Electric M37?

[johnbyrdgates]

I’m having carburetor problems and crud in the tank and fuel lines whenever it sits for a couple of weeks. I’ve cleaned out the tank and coated it and replaced the carburetor. The last time I rebuilt it, the parts kit quality was poor and the plunger spring seems to be the wrong size. I go on road trips with my Vanagon for months at a time and when I get back I have to go through a bunch of stuff just to get the truck going again. I’ve been doing this ethanol dance for about 8 years now with the truck and I’m getting sick of it. I only drive it once or twice a week to the town transfer station and into the woods to get firewood, so I don’t go far. Electric seems like a decent fit. EV4U has a conversion course that I’m thinking of taking.

[John Mc]

Electric pickups have been around for a while. GM made one in the '70s, if I recall correctly. It was sold as a fleet vehicle. There are a number of people who have done electric conversions to small pickup trucks (I think Ford Rangers were popular for this). I've thought the M37 would make an interesting candidate, but the conversion is beyond me.

[Matthew Welcher PWA]

I have not heard of it being done yet, but with electric over the road trucks coming out. Anything is possible. What kind of ethanol related trouble are you having?

[johnbyrdgates]

Anyone ever convert their M37 to an electric motor? I saw a Porsche 914 that had been done by removing the gas engine and mounting an equivalent horsepower electric motor in its place. Same drive system, just electric instead of gas. Is there such a project out there? With all the ethanol related trouble my gasoline system is causing, and with the limited distances I drive it, it’s tempting...