Freelander 1 Hybrid Hippo

Getting daft ideas about converting a Hippo into a hybrid... Replace the VCU with a large electric motor (of forklift origins) propshaft to the rear as standard.

Throw out the standard gearbox, and replace with a FWD PG1, to help offset a bit of the weight, and give more space. Control method would be interesting, what with it powering a different set of wheels.

Pipe dreams I suppose......

Change your baccy!!

that's the general type of answer most of my ideas get tbh, lol

It is a good idea, but it´s necessary to keep the engine running for power steering pump and the vacuum brake booster.

This configuration would only ever be for a "4x4 boost", so slightly improving takeoff/etc.

Turns out Land Rover actually made this exact setup as a concept, lol

Top notch idea DD. I often trawl the Kiwi equivalent of eBay looking for end-of-life fork lifts! I often find myself driving along and wondering how it'd be programmed as well - eg when to give the motor juice and how to vary the power to the motor so it goes back to 100% ICE without a jolting switch off etc.

I'd be tempted to pilot it with motor bolted where the VCU is - its the natural and easy place to install, but ultimately I'd want it safely tucked away out of harms way in the boot - I'm thinking rotate the diff so it points upwards - I don't know if that would work with oil etc - let alone the mounting issues.

DastardlyDan said:

Getting daft ideas about converting a Hippo into a hybrid... Replace the VCU with a large electric motor (of forklift origins) propshaft to the rear as standard.

Throw out the standard gearbox, and replace with a FWD PG1, to help offset a bit of the weight, and give more space. Control method would be interesting, what with it powering a different set of wheels.

Pipe dreams I suppose......

Click to expand...

With work, the Freelander's "pick n mix" design would make it a good contender for such a conversion. There are many ways to power such a "hybrid" these days. I would avoid a brushed electric motor for efficiency, however a brushed motor is easier to power and can be used as a generator to recharge the batterys.

DastardlyDan said:

...Turns out Land Rover actually made this exact setup as a concept, lol

Click to expand...

Yes they did. They made 2 and 1 is at gaydon. See here: https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/fl2-erad-hybrid.285745/

for some reason... I thought I saw that on the FB group. Much easier to read+reference on a "proper" website

Lot's of info around for DIY conversion of (classic) cars to electric drive. I personally like this: http://www.saabplanet.com/electric-saab-96-v/

Hadn't realised Mr Blair was a knight of the KKK...

This site has 100s of conversions on - mainly full electric conversion. They have a few Landies on there and the latest (when I just checked) is another Saab 96!

http://evalbum.com/