JEEP Power Wheels 24V ESC Build

[awehlage]

So I caught the bug (no thanks to Sall!) and decided to do a little something fun for my daughter. She always says "go fast daddy" while in the 2G so speed is what she's going to get.

Picked up a Barbie Jammin' Jeep off Craigslist for $50. It was dirty and the battery didn't hold a charge. Could have just slapped a new battery in there and cleaned it up but what's the fun in that!

The plan is to install a variable throttle system like that on a power scooter. Upgrading to 24V will give it some more speed while retaining stock motors and gearboxes. Will also lift it 4" and use 14" wheels (OEM is 10"). Paint scheme is going to be Krylon Fusion Satin Black and Krylon Fusion Plum with a glitter spray on top. Will add lighting (DRLs, "fog lights", parking lamps, tail lamps, and LED underbody lights....for now) and possibly an upgraded audio system since it is originally equipped with a working FM radio.

Many parts coming from overseas so it won't be a quick project. Also have to let paint fully cure before putting back together.

Initial pickup of said project:











Broken down



Cleaned up



Painting has commenced

[awehlage]

Progress (very slow). All pieces painted with Krylon Fusion.





Battery Compartment


Hall Effect Pedal (right) and Brake Pedal (left)


Door Hinges (Purple), Steering Wheel, Front/Rear 2" Lift Modules


Motor Leads (10ga)


Front Bumper Modification for "Foglamps"



ESC Wiring (partially completed)


Completed Wiring Harness


Rear Lights (small red = running lights, small clear = reverse lights, 16" red bar light = pulsing brake light)


Front Marker Lights (Amber)


Windshield


Hubcaps/Wheels




Body Paint (masked off area will be spray on bedliner)


Dash

[awehlage]

No love for the power wheels?!?

Body paint completed and curing. Next is reassembly!

[sall]

Haha I think I may have burned them out! Though some have no idea how much work it actually is to build up and mod one of these. It seriously just like modding and painting a vehicle. It looks sweet none-the-less. She will love it! More mods than most Auroras!

[tigger]

Jul 15, 2015 15:58:08 GMT -6 awehlage said:

No love for the power wheels?!?

Jul 15, 2015 18:34:33 GMT -6 sall said:

Haha I think I may have burned them out!

Not true at all! Love seeing everyone's projects, keep the updates coming...

[RCA1186]

Looks pretty sweet, can't wait to see it all together. Don't worry, I'm following, I just don't comment haha.

[awehlage]

Completed (well 99% done)!! Need to wire in heatsink/fans on motors and install the aftermarket audio system.

Had to elongate factory column 2" to fit with the lift kit.











Replaced crappy white LEDs in 4 diode headlights with Nichia Superflux


18W auxiliary front "fog lamps"


Speedo = blue; Battery level = red


Red LED rock lights


Modified steering column. Cross drilled with nut/bolt.

[tigger]

Haha, sweet!

Wish I'd known you guys when my kids were younger. Now it's "Dad, if I buy the parts, will you ..."

[awehlage]

Tigger...you are never to old! I rode the JEEP around the yard for about 15 minutes at a full 24V ESC!!! Of course I had to put my legs over the windshield, one hand on the wheel and one hand on the throttle pedal. It was midnight and I had a grand old time Gotta give it a good break in, you know?!?!?

[tigger]

Haha, I'm 210. Sounds like a recipe for disaster!

[awehlage]

Maybe Sall would give you a ride on his RC Jeep subwoofer trailer?!?

[sall]

Aug 2, 2015 7:39:02 GMT -6 awehlage said:

Maybe Sall would give you a ride on his RC Jeep subwoofer trailer?!?

[Dan Wogan]

Awesome Andrew! Man I wish my dad could do all this when I had one. Especially love the underglow. Just curious, what's that thing's top speed?

[awehlage]

Stock 12V they say 3mph I think or maybe 5mph but that's probably on pavement. If I were to guess at 24V on payment somewhere around 10mph. Some people up volt to 36V or 48V but then you need to upgrade motors to a scooter or electric razor type.

Sall...what do you think?!?!

[tigger]

Aug 2, 2015 7:39:02 GMT -6 awehlage said:

Maybe Sall would give you a ride on his RC Jeep subwoofer trailer?!?

LOL! Oh yeah, we could sell tickets to see that, haha!

[sall]

I'd guess somewhere between 10-12mph on pavement. Which is pretty quick when you are three haha. I have been meaning to GPS it for speed but never think about it! Stock rides are mostly all governed to 5 mph. A larger wheel has a smaller tooth count gearbox and smaller wheels have higher tooth count. When upvolting from 12V to 24V you are basically doubling the speed. Add larger tires and you are going a bit faster. I think the fastest one we have is a 24V ESC quad with 21T gearboxes on 10" wheels. It is also very light weight.

[Dan Wogan]

Aug 3, 2015 7:48:12 GMT -6 sall said:

I'd guess somewhere between 10-12mph on pavement. Which is pretty quick when you are three haha. I have been meaning to GPS it for speed but never think about it! Stock rides are mostly all governed to 5 mph. A larger wheel has a smaller tooth count gearbox and smaller wheels have higher tooth count. When upvolting from 12V to 24V you are basically doubling the speed. Add larger tires and you are going a bit faster. I think the fastest one we have is a 24V ESC quad with 21T gearboxes on 10" wheels. It is also very light weight.

Haha man that's awesome!

[98redaurora]

Looking good man. Wish I had a ride like that when I was a little kid.

And hey. When your done with it, it shouldn't be too hard to sell, or part out and put the parts into something else.

[sall]

Since we were discussing speed... he hit 15.6mph according to android speedometer app. Bypass the scooter controller at WOT and i bet we could get 18mph or a little more out of it. This thing is heavy too(peg perego apache basically converted to gaucho(blue one in my thread).