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Best Alternator Replacement?

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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 08:23 AM
  #1  
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Best Alternator Replacement?

2006 F250 6.0 Diesel.

While traveling threw New Mexico last winter the regulator in the original alternator started to fail. Not my first choice but the best option at the time I had a Auto Zone alternator put on. Twelve months later it has started doing the same thing.
Any recommendations on the best brand alternator to replace it with would be appreciated. This time I am in a position to do the job correctly.
I pull a large 5th wheel and run with lights on all the time for safety so I may be putting the regulator under extra strain and I don't wish to replace these things every year.
Thanks for your suggestions.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 08:30 AM
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Tat would be the dc power high output alternator. I got my alternator from autozone too. Tat would be the cheap option but I went for the higher output. They have the stock 110 amp alternator. I got the 140 amp alternator with lifetime warranty. Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 08:41 AM
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Your cheaper, but better than the 110 alternator you have is a 140 amp available at Autozone or Advance Auto.

Gold Duralast/Alternator (DLG3668-8-11) | AutoZone.com

Buy ToughOne Alternator - New - 140 Amps 92570 at Advance Auto Parts=

If you have the coin, one of these are probably the best option....EXCEPT....if it ever fails, a replacement will take quite awhile. The 185 is a popular choice.

https://www.dcpowerinc.com/high-outp...rstroke+Diesel

EDIT.....your Autozone alternator should be under warranty, maybe you can upgrade to the 140 for an additional fee?
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 11:48 AM
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swapping out the alternater on these trucks is fast and simple...

however... whats causing your to go bad?

I would have both batteries load tested separately, AND go to the 140 amp alternater

you may want to place a spare alternator in your tool box until you figure everything out.

good luck,
Chris
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 12:54 PM
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1 Year is about all I get out of Oreillys Alternators on my Gassers


I run a DC Power 190amp and it has NO Problem I have a Big Stereo that sucks some juice but its not an Issue that DC can keep up easy and fulley charges the batteries

Before the DC I ran OEM 110amp alternatos and was only getting 5K out of them


Cant beat the Autozone warrenty but you will likely need to replace 1 a year but not that hard about 15min job most of that's finding right tools
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 01:56 PM
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Another option without spending a lot of money on a DC Power is a new Bosch through Amazon. ~$150 and I believe it has a lifetime warranty. That said, if you do a lot of traveling, the best option may very well be the Autozone 140 amp version with a lifetime warranty since it's a quick and easy job and you can pick one up no matter where you are.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by AlaskanF350
swapping out the alternater on these trucks is fast and simple...

however... whats causing your to go bad?

I would have both batteries load tested separately, AND go to the 140 amp alternater

you may want to place a spare alternator in your tool box until you figure everything out.

good luck,
Chris

Excellent observation and I agree. One thing that will kill a alternator in short order is loose connections.

I also went with Dc power 190amp. I don't think they offer it anymore but the 185 is probably just as good. I would go that route and while replacing it. Check all your connections and grounds for tightness. And get those batteries tested.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 02:53 PM
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Lifetime warranty from a nationwide source is really the way to IMHO.

Either the 140 6G or large case 3G are valid options over the turd OEM 110 6G.

All I can think with an internet alternator is having to be down while the alt is shipped off and repaired unless you already have a back-up. I'm dealing with something similar with my FICM and Ed. I need to ship it to him for warranty work, but cannot shut down for a week or more.

Josh
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by _Me2_
Another option without spending a lot of money on a DC Power is a new Bosch through Amazon. ~$150 and I believe it has a lifetime warranty. That said, if you do a lot of traveling, the best option may very well be the Autozone 140 amp version with a lifetime warranty since it's a quick and easy job and you can pick one up no matter where you are.
That would be my option. No matter how good, everything has a life span and a week or two on the side of the road waiting for a replacement is not an option I can or will accept. Everyone to their own however. As Clint said" Do you feel lucky"
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 06:39 PM
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Thanks for all the feed-back.

The batteries are brand new Motor Craft and were replaced at the same time. I checked the connections and they were tight.
I called Auto zone today and found out that the alternator has a "lifetime warranty". Tomorrow I will have them run a check on this to make certain that the blinking battery light is the alternator. Like someone mentioned, Auto Zone would be the easiest way to find a replacement while traveling. I need to locate the special wrench to actuate the tensioner and go from there.
Thanks again to everyone.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2013 | 07:07 PM
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Here is another option... Leece-Neville 230 amp... link for pics and typical pricing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALTERNATOR-2007-2010-FORD-LCF-450-LCF-550-6E7Z-10346-C-A160202-AVI160T2002-/400327203540?hash=item5d355c5ad4&vxp=mtr#ht_2064wt_1054
We have 4 International LCF delivery trucks at work with the VT275 V6 engine. 2 have competely different set-up for alternators, but the other other two at our shop have the same 3 bolt mount like the 6.0.

Instead of the normal 140amp 6G, we opted for this alternator from the dealer for an upgrade. 230 amps.

If bought thru an IH dealer you would at least have a somewhat coast-to-coast warranty option. Certainly not as convienent as say Auto Zone or O'Reilys, but better than an Internet option.









Josh
 
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Old Dec 4, 2013 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Ray Hamel13
The batteries are brand new Motor Craft and were replaced at the same time. I checked the connections and they were tight.
I called Auto zone today and found out that the alternator has a "lifetime warranty". Tomorrow I will have them run a check on this to make certain that the blinking battery light is the alternator. Like someone mentioned, Auto Zone would be the easiest way to find a replacement while traveling. I need to locate the special wrench to actuate the tensioner and go from there.
Thanks again to everyone.
I have also had their test machine tell me an alt. was good and it wasn't. Luckily I bought the new one anyway. Diodes can fail hot and then check good once they have cooled down. Just food for thought.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2013 | 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Bullitt390
Here is another option... Leece-Neville 230 amp... link for pics and typical pricing.

New Alternator 2007 2010 Ford LCF 450 LCF 550 6E7Z 10346 C A160202 AVI160T2002 | eBay

We have 4 International LCF delivery trucks at work with the VT275 V6 engine. 2 have competely different set-up for alternators, but the other other two at our shop have the same 3 bolt mount like the 6.0.

Instead of the normal 140amp 6G, we opted for this alternator from the dealer for an upgrade. 230 amps.

If bought thru an IH dealer you would at least have a somewhat coast-to-coast warranty option. Certainly not as convienent as say Auto Zone or O'Reilys, but better than an Internet option.







Josh
do you know the part number for the Pcv tube and elbow fort he vt275? And would it work on the 6.0? Just looki at it looks like it might work on our trucks. Btw these vt275 lcf's are nice to work on huh? Wonder if they make a crew cab one?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2013 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by raptor131
do you know the part number for the Pcv tube and elbow fort he vt275? And would it work on the 6.0? Just looki at it looks like it might work on our trucks. Btw these vt275 lcf's are nice to work on huh? Wonder if they make a crew cab one?
They are nice to work on.

I do not know the CCV elbow or the valve part numbers. It's electrically operated, I believe it's open at idle and cruise and closed under high boost/wot.

Josh
 
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Old Dec 4, 2013 | 12:03 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Ray Hamel13
The batteries are brand new Motor Craft and were replaced at the same time. I checked the connections and they were tight. I called Auto zone today and found out that the alternator has a "lifetime warranty". Tomorrow I will have them run a check on this to make certain that the blinking battery light is the alternator. Like someone mentioned, Auto Zone would be the easiest way to find a replacement while traveling. I need to locate the special wrench to actuate the tensioner and go from there. Thanks again to everyone.
U don't need a special wrench. Just a 1/2 inch driver. Make sure it fits onto tat square hole in the tensioner, then pull in the direction to loosen
 
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