2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Best bang for the buck for a replacement alternator?

[BK]

Well it comes in threes...

Lost the transmission a month ago on my 99, and was just out for lunch and lost the alternator.

(Hope the alternator is the 3rd, last weekend broke a tire valve while cleaning the wheels)

(last year it was the front rotors , so did bearings at the same time, year before that the VP44 while on the road trip and left it with and had a dealer do it while I rented a car and kept going), been a very expensive last few years for this truck, and gonna needs tires by fall).

Checked the temp compensation sensor, it's fine.
Checked all my grounds, all there.
Top, back of the alternator is very hot , quick, and smells... .
Alternator is runny very low, about 11. 8, either lost diodes or a winding (winding I'm guessing by the smell).

So pretty sure it's bad... .

So wondering, best bang for the buck for a replacement?

When something goes away, and it needs to be replaced, I like to try and spend a bit more than stock, if there's a better alternative out there... .

If not, just hit Napa?

TIA...

 

[Bill Lins]

Well, NAPA does have a lifetime warranty on rebuilt alternators & starters.

 

[BK]

I was looking on their website, and reading the fine pring, but when it's on the diesel engine the warranty is dramatically reduced!

But still, seems to be the best show in town, Autozone has them too, but not soo keen on their stuff.

 

[MFranz]

What about Rock Auto parts. I saw an add today comparing prices and they claimed they were cheaper then a lot of the competition.

Mike

 

[MFranz]

There is an old post from a few years ago about a 5% discount for TDR members at Rock Auto. Dont know if its still current and I have never bought anything from them but its worth a shout. Lets us know how you make out.



Mike

 

[BK]

Tnx, I've seen others talk about getting parts from Rock auto, but must be a regional thing... . none around here.
Do have napa and advanced auto and pepboys.
oh yea a few aid auto's left, but wouldn't trust their stuff.

 

[Mishkaya]

Tnx, I've seen others talk about getting parts from Rock auto, but must be a regional thing... . none around here.

Do have napa and advanced auto and pepboys.

oh yea a few aid auto's left, but wouldn't trust their stuff.

RockAuto is an online shop:

RockAuto Auto Parts

I have been very happy with their prices and service.

 

[WilsonF]

Have you thought about having the old one rebuilt? If you have a 99 it must have a few miles on it and it lasted this long. As far as alt. and starters I hate parts stores rebuilds. I had mine redone at a local shop for about $80 and that was with a new diode pack.

Floyd

 

[BK]

tnx for the link, will check them out.

 

[BK]

Have you thought about having the old one rebuilt? If you have a 99 it must have a few miles on it and it lasted this long. As far as alt. and starters I hate parts stores rebuilds. I had mine redone at a local shop for about $80 and that was with a new diode pack.



Floyd

no haven't.

It's been years since I've seen a rebuild shop around these parts.

I hear ya on the part store rebuilds. have had mixed results in the past myself. prefer new, but $$$$ .



I looked into custom built / slight higher to 3x the outputs, but they start at over twice the price of the most expensive from napa, heading right up to near a Grand!

 

[mickeyblueyes]

There is a big place her on Long Island that rebuilds alts &starters. they are in Hauppague or CI I cant remember But I had a alt redone for a landcruiser there $75 a few years back. Its by the expresway!!! cant remember give me a few mins.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Genco they are in Central Islip may do while you wait. Genco Auto Electric - Alternators and Starters

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Windsor place is off Vets Hwy about 3 mins up from the expressway.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Genco Database

 

[GAmes]

But still, seems to be the best show in town, Autozone has them too, but not soo keen on their stuff.

I have one from autozone. I have had to replace it twice, each one lasted about 200k. Nice thing about them is they are everywhere I operate. Replaced the first on in OR, the second in SoCal.

 

[BK]

Tnx guys for the leads on the rebuild places around here.
Figures there would be some hear Hauppauge in CI..... lots of small business still in that area, an old industrial area south of 495.

My biggest problem is working 6-7 days a week. And only nights to work on the truck , and have a axle coming in for my daughter's altima I have to do too...
They're piling up in front of the garage, faster than I can fix them.

GAmes, good point about Autozone... . theirs is lifetime w/o the exclusion of the diesel application like Napa. Uhmmmm. . and you got 200K out of each one, that's a good reference, tnx.
The 1st time I saw an Autozone was when I was in San Diego back in the early 90's, they started showing up here about 4 years ago.

Just called them, they were still there, unloading trucks. They'll have it tomorrow.
Got the scanner in tonight, no codes, so shouldn't be anything in the computer (regulator).....

 

[LVJUNIOR]

You might want to consider going with a higher amperage with the accessories you have. The stock alternator won't even power the headlights and grid heaters at the same time in the winter let alone a winch or trailer 12v power.

 

[BK]

I was thinking the same way, but the only one I could think of (to trust) is Wrangler products, but just can't fit their higher power alternators into the budget, just got done paying for a modified transmission, which I didn't expect to do. Tax refund came just in time to withdraw it and pay the man.

The one that caught my eye from Wrangler retailed for 750, then there was one for 550 bux.

I've used Wrangler stuff in the past, so would be good with them, but it's been years.
It was the 1st place I looked right after I figured it was the alternator, but prices sent me into thinking of basic rebuilts, and posting this thread.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I just got a 200amp from mean-green.com for $399 and was very happy with the service. it is also a direct bolt in replacement

 

[BK]

The ones from Wrangler are too, but that seems like better pricing from Mean Green.
If I hadn't had to spend the money on a transmission rebuild, that would have been a good option, for now I went with the $185 132amp replacement from Autzone, and confirmed life time warranty, got it on the receipt.

It's in and working.....