1988 XLT Alternator Upgrade

[JerrySab]

Hi friends,

I purchased a 170amp alternator awhile back but didnt have the time to dive in until recently. I was keen to follow the extremely thorough walkthrough found here, but when mapping out the project, I came to discover the old alternator has two plugs on the back; a bundle of 3 wires (green, white, yellow) and below that another group of 3 (white, black, black) running through the firewall. Of course, the new alternator I purchased has same top plug, but then a post below that instead of white/black/black plug.

Can I still use this thing? Or was I too negligent in purchasing and now I need to source a new one?
My apologies if this is easily found on the site, I'm having trouble chasing it down. I'm also seeing what seems like conflicting information on the internet (crazy, right?), so hoping y'all would point me in the right direction.

Thanks so much in advance.

Jerry

 

[JerrySab]

Ok, at risk of answering my own question:

it appears the 2 black wires (black/orange but theyre filthy so hard to tell) originate at solenoid, split off and attach to alternator, and continue to ignition switch & ammeter? And white wire ties into plug above. So the roadmap might be, if this is accurate:

- Upper plug wire relo straightforward. White wire from upper plug is white wire in lower plug. It dies with new alternator pigtail.

- remove the length of black/orange wires running from solenoid to alternator; replace with 1/0 gauge and include 250a fuse.
- Reconnect black/orage wires heading to ignition switch & ammeter on new alternator post.
- keep solenoid to starter motor wire.
- Replace battery to solenoid grounds with 1/0 gauge wires.

Am I close?

 

[superj]

it sounds like there is only one way to find out

 

[JerrySab]

it sounds like there is only one way to find out

lol yeah no

 

[SenorNoob]

Can you post some pics? Makes it way easier for people to tell what you're working with.

 

[JerrySab]

I will once I get into the thick of it. Truthfully i needed to do a bit more due diligence before pestering y'all with this. I have a g2 alternator. Didnt realize that. It doesnt appear to have had any work done to it or its wiring. Which is good, in the sense it aligns with wiring diagrams I've tracked down. Thanks though, return if I hit any unexpected outcomes.