Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Alternator 2003 HD replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 02:31 PM
  #1  
oldman2003's Avatar
oldman2003
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Alternator 2003 HD replacement

Is there a more reliable bolt in than this O'Riley's or other corner store stuff?

The alternator (single alternator) was only 3 years old, which is 25K miles for me. My alternator apparently had the regulator fail. It would only do 12.3 at idle and 12.8 at 1500 RPM with no real load.

They warranted it for me. Voltage is now normal, but I want to swap a more reliable alternator in.

I don't want or need a huge alternator. I need something with a history of being more reliable in normal service.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 02:36 PM
  #2  
seville009's Avatar
seville009
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Why not just go OEM (Motocraft)?
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 02:57 PM
  #3  
Chuck's First Ford's Avatar
Chuck's First Ford
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
depends on HOW they are rebuilt...

everything used but tested... except brushes.
everything replaced except for stator and windings.
everything NEW including Case.

Priced accordingly. ASK before buying.

LOOK for one with LIFETIME Warranty.
.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 03:50 PM
  #4  
oldman2003's Avatar
oldman2003
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by seville009
Why not just go OEM (Motocraft)?
I thought about that but don't know who does their rebuilding and how reliable they are. I guess I'll try one if this Ultima goes out.

Clearly the warranty is meaningless for quality. The O'Reilly Ultima alternator with a lifetime warranty can't be reliable if I've had two lifetime warranty alternators fail within 30k miles.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 04:09 PM
  #5  
Chuck's First Ford's Avatar
Chuck's First Ford
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
maybe you just have bad luck with O'Reilly.. I have NOT used them..
mainly because none are around me.

Napa, or Advanced Auto Parts.. I do not have good luck with AutoZone.

but for now.. you have what you have.. till you change.


the alternator in my 2012 is original.. with 152,000 miles.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 04:26 PM
  #6  
texastech_diesel's Avatar
texastech_diesel
Token Redneck
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,334
Likes: 343
From: Breckenridge, TX
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by oldman2003
I don't want or need a huge alternator. I need something with a history of being more reliable in normal service.
If you want something reliable, you should buy an alternator sized to the load placed on it. An F-Series 6.0 can draw almost 100 amps at idle depending what factory options are turned on (truck only, doesn't count a trailer load), and the 110A or 140A OEM alternators aren't sized for that. You're going to keep killing them. I have two dead 110As and a dead 140A unit to show for the alt just not being sized correctly for how the truck runs, two of those were brand new factory installed OEM units. Unless you can tell us what your load is, then you can't say you don't NEED a bigger alternator, because odds are you aren't getting the output you need in the first place. At least put a 58mm pulley on a 140A replacement to give it a chance.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post17249673

Reliability is a by-product of choosing the right component. Swapping 110A alts back into a 6.0 is like putting a 5A fuse into a 10A slot and wondering why it keeps blowing.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 05:37 PM
  #7  
Chuck's First Ford's Avatar
Chuck's First Ford
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
I had not considered that,,

What if the first replacement was smaller in amps then factory... and second one was same size as first replacement...

and IF Diesel.. and 2 batteries... 160 or better.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CuMinR
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Jun 25, 2013 02:05 PM
bigsky22
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Jun 30, 2009 07:28 AM
just another truck
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
8
Nov 2, 2008 06:06 PM
78 Ranger
Electrical Systems/Wiring
2
Nov 13, 2005 08:02 AM
XLTDAWG
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
2
Aug 9, 2004 12:41 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:28 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE