6 volt / 12 volt.
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New User
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6 volt / 12 volt.
I would like to say hello, and ask a question. I recently purchased a 54 F250 that belonged to my grandfather. I am thinking about restoring it and know I will have several questions. I thought I would throw in with asking if all 54's came from the factory 6 volt?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,927
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From: Houston
Almost all 54s were 6V. You could special order a truck or ambulance that had a huge amount of electrical load with 12V, but I have never seen one stock. Keep it 6V. If your electrical system is in good shape it is all you need. If your electrical system isn't in good shape you need to fix it anyway. Just don't try running 6V in small diameter 12V wires.
Edit: I totally missed that this is your first post until abe commented in the next post. Welcome to FTE!
Edit: I totally missed that this is your first post until abe commented in the next post. Welcome to FTE!
Last edited by 38 coupe; Apr 12, 2016 at 07:33 PM. Reason: add welcome
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,375
Likes: 5,385
From: Central PA
Yes, Ford did not begin using 12 volt for trucks until 1956.
Welcome to FTE, the best Ford Truck Forum on the World Wide Web! Two things we require..... you need to tell us more of the story about your grandfather's truck and you have to post pictures of it!
I have my Grandpa's 54 F100. He bought it new. There are lots of us here that have their Dad's or grandfather's, or Great grandfather's truck.
Welcome to FTE, the best Ford Truck Forum on the World Wide Web! Two things we require..... you need to tell us more of the story about your grandfather's truck and you have to post pictures of it!
I have my Grandpa's 54 F100. He bought it new. There are lots of us here that have their Dad's or grandfather's, or Great grandfather's truck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,375
Likes: 5,385
From: Central PA
Almost all 54s were 6V. You could special order a truck or ambulance that had a huge amount of electrical load with 12V, but I have never seen one stock. Keep it 6V. If your electrical system is in good shape it is all you need. If your electrical system isn't in good shape you need to fix it anyway. Just don't try running 6V in small diameter 12V wires.
And remember it is positive ground.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
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My f1 is stock 6v. New commercial Napa 6v battery, rebuilt generator and starter, and new wiring harness from sacremento vintage. I can drive at night with really bright lights on both ends, magic air heAter on, am radio going, and working turn signal. A well maintained and restored electrical system makes the old truck reAlly cool and authentic. Keep it 6v and pump a little money into. That and new tires are musts in my book and big bangs for the buck.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
Also, I just bought 6 volt halogen headlights that look like old style headlights. They draw less amps and are brighter, they say. I haven't used them yet, since my truck was in the body shop and is home now but but I still do not have my seat back from the upholsterer.
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Apparently, the 6 volt to 12 conversion has already be done. I would like to restore it back to original condition. I just wasn't sure if it was originally 6 volt because the shop manual I ordered showed both 6 volt and 12 volt for 54's and 55's.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Apr 2016
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My f1 is stock 6v. New commercial Napa 6v battery, rebuilt generator and starter, and new wiring harness from sacremento vintage. I can drive at night with really bright lights on both ends, magic air heAter on, am radio going, and working turn signal. A well maintained and restored electrical system makes the old truck reAlly cool and authentic. Keep it 6v and pump a little money into. That and new tires are musts in my book and big bangs for the buck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,375
Likes: 5,385
From: Central PA
Check Mid Fifty. I bought an original style harness from them when I did my truck 17 years ago. I don't know if they still sell them. I am pleased with mine.
BTW: nice truck! Thanks for the pics.
BTW: nice truck! Thanks for the pics.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
Yes for a 1950 F1. I shopped around a lot for a good quality USA made cloth harness. I settled with sacremento vintage because they built one with the turn signals built into the harness. All I had to do was change the parking light sockets. I bought all of the peripheral wires as well to match like the headlight crossover, dome light, horn, fuel sender, etc. It was expensive but I am really happy with it and it's very clean and original looking. My turn signals are like any modern car. Using hand signals at night during a rain or fog is really a poor idea these days IMHO.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 101
From: Marana, Arizona
Welcome to the forum and Nice Truck!
I just put an original style harness in my 52. I like the way it looks and matches the schematics in the manual. Got most of mine from Bob Drake and some from Dennis Carpenter. You have to buy all the "harnesses" to put together to make one complete harness.
I also bought some cloth covered wire from Rhode Island Wiring along with the correct brass terminals and connectors. I had to make my own small harness for the wipers and fuel tank sender. I also replaced all the wires on my vintage Signal-Stat #800 turn signal switch and out to the signals with the colors that matched the Signal-Stat schematic. More expensive than a modern universal harness but, I'm staying stock. Very simple and just looks right on an old stock truck.
If you're not in a hurry you can wait for sales. I bought most of my stuff around Christmas for 20% off and free shipping.
Scott
I just put an original style harness in my 52. I like the way it looks and matches the schematics in the manual. Got most of mine from Bob Drake and some from Dennis Carpenter. You have to buy all the "harnesses" to put together to make one complete harness.
I also bought some cloth covered wire from Rhode Island Wiring along with the correct brass terminals and connectors. I had to make my own small harness for the wipers and fuel tank sender. I also replaced all the wires on my vintage Signal-Stat #800 turn signal switch and out to the signals with the colors that matched the Signal-Stat schematic. More expensive than a modern universal harness but, I'm staying stock. Very simple and just looks right on an old stock truck.
If you're not in a hurry you can wait for sales. I bought most of my stuff around Christmas for 20% off and free shipping.
Scott