Topic: Going on 3rd alternator in 6 months

[Rebeltilldeath3]

I replaced my alternator in August.  I just replaced it again a few weeks ago.  Now this one has stopped charging as well.

Am I just buying shitty alternators, or what could be causing my alternators to die so quickly?

[86 4runner]

i had the same problem. everyone here told me to get one from toyota and i havent had any problems. i guess the one from shucks and what not are

[BCD]

That's the truth, for some reason napa and other aftermarket alternators are just a small pile of aluminum with some brushes inside and a pully, with on other redeming values, toyota remans are a bit spendy, but you'll be happy you have one on a long road trip

[reklund5]

Yes, your are buying shitty alternators.

Buy a reman alternator from your local Toyota Dealership.  If your rig has an external regulator, you'll prolly need one of those too, as the crappy aftermarket alternators usually fry the external regulators.

Your original Toyota alternator must have lasted at least 100,000 miles.  How many miles are you getting out of the aftermarket alternators?  Nuff said.

You might try doing a search, as this was recently discussed.

Ryan

[86 4runner]

heres when i was wondering the same thing

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=9037.msg90864#msg90864

[guywithuglyyota]

I went through the Napa alternator saga myself. Three in two weeks. Has anyone used downeys high amp alt for the 22re?? 

[mr4x42u]

I never used downery alt,,But I was able to get the brushes for the stock toy alt from napa..saved alot of money and its been 3 years with no problems..i would get a used toy alt before I put a reman anthing in my rig..Unless it was a reman toyota,,but flop there spendy..

[gonzo]

I just replaced my NAPA NATOR this week end.  It lasted three years.   My toy is a 864R and is my DD.  I got the guarantied NAPA NATOR.  My original alternator lasted over 200,000 miles .   

[Haz-matt]

Or you can cut your bracket and fit a GM 1 wire.  I did it and having the extra amps sure is nice when you have a lot of accesories.

[gonzo]

Hey Haz-Matt,
Did you have to Modify any thing?  What year GM?

[gonzo]

oops you did say you cut your bracket .  What year GM?

[Rebeltilldeath3 [OP]]

I just replaced my NAPA NATOR this week end.  It lasted three years.    My toy is a 864R and is my DD.  I got the guarantied NAPA NATOR.  My original alternator lasted over 200,000 miles .   

My original lasted 103k miles.  The Napa lasted about 6 months.

[Gewehr43]

Dang, I ran my original for 330,000!

[Toyoballs]

Best bet is to have your original Toyota Alt. redone - new brushes. The best Alt. for Toyota is factory unless you need more AMPS.

Check out your alt. wiring harness, this maybe causing all of your problems. If your battery voltage wire has a short in it, your alt. may not know the true battery voltage and over or under charge it. Check for resistance in your white wire from your alt. to verify continuity. This is very common - does your brake light come on too with the Alt. light?

[Rebeltilldeath3 [OP]]

Yeah, the brake light comes on with the battery light.

I didn't know there was an alt. light.

[SLOYOTA808]

Aloha from Hawaii.

I am heavy into CB radio and have installed in my 92 Toyota a 190 amp externally regulated Powerline alternator.  With a V6, engine room was tight, but my set up ran for 3 years easy.


As the majority of people seem to favor the 22r 4 banger, engine room is plentiful.  I have recently purchased an 84 and am planning on running a DUAL SYSTEM.  Though deemed overkill by most, I am planning on taking a belt off of the A/C pulley and mounting a second alternator which will be externally regulated.  Able to turn the alternator on and off, I will be able to ford deeper water as well as having a dedicated electrical system to power my winch and lights, leaving the stock Toyota alternator to run the normal vehicle funtions.

I was even considering running a heavy duty knife swith from the main battery (Optima, which I plan to mount in the cab) in order to stop the stock alternator from charging.

From past experience, mud and water seem to be the worse enemy of an alternator.  Being able to turn the unit on and off will reduce the chances of burning out any alternator.  For short runs, a good battery should be able to run your vehicle without an alternator on.

As long as the alternator is 12 VDC and the belt sits aligned and tensioned correctly, ANY alternator will do, like one of those $150.00 GM alternators...

Just my 2 cents.

[mudaddict]

it also depends on what alternator you get from the aftermarket shops! if you get a cheap reman one they usually jsut replace what is wrong and then send it abck out there is also some where everythign is replaced the best way to go even tho they are spendy is to get a brand new one from anywhere! i ahve had no probelms with mine that i got from my work (schucks) just me

[Haz-matt]

Hey Haz-Matt,
Did you have to Modify any thing? What year GM?

You have to cut and add a certain amount to the bracket and build a spacer.  There is also a need for an extention on the adjustment arm.  Then you just cut a few wires on the factory harnes and pug it in.  I ran a heavier main wire because I moved up to an 80amp (it was the biggest I could find localy)

Any of the standard GM 1 wires will work.  Summit sells the generic 1 wires, you can get a 100 or a 120 amp one for about $100

This is the write up, please note that's is a PDF file if that makes a difference
http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/memberstuff/al/85%20Toyota%204Runner%20Alternator%20Upgrade%20Project.pdf

[gonzo]

Awesome PDF file Haz-matt.  Thanx