Best alternator
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
Best alternator
What's the best alternator to go with? Mine is overcharging and causing my battery's to swell. I've got an autozone and orilleys down the road from me. They both have different brands. I like dealing with orilleys as preference because they seem to always have nicer and more knowledgeable people working there. So far I'm leaning toward the motorcraft. I know most are a bunch of idiots so is there anything special I need to know? By idiots I mean they've tried to sell me the wrong battery's for my truck more than once. Anyone buy battery's from either place, recomendations? Thanks
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 1,381
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Some good discussions just recently on this site about alternators and batts. I like F350-6's write-up on the 6.0 alternator he put in. 140A (that amperage was an option in our trucks). I have a 140A in mine (PO put it in) and it's been working well - no changes to wiring. If you go that route, it might be wise to at least upgrade the fuseable links - they might go if the regulator dies at some point, putting full alternator output through them. That's a theory anyway Tugly brought up - I've almost learned not to ignore that guy. (still do at my peril occasionally).
Lots of battery brands but just a few manufacturers - Johnson controls makes the excellent Motorcraft OEM, as well as others like Costco's Kirkland and the Les Schwabs I have in now. I'm an avid costco shopper, so I plan to replace mine with kirklands when it's time. Can't beat $150 a pair.
Lots of battery brands but just a few manufacturers - Johnson controls makes the excellent Motorcraft OEM, as well as others like Costco's Kirkland and the Les Schwabs I have in now. I'm an avid costco shopper, so I plan to replace mine with kirklands when it's time. Can't beat $150 a pair.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
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From: Temperance, MI
Who makes the oe for our trucks? I'd like to stick with that if its an option. The alternator was new when I bought the truck and aftermarket. I've found with something's it's best to go with stock. It serves me well for my setup.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Temperance, MI
That's where mine stays at once the gpr shuts off. I've have 3 sets of battery's swell on me not really thinking about the cause of the problem so it's my own fault. Now I'm gonna fix it like I should have
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 1
From: Montana
I have a cracked casing so I can't rebuild mine.
so I am trying a Napa one. cause its $150 vs the OEM over $200.
a friend of mine went through 3 Carquest and got a Napa alt. so far so good
hope it treats me well.
so I am trying a Napa one. cause its $150 vs the OEM over $200.
a friend of mine went through 3 Carquest and got a Napa alt. so far so good
hope it treats me well.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 2
From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
Motorcraft is awesome. If you can find a local rebuilder, it's about $100 to re-do your Motorcraft one...one here in Houston got it back to me in 6 hours!!! Sometimes I've noticed NAPA does NOT charge for a core on some items, if you buy their "new" version. That was the case with the 7.3L starter. I was a bit surprised. If you run into that situation, get your Motorcraft rebuilt for a spare.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
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From: Texas
Don't go with Autozone. I didn't have luck with NAPA either. Autozone's "lifetime" warranty junk usually lasted me about a year, but twice it was bad within the first week. I stuck with them because they always replaced my autozoo batteries when they died shortly after the alternator. The last time they wanted me to pay for my 1 year old batteries since I had originally bought them 5 years ago. They didn't care about the part where they had been traded in several times and the sticker indicated they were only a year old.
That's about the time I stumbled across the 6.0 alt. and went that route from Oreilly's.
That's about the time I stumbled across the 6.0 alt. and went that route from Oreilly's.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
I'm not sure why your batteries would swell if you are only charging at 14.1-14.3. 14.1-.3 is normal. Is that idol and driving voltage? What is the voltage of the batteries with the truck off? What kind of batteries do you have? Were All three sets the same brand? Do you ever put a charger on them? If you do, is the charger over charging? They shouldn't be doing that at that voltage.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Temperance, MI
2 sets of optima red tops and a set of I don't remembers. Koeo voltage is around 11ish. The only time they tend to die is when it gets cold out. I just bought a charger not to long ago and both current battery's were down to 4.1 volts before charging. Voltage stays low 11ish or less until gpr shuts off then jumps up to the 14.2ish volts.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 6
From: Marseilles IL
If you don't drive your truck daily Optima is the worst battery you can buy in my experience. I have gone through a dozen Optima's in my 68 Bronco, not a daily driver. I installed an Interstate and it has been good for 6years now. For some reason you have to keep a battery tender on the Optima's if its not driven daily. I'm not the only person I know with that problem. Also a battery will not last long if its get drained to 4 volts.