question about alternator

[hddave1]

im going to be doing some junk yard shopping today and im going to be looking for a alternator for my 85 2.8 2wd ranger. are there other yrs and makes that i can look for that have the same alternator. thanks for any help

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Are you sure it is the alternator the tech library has some good troubleshooting procedures if you have a volt meter if not take it to the part store and have it tested. If you get one at the bone yard you will probably want to get the voltage regulator with it just in case. pretty much any alt that has the same bolt pattern spacer width and terminals three wires or if it plugs in it has the internal regulator. measure bolt to bolt, size of pully how far it sticks out to line up the belt and width of spacer on swivel mount. Some parts stores online will tell you all the applications for the alternator in your truck. I never had much luck with used or rebuilt alternators I allways buy new but anyway you do it make sure it is charging properly before you run it for any amount of time you will be money ahead all three have to be working right battery, alt and reg any one can ruin the others.

 

[litleblue]

I have always repaired the alternator that came with the vehicle. Bearing are cheap, brushes are even cheaper, and the last new rotor I purchased was 17.50. I would take the alternator to a repair shop have them spin it up and check the diodes (diodes can be dissasembled and checked with an ohm meeter however spining the altenater up is much quicker), they are a little more complicated to change but not impossible. The local electrical rebuilder should have all the parts you require and will usually walk you through the repair proceedure. The only "special tool" you will need is a paper clip to retract the brushes before the rotor is renistalled.

A junk yard unit should be tested and disassembled before you install it on your vehicle.

For your year of Ranger pay close attention to the color of the field connection, as I recall, green field insulator on the alternator is 40 amp orange is 60 amp.

 

[Mudhound]

You can use the alt. from a 2.9 rig up to 88 without any issues. Just make sure that it is the EXTERNAL reg. type.