Well, new to me... Luckily it didn't strand me it just wouldn't crank in my driveway.

After a few minor diagnostics (obviously did extra to impress the girl) it seems it's just the alternator which appears to be original to the truck! Amazing for an 01' with 250k on it.

Well today I'm going to replace it. Any advice on what to buy? what to avoid?

Also I'm considering doing the 50 cent mod while under the hood too.

thanks!

 

Most experienced guys here will say get yours rebuilt at a good shop. Or buy oem and get yours built for a spare. Parts store stuff is usually inferior eventhough they have life time warrantees. How many times do you want to pull things apart or break down.

 

I dont get it. How can the alternator cause the truck not to start? I know if its bad the batteries will eventually die and that will keep it from starting.
How did you come about that the alternator was the cause?

 

@stinson - I think I'll buy a new one here and see if I can get a hold of someone who will rebuild it for me

@billy - Well there were the tale-tell signs before to be honest. Noticed the battery light.. windows slowed down. The batteries had almost completely lost their charge and when I put a charge in them overnight via trickle charge it started this morning. Also when it didnt start it still attempted to crank.. just didnt have enough to turn over

 

AHHHH OK Just making sure I didn't miss something.

 

yeah.. Haha thanks for looking out though!

 

Sounds kinda like the symptoms I just had but mine ended up being bad NAPA gold batteries. They lasted just over a year and half. When my alt went it just went while I was driving down the road. First the headlights dimed and then it died. I had to have mine immediately so O riely got my money. Knock on wood I have had it in there for 2-3 years now.
good luck with yours

 

Well I bought a dura last cheepo for a hundred bucks that cranks 110 amp (boo..) but my truck is my daily so I needed one quick! I'm going to save some cash and purchase a dcpowerinc 200 or 270 amp so I can be happy

 

If it was me, I'd get my stock rebuilt now, you'll probably need it. Why do you need so many amps? A shop can bump up the amps a little on your stock if you ask.

 

Well I want to run extra lights.. Cab over, backup, bed lights and such also have a winch that I got second hand. I figured that more amp with those would be best. Maybe spare
My batteries just a little

 

I just went through this same deal recently. My alt was not fully charging my batts and finally the batts didn't have enough volts to turn the truck over. Of course, I blamed the batteries, took them in, had them charged then did a alt test. Batteries were fine, alt failed the on-vehicle test and bench test. It was a "lifetime" alt from O'Reillys. Lifetime meaning 3 1/2 years. Not bad after having a few other FTE'ers post up and say theirs lasted half as long. I would definetly find a rebuild shop or go OEM. I watch my voltmeter (aftermarket one) like a hawk for now on.