Hi just a simple question. Im gonna upgrade to a one wire alternator on my 82 f100, what alternator would be good thats not too pricey that fits right up. Thanks in advance!

 

I'm no expert, but I asked google.

https://www.google.com/search?q=upgr...hrome&ie=UTF-8

 

A 3G 1 wire alternator from a 94 Taurus fit on the 6.9l IDI in my 86 Bullnose truck perfectly. Here's a good write up.

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/3g-conversion.html

 

When you say... "1 wire alternator" are you just referring to the large output wire?
Or would you be willing to also extend the small green wire from the voltage regulator mounted near the battery, to the new alternator?

Also if you looking for advice, it would be helpful if you shared why you are doing this.
Did the 1G alternator fail?
Are you looking for a higher output alternator for some reason?
Do you have an AMP METER that you want to keep functional?

1 wire alternators are a modified alternator. Each builder / modifier does it differently.
So it difficult to compare them or to really know how it will work, do you have to increase RPM to bring it online?

I would only use a one wire alternator on a old tractor that didn't have any electrical system or wiring, just some to run the headlights and to keep the battery charged.

Another problem is if you break down on the road, auto parts store don't have them.

Jim

 

A one wire alternator is not really a upgrade. And if you have a failure, good luck finding one in a store somewhere. But they are a alternative, just pick one and try it. We do not see them much on here, maybe because they work well? I do not know.

 

The reason is im tired of dealing with the alternator not charging the battery in another post i thought and hoped it was the regulator but its problem lie in mess of wiring that is has and I just want to simplify it for now

 

I've been also looking everywhere for a alternator to regulator harness but it to few to find

 

Battery might not charge for several reasons. How do you know your regulator works or not? Battery could be dead, connections poor and dirty. Assuming you replaced it with gnew, doesn't mean it's good. No gnew wasn't a misspell. Many regulators reported bad out of the box. The 1G alternator is old school cool. Should work great, plug and chug. What makes you think the wiring is a mess. Some of these trucks come with a ratsnest of wiring and vacuum tubes from the factory.

 

Just pick one and try it then. If they make one to exactly fit your truck and bolt on. If you can't find one that bolts on and requires modification, you might as well buy a older GM alternator and install it. It's very simple to hook up, it has two wires. One thick one to charge the battery, and one smaller one that the green/red Ford wire hooks to. It's what I am running on my Bronco II. Many many tractors and equipment use that style GM alternator also. It is what my Case backhoe has on it.

 

I like all the questions Jim asked but the main one WHY?

I have heard too many dead battery stories after someone went with a 1 wire ALT.
The problem is the ALT can not sense the voltage at the battery where it needs to, it senses it right at the large output post
So the ALT thinks the battery is charged because it sees voltage at the stud but the battery is really 11 volts and not charging.

If you dont have any high electrical demand then there is no need to change what you got.
Being a F100 it is not a 4x4 so no plow.
I pull a 20' enclosed trailer with my 81 F100 in the dark a lot of times and it had electric brakes on both axles and the factory ALT works just fine for the last six years.
Dave ----

 

I found a place for replacement harness for it so ill give that a shot but the harness is in bad shape and the some of the wire have no current i did replace the 2 circuit breakers and its starts a better but no charge to battery

 

Is it safe to assume, you have this link to verify your wiring ?

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1981-evtm.html

 

I would recommend the 3g upgrade rather than the one wire upgrade. One wires tend to only charge above 1000+ rpm. The 3g is very resiliant and simple. You can find instructions at www.garysgaragemahal.com

 

^^^THIS^^^

A 3G alternator isn't 1 wire, but it deletes the external voltage regulator.

The 3G alternator I put on my Bullnose truck has performed much better than the 10SI 1 wire alternator I put on my 71 Oldsmobile.

 

I just dont see the need for the 3G if you dont have extra electrical load than what the factory had
If you drive it long enough to put back into the battery what you pulled out from starting even with the head lights & heater on you will not have a problem.
Going on 6 years now without a dead battery from the 1G ALT.
Dave ----