Hi I am working on restoring a 1955 Dodge pick up truck. My nephew who thinks he knows everything is helping. I want to rewire truck it is a 6 volt now, my nephew wants me to up grade to 12 volt. He feels 12 volt would be a much better choice. What is the feed back on using a higher volt ? Thank You

 

If you are rewiring the whole truck, now's the time to do it. You will need larger wires for the increased amp draw.

 

Converting to 12V is a wise choice, Many people do it. No more generator, 6 volt replacement parts (harder to come by compared to 12V). No down side to it unless you want your truck 100% stock.

 

Thank you guys rewiring whole truck going to go 12 v

 

Actually the amp draw will be cut in half. Each load amounts to so many watts of power. Watts = Volts X Amps. If the voltage is now twice then the amps will be half. Say a certain load is 20 amps at 6 volts. That equals 120 watts. Divide 120 watts by 12 volts and you get 10 amps. That's why 12 volt battery cables are so much smaller gauge than 6 volt cables....

I agree, if you're considering converting to 12 V, now is the time to do it.

 

I've done two of mine. A 49 Dodge 1 ton, and my 36 Plymouth. I used the GM internally regulated alternator (you need to fabricate a bracket, or modify the generator bracket). It allows you to abandon the voltage regulator. Make sure that you change all bulbs, and since you're going from + ground to a - ground, switch the wires on the coil, ammeter, and make sure that you put a resister in the gas gauge or you'll fry it as soon as you turn the key. Any accessories (heater motor, fans, etc) will also need a resistor installed (I used a MoPar ballast resistor on the firewall for these, but the amp draw for the fuel gauge will need one specifically to handle the light amp load. Better lights, better starting, and easier to add accessories. MBF