Alternator replacement
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 65
Alternator replacement
Seeking advice please.
The old stock alternator still works but the bearings are starting to make noise so replacement time draws near. It’s on a 1986 E350 with 460 and I believe it’s an internally regulated 65 amp 2G alternator with the sketchy plug.
Since it’s worked perfectly fine for 30 years my first thought is to just replace the 2G with another one but I see a lot of guys upgrading to 3G to get away from the plug. Also, if I stick with the original 2G I can replace the plug with an new one but I’m not sure the crimp on connectors are really any better than the plug it replaces...
So what do you think, replace the old 2G alternator and plug with another one or go with the 3G upgrade?
Your thoughts are much appreciated!
The old stock alternator still works but the bearings are starting to make noise so replacement time draws near. It’s on a 1986 E350 with 460 and I believe it’s an internally regulated 65 amp 2G alternator with the sketchy plug.
Since it’s worked perfectly fine for 30 years my first thought is to just replace the 2G with another one but I see a lot of guys upgrading to 3G to get away from the plug. Also, if I stick with the original 2G I can replace the plug with an new one but I’m not sure the crimp on connectors are really any better than the plug it replaces...
So what do you think, replace the old 2G alternator and plug with another one or go with the 3G upgrade?
Your thoughts are much appreciated!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
A 3G will be more reliable, and you can usually find a working one at the junkyard for ~$30. You'll also make a good bit more power at idle than a 1G or 2G, and have more room for stereo upgrades, lights, etc
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,995
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
I went to the dark side. My ranger had a 2G that went bad. I too did not like the plug reputation, and also looking at replacements, they are very expensive compared to others. I had a GM alternator laying around so I used that. It came off a 86 Monte Carlo SS and has 100 amp output and is internally regulated.
I had to swap pulleys. I did also have to drill one of the holes a little bigger for the pivot bolt, I think it was from 3/8 to a 7/16 bolt. And I did have to modify the adjuster arm, the GM was bigger in diameter.
The wiring is simple on the GM. #1 terminal gets hooked to the Ford green/red from the Ford regulator. The #2 terminal on the GM gets a small jumper going to the large Bat terminal on the back of the alternator. And then the two 10 gauge wires Ford used for the output of the Ford alternator get put on the output Bat terminal of the GM.
I had to swap pulleys. I did also have to drill one of the holes a little bigger for the pivot bolt, I think it was from 3/8 to a 7/16 bolt. And I did have to modify the adjuster arm, the GM was bigger in diameter.
The wiring is simple on the GM. #1 terminal gets hooked to the Ford green/red from the Ford regulator. The #2 terminal on the GM gets a small jumper going to the large Bat terminal on the back of the alternator. And then the two 10 gauge wires Ford used for the output of the Ford alternator get put on the output Bat terminal of the GM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Since you guys are talking about old vs new alternators here, I have to ask what alternator I have in my '84 F150.
It does not have any plugs...just studs on the back with ring terminal connections, and the voltage regulator is on the fender.
Does that mean it is a 1G unit?
It does not have any plugs...just studs on the back with ring terminal connections, and the voltage regulator is on the fender.
Does that mean it is a 1G unit?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,995
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
Since you guys are talking about old vs new alternators here, I have to ask what alternator I have in my '84 F150.
It does not have any plugs...just studs on the back with ring terminal connections, and the voltage regulator is on the fender.
Does that mean it is a 1G unit?
It does not have any plugs...just studs on the back with ring terminal connections, and the voltage regulator is on the fender.
Does that mean it is a 1G unit?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Sorry for the thread hijack Brnfree, my apologies. I'll stay out of it now
.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 318
Likes: 13
From: Baltimore
The only reason I changed from a 2G to a 3G is because of the common output plug failures. It also helps that I work at an electrical rebuild shop and rebuild alternators. The 1G is reliable if you're bare bones and only need 55 amps. Even with A/C it's sufficient
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