Posted by Clint Dixon [172.70.126.138] on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 13:24:24 :
I have been running the original 6-volt charging systems in all of my vintage Power-Wagons since 1980.
I replaced an aftermarket 12-volt generator in my '47 after find the correct 6-volt Auto-Lite in 1980 and never looked back. I found that the 6-volt HD-2 (Group 2) commercial battery from Farm and Fleet (local midwest farm store chain) fit correctly in the tray and under the hold down cover. They measure 8.750 in height and 11.375 in length.
When I got my '51, it had a Group 1 6-volt battery installed with a spotwelded reducer in the battery box and a smaller hold down cover. I could fit only a HD-1 Farm and Fleet battery in it as they measure 8.750 in height and 9.000 in length. I do not know what the story is on the spot welded piece in tray, but when I checked my spare trays, all of them had the reducer piece in place.
I finally had my hold down covers corrode and had to order new from VPW. They both came in the larger size that fit the Group 2 battery. After this I finally found another tray without the restricter in place.
The HD-2 has a higher CA and CCA. Why Dodge saw the need to reduce the battery tray size by adding a spot welded piece on the bottom is beyond me. The HD-2 (Group 2) batteries work great.
Junior
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