So I have a 55 f100 with the straight six. I recently found out through my last post that it is still the old 6 volt system despite it being restored at one time. Engine ran 3 years ago I was told and turns over by wrench so it's all free. I have no battery and everything appears to still be there. Should I switch everything to 12 volt or keep it as is? Just trying to figure out if I should invest money in the 6 volt system or just scrap it and upgrade to 12 volt? Any ideas or help is appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.

 

Really depends on what you want to do with the truck. Up grades such as AC, power windows, power seats? go with a 12 volt system. I did this with my 53. I have a 54 that is going to stay bone stock so I just left the 6 volt system. 12 volt parts are easy to get at any parts store. 6 volt systems, I have had to order every part. Some I get the next day and some parts take several days to get. Wiring has to be a heavier gage due to the amps you pull on a 6 volt system. Not sure if you would buy a complete wiring harness or do it by single wires 1 at a time. Some of those 6 volt wires are not you standard wire size that most people have laying around in their shops. So again it just depends on what you want to do with the truck and how much work you want to do to it.

 

12 volt has many advantages. If you are going to restore the truck to original, stay 6 volts, otherwise consider going 12. The heavier wiring, if in good shape, will handle the 12 volts with ease. The starter will handle the 12v for a long time if not abused.

 

a battery is cheep ,get her running ,get used to how it runs and starts .if your happy with how it works ..enjoy it and work on what bothers you..why change what has worked fine for 50years?? but like the guy's say ..what are you going to do with her ,big tunes.. more light's ??then yah ..but for now ..play with her and enjoy then decide...

 

Plans are to keep it stock as much as possible. I did notice some of the wires are showing their age so that will need to be replaced. I will post a picture when I can because I looked further today and it appears the ignition coil has one of those ceramic reducers on it so I'm not sure now about being a 6 volt. Unless someone knows this is how they looked back then?

 

"Invest in a 6 volt system" ?? A 6 volt battery costs a little more. I have a 6 volt in my truck. I bought a new battery in 1999 and I just replaced it last year, 10 years... good deal. I have had no problem getting 6 volts parts. I replaced my wiring harness 12 years ago. Got it from Mid-Fifty.

If you want to add more lights, AC, stereo then go 12 volt...

6 volts will start your truck just as well as 12 volt, if you have the correct cables from batt to starter and batt to ground...

 

That is a starting resistor. I just bought a coil for my 6 volt that has it stamped on the coil, " starting resistor not needed". So I am assuming that the newer coils have the resistance built in.

As abe pointed out, a 6V should crank just as good as a 12V. I have a thread going right now about the troubles I'm having with my system. Just bought a new battery for $70.00 and still can't get it to crank on 6V but it will on a 12V. After replacing everything electrical it looks like all along it was the brushes in the starter. They are shot! Pulling all the current away from my plugs. New brushes should be here today and I hope by tonight I'm cranking the 54 on the 6V system.

If you are going to keep it stock I would do as some have suggested and just put a 6 volt back in it and drive it awhile.

 

one more vote for leaving well enough alone. I found a 6v battery from Fleet Farm for under $50 on sale. I made my own wire harness, wire by wire. The light, wiper, fan switches and such are pretty darn simple to take apart, clean, and make work again. E-Bay is a great source for parts, just watch the cost and shipping. A lot of the sellers have dreams of big bucks for old used parts, or grossly overcharge for shipping, so do your shopping wisely and research the cost of new for comparison.

Down the road once you understand how it all works and interacts, if you want to change over to 12v it will be much more simple. 12v will live happy as a clam on the next gauge heavier wire you used for the original 6v rewire. Also, keep in mind the original 6v is POSITIVE ground, not negative ground like the standard 12v these days. If you change over you also have to swap the wires around on your gauges and coil, as well as add in voltage reducers to continue to use your stock 6v gauges.

 

Convert it to 12V regardless of what your future plans are for the truck. Lights will be brighter and parts easier to come by. There's a reason the automakers don't use 6V electrical systems anymore...

 

You say you have no battery. That gives you the chance to start from the git go to upgrade to the 12 volt system. That is what I did on my 1953. It is all stock except for that. Do it. You won't be disappointed.

 

I like 6V on the old vehicles. The only reasons I would put 12V in a truck that was originally 6V is to add trailer brakes or air conditioning. Otherwise 12V adds nothing and takes away from the originality.