Alternator Upgrade

Electrical and Wiring Forum Archives
Post Reply
mrsnicks
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 728
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:02 pm
Location: North Carolina, Cameron

Alternator Upgrade

Post by mrsnicks »

Has anyone done any research into an alternator upgrade for our trucks? The reason I ask is I plan on adding power windows, shaved door handles, a cd changer and I am pretty sure I will need to up my amp output.

I have seen some 100 amp, 130 amp alternators on ebay, but they are the newer model with serpentine belt pulleys, and a different wiring harness.

If someone has already done this that would be great to. What model alternators swap in, and what is necessary for the conversion.

Thanks,
Patrick
Chevrolet
Can Hear Every Valve Rattle on Long Extended Trips

1969 F100 4X4 Highboy 390 3sp
1969 F100 SWB 2wd Auto 351w
1972 F100 Ranger XLT 302 Auto

http://mrsnicks.blogspot.com
http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... ?cat=10336
User avatar
460 crew
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1128
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:03 pm
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas
Contact:

Post by 460 crew »

I just picked up a load boss 105 alternator off ebay for my 70, I'll have to give the directions a good read through and get it hooked up then put up some results. It has a 1 wire hookup with a regulator already on it. Just have to see how it goes.
1970 4x4 Crewcab build and 12v cummins conversion
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=17179
User avatar
Fake Name
New Member
New Member
Posts: 222
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:42 am
Location: California, San Diego

Post by Fake Name »

I've read good things about these guys:

http://www.mean-green.com/products/alternator.html

They also offer starters that are smaller than stock and intended for use with headers in high-heat conditions. Their site is not bursting with application information, so you'll have to contact them for more information and report back to us. Please.

fn
1970 F250
2011 KTM 990 ADV
2003 KTM 525EXC
User avatar
460 crew
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1128
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:03 pm
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas
Contact:

Post by 460 crew »

Fake Name wrote:I've read good things about these guys:

http://www.mean-green.com/products/alternator.html

They also offer starters that are smaller than stock and intended for use with headers in high-heat conditions. Their site is not bursting with application information, so you'll have to contact them for more information and report back to us. Please.

fn

Wow 369 bucks for our applications.
http://www.mean-green.com/store/prodpag ... ubCatID=26
The Load boss ones come with a lifetime warranty,just as long as you hook them up right.

I think Heep has done an alternator upgrade, I'll get his attention.
1970 4x4 Crewcab build and 12v cummins conversion
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=17179
User avatar
Fake Name
New Member
New Member
Posts: 222
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:42 am
Location: California, San Diego

Post by Fake Name »

Maybe that's why they call it Mean Green. Yikes.

fn
1970 F250
2011 KTM 990 ADV
2003 KTM 525EXC
User avatar
460 crew
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1128
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:03 pm
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas
Contact:

re: Alternator Upgrade

Post by 460 crew »

:lol: I was thinking I might be interested in their products till I pulled up that price tag page.

Also jeffs bronco graveyard sells the hi output alt's http://www.broncograveyard.com/bronco/c-269
1970 4x4 Crewcab build and 12v cummins conversion
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=17179
User avatar
heep70
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 2039
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:03 pm
Location: Washington, Bonney Lake
Contact:

re: Alternator Upgrade

Post by heep70 »

I run a one-wire alt on my Ford. I have dual batts, stereo, amp, 8274 winch, and 90/100 watt head lamps. Does just fine. It is only the 74 amp style. You can upgrade them to over 100amps. I got tired of the pulsing lights and fixing the old charging system wire harness. Now there is only one wire and no external regulator. The only issue you will run into is building brackets, the barely moving amp gauge will not work anymore and if you run dual batts with an isolator you will have to make a jumper wire. I like mine and have no compliants.
Greg

1971 F250 "Highboy". SOLD to "Highboy_Firefighter_71"
2000 Subaru Outback limited.
2000 F250 4X4 PSD SuperDuty Crew.
2010 Polaris 800RMK Dragon 155"
2013 Polaris Pro 800 RMK 163"
1980 Built Toyota "Trail Rig".
My last 1971 "Highboy" pics
User avatar
thorn1968
New Member
New Member
Posts: 204
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:37 pm
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Contact:

Post by thorn1968 »

Heep, what guage wire did you run from the alt to the bat?
alvinator
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 369
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:57 pm
Location: Texas, Rowlett

re: Alternator Upgrade

Post by alvinator »

don't mean to steal this thread but I do have a question before i get too far on my truck. I am planning on putting in a 1500 - 2000 watt stereo, driving lights and maybe some neon lighting on the truck. I currently have the stock Alt on the truck and wonder if I should upgrade the Alt to more Amp.
layedout72
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1280
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:11 pm
Location: Mississippi, Hattiesburg

Post by layedout72 »

yes. you need to. I would look around for atleast 130 amps. I personally am going to run a 250 amp at idle, alternator from irragi alternators OR ohio generator alternator.
mrsnicks
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 728
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:02 pm
Location: North Carolina, Cameron

Post by mrsnicks »

This is great.. love the information.. but I could use specific part numbers... or model numbers... Like walk up the Autozone counter and say... Gimme an alternator for a 19** Ford *****... and walk away with a 100 or higher amp alternator that will swap right in.

Keep the information coming but could use a little more specifics.

Thanks,
Patrick
Chevrolet
Can Hear Every Valve Rattle on Long Extended Trips

1969 F100 4X4 Highboy 390 3sp
1969 F100 SWB 2wd Auto 351w
1972 F100 Ranger XLT 302 Auto

http://mrsnicks.blogspot.com
http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... ?cat=10336
QC
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 368
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 10:52 pm
Location: Eatonville, Washington

Post by QC »

The 100 amp Ford large body that Leadfoot mentioned is probably the only higher amp unit that will hook up to the original wiring. You would probably have to change the brackets. Almost everything else is going to be internally regulated and require some re-wiring to mak it work.
69 F-100 Ranger 302
mrsnicks
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 728
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:02 pm
Location: North Carolina, Cameron

Post by mrsnicks »

Anyone feel like putting together a tutorial or a build-up?

Keith you out there?

Patrick
Chevrolet
Can Hear Every Valve Rattle on Long Extended Trips

1969 F100 4X4 Highboy 390 3sp
1969 F100 SWB 2wd Auto 351w
1972 F100 Ranger XLT 302 Auto

http://mrsnicks.blogspot.com
http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... ?cat=10336
User avatar
FORDification
Site & Forum Admin
Site & Forum Admin
Posts: 8047
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2004 12:52 am
Location: Kansas, Wellsville
Contact:

re: Alternator Upgrade

Post by FORDification »

When I get to that point on my project I'm sure I'll be upgrading as well, and will definitely do a tutorial. That'll be a while though, I'm sure.
____| \__
-O-----O- Keith
'67 F-100 2WD SWB ~ '69 F-100 4WD SWB w/7" chop ~ 1975 F-250 Ranger XLT Supercab Camper Special
ImageImageImage
My '67 restoration video
-> Posting and you! <-a MUST watch for all!!
Leadfoot
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 336
Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:21 pm
Location: CANADA, BC VAN. ISLAND
Contact:

re: Alternator Upgrade

Post by Leadfoot »

on the big body Ford alt conversion really the only bracket you need to change is the adjustment side, and in most causes you don't need to do it. and if you do you just cut and weld to the angle you need or pull it of the car you got the alt off in most causes changing the belt length fixes the problem. and also the aluminum spacer behind the alternator on the pivot side some times needs to be cut down a little bit. I do this swap allot and there really is nothing to it. :shh:

if you go to a parts counter and ask for the ford 100 amp alt with a v belt
pulley theres only one the can give you now with that said it the guy behide the counter looks at you funny and ask what year just make one up like a 1980 Lincon/Cougar with a 351W and a/c should work. :lol: ford only made one big body alt. :lol:
Last edited by Leadfoot on Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
WHAT ?
Post Reply