Bigger Alternator!

[nitrofan1]

Hey just stumbled onto this. After 16 years the alternator's front bearing was starting to go. I work at Advance and was looking at replacements. I did some research and found that a 94 E250 with a 5.8L has a 130 amp unit. It's our RBV's 95 amp big brother. The case on our 95 amp is 5 1/8 diameter. The E250's 130 amp is 5 5/8. I test fit it and it fit the cradle, bolted right up and all the plugs are identical.

If you want to try it be sure to get a new belt a half to 1 inch longer (my stock belt 5060875 now is 5060880) and check your idler & tensioner for wear. Course this may not work with other years you may have to do some research.

Instead of paying $250 + for a performance unit I got a 130 amp for less than $20 over a stock unit. Now I have the power to add all the accessories I want.

Hope this may help anyone looking to add lights, winch, amps or whatever!

 

[trail B2]

Don't need more power myself but things like this really help the site thank you.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i found out the same thing a year ago when i was rebuilding my truck and ive been pullin power for 5 hellas, a second battery, and a 600w system ever since with no problems what so ever. i wonder if theres an article in the tech section about this mod, if not one of us should do a write up with some part numbers? (edit) i found an article, but it doesnt mention using the e-250 alt on the 3.0l, mostly just upgrades for the 2.3, 2.9, and 4.0. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/alternator.htm

 

[strvger]

great find!! think you could find a bigger one for us 1st Gen ranger guys with the 2.8 v6?

 

[Yellowsplash]

Or better and easier yet....Get one from an explorer. Ford uses the same alternator on a bunch of different cars. Unfortunately, if you go get one from an F-series, you might end up with an 8 rib pulley. An easier way would be to get one from an explorer. They have a 130amp alternator from the factory. Rangers only got a 95amp.

 

[MagnaV30]

For those running the 2G in the 91 and previous, I just swapped in a 130A 3G from a E series. Took some rewiring from alt to battery.

 

[4.0 power]

going to do this swap myself this weekend...

my question is should i upgrade any wiring and maybe add an inline fuse? doesnt the 95 amp alternator only go to a 125 amp fuse in the box? what about ground wires?

 

[nitrofan1]

going to do this swap myself this weekend...

my question is should i upgrade any wiring and maybe add an inline fuse? doesnt the 95 amp alternator only go to a 125 amp fuse in the box? what about ground wires?

If you look at Powermaster's web site there is no notations about added parts needed. It's been 3 weeks and everything's good. I would suggest if you want to go to a 200 amp then get the added stuff.

Oh, get a little bigger belt than I did. It's ok but too snug. Gonna go a little bigger on mine soon so as not to wear out the tensioner too quickly.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Or you could just grab the 130 amp alt and short harness from an explorer...bolts right in and connects right up.

 

[Hawk1339]

For years this item has been in the site tech library:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/alternator.htm

Check the link at the top of this page.