In this video i convert the truck from its original 1954 6 volt system to a newer 12 volt setup! This should be great in the long run for grabbing modern parts and easier startups!
Awesome video, greatly appreciate you making and posting this. Couple other vids on this subject but nowhere near as informative as yours! I can read in manuals or forums but actually seeing what I need to do is extremely helpful. Great job on conversion glad everything is working. Definitely subbing and looking forward to future videos.
I noticed your Texas plate, I live in WV and my '53 Chevy PU came from Dallas ,Texas area bought on Ebay in 2016. The truck had a rebuilt 216 engine and very little rust, but it was pretty beat up, dents everywhere. I totally restored it and did the 6 to 12 volt system much like you did, and you're right, those kits for the swap are kinda expensive, so I went the cheaper route, single wire alternator, wired to the starter post, bracket for it, gas gauge reducer and a volt meter under the dash. You're right , the horn sounds like a freight train!
Very helpful. I'm about to do my 48 GMC. I will be using the 6v starter on 12 volts. Volfandt has been using his 6v on 12v for many years with no problems. Thanks
Great walk through. Covered everything I was questioning. Would like to find a turn signal with cancel. I just adjusted a 51 Chevy that had a signal attached to side of steering column and rolled on the base of the steering wheel. Actually cancels. Can't find new that does the same.
Only thing i would have done differently. Would have went to led headlights. They are a night and day difference and use less power than the old 6v ones did. And are 2-3x as bright as those new 12v ones you got and cheaper. Nice how to by the way..
Thanks , the truck is currently in transit from Dewey AZ to Las Cruces NM , where I am. I will have to check it all out when it gets here !!@@russellnelius
Somebody wired that truck wrong. All chevys, even 6 volts, were/ are negative ground. Some 6 volt GMCs were positive ground along with Fords, dodges, imports etc but not Chevys. Anyone doing this conversion absolutely needs to identify which their vehicle is and proceed accordingly. It's best to switch to 12 volt negative ground. Great video anyway. Thanks for sharing.
With the old battery having 4 caps, I believe that was an 8v battery. A lot of old guys ran 8v batteries in 6v cars for a little added cranking power. 6v batteries have 3 caps, each cell in a battery is 2.2ish volts, 3 cell 6v, 4 cell 8v. Personally I like to keep these older cars 6v, was good enough back then to start them even on below 0 days. Many people now convert to 12 volts because they either don't want to learn how the 6v positive ground systems worked or like to run aftermarket stuff. Many times, if a 6v car is having starting issues the cables are the issue. Its best to run big 0-0 cables on them for cranking amps. As far as parts, you can use any old 6v regulator on them, but many people don't realize you need to polarize the generator after rebuild or change, then they get fed up with them and convert. But you did do an outstanding job showing a conversion. I only converted one for a friend of mine and I went about it the hard way lol. Even rebuilt the generator my self to a 12v alternator.
Hey bud I'm watching this please don't run it to your coil your coil needs to be left alone so all of its power is just to run the engine if you rob power from it. Your timing will change so go to a keyed ignition something might think of they sell a head light wiring harness that will plug into your 6v head light harness but gots it's own relays that will hook up to the battery but uses your original harness to use your factory high low beams they are awesome takes all to load off your factory wires so you don't have a Pretty flame electrical fire just a few ideas good luck looks great
Hello, I just found your channel today and upon viewing this video one thing that no one has mentioned in the comments that I saw, that was not a 6-volt battery that you pulled out that was an 8 volt battery normally used in tractors and some boats. As you probably already know many folks would put in 8 volt battery in a 6 volt system for much better starting and the rest of the truck would run fine. Good video kit from Vintage made easy work of it. Thanks
Found your channel by accident, and worth the watch. Thanks for the information and your time. I'm currently in process of restoration as well. I'm working on a 47' Dodge Deluxe. Are you going to upgrade the brake system to disc w/dual MC?
Hi Russell video was very helpful but I have a couple of questions. 1, did you get the bus port from Vintage Auto Garage? 2, What are the 3 wires you have hooked up to the bus port? 3, Did you have to gap the electronic ignition?
I like your video thank you so much for showing us how to convert from 6 to 12 one thing that I didn't see you doing replacing the starter my question is do I have to replace the starter mine is a 1940 Buick special straight 8 that's when I put the 12-volt battery the starter doesn't work because it's too much power
Russell were did you find that bus bar that you used and mounted in old holes? also did you run the white wire to ignition and then to starter? Do I run a third wire to ammeter to get condition thanks for your help.
Hi Russell, I enjoyed your video. Very educational. I also have a 1954 stock 3100. It was already coverted to a 12 volt system. However, a lot of the wires are just jumbled and hanging. I want to rewire the truck, and I now have the wiring harness. I only need one 12-6 volt reducer for the fuel correct? The other gauges should work fine, hot/cold amp charge? I am using the original gauges as well. I see several convertion boxes, 6-12 volt boxes on the outside firewall. Are they needed anymore. I want to reduce the mess of wires and gadgets. I look forward to a response. Thanks and happy truckin.
That's right the only conversions needed to step down is the fuel gage and heater. I wanted the 12v bus bar you saw me add in the video but that's up to you
It isn't necessary to use a reducer on the fuel gauge. I've converted a number of 47-53 Chevy trucks to 12v, and never used a reducer for anything other than the heater fan motor. My 50 3100 fuel gauge has worked perfectly without the reducer for the 31 years I've owned it!
Great presentation. Just got a 1952 3100 in original 6v. I'll be changing it over to 12v soon. Where did you get that buss bar in place of the voltage regulator.
Good morning sir, I did the conversation but my volt meter is reading below 12. My question is when you run the red wire from the alternator to the bus bar is that it? Cause on your video you said to hook up red wire to ammeter but that's where I'm lost. If you can help me out please.
when you put the reducer in for the fuel gauge did you put something behind the screw head. I was about to hook mine up and looks like it will touch the gauge housing, im going to put a gauge insulator on then the reducer.
There is no need to do this. If you use the CORRECT 1 gauge battery cables, and a Group 2, not Group 1, battery, you will have no starting troubles. And if you want more power, you can use an 8 volt battery, (4 cells). They are easy to find. Even Amazon sells them.
That truck's starting motor uses 6 volts as do other electric components. Wouldn't a resistor for it be needed for 12 volts? Nothing said about starter.
@@russellnelius thanks im looking at a 1951 gmc really good bones but the 12 volt needs doing along with a new rear bumper and some paint. Keep us posted.
@@russellnelius Strange. I am pretty sure it was not "born that way". Bet is someone was looking up a GMC when they wired it earlier or something like that. Oh well...whatever works huh? Did you learn any more on that deluxe cab chrome and paint treatment?
don't want to rain on your parade but if these old eyes don't fell me I could swear you have a 8 volt battery not a 6 volt too many caps on top of the battery to be 6 volt 6 volt battery only have 3 caps on top now you know I. like your video though
