3G alternator upgrade
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 4
3G alternator upgrade
Hi all,
The truck:1993 F350 7.5L V8 460
Looking at swapping in a new alternator and battery into the old forest ranger. I did a little research and found a thread here where people recommended upgrading to the 3G alternator. It appears that one of the guys who sold them with all the mounting holes pre drilled and what not is out of business. Anyone have a recommendation on where to pick one up? Also, does anyone have a preference on a battery they're running with the 3G alternator? Deep cycle? Anything like that?
Thanks
Dan
The truck:1993 F350 7.5L V8 460
Looking at swapping in a new alternator and battery into the old forest ranger. I did a little research and found a thread here where people recommended upgrading to the 3G alternator. It appears that one of the guys who sold them with all the mounting holes pre drilled and what not is out of business. Anyone have a recommendation on where to pick one up? Also, does anyone have a preference on a battery they're running with the 3G alternator? Deep cycle? Anything like that?
Thanks
Dan
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Where, and when, you live and drive should factor in your battery selection. The maximum CCA available is very important if you live in say North Dakota or Minnesota, considerably less if you live in Arizona or Texas. High CCA batteries come at a price, both in dollars and service life, so if you don't need the maximum CCA then they are a waste of money. A good battery charger should also factor in your consideration, it will pay for itself many times over, a lot of folks want to buy the "best" battery but then torture both the battery and alternator it by neglecting it.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 4
Where, and when, you live and drive should factor in your battery selection. The maximum CCA available is very important if you live in say North Dakota or Minnesota, considerably less if you live in Arizona or Texas. High CCA batteries come at a price, both in dollars and service life, so if you don't need the maximum CCA then they are a waste of money. A good battery charger should also factor in your consideration, it will pay for itself many times over, a lot of folks want to buy the "best" battery but then torture both the battery and alternator it by neglecting it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I have a small stable of battery chargers, the "smart" type and maintainers. And believe it or not it's pretty tough to improve on the good old Shumacher 6 amp "dumb" charger they sold for about 50 years under their name or Sears and everybody else. Probably a $2 yard sale score if you look. I like the Battery Tender plus for a float charger.
They don't have enough juice to recharge a battery effectively though, strictly for maintaining a charged battery. Connect them and leave it all winter (or summer) long and the batt will be ready to go at 100% whenever needed. Good battery maintenance is a key component to preventive truck maintenance as it is the heart of the entire electrical system, a defective battery can trash the alternator, and a defective alternator can also trash a battery.
They don't have enough juice to recharge a battery effectively though, strictly for maintaining a charged battery. Connect them and leave it all winter (or summer) long and the batt will be ready to go at 100% whenever needed. Good battery maintenance is a key component to preventive truck maintenance as it is the heart of the entire electrical system, a defective battery can trash the alternator, and a defective alternator can also trash a battery.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 138
From: Manassas, VA
Hey Dan. Just did this swap on my brother's '88. We sourced everything from the local pick a part - alternator/smog pump bracket, charging harness, and 3G alternator. Doing it this way is the simplest IMO. Not sure about the big block but I know on the 351 the bracket bolts were the same for the old vs new style tensioner. The hardest part of the swap was unbolting the smog pump from the old bracket and transferring it to the new bracket 
thanks corroded parts!!
thanks corroded parts!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 13
From: west plains spokane,wa
You can get motorcraft batteries at o'reilly's auto parts. Always had good luck with them.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...rd/f-250?pos=9
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...rd/f-250?pos=9
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