There have been a number of threads over the years about the idea of transplanting the Prius drive system into various other vehicles, but this blog details the first time I've ever seen anyone actually pull it off! The project to transplant the complete HSD system from a wrecked Prius into a Sandrail was taken on over several years by the Hybrid Automotive Technology classes at Northwestern Michigan College. Pretty Cool! And what an awesome way to really learn how the system and its components really work. Hybrid Technology: A Unique Off Road Project Rob
The Power train is from a wrecked 2004, the Plug Ins did not come out until 2012. I bet the 2004 parts are cheaper.
Yup, traction battery is right up in the front. One of the goals they mentioned was to have all of the components of the system clearly visible / accessible for future class use.
Now that is cool ! What good use of a wrecked Prius and what a good instructional tool. I know the students love driving it around campus.
This is cool. I am wondering whether all electronics were transplanted or not. For example, the body ECU, immobilizer ECU, steering ECU, air conditioning amplifier. There's not much point to those for a very light vehicle with no doors, hatch or hood - but it would be hard to get the hybrid vehicle ECU and skid control ECU to work well without being able to communicate with some of those ECUs. And the car has so much open air space that it is unclear where all the electronics would fit, not to mention the 12V battery. I am also wondering how the brakes work, whether all four wheels have hydraulic brakes installed, and how well the regen braking works when it is on the rear axle vs. front. Most braking load is done by the front wheels, so it may be weird to have the rear wheels playing that role. Finally, it is not obvious where the engine/transaxle coolant radiator and cooling fan are located.
It looks like the radiator is behind the passenger seat. I bet the rear-wheel regen works just fine. On a sand rail, there is a considerable rearward weight bias. The front brakes are often individual-wheel cutting brakes, used mostly for steering--they don't have much ability to slow the vehicle, since the front ends are so light. I don't see rotors or drums on the front wheels of this one, so maybe they're doing all the braking in back.
Here's the direct link to all the blog entries that talk more about the project. Wish there was more details, but so cool! Hybrid Technology: A Unique Off Road Project Hybrid Technology: Phase one is under way Hybrid Technology: Hybrid Training Vehicle Update Hybrid Technology: At The NMC Energy Expo Hybrid Technology: In the Lab Hybrid Technology: The Work Goes On - And On - And On....... Hybrid Technology: Half Way There Hybrid Technology: It's Alive! Hybrid Technology: The Modern Classroom Hybrid Technology: We did the Barbeque! Hybrid Technology: On Display Hybrid Technology: A New Opportunity Hybrid Technology: Enlightening Hybrid Technology: Now That's Green! Hybrid Technology: Almost Finished Hybrid Technology: The Future of Vehicle Design Rob
