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I own a 1997 F150 with the 4.6 engine and would like to know if I can put a alternator from a 1997 police interceptor motor in it to replace the one I have? My parts store offers a 170 amp alternator for the PI and the best they have is a 130 amp for the F 150.
Don't know if it will fit. Do know if you really need that much power, you are going to have to upgrade the wiring to take advantage of it. That would be the wiring to the alternator and another added fuse box for any power accessories you are adding.
Ditto what Franklin2 said, your wiring is designed to handle 130 amps and you want to be able to pump an extra 40 amps through it. That's how electrical fires start.
I was curious if the alternator will bolt up as a direct replacement. I have a 95 amp alternator now. I will be going with a 135 amp alternator. I was wondering if I could use one out of a police interceptor. I will be looking to run a high powered CB radio in my truck and need additional power.
Do they have to order it or is it in stock? I am wondering if you can take it out of the box and look at it. My gut feeling says it's the same size as the 130amp. Will 130 amp even fit on your truck? Don't know, sometimes the higher output alternators are large diameter.
I would run another wire alongside the factory alternator output wire, and run it over to a dedicated fuse or fuse box that can run your larger accessories. Leave the factory wiring out of this and it and you wil be much happier.