alternator dying, suggestions?

[MartyG]

It seems I'm just not getting the same juice I should be and it's confirmed with a voltage tester. I don't have too many accessories other than a pair of hi wattage off road lights. I'm currently running a 3 wire so can you tell me what voltage I should be looking for and any sggestions on maybe are not too expensive alternator option?
thanks in advance, my ever helpful Bronco brothers and sisters

 

[bronconut73]

Take it to Autozone. They can test it on their in house test cabinet.
If it is a stock alternator it should be pretty cheap.
Grab a voltage regulator too.

 

[KyleQ]

Don't waste your money on another stock alt and voltage regulator - get yourself a 3G from the pick-n-pull (super easy to remove on a Taurus as they are on top of the engine) and have it tested. Installation is super simple and you get to remove the voltage regulator and messy wiring from that side for a modern, internally regulated alternator that will provide plenty of juice.

 

[MartyG]

Don't waste your money on another stock alt and voltage regulator - get yourself a 3G from the pick-n-pull (super easy to remove on a Taurus as they are on top of the engine) and have it tested. Installation is super simple and you get to remove the voltage regulator and messy wiring from that side for a modern, internally regulated alternator that will provide plenty of juice.

Thanks, Kyle...
Any suggestions for other models that would be compatible?
(They might not have a Taurus)

 

[Slednut10]

Short list in this thread for ya!
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87367&highlight=3G+Alternator+Donor

 

[Danny128]

I just swapped my original alternator for a 3G ('94-'95 mustang 5.0), similar to this one:

Grabbing the wiring adapter would also be helpful. I bought one off eBay (pic below), since I got the alternator new, and the adapter isn't included.

Here is a link to a few questions I recently posted about the swap that you may find helpful. The wiring diagram was a big help for me.

Good luck!

Danny

Thanks, Kyle...
Any suggestions for other models that would be compatible?
(They might not have a Taurus)

 

[MartyG]

Awesome.

 

[KyleQ]

One of the best upgrades out there - bolt in. I took an alternator out of a 90's Taurus and bolted it right into my 64' Galaxy 500 with a 352ci motor. Just zipped the pulley off the original 1G, slapped it on the 3G and away I went.

 

[ntsqd]

Marty,
I'd go talk to Mike at Unit II on Azahar in Saticoy. Unit II is an excellent local resource to know about.

 

[DirtDonk]

...so can you tell me what voltage I should be looking for?

With your current model or any standard upgrade like the 3G they're talking about, you're ideally looking for about 14.5 volts with the engine running.
Anything between 13.5 and 14.8 or so is useable, but any time they go below 14 on a regular basis, something isn't functioning properly I would say.

Simply measure at the battery terminals and if you're over 14 but under 15, you're in good shape.

Paul