I’m thinking about converting an old delivery truck from the late 40s they don’t make parts for anymore. The problem is the vehicle is HEAVY by modern standards (could barely move it with the skid steer) I’m starting my parts list from the ground up and want to use hub motors. Any suggestions for hub motors that are potentially up to the task would be appreciated.
You don’t want hub motors, and even if you do, they don’t exist in any form that is accessible to the public.
Just drop a Tesla motor in like everyone else, enjoy the cheap performance.
If you really want new running gear then drop in the whole subframe.
A Tesla drive unit is inappropriate for a heavy truck application. They barely last 100kmiles doing ~30kW continuous in a Tesla…
Is there a way to do a gear reduction on a tesla drive unit? A heavy delivery truck from the 40s doesn’t need to be going anywhere near the top speed a tesla drive unit would go at max rpm. A tesla top speed is ~150mph. Reduce that with gears to 75mph at max rpm and you will have twice the torque available = less strain on the motor
The gearbox and gears are not designed for the stress.
Motor is used in the Semi.
Not the gearbox.