6V versus 12V

[jeffjjeep]

I just bought a 1957 Willys pickup and verified its date through the serial number search. It has all the signs that it was 6V and converted to 12V even though 1957 was suppose to be 12V. I found a 6V flasher burned out, but most everything else is 12V including a conversion to an alternator. Any thoughts?

[gmwillys]

In my opinion, in the case of your '57, I would keep the 12 volt since you are already running it sans the 6volt flasher. This is a departure to my usual 6 or 24 volt love. If your Jeep was a 2A through a 3B, and it came to you as a 6volt, then I would leave it alone. This is my personal opinion, and there is no right or wrong answer. If you plan on running your Jeep every day, then I would run 12 volts for ease of finding repair parts.

[jeffjjeep]

I guess I was asking if a 1957 could be 6V. I thought they changed in 57 to 12V. (Matters not, it will stay 12V.)

[gmwillys]

It's a crap shoot when it comes to how Willys manufactured their vehicles. Your truck might have been a truck that was actually a '56, but didn't sell. They were famous for stamping the previous years run with the next year's number sequence. Much like the wagons, you will see on occasion a wagon that is a '64 or even a '65, even though they "quit" production in '63. Chief LarrBeard said it best, what you see is what you have. Keeping yours 12 volt will work best in the long run. Parts are more reasonable for 12 volts, plus you don't have to be careful about jumping it off if you have troubles.

[jeffjjeep]

That makes sense since it supposedly a "transition year". Thanks for the insight.