Need More Power--Alternator Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

OG lil E · 12-06-2004, 12:22 AM

I've been planning and scheming to get airbags on my truck. Alot I've read about says that the compressors pull quite a bit of power. I've noticed that when I drive my truck with the headlights on and heater going, when I stop at a light, everything dims. I plan on adding an aftermarket stereo as well as compressors for airbags, so a bigger alternator is a must have. I was wondering if a one wire is the way to go, or should I just buy a bigger alternator that hooks up like a stocker? I put a one wire in my '62 Buick, but that has been 6 years ago and I can't remember how my mechanic told me to wire it up. Our trucks are internally regulated, right? Also, has anybody had any experience buying alternators from mail order or Ebay? Mail order prices seem to be the best buy, but are they? Lots of questions, I know, and as always, any help is appreciated! E

gchemist · 12-06-2004, 03:52 AM

You can swap in a 94 or 100 amp alternator from a 84-86 Camaro. I did I love it. The bearing failed in the 94 amp alternator so I had it upgraded to 120 amps for $62!!! I just installed it last week. No more power drains. Not even with the windows. The voltage is nearly constant no matter what I'm runnning. With the 94 amp, voltage would drop from 14.6 to 13.9 with all the lights, stereo and window movement at the same time. Now with 120 amps voltage is 14.4-14.7 all the time. I even noticed that power to the ignition system was improved.

OG lil E · 12-06-2004, 10:31 AM

Gchemist, what year Camaro did the 120 amp alternator come off of, the '84-86 Camaro? What year is your truck? Mine is a '79. Also, I have the 250 inline 6. Will this make a difference in how the alternator fits? I guess I'm asking if all GM alternators are the same. Also, where did you purchase it? Checker, Pep Boys, etc.? Great info, THANKS!

cliffsta · 12-06-2004, 11:14 AM

yeah i feel ya. My truck has a measely 55 amp alternator. With my fog lights, and the stereo, and old battery, the lights dim at a stop light. I'm going to the 80 or the 100.

gchemist · 12-07-2004, 01:06 AM

I bought a new 84-86 Camaro alternator off www.ebaymotors.com for only $35. Some guy lost his receipt and could not return it. He found his electrical problem and was stuck with a new alternator. Call your local alternator rebuilder. They can rebuild your alternator probably cheaper than buying one. I only paid $37 for parts and $25 for labor to up grade the 94 amp to 120 amps.

Does your look like this alternator?

OG lil E · 12-07-2004, 05:37 PM

That's what my alternator looks like--as best as I can tell. It sits pretty far down on the motor so it's kinda hard to see. The plug and the battery stud are in the same location though.

gchemist · 12-07-2004, 10:46 PM

Slap one in!!!

OG lil E · 12-08-2004, 01:04 AM

The way the description is in this Ebay auction I'm not sure if this will work in my truck or not. Before I e-mail the seller and try to get an answer, I thought I'd ask you guys first. Will it work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...939844730&rd=1

Gunny · 12-13-2004, 12:00 PM

I have a 88 4x4 Diesel Suburban with factory DUAL BATTERIES and quess what the stock alternator is - a little bitty 78 amp - this thing has been driving me nuts for over a month now - as long as I do not use the headlights and heater it will charge but put them on and it puts out 12.6 volts which for a single battery is not great but still keeps a charge - on a dual system forget it - I am going to see about the camero alt TODAY - got off duty at 0730 this morning and it would not crank took me 1 1/2 hours to get the sob started.

Gunny · 12-13-2004, 01:10 PM

I found the info for the 120 amp - it is on a 86 Z28 Camero

www.advance-auto-parts.com

part number: Beck/Arnley 1866066 (Alternator: Reman) $94.99 plus $30.00 core

cliffsta · 12-13-2004, 05:00 PM

Out of curiosity, why would you want a 120 amp alternator in a truck like these? I mean, mine has a 55 amp alternator, which was like 2nd biggest in 1980, and its just a bit too small. I don't forsee going past an 80 amp.

Gunny · 12-13-2004, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffsta

Out of curiosity, why would you want a 120 amp alternator in a truck like these? I mean, mine has a 55 amp alternator, which was like 2nd biggest in 1980, and its just a bit too small. I don't forsee going past an 80 amp.

in my case it is because I have a Diesel 4x4 Suburban with dual batteries, when running at night with the headlights on and the heater going it struggles to keep both batteries charged, in addition I do alot of towing of parts cars I pick up for my different projects and the winch puts a real strain on the system, then there are the off road lights, stereo, soon to be installed DVD with headrest 7.5" screens. a 78 amp alt just does not do the job for me.

cliffsta · 12-13-2004, 09:03 PM

that would explain it

gchemist · 12-13-2004, 10:53 PM

In my case: two swept fan 14" fans, halgoen quadlights for highbeam, digital guages, Kenwood CD player, two 3" speakers, two 6"X9" three way speakers, two 12" bass killing thumpers, 1 amp, dual tanks, A/C, power windows and power locks. Future upgrades: more speakers, bigger stereio amp and one custom lifting bed tonneau cover.

Russell · 12-14-2004, 02:01 AM

I'm running what I hope is a 105 amp 91 Burban alternator. Its a serpentine alternator though...

12-06-2004, 12:22 AM	#1
OG lil E Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Mile High City Posts: 34	Need More Power--Alternator Questions I've been planning and scheming to get airbags on my truck. Alot I've read about says that the compressors pull quite a bit of power. I've noticed that when I drive my truck with the headlights on and heater going, when I stop at a light, everything dims. I plan on adding an aftermarket stereo as well as compressors for airbags, so a bigger alternator is a must have. I was wondering if a one wire is the way to go, or should I just buy a bigger alternator that hooks up like a stocker? I put a one wire in my '62 Buick, but that has been 6 years ago and I can't remember how my mechanic told me to wire it up. Our trucks are internally regulated, right? Also, has anybody had any experience buying alternators from mail order or Ebay? Mail order prices seem to be the best buy, but are they? Lots of questions, I know, and as always, any help is appreciated! E

12-06-2004, 03:52 AM	#2
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	You can swap in a 94 or 100 amp alternator from a 84-86 Camaro. I did I love it. The bearing failed in the 94 amp alternator so I had it upgraded to 120 amps for $62!!! I just installed it last week. No more power drains. Not even with the windows. The voltage is nearly constant no matter what I'm runnning. With the 94 amp, voltage would drop from 14.6 to 13.9 with all the lights, stereo and window movement at the same time. Now with 120 amps voltage is 14.4-14.7 all the time. I even noticed that power to the ignition system was improved. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

12-06-2004, 11:14 AM	#4
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	yeah i feel ya. My truck has a measely 55 amp alternator. With my fog lights, and the stereo, and old battery, the lights dim at a stop light. I'm going to the 80 or the 100. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

12-07-2004, 01:06 AM	#5
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	I bought a new 84-86 Camaro alternator off www.ebaymotors.com for only $35. Some guy lost his receipt and could not return it. He found his electrical problem and was stuck with a new alternator. Call your local alternator rebuilder. They can rebuild your alternator probably cheaper than buying one. I only paid $37 for parts and $25 for labor to up grade the 94 amp to 120 amps. Does your look like this alternator? __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

12-13-2004, 12:00 PM	#9
Gunny runnin on empty Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 115	I have a 88 4x4 Diesel Suburban with factory DUAL BATTERIES and quess what the stock alternator is - a little bitty 78 amp - this thing has been driving me nuts for over a month now - as long as I do not use the headlights and heater it will charge but put them on and it puts out 12.6 volts which for a single battery is not great but still keeps a charge - on a dual system forget it - I am going to see about the camero alt TODAY - got off duty at 0730 this morning and it would not crank took me 1 1/2 hours to get the sob started. __________________ 88 GMC Suburban - 6.2 Diesel 4x4 87 Jeep Cherokee - 6" lift, 32 bfg's, way too many mods to list. 65 Thunderbird - Stock United States Marine Corps SEPIUS EXERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATER INFINITAS "Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"

12-06-2004, 10:31 AM	#3
OG lil E Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Mile High City Posts: 34	Gchemist, what year Camaro did the 120 amp alternator come off of, the '84-86 Camaro? What year is your truck? Mine is a '79. Also, I have the 250 inline 6. Will this make a difference in how the alternator fits? I guess I'm asking if all GM alternators are the same. Also, where did you purchase it? Checker, Pep Boys, etc.? Great info, THANKS!

12-07-2004, 05:37 PM	#6
OG lil E Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Mile High City Posts: 34	That's what my alternator looks like--as best as I can tell. It sits pretty far down on the motor so it's kinda hard to see. The plug and the battery stud are in the same location though.

12-07-2004, 10:46 PM	#7
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Slap one in!!!

12-08-2004, 01:04 AM	#8
OG lil E Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Mile High City Posts: 34	The way the description is in this Ebay auction I'm not sure if this will work in my truck or not. Before I e-mail the seller and try to get an answer, I thought I'd ask you guys first. Will it work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...939844730&rd=1

12-13-2004, 01:10 PM	#10
Gunny runnin on empty Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 115	I found the info for the 120 amp - it is on a 86 Z28 Camero www.advance-auto-parts.com part number: Beck/Arnley 1866066 (Alternator: Reman) $94.99 plus $30.00 core __________________ 88 GMC Suburban - 6.2 Diesel 4x4 87 Jeep Cherokee - 6" lift, 32 bfg's, way too many mods to list. 65 Thunderbird - Stock United States Marine Corps SEPIUS EXERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATER INFINITAS "Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"

12-13-2004, 05:00 PM	#11
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Out of curiosity, why would you want a 120 amp alternator in a truck like these? I mean, mine has a 55 amp alternator, which was like 2nd biggest in 1980, and its just a bit too small. I don't forsee going past an 80 amp. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

12-13-2004, 09:03 PM	#13
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	that would explain it __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

12-13-2004, 10:53 PM	#14
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	In my case: two swept fan 14" fans, halgoen quadlights for highbeam, digital guages, Kenwood CD player, two 3" speakers, two 6"X9" three way speakers, two 12" bass killing thumpers, 1 amp, dual tanks, A/C, power windows and power locks. Future upgrades: more speakers, bigger stereio amp and one custom lifting bed tonneau cover.

12-14-2004, 02:01 AM	#15
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	I'm running what I hope is a 105 amp 91 Burban alternator. Its a serpentine alternator though... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

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