Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
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- Noobie
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- Real Name: Jamie Lovick
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
Hi,
This is my first post and what I'm sure is going to be a journey into the EV and maybe off-grid world.
I've been looking around at Nissan Leaf battery packs, after discussing with a member about the packs in his Mk1 MR2, and began to wonder if anyone had considered transplanting the entire running gear of a Nissan Leaf to another vehicle?
The way I see it, the upsides would be:
- It's well established technology, all designed to work together
- Depending on the wrecker, parts can be cheap
- The Leaf engine module is standardized
Potential downsides
- Mounting of batteries
- Working with a 360v battery pack.
- Weight distribution
- Getting it approved/registered (I'm in NSW, but SA is an option)
On the home energy storage side, I've just read about someone using Leaf packs in their solar system - http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17879
I'd be interested in everyone's thoughts.
Thanks
Jamie
This is my first post and what I'm sure is going to be a journey into the EV and maybe off-grid world.
I've been looking around at Nissan Leaf battery packs, after discussing with a member about the packs in his Mk1 MR2, and began to wonder if anyone had considered transplanting the entire running gear of a Nissan Leaf to another vehicle?
The way I see it, the upsides would be:
- It's well established technology, all designed to work together
- Depending on the wrecker, parts can be cheap
- The Leaf engine module is standardized
Potential downsides
- Mounting of batteries
- Working with a 360v battery pack.
- Weight distribution
- Getting it approved/registered (I'm in NSW, but SA is an option)
On the home energy storage side, I've just read about someone using Leaf packs in their solar system - http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17879
I'd be interested in everyone's thoughts.
Thanks
Jamie
It's me!
- jonescg
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- Real Name: Chris Jones
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
Hi Jamie, welcome aboard! High voltage battery packs aren't scary. Just build them right and you won't look back. The pack on my race bike is 700 V fully charged...
Ask Graeme Manietta about mounting them. Michael Day and Mark Taylor will be very helpful guys to have around.
Ask Graeme Manietta about mounting them. Michael Day and Mark Taylor will be very helpful guys to have around.
AEVA National Secretary, WA branch chair.
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
Thank you.
I spoke to Michael last weekend at the Mighty Car Mods Nationals at Sydney Dragway. It was him that mentioned the Leaf batteries.
I'm a little way off doing something, but am curious what people are doing and what challenges they might have faced.
I spoke to Michael last weekend at the Mighty Car Mods Nationals at Sydney Dragway. It was him that mentioned the Leaf batteries.
I'm a little way off doing something, but am curious what people are doing and what challenges they might have faced.
It's me!
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
There is a youtube video of a complete Leaf drivetrain out of a car...mounted on a peg board running. I think it's doable if the right donor car is chosen.
There would be a few niggles of course such as ABS speed sensors and the like..
There would be a few niggles of course such as ABS speed sensors and the like..
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/sh ... 48730.html
http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/sh ... 51458.html
http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/sh ... 51458.html
Last edited by tassie_tiger on Fri, 08 Apr 2016, 12:30, edited 1 time in total.
My hobby interests are EV's and competitions. aeva.asn.au for ev's and www.lottos.com.au for competitions. If your partner complains about you ev'ing, send 'em to lottos!
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
Looks complex, but cool though. It's good that someone else has gone first to work all of this out .. 

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- carnut1100
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
There are also solutions becoming available that will allow the use of a Leaf drive train with a standalone controller.
- Richo
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
jalovick wrote:On the home energy storage side, I've just read about someone using Leaf packs in their solar system -
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17879
Is there a constant reliable source of good leaf cells?
What is their cost?
So the short answer is NO but the long answer is YES.
Help prevent road rage - get outta my way!
Help prevent road rage - get outta my way!
- Adverse Effects
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
just out of intrest what is a new leaf pack worth?
because the last price i saw per "unit" was used $190 + shipping and there is 48 (?) units in a pack?
190 x 48 = $9120 that has to be more than a new pack
because the last price i saw per "unit" was used $190 + shipping and there is 48 (?) units in a pack?
190 x 48 = $9120 that has to be more than a new pack
- Richo
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
Any takers on busting up your leaf so I can buy the cells cheap

So the short answer is NO but the long answer is YES.
Help prevent road rage - get outta my way!
Help prevent road rage - get outta my way!
- Richo
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Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
http://www.eco-aesc-lb.com/en/product/liion_ev/
I love the inquiry page:
No you can't have battery
No you can't have sample
No you can't have a tour
I'd like to work for their sales department
Part number is 295B9 if you're googling...
I love the inquiry page:
No you can't have battery
No you can't have sample
No you can't have a tour
I'd like to work for their sales department

Part number is 295B9 if you're googling...
Last edited by Richo on Mon, 22 Aug 2016, 20:22, edited 1 time in total.
So the short answer is NO but the long answer is YES.
Help prevent road rage - get outta my way!
Help prevent road rage - get outta my way!
Re: Transplanting running gear from a Leaf to ?
I'm still in the process of getting mine working, but it's becoming fairly common. The summation of my research and tribulations is here:
https://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/s ... p?t=199847
Using the whole car is a bit of a pain, but not crazy, and very cost effective for all that you get (strong AC motor, 8:1 gear reduction, 100+ km range, fast charging, BMS, HVAC). There are also aftermarket controllers available, though they can be involved in different ways, and have some limitations.
https://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/s ... p?t=199847
Using the whole car is a bit of a pain, but not crazy, and very cost effective for all that you get (strong AC motor, 8:1 gear reduction, 100+ km range, fast charging, BMS, HVAC). There are also aftermarket controllers available, though they can be involved in different ways, and have some limitations.