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1987 Ranger alternator wiring


Daniel Black

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
288
Reaction score
44
Points
28
Location
Leicester, NC
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
205/60R15 & 225/60R15
Okay, I picked up an '87 Ranger with a blown up carbed 2.0. I have a freshly rebuilt 2.3 to go in it. The problem is that the previous owner sold the alternator and cut the plug off. I figured no problem since i have an '86 Ranger and it'll be wired the same but no such luck. The '87 has 3 wires going to the small regulator plug which is still on the truck but it also has 3 wires that went to the alternator plug. 1 big black wire and 2 small grey/black wires. My '86 only has 2 wires to the regulator plug and 2 big black wires to the alternator plug. What's going on here? Parts stores list the same alternator for both trucks. Both trucks have an amp gauge instead of a light. Does anyone have a Ranger with 3 wires each that can tell me how to wire a new plug on? Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it makes a difference my '86 is a 2.3 EFI and came with AC but it doesn't have it anymore. The '87 is a 2.0 with Carb and no electrical accessories, not even a radio.
 


Daniel Black

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
288
Reaction score
44
Points
28
Location
Leicester, NC
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
205/60R15 & 225/60R15
Here's some pics of the 3-wire setup on the '87 and the 2-wire setup on the '86.
 

Attachments

dirtymike

Active Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
527
Reaction score
112
Points
43
Age
62
Location
knoxville TN
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ranger lwb
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1 inch spacers
Tire Size
P23575R15
My credo
Do unto others then Split-probasti me et chognuisti me
I wonder why no answer. I am having a issue similar. My 87 ranger 2.9 4x4 alternator went out. It had been replaced once before by me. Took the alternator to Autozone where i had got it years ago. Seems that all the alternators have been deleted and one remains in place for all (AZ DL7725-2). After cutting the pig off and soldering in the two black wires i noticed i have no place to connect the white wire that comes off the new alternator(DL7725-2). Is this something that is in the archives? I haven't had any luck so far. Any help is appreciated. Dirty
 

dirtymike

Active Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
527
Reaction score
112
Points
43
Age
62
Location
knoxville TN
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ranger lwb
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1 inch spacers
Tire Size
P23575R15
My credo
Do unto others then Split-probasti me et chognuisti me
Does anyone know if there is a difference in alternators 1987- on?
 

mcguire22

New Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2023
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Sacramento
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Cut the White wire, same thing happened to me. Bought truck with mix up of different years
 

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