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Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:39 pm

My 55 is still 6V and all original. My question is should I convert it to 12V? Is there any value to keeping it 6V? I'm doing a full restoration and I was wondering what your opinions were? Thanks!

Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:45 pm

Some people do, some people dont. Its up to you, depends on your restoring it to stock? If so, then stay 6. If not, then 12V is much more dependable...

Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:23 pm

If it's going to be a daily driver 12volt is nice to have, but for a weekend cruiser that you're gonna sell or restore...stay 6v and save yourself a headache.

Tue Nov 23, 2004 9:32 pm

How hard would it be to change it back to 6V if I went 12V. Is the car more valuable all original with 6V. I can't imagine selling it anytime in the near future but you never know?

Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:56 am

you have to modify your starter mount or buy one of those new 12 volt starters with 6 volt gearing. That would probably be best if you want to go back to 6 volt. Or you could switch to a 12v tranny and keep the 6v one for later. You aren't gonna lose much value switching to 12v, and will probably never switch back. I wouldn't lose much sleep over it. ZTo go to 12v You'll need a new battery, coil, alternator, lights, horn, a 12 to 6 volt drop for your wiper motor or a 12v wiper motor. If you want you can run all of your old 6v stuff like lights and horn and wipers through a voltage dropper...but they won't work great and you'll lose some of your reasons for switching in the first place. If you're gonna be driving it alot, make the switch. value schmalue. Besides, you're giving it new paint/interior etc... so it's already not going to be "all original" so the diehards won't be creaming their pants over it anyway.

Wed Nov 24, 2004 7:29 am

I went through the same thing this summer when I bought my 64 square back. Since my wiring was complete, unmolested, and in good condition, I left it 6v.

I've been very impressed with it actually. I heard so many horror stories about dim lights, slow starting, etc, that I was nervous but, knock on wood, I haven't had a single problem yet. Since I didn't do a complete restoration of the car, I simply ensured the grounds were all clean and tight including the battery and transmission grounding straps.

Even the wipers work well enough to drive in the rain at highway speeds.

I'll never convert another car from 6v to 12v now that I know how well the original systems can work. I switched 2 of my other cars during their restorations just because from reading it seemed like the thing to do. I'm just in the process of returning them back to 6v for originality sake.

BTW I live in Toronto Canada and I daily drive the squareback even though we've had frost already this year and calling for snow today. Car starts like a champ.

Wed Nov 24, 2004 9:52 am

I have been running my 6v starter at 12v for 5+ years and it still starts great. Hell since it spins twice as fast as a normal starter it really works well. I have been told it can shorten the life of the starter but its still going. I don't tend to hold the ignition on for a long time just so it does not overheat.

-Craig

Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:20 am

Spend half the time it would take you to convert the car on cleaning, tightening, and polishing the existing connectors, run a few new ground wires off your headlights, clean up any splices or hacks the previous owners have done over the years, and your existing 6V system will be as good as new.

If dim headlights are the problem re-wire your headlights through a relay and you'll be amazed by the difference.

You'll still be able to run all the cool vintage accessories without the nightmare of resistors, and if you need 12V get a cheap power converter to run a cigarette lighter/accessory plug.

6V is part of the charm of an old VW.

Thu Nov 25, 2004 2:53 pm

Thanks for all the good input! I think I will keep it stock.

Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:37 pm

i have recently bought a 65 beetle that was converted to 12 volts. i am thinking to convert it back to 6 volts again......
in my oval there are 6 volts and works very well. 12 volts is for people that are unable to repair and mantain a 6 volts car

Fri Nov 26, 2004 5:32 pm

PEPPE wrote: i have recently bought a 65 beetle that was converted to 12 volts. i am thinking to convert it back to 6 volts again......
in my oval there are 6 volts and works very well. 12 volts is for people that are unable to repair and mantain a 6 volts car

Or for people that like stereos, brighter lights, alternators..the like. ;)