Alternator up grade???

[AllanD]

I recently swapped a later (1993-up) style alternator onto a Bronco2 2.9.

I found that some 1993-ish F150 4.9's use the same
"Pivot bolt at 6 O'clock and adjustment bolt at 2 O'clock" mounting as the old style alternator fitted to ALL 2.9 engines.

After determining that it WOULD physically mount I had to shave ~1/8" off
the integral spacer sleeve on the front side of the V-belt pulley from the old alternator so there were enough threads for the pully nut to hold.

As for "wiring" 1989-92 Ranger have a little short "alternator harness" that
makes the alternator essentially "plug and play"

Though on some vehicles I've needed to splice on a new field connection connector because of a connector gender issue.

Frankly there is no real "need" for a 130amp alternator on a typical 2.9 Ranger.

Though I will admit that I run a 130amp alternator on my 4.0... I also have to say I put that alternator on there because of the same reason a dog licks his balls.... Because he CAN.

AD

 

[FordRanger89]

I recently swapped a later (1993-up) style alternator onto a Bronco2 2.9.

I found that some 1993-ish F150 4.9's use the same
"Pivot bolt at 6 O'clock and adjustment bolt at 2 O'clock" mounting as the old style alternator fitted to ALL 2.9 engines.

After determining that it WOULD physically mount I had to shave ~1/8" off
the integral spacer sleeve on the front side of the V-belt pulley from the old alternator so there were enough threads for the pully nut to hold.

As for "wiring" 1989-92 Ranger have a little short "alternator harness" that
makes the alternator essentially "plug and play"

Though on some vehicles I've needed to splice on a new field connection connector because of a connector gender issue.

Frankly there is no real "need" for a 130amp alternator on a typical 2.9 Ranger.

Though I will admit that I run a 130amp alternator on my 4.0... I also have to say I put that alternator on there because of the same reason a dog licks his balls.... Because he CAN.

AD

OK cool, I think I may try this.


Greg, As far as the pulley idea goes..... I have a 2 and 1/2" pulley. I went to every auto place in town, including 2 alternator/Battery places, and i have looked everywhere online. I can not find a smaller pulley.... if you can post like a link maybe???

 

[FordRanger89]

This is what I did, and for 25$ I got a 130 amp alt upgrade on my 2.9.

I went to the JY and got a 130 amp alt from a 96 t-bird with a 3.8 v-6. I think they have the same alt from 94-97 t-bird cougars amongst others, you can check the interchange at the JY. I took it down to Advance Auto and had them check it. I took the front pulley off my old one and put it on the upgrade. I had to extend the mounting bracket out because the old one mounts at about 90deg and the new one mounts at about 180. Was no big deal. I was fortunate that the belts actually lined up. I took the harness from the old one and cut the large black/orange and put a butt connector and bolted it to the new alt batt terminal. The other connector plugs right in. Easy Peasy. No muss no fuss 130 amp upgrade. Lights are tons brighter now too.

I really should post some pics...

Can you post pictures?
thanks

 

[RavoHimself]

i just went on ebay for mine. granted i have a 4.0 but im sure they have plenty beefy ones for your motor. i got a 160A one and its works flawlessly

 

[shane96ranger]

Ok that all sounds good.... how hard is the wiring to do??
BTW thanks for the help!!!
I checked for a smaller pulley than what i have no.... there is no suck pulley... a diff alternator is the only way to go.

I used the harness out of a 94 GT, so it was all plug and play.

Sent while I should be doing something else

 

[FordRanger89]

I used the harness out of a 94 GT, so it was all plug and play.

Sent while I should be doing something else

What motor was in the GT??

 

[shane96ranger]

what motor was in the gt??

GT = 5.0

But I don't imagine the 3.8 is much different.

EDIT: I lied just a tiny bit. The only wire I had to cut into was the wire that went to my gauge. Other than that, 100% plug and play.

 

[FordRanger89]

This is what I did, and for 25$ I got a 130 amp alt upgrade on my 2.9.

I went to the JY and got a 130 amp alt from a 96 t-bird with a 3.8 v-6. I think they have the same alt from 94-97 t-bird cougars amongst others, you can check the interchange at the JY. I took it down to Advance Auto and had them check it. I took the front pulley off my old one and put it on the upgrade. I had to extend the mounting bracket out because the old one mounts at about 90deg and the new one mounts at about 180. Was no big deal. I was fortunate that the belts actually lined up. I took the harness from the old one and cut the large black/orange and put a butt connector and bolted it to the new alt batt terminal. The other connector plugs right in. Easy Peasy. No muss no fuss 130 amp upgrade. Lights are tons brighter now too.

I really should post some pics...

Ok i just picked up an alternator out of a 94 t-bird with the 3.8l, I also got it checked and its good. So i am all ready to go.
but one question. You talked about the black/orange wire. but what about the other two wires that connect to the stalk alternator? Do those matter?

 

[a31ford]

I see someone was interested in the smaller pulley.

As far as the pulley goes, you will NOT be able to find it "aftermarket", the only place that will have them is the junkyard, and mainly one that deals in taxicabs and commercial cars and trucks, even ambulances use them they are an OEM special pulley used on stuff like this , it keeps the Alternator running at a higher speed so that even at idle (where normal stuff will only deliver about 1/4 output, with the smaller pulley, you will get very close to 3/4 output at idle).(roughly)

Police cruisers use them, ambulances, public service vehicles of all types, but mainly police stuff.

Greg

 

[FordRanger89]

Well it is kind of to late to do the pulley thing anyways.... I already got the new alternator.
but thanks for the help Greg

So there are three wires that come out of the bottom of the stalk alternator. A BL/O a O/LG and a smaller BL/W. The BL/O and the O/LG both feed my power distributor box under my hood. So I figure I can Just spline those two together and attach it to the positive bolt on the new alternator and we will be good to go. However, what is the smaller BL/W wire? what does it do? Is it important??
Secondly, will having this alternator that puts out more amps over-charge my battery or bust fuses?????
thanks a lot gabe

 

[shane96ranger]

Got a pic by chance?

Sent while I should be doing something else

 

[FordRanger89]

 

[FordRanger89]

So I figured out my wire problem..... hehe I know where the BL/W wire should go now. All I had to do was look at the wiring harness that I pulled off the T-Bird. haha here is a Picture. I wont have to change much.

However, can someone please tell me what is keeping my battery from "over charging" or from all the fusses in my truck blowing after this swap?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[shane96ranger]

The alternator simply makes the extra power available. It is the battery and accessories choice to use it. Just because it is making the extra power doesn't mean the alternator is going to force feed the system. They will take what they need - and the regulator aids in this as well.

Sent while I should be doing something else

 

[FordRanger89]

Ok thanks a lot and sorry for all the questions!!!