electrical upgrade
 

I'm putting in all new wiring and going from 6V to 12V. Some have suggested re-winding the old gen. to keep the vintage housing, sounds logical. Then what about reducers and resitors and drops and all that stuff??? Is there a decent book or manual I can refer to? The more I look into this, the harder it seems to do! I'd like to do most of this myself but not spend all summer and a pile of cash trying to figure it out. Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks-JH

This subject has just been discussed on another forum (not FTE). Price certainly can add up. The generator rewind sounds significant but dont know. 46fordtruck said that runtz units can be used to protect your gauges. As I understand it one runtz per gauge. If you have a Ford a new 12 volt sending unit can be bought for the gas tank (around 40.00). If you need a good coil I have three (5.00). New Ballast resistor of 1.5 ohms. New light bulbs and regulator. Stick with your current 6 volt starter. If it is in good condition it will last a long time even with the 12 volt conversion. I think the starter solenoid needs changing. 846-9018
BOL
Mike

Book
 

This information was provided by kooltrucks on another site. Speedway part number 910-85180, "The Official 12 volt Conversion Guide". 11.95. They also have Runtz units. www.speedwaymotors.com

12V conversion
 

If you want the stock look of the original style generator, check out www.powermastermotorsports.com they make an alternator, but it retains the look of the stock flathead generator. The Runtz are easy to install, and protect your gauges in ways the standard reducer will not. I have installed them in one of my '46 pickups.

12 Volt conversion
 

Saw the notes and thought my insights, having just done a 6 to 12 volt conversion could be helpful. The generator rewind cost me a $106.00 plus and when I was ready to add A/C it had to be reomoved and make room for the AC compressor. The first real question to ask yourself is do I want to retain the original look or would after maket gauges and dash plate be more cost effective. Do you plann on rewiring the entire vehicle? Most wiring harnesses from the 50's or earlier are pretty well worn out. I went with EZ Wire, Dolphin Gauges and for a fisrt time novice it came out fine. In addition to a new 12V sending unit for fuel, you will need a new one for oil and water. Then a 12 volt voltage regulator, and a resistor for the coil and a new solinoid. I did keep, untouched my 6-8 volt starter. If it is not broke don't change it. I concur with the replacement of all bulbs, headlight, tailight, barke lights, instruments, parking, turn sigrnal and license plate holder. I do believe that all of the current, OEM, gauges will require a reducer from 6 to 12 volt. Trucktex941

I did the 6 to 12 volt conversion on ,y '41 a couple of years ago. I replaced the guage panel and inserted new VDO guages, trashed the generator for an alternator (mounted front and center just like the generator (brackets available from Red's headers , Patrick's and others. Rewired with a new Ron Francis kit.

As for a 'strarting point'........ A good pair of side cutters and have at it.