Hi, Gurus,

This is actually an F-150 question, but you are the most helpful crowd i have encountered and it is a pretty simple question for Ford sages.

For reasons I won't go into I need a cheap but functional alternator for short term on my 2003 5.4L F150. No more than 9 months or less. NAPA wants $180 for a reman unit. And I am too lazy by far to go hunt for one at junkyards.

I found a BUNCH of cheap ones on Rockauto, but I have no idea how cheap I can go and not be likely to have a problem with it. Here is link: Advice?

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raf...p?make=FORD&ck[ID]=0&ck[idlist]=0&ck[viewcurrency]=USD&ck[PHP_SESSION_ID]=eqlvevj9h98bb5c1v8al3rqj90


Thanks much for any help,

k9dr

 

If you have local discounted parts sellers near you; Auto Zone, Advance Auto etc shop them via internerd or phone---I've bought several "cheap" alternators from Advance Auto that had at least one year guarantees, each less than $75 reman'd.

Before I'd spend the time and money with Rock Auto or taking a chance on junkyard junk a new cheap part with decent guarantee would seem a better choice.

FWIW anyway............

 

Another option is keep the good OEM core where it belongs - on your truck, and rebuild it. It's not rocket science. Considerable savings.

http://alternatorstarterrebuildkits.com

 

Tedster I agree with you 100% here---only problem is those good shops still doing this are tougher and tougher to find. These days most outfits want to sell something ready to go, the process of rebuilding a part brought in not as well know or advertised as once upon a time.

A good solid OEM alternator can be rebuilt and often times enhanced with better parts or even higher output, the end result being a better part with a lot more miles left on it.

Sadly for me the last few times I've dealt with failed alternators time was important so buying NAPA new was my best choice. Not the most cost-effective but very necessary at the time. Just as sad my better judgement also failed and I didn't keep the old alternators so they became recycling fodder.

 

I like the rebuilding idea also. I had a 2000 ford contour with over 200,000 miles. Alternator went bad and a new one was too pricey for me at that time. Bought a set of brushes for $10 and it lasted another 10,000 miles. Another set of brushes again got me another 10,000. After that I bit the bullet and bought a new alternator.

Give it a try!

 

Yeah, it's a little more involved than it might seem at first but there are YT videos to walk ya through it step by step. Most folks here would have no problem. A propane torch, solder and basic hand tools will do it.

 

You don't need propane or solder to replace brushes. Jump in!