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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 2012 Posts: 193 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 193 | I know the AD trucks were built using 6 volt systems. But I was curious what year did Chevrolet (or other companies either)start to use 12 volt electrical systems in their trucks as built from the factory? Brian
1952 GMC model 473 dump truck
1951 Chevy 1500 stepside
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,881 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,881 | The 2nd.-generation 1955 Chevy trucks made the switch to 12 volts. I'm not sure when GMC swapped over, nor whether they kept the positive ground system for awhile after the switch to 12V. I don't think so. By 1957, all the major auto manufacturers had standardized electrical systems at 12V negative ground at the urging of aftermarket electrical accessory manufacturers. Freightliner big trucks hung onto the 12V + ground system until the mid-1960's.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
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| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | GMC went through all of 1955 with standard 6v positive ground on small trucks. Large GMC trucks switched to standard 12v (neg ground) in late 1955 (Blue Chip GMC).
All GMC trucks were 12v negative ground in 1956.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | As an interesting aside, I have a set of GM instructions for converting a truck to 12 volts. I think it was published for the year 1949. It was mainly to provide better starting in the winter. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 181 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 181 | I have a first series '55 3100 and it came with a 235 six and twelve volt system. My buddy has a '54 (they look identical) and his has a 6 volt system. A close friend has a '56 Fiord and it is 12 volt. I know the '55 Fords were 6 volt. So maybe 1956 was the changeover for some and others did it in '55?
Normbc9 | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | The 55 1st series truck would have been 6 volt. The 55 2nd series truck would have been 12 volt.
Don't know about the Fords. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | Agreed. If your 55.1 had 12v when you bought it someone ahead of you converted it.
Last edited by Tiny; 09/17/2012 8:56 AM.
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| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Exception to the rule: 1955 GMCs with 6 cylinder were 6V in both series. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Exception to the rule: 1955 GMCs with 6 cylinder were 6V in both series. It is interesting to note that models 100-410 GMC V-8s were 12v, with some of the larger models having optional two/dual 12-v batteries. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,881 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,881 | Ford switched to 12V in 1956, but it was a positive ground system. All auto manufacturers standardized at 12V negative ground in 57, but a few oddball big trucks like Freightliner kept the positive ground system through the mid-1960's. Nash and Packard, and possibly Studebaker also ran 12V positive ground systems for a short time prior to 1957. 6 volt MOPAR cars and trucks were positive ground until 55 or so.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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