I snagged an incredibly solid F100. It's got a trusty 223 I-6 with a 3 speed bolt action on the column. It's very original and everything works. Having said that... I think the generator needs to go... I don't want to hack it but it's not a show truck either. It's a patina truck! How difficult would it be to keep the charging light and throw a GM 1 wire alternator in it. We'd eventually like to put a Cl***ic Air conditioning kit in it and possibly a hidden radio. So the Generator needs to go. Does anybody have a simple solution or diagram to convert this bad boy? Thanks HAMB.
Yeah thanks. That generation isn't as popular but I think they are coming on a little. I want to do a disc brake conversion and an alternator conversion. But keep all the original parts.
I recently sold a '55 Dodge truck that I converted from 6 volt to 12 volt and I used a one wire GM alternator. Five months ago I bought a '64 F100 and I am considering doing the same to it as it also has a generator. I think that all that you need to do is run a heavy wire from the alternator to the positive side of either the battery or the starter solenoid. You will also do away with the voltage regulator. That's where I need to do some more research, as there are wires running from my generator to the regulator etc. I've been busy with other things on mine for right now, but the GM alternator is definitely on the 'to do' list. Hope that this helps....and, btw, NICE truck! Drive the wheels off of it....
Yeah that's my concern. I'm not real electrical savvy but I get the gist of it. I need to find out how to charge the system yet not byp*** power to the gauges, headlights, etc
Obtain a wiring diagram of your truck and it will help you understand how to wire in the alternator. These old trucks do not have complicated wiring schematics. That's how I did the '55 Dodge. It really was really easy after all was said and done. Basically, you want the alternator to keep your battery charged and run your trucks electrical system.
You could just remove the wires from the generator to the regulator (on the regulator end) and as has been pointed out run the alternator wire (use #10 or heavier wire) to the positive battery cable or the hot side of the solenoid....good luck! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Oh by the way love your truck!....I've got a 60 3/4 ton 4weel drive about half done.....looking to get her finished some day! Yours is a little inspiration! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
On my Buick, I just ran the alternator wire to the bat post on the regulator, effectively byp***ing it. Ben
As long as you do not put too much load on the Generator it is actually a better charging system than an Alternator. It will charge a dead battery after a jump. A alternator can not fully charge a low battery, it just maintains. The only reason they were phased was was due to all the accessories that were added in the 60s. On a simple system they do fine if they are in good order. They are easily rebuilt and as long as the the voltage regulator is in good order it should serve you well, that is until you add accessories like extra lights AC ect ect.. Go three wire if you decide to use an alternator.
Well, we are going to add AC, a hidden radio etc. pretty sure a generator won't power up that blower fan.
****** growls a little bit in high gear. I think I'll rebuild that once I put a clutch in it. The clutch is new but has a lot of chatter. Perhaps I can get away with just surfacing the flywheel. I love rolling and driving projects. Been a while since I didn't do a frame off. It's fun to tinker these days. The full 2 year restorations takes the fun out of it. I think I'll keep this one a driver.
You will have to make sure you put in a ballets resistor in to the points or you'll burn them up. Found the hard way after changing them 3 times in my 64 f100. The previous owner did the alt. swap and didn't put one in then it started to misfire. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.
Darn good info Hip. Thought BR's were only for Mopars. [emoji57] I don't doubt you at all, I'm trying to educate myself why the ballast would be byp***ed? How does putting an alternator on suddenly byp*** it? Thanks.
I have a 57 f100 and I put in an alternator from a mid 70's GM pickup with internal regulator. Has 3 wires, one main feed to bat, one smaller wire on reg to bat post on back of alt, and the other one I ran from the gen light in the dash. Now the gen light works the way it is supposed to. Been running it like this for 2 months with no problems. Hope this helps. By the way awesome looking truck. Wish mine looked this good!
Just had my generator rebuilt and bought a new regulator. Charging like nobody's business! I appreciate the benefits of an alternator but I still cringe everytime I see one strapped to a vintage motor. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The Jalopy Journal
