Modify Your Power Wheel
Stories, Guides, DIY, How-to on modification of Power Wheels
Modify your Power Wheel experience.
(Don’t let the idea of customization loom over you as an unattainable task. Regardless of your skill level, tools, and personal preferences there is an avenue towards your goal. We have a huge community of enthusiasts that are happy to give you their insight and share their experience. But it is always best to work within your skillset or find someone with the needed skills. Linked below will be images to inspire, links to popular forums, and shops that should help you get started)
Electric Mods
Electric Mods are the best entry into modification.
The easiest mod is to swap original (OEM) parts with upgrades. (Basic tools, no customization work).
The drill battery swap would be the next level up (Basic tools, minimal customization)
Aftermarket electric/gas motor, axle, steering, wheels swaps (variety of tools, moderate-heavy modification). At this level the body of the Power wheel is the only remaining OEM part, Converting to a go kart with a Power Wheel body.
Drill battery swap
Increasing voltage from 6v, 9v, 12v to 18v-20v battery. Here’s a simple step by step, also listed below is Zack Zweifel’s Youtube.
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Choose a compatible drill battery:Select a lithium-ion drill battery with a voltage higher than the original Power Wheels battery (e.g., an 18v battery for a 12v Power Wheels).
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Disassemble the Power Wheels:Remove the existing battery compartment and access the wiring connections.
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Drill holes for the new battery connector:Carefully drill holes in the plastic housing of the Power Wheels to fit the connector from the drill battery.
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Modify the battery connector:If necessary, cut or modify the drill battery connector to fit the existing Power Wheels wiring.
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Wire the new battery:Solder or securely connect the wires from the drill battery to the Power Wheels motor wires, ensuring proper polarity (positive to positive, negative to negative).
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Test and reassemble:Connect the new battery, test the vehicle’s functionality, and reassemble the Power Wheels housing.
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Safety first:Always disconnect the power source before working on the Power Wheels and use appropriate safety gear like gloves and eye protection.
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Check compatibility:Make sure the drill battery you choose is compatible with the Power Wheels motor and circuitry.
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Fuse protection:Consider adding a fuse to the circuit to protect against potential overcurrent situations.Click the photo below to link to Zach Z’s Youtube video for a visual step by step
Zack Zweifel’s Youtube shows his daughters adopting their fathers need for speed. Here he modifys a 12V jeep with a 20v 9AH Dewalt Battery for extra power
DragChamp.com is a great reference for functional modification and drag race builds
Lastly, some photos for inspiration on many different styles of builds varying from purely aesthetic to performance/racing complete builds.
