Hey guys,

Wanted to get some opinions both for and against converting to 12 v to help me make up my mind whether or not I want to go that route.

Would appreciate all the feedback I can get, if you've done it, do you regret decision? Would you do it again? If you haven't, why did you choose not to? Possible headaches to look forward to if I do it, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Rob

 

An unmolested stock original that you will show at a real concourse judging where the judges know what they're judging? If yes, leave stock. Chances are the average parking lot judge won't know and people choice won't know or care.
Otherwise, the benefits of 12 Volts are there and many, especially if you drive the truck.
A lot cheaper to install a GM alternator than restore a 6 volt system.

And like Doc said and I did not read into your question: Is there a reason to switch? No reason, no switch.

 

Rob,
I am just starting on mine. After 5+ yr old 6volt battery died, decided to do it. It will be so much easier to jump start, get some tunes in it etc. I decided to do it. Purchased a 3 wire alternator, got a 12 volt battery, just need a few more bits and then I'll begin. After the 12 volts is done I am going to replace the harness and re wire the whole truck! Good luck with yours if you do it.

 

This has been discussed many times here. A search of the topic will show you many old threads discussing this. Here's my 2 cents. My 49 is still 6 volt positive ground. I left mine 6 volt because, quite frankly, it hasn't given me enough of a reason to go through the expense, work, and time of a conversion (as minimal as that might be). As long as I can walk out to my truck, hit the starter button, and it hauls me up and down these country roads, I'll focus my energy elsewhere. You have to ask yourself am I doing this conversion because I truly need better lighting, more reliable cranking power, etc. (i.e. do you make your living with your truck), or am I doing this because "that's what everybody else does" with these old vehicles? Other than that, I think your daily driving conditions (i.e. busy freeways with psycho drivers vs. 2 lane country roads where people wave at you with all 5 fingers instead of the middle one) should help you decide which is best for you.

 

take it from me . just convert it and be done with it ! my 53 was in need of a rewire , part of the reason it's been down , and had a botched 12 volt conversion . i was gonna go back to oe , then to a 12 volt with powergen , but in the interests of price it's gonna be reborn with a 12volt system and a plain old 1 wire alternator again . ain't out for points , just reliability . the 52 customline i also have and am currently arguing with had to have the conversion and a complete rewire . i put an 8 volt in it , had the regulator adjusted for like 9- 9.5 volts per what i was told , and the generator rebuilt , and an 8 volt battery . worked like a charm for about a month when all hades let loose and everything got toasted . it's now equipped with an ez wire harness a friend had for his chebby truck , modified to work here and there , and the aforementioned 1 wire alternator . it's all trouble free now ... wish the rest of it would stop giving me crap now ............