Introducing the Electric Duster Project

GhostDuster said

Speaking of Speed and Range... was a little suprised that since you were doing a electric conversion Duster that you didn't use the lightest production version available...

That being the 1976 only "Feather Duster" with its special aluminum bracing in the fenders, trunk lid and hood, plus the bumper mounts etc.

You might consider changing side (including door) and rear window to thin lexan or plexiglass with aluminum shim in frame area...

going to light weight bumpers, either aluminum or fiberglass, fiberglass hood if not already done, lightest alloy mags available

Walt

Click to expand...

Hey Walt,
I actually didn't set out to convert a Duster specifically. Last year I had decided to do some kind of a conversion, but I really hated all of the little cars that people usually use. I got to thinking, even if I converted a Honda or something, I probably wouldn't want to drive it.

I love '70 and '71 Dusters and have one of each. I started thinking about using one of those because it was something I already owned, and it was a car I knew I would still love to drive when it was finished. I did some research and discovered it was feasible. After that, the more I thought about the idea, the better I liked it.

I know I'll probably have to lighten it up some to get the most out of it. But keeping it looking the same as it does now is important to me. There are lots of ways to shed pounds. I probably should swap out the 8 3/4 rear end but I don't want to lose those big brakes. I guess the "weight loss" will be a project of its own.