Alternator upgrade
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New User
Joined: Dec 2004
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Alternator upgrade
I did a search of past forums and came up with two options for upgrading my alternator. One was by Muffinman and had to do with swapping the rectifier in my present alternator. Second was to put an alt from either a 91 Tempo (95 amps) or an Explorer (130 amps).
I'm thinking of doing this on a 97 xlt awd that I'm planning on pulling a small tent trailer and want to charge the trailer battery while driving. Also thinking about doing a Country Homes conversion with a second house battery setup.
So, the question is, who has done either of these alt upgrades, and how well did it work? Pitfalls?
Thanks in advance. This is a great forum...
I'm thinking of doing this on a 97 xlt awd that I'm planning on pulling a small tent trailer and want to charge the trailer battery while driving. Also thinking about doing a Country Homes conversion with a second house battery setup.
So, the question is, who has done either of these alt upgrades, and how well did it work? Pitfalls?
Thanks in advance. This is a great forum...
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
I tried putting in a 130-amp rectifier, but it wouldn't fit the smaller case on my 95-amp alternator. I ended up putting in a 130-amp alternator from the Explorer. The case is in fact bigger, but it fits without any problem. But that's for the 4.0L, I don't know what one can do with the 3.0L.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Get the Explorer alt for it's size. If you need more amps change out the Rectifier to a larger one. They make external ones up to 200 amps for these.
In my case I had to remove the old wire from the harness cuase it was to small. I needed to install a 4GA wire to the battery to handle the extra load. I also changed the ground from the Alt housing to 4GA and grounded it to the frame then the battery. They make battery clamps that will take all the wires From 2GA down to #10. They include several inputs. Mine had 2 4GA and Two #8's. I would add a Fuse that is sized to your alt output for good measure.
The pitfall is get a factory One from the Yard. You can tell by the fan size and it has a backing plate. If you take it apart use CPU grease like Artic Silver on the rectefier it will keep it from toasting.
In my case I had to remove the old wire from the harness cuase it was to small. I needed to install a 4GA wire to the battery to handle the extra load. I also changed the ground from the Alt housing to 4GA and grounded it to the frame then the battery. They make battery clamps that will take all the wires From 2GA down to #10. They include several inputs. Mine had 2 4GA and Two #8's. I would add a Fuse that is sized to your alt output for good measure.
The pitfall is get a factory One from the Yard. You can tell by the fan size and it has a backing plate. If you take it apart use CPU grease like Artic Silver on the rectefier it will keep it from toasting.
Last edited by Muffinman; Mar 23, 2005 at 03:32 PM.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 41
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i just found this website as one of the ads on this page, and they have 170 and 200 amp alternators for 91-01 exploders!
http://www.motorcityreman.com/
also, I put a 130 amp for a 97 ranger 4.0 in my van, works great, I can have the headlights and foglights on, have the stereo blaring, and still turn on the wipers without the voltage meter so much as twitching.
http://www.motorcityreman.com/
also, I put a 130 amp for a 97 ranger 4.0 in my van, works great, I can have the headlights and foglights on, have the stereo blaring, and still turn on the wipers without the voltage meter so much as twitching.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 41
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it's been great so far, but I don't really draw all that much from it, i just wanted one that put out enough at idle to not drop no matter what I did. I actually work at advance auto parts so I wheeled the tester out and load tested it and it put out 95 amps at idle and like 127 at 2000 rpm.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
What was your voltage output? if it ever falls below 11 volts it will fry the #8 and everthing in the harness with it. It could start a fire on top of that.
Number 8 is only rated for 60 amps.
Number 4 is good up to 150 amps, 1800 watts.
Number 8 is only rated for 60 amps.
Number 4 is good up to 150 amps, 1800 watts.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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My 94 3.0 came with a 95 altinator. My first one started getting weak at idle and then fried while testing it. I got a replacement 95 amp alt and still had problems with it falling off at idle. So I ran 6 ga wire from the battery ground to the frame, to the fire wall ,then to the alt bracket. My voltage is steady at idle now, no more dim lights. I have 95,000 miles on my original 6 ga battery wires too and when I replace them I will go to 4 ga. I also put in an optima battery, I love it so far.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 41
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my voltage output was about 14.3 i think. I also run an optima red top, I'm still amazed at how good these batteries are. I've left my stereo on for roughly 6-7 hours one day, with the side door open (interior lights on) and it started right up without hesitation when it came time.
