hi my brother has a 79 f250 we use to plow with.he wants to get a bigger amp alternater to put on it.is there a cheap and easy up grade for this maybe off of another year engine. oh its got a 400 in it.its basicly only used now adays for plowing so he doesnt want to put to much time into it.thanks

 

You have a few options.

More money, less time.
Less money, more time.

The more money option will not always get you a better end result.

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Read through some of the threads on the 3G Upgrade. That'll be your best bang for the buck, but you or he, will have to invest some time.

Goog luck and be sure to post what direction you all decide to go.

 

There are a bunch of choices. A 100 A "Tuff Stuff" alternator should bolt right in. Its a 1 wire type available for about $75 from Summit. You would simply remove the OE VR, tape up VR wires/connectors and add a new charge wire from the alternator to battery side of the relay. 8 guage wire would be "better", 10 guage wire would be "good", 6 guage would be "best". In addition, add a voltmeter to a switched 12V source to monitor system condition as the OE light or ammeter will not work. Hook up the charge wire from the original alternator to the battery side of the start relay as well. A fuse or fusible link in the charge wire would provide some protection against short circuits. Not absolutly required but helpful. NAPA usually stocks 12 guage fusible link to go with 8 guage wire.

Tuff Stuff and Powermaster also offer 140A versions of the alternator. 6 guage charge wire recommended.

Auto-electrical stores usually stock 10 guage fusible link to go with 6 guage wire or you can add a high amperage fuse (AMG style ordered from NAPA) between the alternator and relay.

If more power is needed, You can go to 140A with this style alternator (Summit) with either Tuff Stuff or Power Master. With 140A 6 guage charge minimum wire is recommended.

 

Good stuff.

 

It depends on what is in it now and how large he wants to go. There were more than one option for most of the trucks.

 

Ford 3G alternator from 90s Ford cars. Nuff said. 2 wire hook-up and 130 amps of OEM bliss. No need for 1-wire Chevy junk.

Besides, if time and unforseen occurrence befall you while plowing snow you can pop into any parts store and have a replacement alternator ready to go. Try that with one of those gimmicky "1-wire" alternators.

Here is one of many 3G threads...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...g-upgrade.html

Josh

Josh

 

The 3G upgrade is so friggin easy! I went to the junkyard, pulled it off in 3 mins. paid my $35 and stuck it on the truck. Took maybe 2hr to wire it up because I'm a perfectionist. There's a link to the diagram that I used and pics in my build thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ndustries.html

It's a simple 2 wire hookup. One from any key on power, one to the battery. There are a couple extra posts that loop together. The diagram is very self explainatory. If it doesn't show in the link (I can't open it from my computer, I went off my phone) I found it on BC Broncos.com

Keith