It does not help that many new vehicles are built like shit and have complexity for the sake of complexity. Electronic door latches, pop-out door handles, having everything controlled via a clunky, outdated, atrocious GUI, etc etc. These problems are not unique to EV’s but a lot of EV’s are going to have them just because they are brand new vehicles.

I bet if they made an EV without all that crap it would be crazy reliable.

Yeah I'm sad that the rise of EV's coincides with just how extra cars have become in recent years. If you sold me a mid 90s Honda Civic hatchback with an electric drivetrain, no internet connectivity, no electric door handles or touch screens, I'd be happy with it.

I have a 1980’s 4x4 that needs an engine, and I am so very tempted to make it electric. It’s as bare bones as a vehicle gets.

That would be a fun project for sure. If you've got the funds, the time, and the space, I'd say go for it!