Alternator replacement/ How to
 

Any ideas or tricks of the trade for changing out a bad alternator. Looks like the air filter hose goes first and then some bolts. Any help would be great.

It's real straight forward:

1. Disconnect the battery.
2. If equipped with the 4.6L engine, remove the air cleaner outlet pipe.
3. If equipped with the 5.4L engine, remove the air cleaner inlet pipe.
4. Rotate the front end accessory drive belt tensioner clockwise and position the front end accessory drive belt aside.
5. Release the generator harness locator from the generator bracket.
6. Remove the 4 bolts and the generator bracket.

1. Loosen the 2 generator bolts and position the generator aside to access the electrical connections.

1. Disconnect the generator electrical connector.
2. Position the generator B+ protective boot aside and remove the generator B+ nut and terminal, and remove the generator.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Just did mine at 147k. Disconnct battery. Remove Air intake and unbolt radiator shroud. Dont have to remove. Disconnct the radiator hose at the radiator and flop it up toward firewall. Un plug and remove three bolts. Will have to turn to remove. If you havent done so it may be a good idea to replace the cerpintine belt. Recommended every 60k. Also did mine for the first time at 147k. Half hour job. I think it was $250 with a $50 core charge.

my battery light just started coming on over the weekend, had the alternator tested and its a dud...getting a new one tomorrow.

I would try and find a auto electric shop to rebuild it. The last one I had done cost me 45 dollars and you get alot better product than ships in from china. Keep a local guy in business!

I bought one from a salvage yard today for $70.00. Installed and seems to be o.k. I ran my truck for an hour today and the battery seemed to stay fully charged. Time will tell.

Try a police package Crown Vic alternator (Mitsubishi) - bolts right up and way more power (I plow snow) just take Crown Vic from same year.