Topic: charging system / starter questions

[RN37DD]

OK this is what i got. it's on a 79 pickup. i believe the alternator is only a 40 amp unit. can i put a 55amp alternator on and still use the same regulator? also on cold mornings the starter really sounds slow. yeah it always starts..    is it because I'm running a 20r direct drive starter on a higher compression 20/22r? the other starters are the 1kw and 1.4kw. which one is better?

[emsvitil]

Check the wiring diagrams of the 40 and 55 amp altenators to see if they function the same way with the regulator (there's a couple of different ways regulators work).   If they're the same, I don't see why not........

You should run a larger gauge wire from the alternator to the battery.

[emsvitil]

Check the battery voltage before you start in the morning..........

[emsvitil]

Any of the gear reduction starters should be fine.    Mine is the 1kw and I've started the truck in gear (up slight hill even) without a problem

[RN37DD [OP]]

battery voltage is 12.6 in the morning before start up.. 14.6 after it starts. hmm starting uphill in gears sounds cool. my 20r starter just kicks the motor over.

[kneedownnate]

It's been so long since I've run the old starter I don't even remember how slow it turns over   I run the newer style on my hybrid and love it. 

[Duffil]

I'd say your starter is dragging.(bushings are shot)  I remember my 79 turning over great, and it would definitely start it in gear

[79coyotefrg]

the oldstarters  SUCK,  get the  22R gear reduction starter  and never go back

start easier  and  easier to change/get the bolts out

[RN37DD [OP]]

your 100 percent right.  changed it this weekend. new starter is lighter, smaller, easier to deal with, and it doesn't hurt half as much when you drop it on yourself!!!    plus it sounds cool when it turns the motor over.

[RN37DD [OP]]

OK I'm planning on upping the electrical load with a winch and maybe even an electric fan in the future. i  have a 40 amp alt now and i know they make 55 amp alternators for this year.  should i run a 55 amp alt with the old voltage reg or find a celica alt with the voltage reg built on? seems the price is the same.

[kneedownnate]

My truck came from alaska and runs the higher output alternator for the colder weather.  When I purchased the voltage regulator there were no seperate options, just one part # listed.  Everything worked great, that is to say it worked great after I replaced everything and fixed my wiring due to the shitty kragen alternator.

[RN37DD [OP]]

sounds like you've got the good stuff right from the start. is it the 55amp alt? i checked on-line and a 40, 50, and 55 amp voltage reg is listed?    i am confused. I'll go see if i can find a part number on the voltage reg on the truck.

[kneedownnate]

Guess I should mention that I'm running an aftermaket wells regulator, not a toyota unit.