18 volts
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
You COULD just replace the regulator, but it is a job to do. You have to open up the alternator, as it's a built-in.
Since an alternator with that many miles likely has deep grooves worn into the slip rings, having a quality rebuild shop go through yours is probably the best repair.
Horror stories abound here on FTE from those who bought a "lifetime guarantee" replacement from one of the chain parts houses.
Pop
Since an alternator with that many miles likely has deep grooves worn into the slip rings, having a quality rebuild shop go through yours is probably the best repair.
Horror stories abound here on FTE from those who bought a "lifetime guarantee" replacement from one of the chain parts houses.
Pop
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 768
Likes: 1
From: Live VT, Work MA
You COULD just replace the regulator, but it is a job to do. You have to open up the alternator, as it's a built-in.
Since an alternator with that many miles likely has deep grooves worn into the slip rings, having a quality rebuild shop go through yours is probably the best repair.
Horror stories abound here on FTE from those who bought a "lifetime guarantee" replacement from one of the chain parts houses.
Pop
Since an alternator with that many miles likely has deep grooves worn into the slip rings, having a quality rebuild shop go through yours is probably the best repair.
Horror stories abound here on FTE from those who bought a "lifetime guarantee" replacement from one of the chain parts houses.
Pop
FTE-Spread The Knowledge
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 248
I would try to find a factory alternator and have it rebuilt. Your local alternator/starter guy usually charges around $70 which includes sandblasting & paint.
To save your voltage regulator, never jump anyone with your motor running.
Just a thought. Good luck!
To save your voltage regulator, never jump anyone with your motor running.
Just a thought. Good luck!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I feel that the best replacement is a genuine OEM (they're probably made by Visteon or Motocraft) with a quality rebuild done to it.
The Ford sixth-generation (6G) alternator is a good alternator to begin with, and every part internally is available as a replacement part. The trick is knowing what rebuilder is using parts sourced from where.
There are quality parts out there, and there are junk ones, especially bearings, diode packs, and regulators. I just tell my guy "no cheap-junk parts", and I get good quality. I pay a bit more for it (maybe 15%), but I don't have problems, either.
But you've GOT to know your rebuilder!
I found a decent YouTube video on getting them apart:
Our SuperDuty trucks use the "gray" regulator.
Pop
The Ford sixth-generation (6G) alternator is a good alternator to begin with, and every part internally is available as a replacement part. The trick is knowing what rebuilder is using parts sourced from where.
There are quality parts out there, and there are junk ones, especially bearings, diode packs, and regulators. I just tell my guy "no cheap-junk parts", and I get good quality. I pay a bit more for it (maybe 15%), but I don't have problems, either.
But you've GOT to know your rebuilder!
I found a decent YouTube video on getting them apart:
Our SuperDuty trucks use the "gray" regulator.
Pop
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
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FTE-Spread The Knowledge
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Quality parts are essential. A quality rebuilder will only use the BEST parts. He will warranty his work and help diagnose underlying problems with your electrical system when you experience multiple failures. Our rebuilder just rebuilt are 42 year old Electrolux vacuum motor for $35. He gave us a 30 year warranty with it.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
Well said Mike. I was just referring to the one's my son got from Ford. He told them to put in new and they didn't. He finely went to DC power and got there 185amp and has had no problems this far. Put the last Ford rebuilt in his trailer as a spare.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
When I referred to "OEM Ford" and "rebuild", I did not mean what your son got.
What I meant is to start with a malfunctioning OEM Ford unit (not a Chinese knock-off supplied by a host of aftermarket providers) and have it rebuilt by a quality rebuilder, using the finest-quality parts available.
So far, not all those "quality parts" are made off-shore, but there ARE good ones made there, too! Your rebuilder will know the good from the bad. That's part of his job.
YOUR job is to know the good rebuilders from the bad, and that usually boils down to local reputation among the better mechanics in town and word-of-mouth.
Sometimes that also requires going to "have a little chat" with the rebuilder, and from that you can learn a lot about his approach to real reliability.
Pop
What I meant is to start with a malfunctioning OEM Ford unit (not a Chinese knock-off supplied by a host of aftermarket providers) and have it rebuilt by a quality rebuilder, using the finest-quality parts available.
So far, not all those "quality parts" are made off-shore, but there ARE good ones made there, too! Your rebuilder will know the good from the bad. That's part of his job.
YOUR job is to know the good rebuilders from the bad, and that usually boils down to local reputation among the better mechanics in town and word-of-mouth.
Sometimes that also requires going to "have a little chat" with the rebuilder, and from that you can learn a lot about his approach to real reliability.
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