I have a 1996 F250 Crew Cab with the 460 engine. I am thinking about installing a larger alternator to help with the snowplow amp draw. What is the largest alternator avalible for my truck. Will it fit without any modifications?

Thanks
Kogler

 

There are companies that make 200A alternators for your truck. I've even seen a few on e-bay. Like so: http://www.mechman.com/order.htm


The vast majority of super high current alternators generally suck at idle, however, producing a bit less than the stock alternators. The way to fix this, since you have a very low-RPM torquey 460, is to use the smallest pulley you can put on the alternator, making it spin faster at idle. But that limits your RPMs at the top end, as the alternator would be overspinning. Say, keeping it under 4500 rpm or so.

This is one of the reasons why this spring, when I put in a stroked 460 into my crewcab, I'll be running dual alternators. What started this was my desire for more electricity in the truck, and a lucky find in a junkyard of a dual alternator 460-powered 94 ambulance. It was also "dollar day" so I snagged all the bracketry, the wiring, both alternators, the power steering pump, and both AC units (it was dual air too!), so that's the approach I'm taking.

But, its not a direct bolt-on like you desire... you'll want to go with the 200A aftermarket alternators instead. I was merely offering another option for you to consider.

 

You could also purchase an alternator for an Econoline conversion van which is the same year as your truck. The conversion (or maybe an ambulance) vans came with 130 amp alternator.
I have a 95 f-150 that I plow with and the biggest alternator available was 95 amps. I checked into the 200 amp ones, but they were pretty pricey. I purchased The 130 amp one for a 95 E-150 conversion and it bolted right in.

 

Jeff's Broncograveyard offers a 200 amp altenator, i purchased one for my 93 Bronco, and it has a smaller pulley on it than the stock one.