horses, or gas for your Tesla, or whatever.

It would crack me up to see some Honda tail gater generator in a hitch on an old FJ40 with some funny hybrid sticker on it.

You're being facetious but honestly this is why the un-sexy hybrid makes a lot more sense for OHVs. The statement about needing to find service stations in the early days of automobiles and cross country travel is fine but it's not 1900 anymore and we have a very pervasive network of gasoline sources. Why not use them instead of hamstringing yourself relying on a network of fast chargers that might or might not serve your need?

And another wrinkle I might mention is a break down or recovery. Let's say you've planned to the mile but have an issue. What do you do then? Sorry, can't help with a roll over since I'd run out of juice. Getting a real charge to an out of the way place is a huddle I think that needs to be addressed before we start encouraging off highway use. Obviously a small generator is the solution, probably carried in by another truck. But that's not really a solo-friendly solution.