[Rolandus]

I'm wondering if the base Lightning Pro can be hacked for "2 wheel rear drive only" for extended range? For us drivers living in the dry flat lands, extended range would be preferred over 4 wheel electrical drive. Thinking that a smart aftermarket manufacturer could come up with a ball-bearing front wheel conversion package, remove the front drive electrical motors (or by-pass them), thereby cutting the available power from 426hp to 213hp rear wheel drive only, and thereby extending the range significantly? Or, better yet, make it a switchable 2 wheel/4 wheel drive system?

 

[Junk in the Frunk]

This seems like it should be totally doable and you'd think Ford would offer it as an option to save folks from having to mess around too much.
I wonder what kind of efficiency gains you'd see. The other EVs I can think of where there's two models with equal batter capacity and the only difference is 2wd vs. AWD are WAY more aerodynamic than the Lightning - is it possible it wouldn't bring much extra range? I genuinely have no idea.

 

[GDN]

This would be a simple driving mode. I will get in trouble if I dive into the specifics, however I believe it is the type of motor Ford is using, it does not do well just spinning - not engaged. This is why you can't flat tow these trucks. I would think they could reduce power to one motor though and add a driving mode for efficiency.

Tesla did this, but I believe it was the cars they had an induction motor in the front and a permanent magnet motor in back perhaps. Again, I'll get in over my head in what I remember, but there may be limitations on what Ford can do because both motors are of the same type.

 

[Voltz]

Again, I'll get in over my head in what I remember, but there may be limitations on what Ford can do because both motors are of the same type.

You got it just fine. Ford could have put an smaller induction motor in front instead of using two identical permanent magnet motors. There's probably a reason they didn't. I'll dive in over my head and guess and say it's probably for competent off-roading.

 

[bobrosco]

Here's Why Ford Didn't Build A Cheaper Single Motor F-150 Lightning

It’s not exactly what you’re suggesting, but it covers similar possibilities.

 

[FM_Jack]

Here's Why Ford Didn't Build A Cheaper Single Motor F-150 Lightning

It’s not exactly what you’re suggesting, but it covers similar possibilities.

As I was reading I thought, "wouldn't that compete with their other lines?" and then I got there.

 

[ja4jackallen48]

Be nice if it was a switch to turn off for just commuting and turn on for off road towing etc.

 

[2023 lighting]

How about an ICE F150 conversion by SEA. They already have a work van platform - a Ford Transit

 

[ChasingCoral]

You got it just fine. Ford could have put an smaller induction motor in front instead of using two identical permanent magnet motors. There's probably a reason they didn't. I'll dive in over my head and guess and say it's probably for competent off-roading.

One word: Power!

 

[Voltz]

One word: Power!

It ain't power if it ain't on the road. 🚭

 

[RickKeen]

Cutting that relatively small amount of weight of the front drive motor and drive shafts would not increase the range significantly.