Bronco ii 2.8 1 wire alternator conversion

[mjr46]

Guys I'm looking at doing a 1 wire alt conversion for my bronco ii as it intermitantly won't charge and i now run an odessey battery and the old alt and external regulator is just not enough for my needs, I use my B2 to plow and the front is outfitted with 4 off road lights for plowing so I need a good 100 amp alt.....was looking at the tuff stuff 1 wire alt form summit racing part number 7068?? does any one know if this will work or have done the conversion before?? If so what did you use?

 

[mr_manny]

Have you heard about the ford 3g alternator upgrade?
This was one of my first mods on my B2

Lots of info here on TRS, here's one example:

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/threads/how-to-130-amp-alternator-in-a-2-9.138592/

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

While popular for tractor 12v conversions because "one wire" sounds easy they are less than ideal because they are RPM based and you have to spin them decent to get them to do anything. RPM's are not an issue for a road driven car, chugging around at 1000rpm is a lot different.

You are kind of doing tractor things and with that many lights that I assume are not LED I would have qualms.

GM had a similar alternator that takes like three wires, basically instead of self exciting it excites when you turn the key on. They perform much better at low RPM for minimal additional complexity. That is what I retrofitted to my 1950 tractor, many tractors in the 70's used them from the factory.

I don't know about amperage options but like a '86 2.9 alternator has an internal regulator and the same electrical hookups (charge, key and ground) and does the same thing. I used one of those on my 2.8 so I can vouch they fit well.

 

[Loganwildman]

We use 1 wire alternators in the Racing arena. I am currently using a GM alternator that technically has 3 wires. 1 to the battery and the others are for a small incandesnt lamp in the cab to excite the alternator at startup. I am looking to replace that with one from Powermaster. They have 1 wire units that have a higher idle amperage. I like these guys because they have great service. I was using one of their starters for a high compression engine and the engine kicked back and broke the cast nose piece. I emailed support to inquire about just purchasing a nose piece, and they replaced the whole starter at no charge (other then the cost to send in the old one).

 

[mjr46]

While popular for tractor 12v conversions because "one wire" sounds easy they are less than ideal because they are RPM based and you have to spin them decent to get them to do anything. RPM's are not an issue for a road driven car, chugging around at 1000rpm is a lot different.

You are kind of doing tractor things and with that many lights that I assume are not LED I would have qualms.

GM had a similar alternator that takes like three wires, basically instead of self exciting it excites when you turn the key on. They perform much better at low RPM for minimal additional complexity. That is what I retrofitted to my 1950 tractor, many tractors in the 70's used them from the factory.

I don't know about amperage options but like a '86 2.9 alternator has an internal regulator and the same electrical hookups (charge, key and ground) and does the same thing. I used one of those on my 2.8 so I can vouch they fit well.

truck is never really idling, I plow in low range and the stock set up has worked okay for 15 years , just if i can upgrade and do it cheaper as the tuff stuff 1 wire is 114.00 and 100 amp vs stock reman at 55 amp for 75.00 + 50 for external regulator, no reason not to upgrade for cheaper.

 

[mjr46]

Have you heard about the ford 3g alternator upgrade?
This was one of my first mods on my B2

Lots of info here on TRS, here's one example:

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/threads/how-to-130-amp-alternator-in-a-2-9.138592/

yeah i very familiar with the 3g, done a few for people on their foxbody mustangs..........i'll look into that thread thanks!

 

[mjr46]

Have you heard about the ford 3g alternator upgrade?
This was one of my first mods on my B2

Lots of info here on TRS, here's one example:

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/threads/how-to-130-amp-alternator-in-a-2-9.138592/

read the article, good write up but more work than i want to do, i just want to bolt a new one on and go and i'd have to source brackets for that.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

truck is never really idling, I plow in low range and the stock set up has worked okay for 15 years , just if i can upgrade and do it cheaper as the tuff stuff 1 wire is 114.00 and 100 amp vs stock reman at 55 amp for 75.00 + 50 for external regulator, no reason not to upgrade for cheaper.

Your stock alternator wasn't self exciting.

This is like is what I use for my 12v conversions, pretty good bang per buck.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/wilson/wilson-63-amp-alternator-remanufactured/wil0/90013111/v/a/3406/automotive-truck-1980-chevrolet-k20-pickup-4wd?q=10si

 

[mjr46]

Your stock alternator wasn't self exciting.

This is like is what I use for my 12v conversions, pretty good bang per buck.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/wilson/wilson-63-amp-alternator-remanufactured/wil0/90013111/v/a/3406/automotive-truck-1980-chevrolet-k20-pickup-4wd?q=10si

yeah I know that I've used one wire on my foxbody mustangs many times, blip the throttle and presto they're online Also what did you look that up for? make? model? I don't have an oreillys near me, gonna try and cross to napa also how did you wire the connector? looks like it's not much more powerfull at 63 amp vs 55 stock

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

yeah I know that I've used one wire on my foxbody mustangs many times, blip the throttle and presto they're online Also what did you look that up for? make? model? I don't have an oreillys near me, gonna try and cross to napa also how did you wire the connector? looks like it's not much more powerfull at 63 amp vs 55 stock

Looked up dad's '80 K20 w/ 350.

They make a pigtail for them. Red wire goes to key, white gets grounded to the case IIRC.

 

[mjr46]

Looked up dad's '80 K20 w/ 350.

They make a pigtail for them. Red wire goes to key, white gets grounded to the case IIRC.

cool thanks, if the one wire doesn't work for mr i'll go this route but i'd live at least a 100 amp because 63 isn't much above stock, thanks for the help