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Time for a new alternator, upgrade to 3G?

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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 02:25 PM
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Time for a new alternator, upgrade to 3G?

Well the results are in, and it looks like my alternator's fried (GAHHHHH!), so I'm going to pick up a new one today or tomorrow.

I've done a little bit of reading up on the 3G conversion though, and while I reeeeally do not have money to be accessorizing right now, I do have a big stereo installed already, am in the process of putting in an air horn with a small compressor, and have about 5 leads coming from the positive battery terminal already, powering little gauge lights and that stuff.

Should I go 3G? I know it's a popular swap, but do I really need it? Also, very importantly, how costly and difficult is it to swap, including the price of the alternator?

Thanks, AleX
 
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 03:19 PM
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A used 3G from the junkyard is cheaper than they remanned 1g POS... Just need a fuse to go with it.

Josh
 
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 03:36 PM
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Really? What type of cars have them? Fords newer than 19xx?
 
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 03:56 PM
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Yes, you need it.
Go to the junkyard and get a used one for $20.00. Buy a big fuse for another $20.00 and you are pretty much done.

Search on the forum for the types of fuses people are using.

Your alternator probably fried because of all the accessories you have with 5 leads coming off the battery. That is kind of scary in it's own right.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by nothercrash
Really? What type of cars have them? Fords newer than 19xx?
I believe a taurus one will work. You have to find one that has the same basic design as the one you have now. different years have different mounting locations/arms.

Somewhere on this forum is a picture of the various types. That is what I used for reference when I did mine.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 04:16 PM
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Cool, off to the junkyard. The leads are just small gauge wire, leading to light bulbs and stuff.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 04:41 PM
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The thread "just did a 3g upgrade" will tell you all you need to know.
 
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 07:46 PM
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Thanks for all the help guys! Picked one up at the junkyard earlier, it ended up being 30 bucks, which was annoying after hearing what people here paid, but there happened to be one sitting RIGHT there on the counter when I went in (so I paid for them picking it), and they were about to close, and my truck needs a charge noooow, so I grabbed it.

Swapped the pulleys just now, gunna grab a fuse tomorrow, and then hopefully figure out the wiring. I love how easy of a swap this is!

And yes, for future readers information, mine was from a 96 Taurus 3.0. I got one with the 7" ear spread, and that is a direct swap in for my old alt.

AleX
 
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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 02:01 PM
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Wow, what a great and siiiimple swap. I know next to nothing about electrical, and this was noooothing, and I got it right! I now see for the first time the 14.2 or so volts that I've been looking for in run!

This is great, it ended up running me around 45$, just for everybodies' reference, but that is exactly how much the reman 1G costs at my parts store, wiiith the core charge!

Thanks for all the help, just hoping this all continues....

AleX
 
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