The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Should I get 6 volt switched over?

When and if I get my 1951 dump truck down here so we can get it going-should we switch over the original 6 volt system? I just need a general idea of what this project will cost just to get it going-with transporting it, getting running and so on. How hard is this to do and do we NEED to do it? Thanks

If the truck is properly tuned there should be no problem keeping it six volt. You just want to be sure when you buy lights and accssories they are for six volt. My 38 does fine on six volts the fifty four I converting to 12 but other than ease of finding lights etc and the starter turning a little faster i see no great advantage.

my 51 gmc firetruck is still six volt. when im being judged at parades people are amazed that my truck is still 6 volt positive ground. they say POSITIVE GROUND :confused: i have additional red lights that i have installed to enhance the appearance with no problems. im amazed how my federal Q siren wails with 6 volts.

no time for dust to collect on my voltage regulator. as for bulbs and such i was just at the macungie "das auwck fest" show last week and picked up some stuff for what i thought was cheap the only thing was i didnt get enough.

i do have a 12 volt flasher in my rear red lights which i tried, waiting for the 6 volt flashers i ordered after forgetting them at the car show. i am going to keep that flasher at 12 volts because it has the perfect flash speed for the lights.

i am keeping mine 6 volt

biggest thing w/ the 6 volt systems is to make sure the grounds are all present, and clean & tight, and that the cables and wiring are the original gauge, not wimpy modern replacements - if you run lots of high draw stuff you can always get a 6V alternator, but mostly the 6Vsystems work fine as w/ the firetruck

Bill

Watch your polarity when installing battery some of the GMC's were positive ground while the Chevys were negative ground

ALL 6-volt GMCs were positive ground after (I believe) the late 1930's.

Thanks for all your help-I will keep it all in mind-I would like to keep most of it original as possiable. Boy when I get it I'm gonna need lots of help-now I know where to go-you all are just soooo smart!

Switch it over...you'll hear both sides, but unless you're die hard old school, the 12 volt deal is the way to go. Do a search on here, but your only real cost is an alternator, a few resistors and some bulbs. Life is so simple afterward....

I've kept alot of my trucks 6 volts, being sure to use 2/0 guage, battery/welding cable. Most of the time, starting problems occur when, in the past, someone has installed modern, smaller cables(12v), in place of the larger(6v)cables.

There's no reason to convert to 12V other than to install power windows, seats door locks, air conditioning etc. If you want modern sounds you can by a converter for it for a lot less trouble than converting the whole truck. Or use a Walkman or Ipod.

No I don't plan on adding power windows, locks or anything other than what the truck had in it originally. I want to keep it basic, and restore it as we go-keep it simple-non of us has the know how to get into converting anything-the last time I had someone put in a basic stereo system in a 1969 Volkswagon-the brake lights and wipers went screwy and never did work after that! Neither did the stereo for that matter-he totally screwed up everything. What a mess-we never did find out what the heck he did to it-I sold it shortly after that. I just wanted to know if it would run and work properly leaving it 6 volt. Thanks for your help once again!