convert from 24 volt 12 volt

how hard would it be to convert from a 24 volt system to a 12 volt system.

 

What Glenn and that really is the best way take everything out prefererbly in one piece harness connectors dimmer switch etc, blackouts all of it, and save them. You'll be glad you did in case you want to take it back or the next owner after you does.

 

my father recently purchased an m715 and is still 24 volts.

 

i just figure that price of parts and availability of parts would be cheaper to replace if everything were 12 volts.

 

no pics yet, plans are drive it in original form til the engine takes a dump. Then throw our 383 in it, throw some 38 swampers on it and locker in the rear. might even throw our gm 1 ton drivetrain in her.

 

So that's why your considering coverting to 12 volt. Would make it easier when you swap in the 383. Why swap the drivetrain? It's a dana 60 or 70 there?

 

my dad wants to swap the axles so he can cruise on the hiway at 65 to 70 without the motor revving too high. the gm axles we have are a dana 60 and corp. 14 bolt with 4.56's. i don't know why but he's my dad and what he wants he gets

 

Well Glen since I just changed a M-37 over to 12 volts here is a few reasons to do it. New dist 250.00 plus core, plugs 10.00 each, new plug wires around 125.00, Regulator about 150.00+, generator around 195.00+, head lights 27.00 each. This is not even including the water proof cables to hook them up. New wiring harness is around 500.00-700.00 and a bear to put in. Lots of other little things that are hard to find at the auto store! I converted mine with a free altinator, used 6 volt starter for free, 25.00 outside mounted 12V coil, 35.00 worth of civ plugs and new wires. Got rid of one battry, shorter batt cables with it under the hood now. It starts with a key instead of a pedal on the floor, turns over way faster then the orig 24v starter did, and still has the Military gutted dist in it. I drilled out the 24 volt coil inside and ran a plug wire out to the new 12 v coil. Inserted the civ plug wires into the original dist cap. You can still squirt the engine down with a water hose and it runs just can't drive it under 6+ ft of water. You have to look close to tell it is not original with some OD paint, but sure easy to work on and get tune up parts for it now. Mark

 

I would leave it stock to if it was working and OK. My M37 had to be re/wired due to rot in the old harnest but I kept it 24V for a while. I ran 12 v lights and took the power off 1 battry but it kept discharging it. Then it came nessasary to tune it up and I drew the line in the sand. I sold the 24 volt stuff off it for big bucks and converted it over the rest of the way. These old flat head sixes are easy to flood with the military carb and plugs are way to expencive to replace! $60.00 for a set made me go to civ ones. I made several hundred dollars off the 24v stuff and put it back into the truck. Mark

 

The setup in a M715 is a divorced transfer case, so the changeover is fairly inexpensive. Those axles are 5.78 or 5.87 ratio - something like that - so I can understand why you'd want to change them. Plus, they're closed knuckle and some low spline count, so you can certainly do better with the GM Corporate axles.

What transmission do you want to use behind the 383? An NV4500 has a 0.73 top gear, so that would help with the low axle ratios.

Is there a problem with the electricals now? The 230 engine (original) coupled to those low gears won't be happy at more than 45 or 50 on the highway, plus parts for it too are getting scarce and expensive. If you need a starter or generator now, I'd consider going ahead and swapping in the 383... maybe you have a TF727 to go with it? I'd guess that civilian 12V parts for the 230 won't be cheap or very available.

 

well the tranny was going to be an sm465 and the 383 just got done at the machine shop. i know novak sells a kit for this. the thing is the truck starts with no hesitation and drives fine, only thing is it won't go over 50. you're right about them axles low spline count. closed knuckle isn't all that bad but my father and i perfer open knuckle.

 

No kit needed - but I would look for a Dodge NP435 and sell the Muncie. The NP435 will bolt up to the 383. The M715 has a short driveshaft between the transmission and transfer case - hence "divorced". All you need to do is splice the existing driveline to the proper end for the transmission of your choice. Good luck and enjoy - the M715 is one macho truck!

 

Got a question. Is your 383 a mopar or a small block Chevy?

 

its a gm 350 stroked out to 383.

 

Ah, that explains the Muncie. Never mind.