Time To Upgrade The Alternator?

sen2two · Sep 9, 2014

I'm thinking it's time to upgrade my tired alternator. But I am a not 100% sure I need to. I am still using the stock Fox type alternator which I have read is underpowered.

The problem is, when ever I turn on my headlights, the Volts (on the gauge) drop way down. I even hear the fuel pump get weaker. The battery is new and in its original location. But it is a pc680 battery. I never have a problem cranking though. I would like to put an electric fan, I'm just not sure the car can handle the load.

Could it be I need an alternator with more amps, or is my battery just not good enough to hold multiple loads?

5.0notslow · Sep 9, 2014

If you are wanting to go to an electric fan, I would definitely upgrade the alternator.

hoopty5.0 · Sep 9, 2014

I have $50 into my 3g alt upgrade and it took less than an hour. No reason not to do it.

revhead347 · Sep 9, 2014

Definitely upgrade to a 3G from a 94-95 Mustang. Even if you don't need the extra power, it's worth the money for the more reliable design and that not catching on fire thing. You will need to grind out the bracket on the bottom a little for it to fit. Not a hard job. The wiring kit is on ebay, and it's cheap.

Kurt

jrichker · Sep 9, 2014

3G installation instructions: Everything you need to know is in it. Some of the prices will be out of date, but the part numbers will still work.
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/3g-alternator-install-a-how-to.646825/#post-6673702

7991LXnSHO · Sep 9, 2014

Run your car to Pep Boys, advance Auto, or Napa for a battery load test that will check the whole charging system too. For free, you will know if you have a good battery or any other problem to address when you upgrade the alternator.

stykthyn · Sep 9, 2014

X2 on the upgrade. Should be at the top of the list fur Fox mods abd the eBay wiring kit makes it Soooo easy.

rbohm · Sep 9, 2014

remember that ford only put a 60amp alternator in these cars stock, so when you start adding stereo amps, electric fans, etc, you need to upgrade the alternator.

90lxwhite · Sep 9, 2014

I put a 95 amp alt in my fox. Worked well no modifying necessary.

jrichker · Sep 10, 2014

90lxwhite said:
I put a 95 amp alt in my fox. Worked well no modifying necessary.

Pull 95 amps though wire designed for 65 and you are a candidate for smoke and fire.

EVERY high current alternator needs to run a minimum of a 4 gauge power wire with a fuse closely matched to the alternator's output.

sen2two · Sep 11, 2014

stykthyn said:
X2 on the upgrade. Should be at the top of the list fur Fox mods abd the eBay wiring kit makes it Soooo easy.

What should I search on eBay for the wiring kit? It's easy enough to do on my own, but the time saved is well worth it to buy something like this to me.

sen2two · Sep 11, 2014

This was all I found. Looks like a good deal since it comes with a "rebuilt" alternator.

Any experience with this seller anyone?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201100526257?redirect=mobile

mikestang63 · Sep 11, 2014

I would recommend for an alternator you either get one at a JY from any
94-96 mustang v-6
94-95 mustang 5.0
94-96 t-bird 3.8 non sc
95-96 windstar 3.0
93-96 e series vans f series truck w 4.9 i-6
96 sable 3.0
94-96 cougar 3.8 v6

Or buy a new one from autozone using the 30% off coupone TRT30

For the wiring kit there is a guy on Corral that sells them and on Ebay. I've used it on 2 swaps and recommend, it.

stykthyn · Sep 11, 2014

I bought my wiring kit from the guy on corral but I can't remember his name to save my life but it basicallylooks like this. You could piece it together cheaper but honestly everything is already crimped/ soldered together abd is worth the coin. Looks like this.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/231006216158?nav=SEARCH

sen2two · Sep 11, 2014

I searched it on Corral and found him.

I'll buy the kit because I like to support small US business. And it's a fair deal for what it is.

Thanks guys.

90lxwhite · Sep 11, 2014

Mine crapped out on me today on my 95. Guess it's to the parts store tomorrow and a busier weekend.

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 12, 2014

stykthyn said:
I bought my wiring kit from the guy on corral but I can't remember his name to save my life but it basicallylooks like this. You could piece it together cheaper but honestly everything is already crimped/ soldered together abd is worth the coin. Looks like this.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/231006216158?nav=SEARCH

I bought a couple of overdrive alternator pulleys from that guy. No issues what so ever.

CtCarl · Sep 20, 2014

The 6G swap I performed in my '87 was easy, cheap, and effective. Bonus: no grinding of the bracket or dealing with a special harness because of the stator wire. YMMV!

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/6c-alternator-swap-for-79-93-5-0.866607/#post-8709137

Mustang5L5 · Sep 22, 2014

130A or 110A is all a modern car really needs. Do don't run out and buy a 200A alt unless you are powering a small club inside your car.

Most passenger cars these days run about 130A. My Infiniti has a 120A alt and powers the Navi, HID's 10-speaker stereo, heated seats, etc etc perfectly fine with dimming of the lights. Surely a fox mustang with basically no electronics can run off less than that.

Anyway, the fox mustang electrical system isn't exactly the best. Simply slapping a new alt in doesn't always cure the problem. Proper battery size, as well as ensuring good tight connections go a long way. Also, the engine ground, if anyone has noticed it, isn't exactly the best.

Time To Upgrade The Alternator?

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

5.0notslow

Member

hoopty5.0

mechanicus terribilis

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

rbohm

90lxwhite

I'm kind of a She-Man

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

mikestang63

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

90lxwhite

I'm kind of a She-Man

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash

CtCarl

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Similar threads

Time To Upgrade The Alternator?

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

Member

mechanicus terribilis

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

StangNet's favorite TOOL

wanna catch the space herp

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

I'm kind of a She-Man

StangNet's favorite TOOL

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

I'm kind of a She-Man

Straight Outta Locash

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency