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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 | I have a 49 GMC FC351 that is still 6v system. The truck has set for almost 20 years with 63k miles.
As I slowly fixing it up mechanically, tune up, clean the tank, etc... The question is...Is it worth it to convert it to a 12v system or should I leave it alone as a 6v? Does somebody have instructions for what I should expect?
Sorry for sounding like a Green Horn Stovebolter, but this is my first Stovebolt Truck. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,101 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,101 | Hy GMC4Life, I believe your truck is positive ground, so be careful how you hook things up. There is no "need" to convert to 12 volt, however things like 12 volt negative ground alternators are plentiful and cheap, and 6 volt positive ground ones are scarce and more expensive. It is up to you whether to convert or not, a lot depends on what you want to use the truck for, good luck. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | A 6 volt Optima battery, & 2/0 battery cables are all you need. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 | I'm more likely to get a new 6v battery just to get the truck running decent and then look into converting 12v it later.
Thanks Guys for your advice.
Friend and I are in the project together and the truck is getting moved to his house where it will be parked with his 3 Macks! The truck gets moved off the farmer's property in a couple of days. I get more pics and loaded them up Stovebolt Gallery within a week. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 453 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 453 | If you're not planning on having power windows or A/C...I would stay with the 6v. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 184 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 184 | Unless you want to run 12V accessories or are otherwise upgrading there is no reason to "upgrade" to 12V
Make sure you have a good battery, good clean connections and large enough cables and you will be fine. Remember 6V takes LARGER cables than 12V, so you cannot just run down to Napa and get any cable.
1946 Chevy OS 1.5ton, 1955 GMC 3100, along with other various IH,Ford,Nash,MGB,.....
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 478 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 478 | My take is keep everything as original as possible | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 163 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 163 | I just converted my 8n tractor to 12v. My GMC is going to be converted this weekend. A one wire 12v delco 10si alternator is a simple/cheap cure to many charging issues. If you are going to spend any money on your charging system I'd go 12v. | | |
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