Upgrading Charging Wires?
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
Upgrading Charging Wires?
I am going to do the 3G swap in my 87 Bronco. It has the 351 W and it was still carbed(last yr before EFI on the 351's). The current alt I have doesnt have the stud connections, it has the plastic plugs for everything. Also the positive wire coming from the alt is two wires and they are a small gauge at that. I was wanting to change that around to a stud mount with some meaty positive cables. How much trouble is it to do this? What do I need to look out for?
If anybody has done this and has a write up any links would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance guys.
Brandon
If anybody has done this and has a write up any links would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance guys.
Brandon
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
You have the internal voltage regulator on your 87 correct?
The 3G altenator is already internally regulated so it should be simpler for you than it would be for people with external voltage regulators. Mostly you will need to find the wires that go to the battery and hook them up to your new altenator when you get it. You will have to improvise on connectors, perhaps get one out of a donor vehicle in the yard for the 3G altenator you are wanting to get.
you may have better luck in the 1987-1996 forum.
The 3G altenator is already internally regulated so it should be simpler for you than it would be for people with external voltage regulators. Mostly you will need to find the wires that go to the battery and hook them up to your new altenator when you get it. You will have to improvise on connectors, perhaps get one out of a donor vehicle in the yard for the 3G altenator you are wanting to get.
you may have better luck in the 1987-1996 forum.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
You will have to get rid of the alternator all together to get one with a studded output. The alternator you have is known to melt the plugs and give a lot of trouble, and the store won't warranty a rebuilt or new one with you having to buy new pigtails for it. It's a real can of worms and if you can get rid of it, you would be better off. I have a 86 ranger that had that thing on it, and when it went bad, and I saw the prices for a rebuilt one, I just retro-fitted a GM alternator on it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Or, you could put an earlier alternator on it, one of those prior to the 2G like my 81's and 82's have. I might have an extra but, if so, I'm not sure how good it is. They aren't expensive from the parts store and I do have the bracket to mount it in case that's different.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
I found a 3 G at the bone yard for $35.00. I plan on running it , but , I wanted to do away with the plastic plugs and get bigger wire and a stud connection. My truck already is internally regulated. I dont know if I can get the plugs for this 3G or not. It's one of those boneyards that has everything already pulled and shelved.
The plastic plug seems to have to positive wires that are like 12 ga. I didnt pay attention to see of both of them ran to the starter relay or if one ran somewhere else. What other wires does the alt have attached to it. My truck has the actual voltmeter in the dash not amp meter that reads D on one side and C on the other. I suppose one of the wires goes to it.
The plastic plug seems to have to positive wires that are like 12 ga. I didnt pay attention to see of both of them ran to the starter relay or if one ran somewhere else. What other wires does the alt have attached to it. My truck has the actual voltmeter in the dash not amp meter that reads D on one side and C on the other. I suppose one of the wires goes to it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 2
From: CASA GRANDE AZ
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 2
From: CASA GRANDE AZ
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Ford Fuel Injection » 3G Install Tech
You need to find the light green/red wire in the alternator harness.
Disconnect the rest and throw it away.
Get a 150A fuse and holder from a car audio store.
I used 2Ga. cable with lugs on each end from the charging post to the fuse holder.
Mounted it on the inner fenderwell behind the solenoid.
Another 2Ga. wire from fuse holder to battery+ side of solenoid.
Too bad you didn't get to cut out a chunk of the alternator harness while you were at the junkyard.
You can buy the harness you need for $20 at the above site if you can't get it from the junk Taurus.
RJM Injection Tech — 3G Alternator Harness
I can post pic's of my install (when it stops raining) if you like.
You need to find the light green/red wire in the alternator harness.
Disconnect the rest and throw it away.
Get a 150A fuse and holder from a car audio store.
I used 2Ga. cable with lugs on each end from the charging post to the fuse holder.
Mounted it on the inner fenderwell behind the solenoid.
Another 2Ga. wire from fuse holder to battery+ side of solenoid.
Too bad you didn't get to cut out a chunk of the alternator harness while you were at the junkyard.
You can buy the harness you need for $20 at the above site if you can't get it from the junk Taurus.
RJM Injection Tech — 3G Alternator Harness
I can post pic's of my install (when it stops raining) if you like.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
I picked up the alt today. It's the 130 amp with the 8-1/2" spacing . I got the factory plugs but they were cut off about one inch from the plug ends. I didnt get the mega fuse , but , I suppose I could get one at the parts store.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
Ok, I must have the 2 G on my truck now. I got the 3 G at the boneyard. On the alt I have on the truck now it has two plastic plugs that fit it . The big plug has two blk/org wires that couple together at a fusible link then from there they go to the starter relay on the fender. The big plug also has a white wire. The white wire splits and one goes to the electric choke on my edelbrock carb and the other goes right into the little plastic plug on the alt. The little plug has green,yellow and white coming from it. The white one like I said earlier just loops from the big plug to the little plug. The yellow just ties into the fusible link with the blk/org wires and the green ties into a plug that has like 3-4 wires on it and then goes somewhere. The plug on the new 3G and old 2G alt seem to be the same IOW a direct swap and nothing is needed besides plugged into the 3 G.
With that being said. I am assuming the white that ties together at both plugs on the 2G must be the stator wire that is seperate on the 3G. So I assume it just needs to tie into the white wire on the little plug?
With that being said. I am assuming the white that ties together at both plugs on the 2G must be the stator wire that is seperate on the 3G. So I assume it just needs to tie into the white wire on the little plug?
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Read the link, and what I said.
Ford Fuel Injection » 3G Install Tech
All you need is the light green/Red wire from your exiting harness.
Disconnect all the rest and throw it away before it burns your truck up.
Ford Fuel Injection » 3G Install Tech
All you need is the light green/Red wire from your exiting harness.
Disconnect all the rest and throw it away before it burns your truck up.