Hello everyone,

im in the process of getting my dads 1951 F1 back on the road and first things first she needs a battery.

Now i know shes 6V but im not sure of anything else. Does anyone else have a battery spec i could use to match up to a modern equivalent?

Thanks very much.

Dan

 

Is there a Tractor Supply store near you? If so, they sell them (even though the kid working there may not realize it). They sell two 6 volt batteries--one small one that will fit easily in the truck, the other one must be used on submarines or something, lol, because it's huge!

If you don't have a Tractor Supply, I would still check with a farm supply store because they keep them in stock for the old tractors, etc.

Welcome, where are you located? And the other standard question--got any pics?

 

Yeah there are a couple of tractor suppliers near me but the one i spoke to wanted to know cranking amp's and stuff like that. Maybe I just wasn't talking to the right guy.

Thanks for the welcome. Im in the UK, on the south coast.

 

Looong skinny rectangular 6V battery's used on, for example: 1941/54 Packard straight 8's.

10653-5 1948/55 truck 6V & 1956 truck 12V battery chart:

 

Welcome! That is a fine looking truck! Personally, I would measure the size of the battery tray and get a 6v battery that will fit in the space. More cranking amps are desirable, I doubt that you'll have too many choices.

DW

 

Make SURE the new battery has the positive/negative terminals in the SAME location as the original battery.

Some GM/ChryCo batteries have the terminals REVERSED!

 

Welcome to FTE!

I went with the Optima Red Top battery and got a faux cover from Specialty Battery Sales in Bothell, WA. specialtybattery@gmail.com Kirk White 425-483-9184 or 425-381-7015 (cell)

I got the battery from Amazon. It's not cheap, but it has 800 CCA, and I haven't needed to run a battery tender on it. Amazon has them right now for $125.




Use heavy cables for 6 volt systems. These top ones are 1/0 cable. I got mine from 51PanelMan.



Here it is installed.

 

Just to clarify, the V8 battery is located on the passengers side, the six cylinder is like Joe's bottom picture, on the driver's side.

 

Be aware that 6V battery cables are much larger in diameter than 12V cables.

 

Group 2 is the big 6 volt and should fit. the dimensions vary slightly by brand.

Here in the states they're not stocked by most places anymore but can be ordered.

 

Nice looking truck, but it doesn't look like an F1. The fender openings are larger than on the F1 and the bed looks to be from an F2-F3 truck. That wouldn't matter for the battery. Just thought I'd point out that the truck doesn't appear to be an F1. What are the first two characters on the data (VIN) tag?

Like Joe, I have a 6v Optima battery with the fake battery cover and 1/0 welding cables being used as battery cables. I can help you acquire the items here in the states to mail to you if needed.

 

Ha, I think you're right. She's got a longer bed and by 3 minutes of research it looks like its an F2. I know nothing about US trucks, we all have to start somewhere I guess. I'll grab the vin anyway and post it up later today.

Thanks for all the information on the battery and cables - I'm going to grab one at the weekend from a local supplier so should have enough juice to crank it round after giving a it mini service. Once that's done I'll look into getting something like the ultima.

51panelman thanks- I may be calling upon you to find me some parts in the future

 

I had the 1/0 cables made for Joe after I had some made for my truck. Let me know if you need help sourcing parts.

 

X2 on getting an Optima Battery. And Mate' that is a damn nice truck weather it is an F1 or F2 or F whatever. Drive her and enjoy it and change what she tells ya she needs changed to better serve ya both. Like pull a couple of leaf springs to soften the ride some and like that.