M1010 24v to 12v conversion?

[BigBad]

Bought my first MV ever, a 1985 M1010 (8800 miles, no typo)--has the ambulance box replaced with a pickup truck-type bed. It had starter issues--guy I bought it from put in a new starter, under dash relay, don't know what if anything else. Drove it home 500 miles without incident--turned off & start several times. Next day I went to start it--nothing happened, so I turned the key off & popped the hood. Then the starter growled and turned over real slow, and a wire on the firewall burned in two with a big cloud of smoke. Very Dramatic. I am at best a shadetree mechanic--I peaked out with my 1964 IHC Scouts--and know nothing about electrical or wiring. I've been reading the TMs and this site for days. MY MY!!! This 24V/12V charging system is overwhelming to me. I don't want a restored truck--I want a reliable truck that will start & run every single time without a lot of detective work. Can anyone explain and detail all the steps necessary to convert to a straight 12 Volt? Thanks. And I apologize to you purists--you know a whole lot more than I ever will.

 

[K9Vic]

That truck is really making it rounds, but this is what was posted about it in the past. I am pretty sure it is the same truck.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/46408-m1010-wont-start.html

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/conversations/46942-m1010-conversion-complete.html

 

[BigBad]

M1010 24v to 12v conversion

You are absolutely right--this is the same truck. Their picture is where I bought it, and Eric is the mechanic. He said he had received help from this site. Thanks, John

 

[Wolf.Dose]

This guy can be helped, however, it needs work:
The fused linkages need to be replaced, as read, blown.
The starter is a peace of scrap, for is causes a lot of problems. Change to the new model.
To do all this you need the related harness diagrams and... you have to understand them.
If not, pray for somebody to buy the truck, a person with knowledge.
If not, sorry, you are pissed!
Sorry to say so
Wolf

P.S.: Why somebody replaced of the ambulance box with a pick up bed. It is a H-chassis with a GVW of 10000 lbs. And it needs the box for propper weight distribution.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

P.S.: Why somebody replaced of the ambulance box with a pick up bed. It is a H-chassis with a GVW of 10000 lbs. And it needs the box for propper weight distribution.

Because it's their truck and they can do what they want with it?

Seriously, who cares. It won't drive any worse than any high GVWR Chevy K30 of the era.