24 2 12 volts

Shakinboxcarjoe · Post by **Shakinboxcarjoe** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:11 am

Can someone suggest a post that details the procedure to convert m38 24 volt to 12 volts? Thanks!

Post by **wesk** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:23 am

It's quite simple. All electrical devices that are required to operate on 24 volts must be changed to 12 volt units. In many cases this means civilian replacements that aren't the greatest match for restoration accuracy. The military used much heavier wire than 24 volts needed so the switch to 12 will do fine on the existing wiring.

The US Fire Service published a changeover guide back in the 60's that still is in use today.

It is linked in our Downloads Pages.
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... it&lid=148

Shakinboxcarjoe · Post by **Shakinboxcarjoe** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 5:00 pm

Thanks! PO already moved all wiring so I'm starting from scratch. I've used 1 wire alternators before and I need a 12 v starter. Will existing distributor and coil work? Thanks

Post by **wesk** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:16 pm

Yes & no. There are 12 volt coils out there made for the military distributor but they are getting harder to find. Or you can adapt a standard externally mounted coil to the military distributor. Or you could adapt a modern single plug coil from a modern engine to the military distributor.
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... 79&start=0

If all the wiring is gone you can save yourself a lot of work by going with a stock later CJ5 harness for a 12 volt CJ5 57 to about 77. The 72 to 77 will have longer wire runs for the inline 6 engines. Or a new painless harness.

Your starter will not do real well on 12 Volts. The late civvy 12 volt starter is a bolt in with the late flywheel. This will let you go to key start.

Shakinboxcarjoe · Post by **Shakinboxcarjoe** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:20 pm

Thanks again! I may try to preserve 24 volts. I will test generator and starter. If they are good, I will try to t
Keep it original. I will need a lot of help! Thnx again