Adding Front Motor to RWD Premium? DIY Enthusiast

[DMG_Eleanor]

I'm a car and DIY enthusiast. My Mach-E is the only thing I haven't truly done much to. Yes, it is likely cheaper to buy an AWD... but where's the fun in that?



First off, do we think this is possible? And if so, what are the major groups of things you'd need to sort out?

- Obviously sourcing a front motor and the axles and other mechanical parts to physically make it work.

- Electrical. Hooking this up to power obviously important, what else?

- Software. I don't even know where to start here, but surely it can't be as simple as adding all the mechanical and electrical components and then using FORscan to trick it into thinking it was always an AWD car, right?



This is a fun thought experiment that might make it into reality. What do you all think it would take?

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[Gimme_my_MME]

Paging @markboris

 

[Jerrytball]

Paging @markboris

He probably is Mark Boris that’s his ultra ego lol?

 

[DMG_Eleanor]

He probably is Mark Boris that’s his ultra ego lol?

Ha! I am not nearly at Mark's level!

 

[AliRafiee]

Sure, but you will need a bunch modules and have to reprogram a bunch of things. I would estimate about $20K-$30K.
This is just a wild guess.

 

[markboris]

Paging @markboris

Thanks!

Seriously though, while I feel something like this can probably be done, the cost would be so much more than trading in for an AWD model. Besides adding the electric drive system, mounting cradle, front half shafts, electronic modules and who knows what else, there are existing parts that would need to be replaced. Brakes, struts, springs, wiring loom are just some of the items that are different and need to be replaced. I cannot imagine the cost of all these parts and even if one were to do the entire job themselves, without adding in the labor of a shop, it would still need to be brought in to reprogram/update software which I'm not sure can even be done. It's not a project I would consider doing.

 

[Jimrpa]

I believe Ford does offer a “crate” electric drive system so you could theoretically build your own EV from scratch. That would be a tremendous undertaking though.

I’ve often fantasized that, if I had infinite money, I’d commission one of those California custom car shops to create a vehicle that looks similar to a 1964-1965 Lincoln continental. It would be a monumental undertaking though.

 

[Rudi Krupsdahl]

What a wild project?

Please keep us updated here, as it sounds like an exciting project that hasn't been done by anyone yet?

And good luck with the project?

 

[Jerrytball]

Sure, but you will need a bunch modules and have to reprogram a bunch of things. I would estimate about $20K-$30K.
This is just a wild guess.

Go to Carvana and buy a used one?

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

HVBJB is different for AWD. That means you would have to de-energize the high voltage battery, lower out of the vehicle, and then open it. Technicians who do this require special training and it needs a battery lift along with a vehicle lift. Even if you got all the hardware changed, software will be an even bigger challenge

 

[Mach1E]

I would guess that the hardware wouldn’t actually be that hard.

Could be done for relatively cheap with a “donor car.” The donor would be a totaled Mach E that was rear ended.

The issue would be the software to make it work. I don’t know that you could do that on your own.

 

[DYohn]

I once knew a guy who converted a 73 Pinto into a jacked-up 4WD thing using the mechanicals from a small truck, but yea I agree if you want a true AWD Mach-E, buy one.

 

[RodHower]

I believe Ford does offer a “crate” electric drive system so you could theoretically build your own EV from scratch. That would be a tremendous undertaking though.

I’ve often fantasized that, if I had infinite money, I’d commission one of those California custom car shops to create a vehicle that looks similar to a 1964-1965 Lincoln continental. It would be a monumental undertaking though.

They offer the 'eluminator' motor for $1400, https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-9000-mache. I wouldn't mind one of those in my 'DC Plasma' 1984 Fiero which currently has 9" Transwarp brush motor and control.

 

[azerik]

Worst part about spending nearly double to do it yourself? It's still only as fast as if you'd spent ~$8k more to start with.

 

[2GOfast54]

How about having an AWD that could switch to RWD when you need to increase your range or with highway driving then back.

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