Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts

[Babyboomerboy]

I just bought a 1950 Ford 2 door Deluxe with a flathead V8. I even drove it into the garage after trailering it from Oklahoma to Kansas. It is very original other than a redone interior. It has a 6 volt system but the wires are in bad shape. Should I consider changing over to a 12 Volt system since I am going to replace several wires under the hood. Thank you

[KiWinUS]

Why? 6volt is fine. I would suggest an optima 6 volt battery. Will spin her over like 12volts.

[ford38v8]

No, and why change only "several" wires under the hood? Consider replacing the whole shebang. Tyree Harris makes up original harnesses that pass muster.

[Ken/Alabama]

No, rewire the whole car and install a 6 volt optima battery and you’re good to go ! Some folks for some reason think that they must convert to 12 volts.

[Gene1949]

Given the questionable reliability of repopped ignition and charging parts (hint, NOS is extremely hard to find) it pretty much boils down to how much time you want to spend your time; futzing or driving.

Most of the 12 volt late 50's parts are still available at NAPA and are a bolt on.

[3twinridges]

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Our 52 is still 6 volt and very reliable. New wiring, all electrical components restored, and really good grounding. I honestly don’t think 12v would improve anything on our old truck.

JB

[rjlester]

My 54 Meteor is still 6 volts, works great and I really like it. Won't be bothering to switch over to 12 volts. All original.

I did put a 6 to 12 volt converter behind the glove box and put a phone charger/bluetooth FM transmitter in the ashtray. My original 6 volt radio has FM added to it, so I can listen to my own music from my phone to the FM on the radio. Works awesome. Can even take phone calls. You close the ashtray and it all looks factory.

This is the only electrical upgrade I recommend on a 6 volt car if you plan on driving it a lot.

[38convsedan]

Shoebox Central has a concours correct main dash wiring harness for about $520. (If you’re patient, you may watch/find some for less listed on eBay). I agree with those suggesting a completely new harness.
By replacing only some wires, you’re patching into a 70+ year old system, unsure of wiring condition upstream…

[Jack E/NJ]

>>> Should I convert from 6 volts to 12 volts>>>

Yes.

[1952henry]

New wiring harness and good grounds, good to go. Think about it, these 6 volt systems started cars, pickups, and trucks in the same temps we have now.

[Seth Swoboda]

I have 6V, V8 cars and they start, run, drive reliably. I'm not afraid to go anywhere with them. I drive over 2,000 miles a year in a V8 on 6V.

Buy an authentic wiring harness from one of the vendors and rewire the car. Make sure you have a good ground and an optima battery and go put miles on it.

[Kube]

6 volt cars are VERY reliable if properly sorted.
I have a number of them and have never had an issue.

[pistonbroke]

Well, If you like headaches yes go ahead and change it. If you like driving it ,put in a correct (not the generic p-- that they say all the street rodders are using) and enjoy your car . I've been driving the same three six volt cars for years and not one problem in the last seven. Now a good friend of mine converted his 49 GMC to 12 volts and has had it down to my shop to fix burnt up gauges when the resistor failed and two alternators plus his aftermarket electric wiper motor. He agreed with me that the one size fits all harness was a bad idea and the professional install is not what he was expecting. He says it is time to fix it right and is waiting on his new Rhode Island harness and 6 volt Optima battery.

[oldbugger]

This is a question only you can answer. If you want the new fangled options, go ahead and change to 12 v. If your goal is to drive an old car, you can very well stay with 6v, and it will work just fine. I switched to 12v in my 35, and i am happy, works great.

[Pete]

It is very easy to have both 6 and 12.
12volt batteries can be had with a center tap at 6 volts.
This way you have 12 volts available for late model stuff like
A/C, fancy stereos, high powered ignition etc etc.
The only conversion needed is the charging circuit.
This works good for a stock setup but if you have a lot of 6 volt accessories
you might consider a larger capacity 12 volt battery.

[Zax40]

Both my old '53 and my '40 got the 12V negative ground conversion. But I don't think I would do it again. For me the end result is just not worth the effort to do it on another car.

[Don T]

It seems to me going to 12 volt is the first step on the dark side; go there if you like.

[WRA]

My 40 is still 6v Positive Ground, no problems.

I have a 32 and a Model T that’s 12v, but I’m a mechanic maintain my own cars.

[aussie merc]

only you can answer this its your choice these days . if the harness is toast its toast and no amount of patching will fix it [all you do is find the next problem] .With the amount of 6V leds that are of quality out there these days there is no real gain in lighting to be had YOUR CHOICE

[19Fordy]

If you install a new 6V wiring harness now, you can easily change your car to 12V later on if you want to using the same harness. Keep in mind, once you start changing things, it snowballs as one change necessitates another.
If you think you will be adding accessories requiring 12V, think it through.