1952 Ford

When did they change over from 6 volts to 12? Are you sure he's not pulling your leg?

If he's pulling my leg, that's the only thing he'll be pulling ;-)

So the major issue is voltage in? I note that the "pre-out" voltage on the decks I looked at online is 2 or 2.2V. What's the deal, would he have to install a voltage regulator?

Toni from T.O. opined in news:ocfSc.14397$ snipped-for-privacy@news20.bellglobal.com:

54's were 6 volts (56's were 12).. so either he has 6 volt or it's been converted.

That should have nothing to do with it. I assume that's the signal level of the pre-amp.

OK, so it doesn't matter then? I just don't want to spend the money on a stereo that I end up having to bring back....if that's the case, I'd rather spend it at the duty free :-)

52 Fords are 6 volt positive ground. You're going to have a good time finding any stereo that will work.

Al

The 52 Ford was originally 6 volts. Your friend's may well have been changed over to 12 volts at some point. Have him check the battery and let you know. If it's still 6 volts, you won't be finding a stereo for it. Stereos came out in the 60's, after all cars were 12 volts. There may be a converter available. I do know that in the late 50's people had cars with 12 volts and found a way to run 6 volt accessories by using a screw to tap into the center of the 12 volt battery and using the tap to get 6 volts. (effectively using 1/2 of the 12 volt battery) Good luck.

What I am referring to is the vehicle's battery and electrical system. Old vehicles used a 6 Volt system, most of them positive ground. Newer stuff is 12 Volt negative ground. Most makers changed over sometime in the early 1950's, I think, but I don't know the specifics. And how did it get abroad? If it was made specifically for export, the US standards may not apply, and if it was military it could even be 28 Volt!

A modern 12 Volt stereo will not work in an old 6 Volt car, and may in fact be damaged by trying to hook it up. There were voltage converters available like up until the 70's I think, but haven't seen anything like that recently.

The folks at Crutchfield might know. Failing that, have him take some photos of the dash and intended speaker locations and take some measurements and find out for sure what the battery situation is.

Going *way out* on a limb here: If he were a restoration purist with a 6 Volt system, he would probably not be putting a modern stereo in it. If he's building a custom street rod, he probably has it converted to 12 Volts anyway. So I'm going to say that there are a few dual shaft "universal fit" radio/cassette models designed for vintage vehicles that may go in the dash without much modification. A couple of

6"x9" ovals might fit the rear deck and maybe a couple 6" rounds in the doors. A modest amp under one seat and a CD changer with FM modulator under the other seat, or maybe in the trunk.

Thanks all for the comprehensive replies, that was exactly what I wanted to know. The guy is not a car restoration hobbyist...he just makes do in a country where cars are very hard to come by. I think I'll take the cash and buy him something else. Maybe a bicycle!

Toni

opined in news:6CnSc.242720$IQ4.120677@attbi_s02:

Actually I would find it hard to believe, that after almost fifty years since almost every make rturned to 12 volts that the car isnt converted... after all it only requires changing all the bulbs, generator, and ditching the radio. Dont even HAVE to swap out the starter... until it dies.

IIRC, the instruments would probably work... note that instrument voltage reg is 5volt output

Why isnt that 52 in the boneyard with the rest of 'em?