So I've been working 5 years restoring my '55 truck. Body is done, new paint, tires, etc. Engine completely baked and rebuilt. The projects I need to complete are new driver and passenger windows, new door hardware, and redoing the interior (headliner, upholstery, etc.)

I store it in a rented garage about 6 miles from my house and don't have a lot of time to spend on it due to 3 little kids, etc. Every time I do to fire it up I need to jump it. I'd love to drive it more, but it's becoming a pain in the *** to start and then i'm worried being out on the roads and the thing dies, etc.

My question is should I convert from 6v to 12v in order to get more starting power???

Let me know your thoughts out there. I'm a newbee conversion guy, so go easy on me

 

I also have a '55 and I was new to these trucks when we acquired it several weeks ago. It has the original positive ground 6 volt system. It was VERY difficult to start when we got it (the previous owners starting instructions including starting fluid and pumping the gas 10x).

My wife wanted to retain originality, so we started looking into the electrical system and the carb (which was leaking).

We replaced the remote starter solenoid ($12), the battery ($75), the generator ($125), the carb ($128), and the coil ($9). We also fixed an improperly grounded starter button. The truck already had new plugs, wires, cap and points.

The truck now starts on the 1st try (after about 5-6 seconds) with 1/2 choke and 2 pumps of the gas.

The point being, if everything is working correctly the 6v system is fine. but to answer your question, the 12v system will give you a "faster" start. Personally, I am happy we took the time to get the 6V system right, it works very well.

Phil

 

Thanks Phil. Great point on the 6v system. I probably need a solenoid and definitely a new battery. I would like it to remain original. I will go this route and see what I uncover. Happy 4th!

 

Your welcome, and btw, I didn't mean to suggest that the 6v system is the "only" way to go. I understand that this has been a bit of a religious battle on here about 6v vs. 12v and I don't want to enter that battle!

I was just happy that we could get the 6v to perform well.

Happy 4th to you too!

Phil

 

Totally agree. I"m all about keeping the 6v and making it work.....less hassle of changing everything out anyway.

Cheers.

 

My 55 F250 spent last winter doing the job of breaking out the driveway after it snows. Yes it does SNOW in southern California. Well at 5,000 ft it does. 6 volt pos ground system on mine as well. I wouldn't change it.

 

Neophyte,
congrats on wanting to keep your truck original and keeping the 6 volt! All the above are correct. But also check out these points: check your cables. I would get new ones even if they look good on the outside. I cut my old one and inside it was corroded. Be sure to get 1 gauge or larger cables. 6 volt needs larger cables to supply the power t start. Get new cables from batt to ground and from batt to starter. I have started my V8 with the 6 volt in the dead of winter at 5 degrees after sitting 2 weeks...

 

I had similar issues in my 52. I still run 6v in all of my old vehicles. I had the generator rebuilt. Bought a new 6v Optima battery and had new cables made out of 1/0 welding cable. I also made sure that the truck had good grounds. 6v systems need good grounds. I have the cab grounded to the frame, the battery to the frame and the engine block to the frame. After I did everything as described, I've had no problems.

I also bought a Battery Tender Jr (6 volt) from Amazon that I use on rare occasions just to make sure that the battery has a full charge.