Starter envy!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 0
From: NW Arkansas
After hearing about DB's alternator & starter on FTE some time ago I decided to upgrade my alternator & starter with DB's high output setup.
When I called DB to order, I had to ask the question "Are they made in China?" When he said yes, I became very sad and said thank you anyway. I just couldn't put Made in China stuff on my truck. Many reasons why but.....!
I try as much as possible to buy American, sometimes you just can't avoid overseas products, and sometimes there's good reason to buy a foreign product.
I'm just passing on my personal thoughts and in NO WAY pass on judgement on your decision. Best of success with you new starter. V/r Les
When I called DB to order, I had to ask the question "Are they made in China?" When he said yes, I became very sad and said thank you anyway. I just couldn't put Made in China stuff on my truck. Many reasons why but.....!
I try as much as possible to buy American, sometimes you just can't avoid overseas products, and sometimes there's good reason to buy a foreign product.
I'm just passing on my personal thoughts and in NO WAY pass on judgement on your decision. Best of success with you new starter. V/r Les
I used to be this way too.. But then I had to ask myself.. does it matter? I would rather get a quality product from china instead of a product made by some DA that thinks he deserves $35 a hour to make a $10 product..
I wish Toyota or Nissan would bring over a diesel in a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.. at least I know i'm getting quality..
Sorry to HJ ;-)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 1
So I would buy DB if I thought it were a better product. This is what free enterprise is all about.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
After hearing about DB's alternator & starter on FTE some time ago I decided to upgrade my alternator & starter with DB's high output setup.
When I called DB to order, I had to ask the question "Are they made in China?" When he said yes, I became very sad and said thank you anyway. I just couldn't put Made in China stuff on my truck. Many reasons why but.....!
I try as much as possible to buy American, sometimes you just can't avoid overseas products, and sometimes there's good reason to buy a foreign product.
I'm just passing on my personal thoughts and in NO WAY pass on judgement on your decision. Best of success with you new starter. V/r Les
When I called DB to order, I had to ask the question "Are they made in China?" When he said yes, I became very sad and said thank you anyway. I just couldn't put Made in China stuff on my truck. Many reasons why but.....!
I try as much as possible to buy American, sometimes you just can't avoid overseas products, and sometimes there's good reason to buy a foreign product.
I'm just passing on my personal thoughts and in NO WAY pass on judgement on your decision. Best of success with you new starter. V/r Les
If you're referring to them using chinese parts to rebuild the stuff, then I wonder if there is a US alternative for those parts. Any one else have any knowledge about this?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,111
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
A google search revealed this.
Some of thier larger starters are rated for 40,000 cid engines!
Air Starter Components
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
After hearing about DB's alternator & starter on FTE some time ago I decided to upgrade my alternator & starter with DB's high output setup.
When I called DB to order, I had to ask the question "Are they made in China?" When he said yes, I became very sad and said thank you anyway. I just couldn't put Made in China stuff on my truck. Many reasons why but.....!
When I called DB to order, I had to ask the question "Are they made in China?" When he said yes, I became very sad and said thank you anyway. I just couldn't put Made in China stuff on my truck. Many reasons why but.....!
the original starter is made by Mitsubishi
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Oregon
I had a Caterpillar 545kw generator set with a 3412 engine (think of two 3406 truck engines set up in a V configuration) that had an Ingersoll Rand air starter. It sounded like a huge air impact wrench air motor - and LOUD!!! Believe it or not, it seemed to use very little air. I accidently forgot to open the valve to the storage tanks one time and started the engine from dead cold (sitting over a weekend at 40* F) on what was in the 1 1/2" air line that was 16 feet long. We stored the air at 175 psi, but regulated it down to 100 psi at the starter.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I was a little hesitant when ordering since the number of splines did not match up, but they convinced me that it was the right starter. For the price there was no debate. This starter was less than a rebuilt stock starter, and with the positive feedback from others on this site I decided to go with the DB. The only downside was that I was waiting for this starter during the big ice storm in Kentucky (and surrounding states) and I didn't have my truck. I was amazed at the size and overall robustness of this starter. I was able to get the starter in, but it was contacting the crossmember. So I ground that down a bit. Not really expecting the completely different tone to the starter, I thought that it was the wrong one. I have been using it now for a month and am impressed with ease of starting. I would definitely recommend this starter to others.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 4
From: Suffolk, VA
Well thanks for posting this up. It made my destacision and I ordered one up today. It's been pretty cold around here lately and I've had a couple hard starts lately. Not from not firing, but from not getting the engine spinning fast enough. The batteries would drain real quick if I had the key in the accessory position if I was doing something or even had the radio on for a more than 10 minutes. Basically I had one shot at getting it started, there was no reserve. I got two new Motorcraft batteries in there this morning when it died while cranking. Now it's great. Decided to just go ahead and go for the starter too...looking for overkill here.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
The military has been behind the cost of living ever since it's inception, so I like to save where I can. If Ford wants to sell it's OEM starter for $250+ and use that overhead margin to cover paying a factory forklift driver $85K/year or pay out MILLIONS in salary bonuses, that's their perogative. If I want to save $100 and get a more powerful starter (from China instead of Japan) then that's my perogative.
By the way, that forklift operator makes more money a year than I do operating nuclear reactors for the Navy...so I'm not putting any more money in his pocket than I have to.
By the way, that forklift operator makes more money a year than I do operating nuclear reactors for the Navy...so I'm not putting any more money in his pocket than I have to.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 4
From: Blaine, TN
Well thanks for posting this up. It made my destacision and I ordered one up today. It's been pretty cold around here lately and I've had a couple hard starts lately. Not from not firing, but from not getting the engine spinning fast enough. The batteries would drain real quick if I had the key in the accessory position if I was doing something or even had the radio on for a more than 10 minutes. Basically I had one shot at getting it started, there was no reserve. I got two new Motorcraft batteries in there this morning when it died while cranking. Now it's great. Decided to just go ahead and go for the starter too...looking for overkill here.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I put mine in this past tuesday, I did have to grind some off the crossmember, but all in all it took about 30 minutes. Trust me it should have no problem spinning fast enough for you. It was around 20* outside this morning and when I cranked it up, it took less time to fire than the stocker at 50*, I took a look at the spec sheet that came with my starter when they tested it, and noticed the rated load RPM was 1411 rpm, Like I said, you shouldnt have a problem with it spinning it over quicker, you'll love it
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 1
I have the DB HT in my garage waiting for some project time (work, wife and kids take up almost all of my time). Did you have to grind much? I have an electric 4 1/2" angle grinder, would that do the job? Did you do anything to preserve and prevent the crossmember from rusting?
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
I have the same question, and can only assume that he has a 4WD truck. My install was on my 2WD truck and I had about 1/4" of clearance in getting the thing in placed adn bolted up. Tight... but not so tight as to require grinding.
In terms of faster spins... that's an absolute improvement without a doubt!