CUCU style starting system on 12V truck.

[Recovry4x4]

Weighing some options here on a truck. I am considering getting a crew cab and would like to go to 24V starting. On a stock CUCV, there is that pesky relay under the dash. As most know, the truck uses 12V to energize a relay (doghead) that then connects and provides 24V. Is there any good reason that needs to be in the cab? For simplicities sake, I'd like to keep it under the hood. My thought is to mount that same type of relay under the hood to provide 24V for starting. To energize the relay I could just use the 12V wire that energized the 11V starter to energize this relay. Seems simple enough, have I missed something?

 

[cucvrus]

I just installed the sealed box relay on 2 trucks. I copied one of the plug and play relays that Antennaclimber made. I think it is a great sealed replacement and beats the pants off of hacking the wiring. It could easily be mounted under the hood by extending the wires. I could run them along with the 4WD light wires that I reroute to the underside of the floor to get them out of the cab. Good idea. But on my terminus M1009 I will just keep it inside to prevent water damage from the mud bath it gets under the hood.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Any other thoughts on this?

 

[doghead]

Your idea sounds reasonable and easy.

 

[Al Harvey]

I'd say that your idea seems to be the simplest way. Are you going to add a second alternator or use a solar setup for the second battery? I've been thinking about just adding a 24 slave plug to my dually utilizing a solar panel for the third battery.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Going with dual alternators but need to keep A/C compressor. I have a complete set of brackets for an ambulance so I'll press those into service with 2 new Leece Neville alts like used in the "plan b " mod. At this point I see no need to have that relay in the cab.