Two different eras of Nissan vehicles collide in this 1987 Nissan Sunny that’s been converted to LEAF all-electric power by TPC.
Built by South Carolina-based tuners Tommy Pike Customs (TPC), this 1987 Nissan Sunny features the electric drive motor and 40-kWh lithium-ion battery from a 2nd-gn Nissan LEAF under the skin. And, despite having “just” 147 HP and 236 lb-ft of TQ, this Sunny can move!
That’s because the electric LEAF motor has more than twice the power — and more than three times the torque! — of the original, gas-powered four-cylinder engine the Sunny came with from the factory.
“I bought the Sunny Truck because I thought it was such a cool piece of Nissan history and heritage – especially when I saw it was a right-hand-drive model,” said Tommy Pike, owner of both TPC and this incredible, one-off Nissan. “Taking the unexpected step of converting the Sunny to electric power while wrapping it with the Brock Racing Enterprises livery felt like the perfect way to pay homage to Nissan’s heritage and modern innovation.”
Other modifications to the LEAF-powered, TCP-built electric Nissan Sunny pickup concept include:
- Nissan LEAF electric motor conversion with factory-original 56A manual transmission
- Custom CNC-machined motor-to-transmission bellhousing adapter
- “Hakosuka” Skyline widebody kit
- Aluminum battery box
- Custom driveshaft
- LED lighting conversion
- Heavy-duty rear leaf springs and suspension
- Nissan 240SX S13 front suspension conversion, including front coilovers, disc brakes and lower control arms
- Tommy Pike / Peter Brock collaboration custom Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) “46” livery
- Custom user interface display designed by Clemson University ICAR
- TPC custom-designed and handcrafted interior with Laedana material by Tesca
- 17-inch Rotiform wheels
- 205/45/17 Toyo Extensa tires
Nissan LEAF Sunny Pickup x TCP at SEMA 2022
SOURCE | IMAGES: NISSAN.
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2 Responses
Great looking truck BUT it’s electric?! Building this as an EV is NOT paying homage to Nissan’s heritage, it’s a slap in the face! 😡
So, just to be clear, you are COMPLETELY unaware of Nissan’s pioneering efforts to bring hybrid tech to motorsports in the early 00’s and the fact that their LEAF was the first mainstream BEV offered … anywhere? Cool.