Ford's Latest Electric Truck is…a 1978 F-100?
By: Rain Noe (Core77)
Gee, an electric truck that actually looks like a truck. Ford isn't bringing back the F-100 of the 1970s. This is really an aftermarket conversion kit being offered by Ford.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
In addition to the 2022 F-150 Lightning, here's the other electric truck Ford is showing off at this year's SEMA:
That's a 1978 F-100 that Ford Performance is calling the Eluminator. Converted to all electric, it was created by Ford Performance (along with collaborators MLe Racecars and The Roadster Shop) to promote Ford's first-ever e-crate engine. For $3,900, you can now order the M-9000-MACH-E that's powering the truck in the photos (times two in this case).
"The F-100 Eluminator concept features all-wheel drive via two powerful electric motors shared with the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Two electric traction motors drive the front and rear wheels, packing a powerful 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque."
"It is targeted for builders looking for a transverse-oriented powertrain to electrify a range of vehicles from modern to vintage cars, trucks and SUVs. Each Eluminator e-crate motor produces 281 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque and is street-legal in all 50 states."
The interior's been perked up a bit, versus what was on offer in 1978. They've even added a steering wheel with an airbag.
It should be noted that you can't just drop the e-crate motor in, tighten a few bolts and turn it on; you'll still need to source the battery system, controllers and traction inverters and hook everything up. Ford Performance says they plan to make those components available in the future to provide "full turnkey aftermarket electrification solutions." That future's going to be filled with some surprising e-sleepers.
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At least Ford didn't use a Ranchero to sell the conversion kit.
Exterior appearances are great! The only thing I would change on the exterior is lifting it up a bit. Not saying a 6 in suspension lift or anything like that. Just make it look like it has some kind of suspension and it can be used off pavement.
But its the interior that ruins it for me. If I want a "retro" vehicle with modern upgrades, I would rather have the the '78 interior. Seats, instrument cluster, all of it ruins this for me.
But, that's just one person's opinion.
Yeah, that's the fad for today's custom conversions. I've not heard of MLe Racecars but they did the conversion on a found F-100. This isn't a new vehicle that was custom built.
IMO, the F-100 was a good choice to show off the electric motor pack. Lots of room in that engine compartment. And it's easier to find regular cab trucks from that era which would be lighter. Can't just throw in a bigger motor to accommodate more weight; the limitation is the battery.
The limitations of the battery I think will grow with advancements in the technology.
For me that would be the downfall are the motors. Don't get me wrong, it's keeping up with the technology. But, I'm sure you remember, trucks used to be the "working man's" vehicle. Farmers, construction, contractors worked out of the truck for years. Now, the truck is a family car. The electric engine is great for the family car but not for those who work out of the truck day in and day out. I would have to question whether the motor could sustain moving heavy loads all day.
But it is a custom job.
A lot of heavy equipment is hybrid electric. I don't know if any modern rail locomotives are constructed with mechanical power drives anymore. Electric motors are more robust than mechanical transmission. And the motors can be in good operating condition long after the battery pack dies. I wouldn't worry about the electric motors.
I'm more worried about battery fires under heavy load. A battery is limited on how fast it can deliver power without overheating.
That is a good point.
I guess my whole thing with the electric motors is that when I see certain vehicles I expect to see and hear certain things. (There's nothing like the rumble of a classic Camaro, Charger or Challenger. Or the implied power with certain engines) I just don't get that with electric cars.
A cloths pin and playing card in the spokes? Poke a hole in the muffler? The point is that it's possible to make the sound without high octane gas. I'm sure there will be aftermarket kits for that, too.
Yeah, there's not much that sounds like a Packard V-12 in a Mustang -- with wings. But that P-51D has been surpassed by better performance. No it doesn't sound the same but there are a lot of fans of that better performance. We've gotten more than we lost.
The aftermarket kits makes your car sound like a weed eater. Not the same.
I'll stick with my '71 Challenger RT with the 440. Even with stock exhaust it sounds beautiful
Nothing wrong with that! Can't get any more classic than a Dodge muscle car from the '70s. It's a shame what has happened to Dodge/Chrysler.
I admit I was a fan of the Mustang Boss 429. Never owned one, though.
The Boss 429 is one of the very few model years that impressed me but one I would love to snatch up is a '75 Mustang II. Not for power (a lawn mower had a stronger engine) or even the looks (god knows that little thing was hideous). I want one for merely the novelty of it. I don't see them very often.
IMO, Ford made good trucks but shoddy cars. Chevrolet made good cars but shoddy trucks. Dodge was, I guess, the middle of the road. They had some good cars and a few years with good trucks. I'm currently driving an 03 F15
My kind of car!
No, all new Locomotive are AC traction motors now, Most with 4400 horsepower
Just bring it back to stock height which is 3-4 inches because it looks stupid lowered like that.
The outside is nice but the dashboard is bland and ugly. Are those crank windows? They didn't blend the old with new well in the interior.
Yeah, the dash seems like a lazy job. Apparently electric trucks don't need speedometers? And the electric pad should have been rotated 90; it looks kinda goofy in its upright orientation.
The interior is rather sparse but that keeps the weight down. Those creature features add weight which would shorten the range on the battery. I like the sparse look but the dash layout is a fail for me.
The old F-150s were cool trucks and a lot of them are still out there
Yeah, I thought so, too. I had a '78 F-150 in lariat brown. Not the most beautiful vehicle on the road but it was darned tough. I didn't need a heavy duty truck any longer and traded for a Ranger. I liked that one, too.
My SIL tried to break my neck showing me the acceleration of a Tesla 3. The important point being that the thing is like a cat - having two motors. I can see a two-motor pickup winning a lot of drag money, at least until the suckers figure it out.