Why upgrade the alternator?

CornerCarvin67 · Jan 21, 2008

Simple question...

The car is a stock daily driver... no stereo upgrades or planned.

Is there any reason to do the swap?

5.0Droptop · Jan 21, 2008

The 3g is a better over all alt. But if you do not plan on elec fans etc its not necessary. If you ever need to replace the alt: I WOULD CONSIDER DOING THE SWAP ANYHOW.

87foxstang · Jan 21, 2008

I dont see the need to do it on a daily driver without lots of accessories drawing a load from it. If it one day goes, then do the swap.

Turkey Sammich · Jan 21, 2008

I don't understand how anyone would want to remain stock. That's just weird.

trbkrb · Jan 21, 2008

My car has been stock electrical wise since new except for a small (40W) EQB. I burned out (melted) the stock alternator connectors when I still had the stock one and the replacement connector even had some charring on it when I replaced it years later. My second stock style replacement alternator froze up so I just swapped to the 3G. IMO if you are going to buy a replacement alternator, why not go ahead and upgrade it. If you end up with a big amp/elec fan/ etc, then do the wiring upgrade also.

RYC CUKR · Jan 21, 2008

In between the 3 foxes that I have had I have burned up 4 2G alternators. None of them had much in the way of electrical upgrades, i.e. fans, huge stereo systems and such.

I would wait for the stocker to fail and then swap a 3G in. No reason to pull a part that is functioning properly if you don't have to.

ford302redneck · Jan 21, 2008

I wouldn't worry until it quit.. No reason to replace a perfectly working alt.

5.0Droptop · Jan 21, 2008

In between the 3 foxes that I have had I have burned up 4 2G alternators

That made me recall something important. The 2g alt that came on the fox has an issue with burning up the big plug on the alt. If it burns up it can either short or worse case scenerio catch on fire. Keep an eye on the plug. 3g eleminates the burning plug issue.

foxmustangman · Jan 21, 2008

How can you tell the difference between a 3g and a 2g?

5.0Droptop · Jan 21, 2008

heres pics. its very easy

3g has internal fan
2g has external fan

View attachment 335480

1.8kmint · Jan 21, 2008

most 3gs have an internl fan plus they have a lot of small holes in the front of them... The 2gs have an external fan and are one solid piece. Look at the 94-95 alternator its 3g and its basically standard of what they look like. I've seen them on a lot of other vehicles too its just the bracket is easier to swap directly from certain cars taurus, 94-95 stang etc...

trbkrb · Jan 21, 2008

2G - external fan and plug in connector on side of case for power leads:

3G - internal fan and stud on rear to bolt on power lead:

5.0Droptop · Jan 21, 2008

In between the 3 foxes that I have had I have burned up 4 2G alternators

5.0Droptop said:
That made me recall something important. The 2g alt that came on the fox has an issue with burning up the big plug on the alt. If it burns up it can either short or worse case scenerio catch on fire. Keep an eye on the plug. 3g eleminates the burning plug issue.

trbkrb said:
My car has been stock electrical wise since new except for a small (40W) EQB. I burned out (melted) the stock alternator connectors when I still had the stock one and the replacement connector even had some charring on it when I replaced it years later. My second stock style replacement alternator froze up so I just swapped to the 3G. IMO if you are going to buy a replacement alternator, why not go ahead and upgrade it. If you end up with a big amp/elec fan/ etc, then do the wiring upgrade also.

See picture: The plug on bottom with the 2 black wires and one white wire is the one that melts down.
Ford put the blk 2 wires in the plug, these charge the battery and supply the elec system with power. The problem is the 2 wires tie into one wire about 10" below the plug it is barely heavy enough to carry the stock amp load, if you add anything extra to the elec system and it melts down the plug, it becomes a fire hazard/short hazard......

View attachment 335478

CornerCarvin67 · Jan 21, 2008

So I'm fine... being stock and all. MAYBE I'll consider a new stereo receiver some day. I don't have and cassette tapes anymore... lol. But it does have the fancy equalizer!!

It's stock cuz nothing is wrong with stock. I have a choice to daily drive this Mustang or our 98' Grand Prix. I figured the Mustang would make my daily commute a little more fun.

And I have another Mustang to pour money into when the urge comes.

5.0Droptop · Jan 21, 2008

CornerCarvin67 said:
So I'm fine... being stock and all. MAYBE I'll consider a new stereo receiver some day. I don't have and cassette tapes anymore... lol. But it does have the fancy equalizer!!

It's stock cuz nothing is wrong with stock. I have a choice to daily drive this Mustang or our 98' Grand Prix. I figured the Mustang would make my daily commute a little more fun.

And I have another Mustang to pour money into when the urge comes.

Yes your fine. Just check the plug on the alt and make sure its not burnt. If it is you can buy a new plug for it.

JH96GT · Jan 21, 2008

no, no need

LaserSVT · Jan 21, 2008

IDK, on hot nights with the A/C blowing full blast and the lights on they would dim at stop lights and you can hear the A/C fan slow down. When I switched to 3G ($45 shipped on ebay) everything worked better and better throttle response, I guess from better spark

85_SS_302_Coupe · Jan 21, 2008

CornerCarvin67 said:
Simple question...

The car is a stock daily driver... no stereo upgrades or planned.

Is there any reason to do the swap?

Yes, because with your car being so stock, you'll probably NEVER walk out and turn the key and get nothing if you have a good 3G alt and battery. That to me is good enough to switch. It's just more reliable. Plus you know down the road you'll want a better stereo and efan and ignition and all that.

jrichker · Jan 21, 2008

Figure this:
Cold, wet, rainy night with the defroster on, headlights, radio, stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps

That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!

5.0Droptop · Jan 21, 2008

jrichker said:
Figure this:
Cold, wet, rainy night with the defroster on, headlights, radio, stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps

That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!

That would explain why the stock plug tends to melt down over time.

Why upgrade the alternator?

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