The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is divisive among gearheads and mechanics. It’s hard to replicate the same roar of a gas-powered car and a little bit of elbow grease while maintaining a classic or sentimental car.
However, there are more options for retrofitting old-school vehicles with electric powertrains and battery packs. Of course, any maintenance and electric conversion will cost you a lot of time and money, but the car will last significantly longer, and the planet will be healthier.
One Illinois man converted a pickup truck known for longevity into an electric-powered cruiser.
The man, known as Drew The Car Guy, posted about his project — replacing the internal combustion engine with a Tesla Model 3 battery pack and powertrain — in a Toyota Tacoma forum.
It was dubbed the “Tescoma” by forum users and Drew himself. Drew posted about the progress of refitting the engine with Tesla’s zero-emission system.
The process was a laborious one. Drew had to purchase the first-generation 2002 Tacoma from an owner in Tennessee before returning to his native Illinois. The truck was put together using several different auto parts from various brands.
For instance, he used Ridgetech shock absorbers because they fit around the battery pack. He placed the battery pack in the bed and the motor under the hood. A Model 3 drivetrain and battery pack from separate vehicles were installed into the truck. Drew’s masterpiece was complete after finding two sets of wheels and fixing the wiring inside.
Photo Courtesy Drew The Car Guy
The inspiration for the Tescoma came from Drew’s experience driving a 2021 Model 3. He said he loved the power and torque of the Tesla, and he was losing so much money on gas in his Toyota 4Runner.
It took a few months, but now he can drive to and from his job site without creating emissions in a reliably old pickup truck that may exceed even Toyota’s official lifespan expectations.
Drew posted a YouTube video of himself driving his creation around. It’s nothing too crazy — he traveled around a few residential streets and parked where he filmed. Inside, he showed how the old meters in the dash were gone, replaced by an iPad with all the metrics in an EV metrics app.
Photo Courtesy Drew The Car Guy
Thanks to a much lighter weight without the engine block, the truck can reach 60mph in 3.5 seconds. It shows the power of customization and further innovations that make it possible. More retrofitting and EV conversion kits are coming every year to keep these classic rides going for longer and with no emissions.
Toyota itself has dabbled in zero-emission conversion. In 2023, the company converted two of its 80s Corollas into electric and hydrogen power ahead of the Tokyo Auto Salon. Several companies have sponsored classic-car EV retrofitting kits to keep them running longer and using less fossil fuels.
