Jack Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Could any one be as kind as to let me know the full cost, of converting a GMC to 12 volt. Costings by each product would be great including making the bracket for the alternator.......if you need one and anything else you can think of? Many thanks. Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karoshi Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Jack, Jolley engineering sells complete conversion kits for the jimmy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted December 24, 2005 Author Share Posted December 24, 2005 Nice one! Have you got a link......or I am just being lazy :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whistlinwolf Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 You should know by now Jack that there never is a full cost!!! Its really an open cheque you have just thrown in the bottomless pit Its great isn't it. Merry Christmas to all of you on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Is this the place in question? http://www.classicheads.com/Homex.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Hi Jack The cheapest way to do it is to use a s/h Bosch alternator off a Mk4 Escort with new battery,w/light,resistor for fuel gauge and bulbs from local auto - elec wholesaler, give me a bell and I will explain how easy it is. PM with tel nos follows. Cheers Degsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 Hi all, with the jeep i`ve been thinking of going twelve volt but have stayed with six volt so far, are there any real advantages for changing to twelve ?? Ashley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted December 26, 2005 Author Share Posted December 26, 2005 Hi all, with the jeep i`ve been thinking of going twelve volt but have stayed with six volt so far, are there any real advantages for changing to twelve ?? Ashley Karoshi pretty much sealed it for me as when he last came down in his GMC he had converted it to 12 v. The advantages of it are as I see it, and from Karoshi's experience is that now we are using these MV's for different reasons. For instance with 12 volt you can use all of the plug in adapters to run your kit/equipment in your cigarette lighter - fridge to keep your beers cold. You can wire up a flashing amber beacon when you are on the road, you can jump start it from most vehicles etc etc. It also spins that engine over a quicker! Cheers Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 If you do a lot of night driving it improves your lights, we have not done the jeep but may do in the future. A mate has changed his to 12v using a dynamo in order to keep the original look and is pleased with the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Bombini Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 Now Jack, Why in the world would you want to convert your truck to 12v :?? Yes, you are right, they do have their advantages, esp. the fact that it is much easier to find electrical parts. My dad converted his 1948 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup truck to 12v when he restored it. You probably already knew this, but you do not need to convert your starter to 12v. It just turns much faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest matt Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 Hi Nick, You can put 12 volts through a 6 volt starter but it won't last long,my CCKW had been "converted" at some time.I'm in the process of putting it back to six volt.they work well so long as the battery is big enough. Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted December 29, 2005 Author Share Posted December 29, 2005 Hi Nick. Like most things in life, there are pro's and con's. I intend to drive mine on the roads a fair bit and I see all of the benefits of having a 12 volt system in place. That said, I also understamd that it is another step away from it's originality.............but I also intend to have a GMC that I will rebuild from the chassis up and use nothing but NOS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 Hi Jack Nice idea but I think you will find that some parts are completely unobtainable and they sure aint gonna make anymore. Cheers Degsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Jack my jeep is 12v and if any parts are missing make them or get them made, best bet really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Bombini Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Matt, You are right in the fact that a 6v starter won't last long with 12v, but there is a catch. My dad never converted his starter to 12v and it has been almost 20 years since he restored the truck. The thing that kills the starter is when people use it for extended periods of time, i.e., longer than 5-10 seconds. If you are careful, you can use a 6v starter motor with a 12v system, it is just not recommended. I personally prefer 6v but it all depends on how much you are going to use your vehicle, how avaliable 6v items are in your area such as batteries and chargers, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Following on from Matt and Nick's thread, when I stripped down my engine and looked at the starter ring and bendix gear they were knackered, chewed to bits, so one can assume that the starter is 6v, but saying that I will leave it at 12 volts otherwise it is another job and more expense to convert back, BUT I never had any trouble starting it if used wisely as Nick said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 With a 12v system we have found that starting is instantaneous, whereas when we used 6v the engine would sometimes have to be turned over for a long period even though it was tuned correctly. I know some people who have used a 12v system for years with no problems, after all a Jimmy is not likely to be used on a daily basis. I realise that a Jeep may be used for daily transport and the 6v system is adequate for starting but the downside is the lighting, glow- worms come to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 I realise that a Jeep may be used for daily transport and the 6v system is adequate for starting but the downside is the lighting, glow- worms come to mind. Hmmm - parts excepted then - if then going from 6v to 12v is an improvement - why would anyone want to convert DOWN from 24v to 12v?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Hi Neil It's usually cost and availability of parts. Cheers Degsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted January 3, 2006 Author Share Posted January 3, 2006 This is from Jolley Engineerings website; Alternator Conversions Convert to 12 volts using an alternator instead of generator and regulator. At present we have 3 off-the-shelf kits available, and will be adding to these in due course. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Each kit consists of a reconditioned Lucas alternator, pulley, pulley fan, heavy duty bracket, adjuster arm, fan belt, wiring loom, warning light, all nuts and bolts, comprehensive instructions and wiring diagram. The alternator has a built-in regulator, so the control box becomes redundant and can be left in place (but not used) or removed as you wish. Willys MB, Ford GPW GMC WW2 Dodge WW2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now I am sure that I say a price on there yesterday for £109 for a GMC but I can't seem to find it now..... :oops: Looks a great price to have 12 volt 8) and where I will be going to buy a kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Hi Neil It's usually cost and availability of parts. Thanks Degsy!!! Bear with me on this, I'm feeling my way into this potential minefield propor to investing my hard earned readies, is it really hard work to locate reasonably priced 24v spares given the amount of kit Phoney Tonies cronies have been decommissioning recently???? TIA, Neil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scammell4199 Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 Hi all, I converted our jeep to 12 volt for two main reasons, better starting and more powerful lights. For those who crave originality like me, you can get your 6 volt generator rewound to put out 12 volts, this cost me £205 at the lucas rewind centre in yeovil, somerset. Take the guts out of your 6 volt regulator housing and you can very discreetly mount a 12 volt regulator from a mini or something like that inside. Different coil, condenser and light bulbs and the jobs a good one. Starter doesn't need rewinding, it can handle the extra voltage for the short periods of time it operates for. Anyone wants more details email me at: scammell4199@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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