howzit guys, how hard is it to change my alternator to the intrenal regulator type? what needs to illiminated? added? on my '79 f-150.
thanks!
D

 

you will need a new gm 100 amp internal alternator.

 

a chevy one wire would be the easiest and least amount of trouble , I put them on dodges to , it eliminates all the b-s-, just adapt your bracket and run it to your battery

 

to adapt to your bracket drill the chevy out to standard 5/8'' then just install. nothing else needed but to run a wire or 2.

 

If money is not a factor you can buy a powermaster alt i bought one for my 76 it's 140 amp and one wire internal reg. It was a direct bolt in. You can order one thru a parts store just go in tell them what yr and engine and model truck you have and they can probly order it for you.

 

I bought a 200 amp 1 wire alternator that was wound in a Ford case. If I had it to do over I probably would have got a Chevy alternator wound for the same amps so I can swap in a parts store replacement in an emergency but oh well. I don't remember for sure if anything had to be done/changed with the stock regulator. I pulled the regulator and redid a lot of wiring and eliminated tons of wiring too, but I can't remember if this was necessary or if I just got carried away with cleaning under my hood.

 

ivan just got carried away but you olnly need one wire from the alternator to the positive side of you battery.

 

to be **very** specific, what could I remove and from where exactly do I cut, unplug, or burn to clean up the install and everything still work without wires, and other unused parts lying in the engine compartment?

sorry, some of us users are not "super ford mechanix" yet, so please don't think you will insult me by begining at the begining.

tim

 

im pretty sure if you wanted to you could get rid of everything that goes to the regulator and alternator all the wires. i cant remember what i did last time i did this but im sure i removed everything and just ran my own wires. for my voltage gauage i used a new gauge. some one that has done it recently might have better info. it might be better to get the alternator that your gonna use and go from there.

 

I wish I could give more details but it's been better than a year. I do know I had to change some stuff when I eliminated the stock regulator or the truck wouldn't start. I can't for the life of me tell you what it was though. If I get a chance to peak at another truck this weekend with the stock alternator I'll tell you what I find.

 

There are plenty of ONE wire alternator threads in the electrical forum to help you through the swap.

Btw, I think you meant Elimination not Illimination

 

This illustrates a point I was kicking myself on earlier. We need to be taking pictures and writing tech articles when we make a mod or significant repair. I would have the 73-79 steering gear replacement article if I had been thinking.

 

I don't know how to put the link in. Go to the menu at the top of the page. Articles/Specs. It's in there under Electrical and Electronics. That should help you get started.

 

Remove every wire that goe to the alternator and voltage regulator except for the horn wire. Also, there is a pretty good technical artical at the MAD witing site. I also found out on my truck with a 460, that a Buick alternator works better than a Chevy alternator due to the way the wires come out of the alternator. The chevy alternator has your wires going out towards the block. The buick V8 alternator will put the wires out towards your fender well and battery box.
Doc

 

He means this one

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...ord_Truck.html