RunnerUp

okay, so ive spent the last 3 days searching and reading as many different alternator threads as i could find. i kept hearing about the mr2 swap, though im not sure that it works with the 3.4, couldnt ever locate an answer on that one. 100amps would prob. get me by but im looking for 140-160. i currently have a 180 amp that is on its way out (voltage starts dropping dramatically in reverse or drive.) i found this link for a brand new OEM delco Remy that will push 140 amps and has a self exciting voltage regulator on it.

http://www.alternatorparts.com/CS-144_Special_offer.htm

any one use this before?

ive also heard of mean green but i dont feel like dropping 400$ on a new alternator. esp after i just spent 750$ on new tires! any other options out there that im not thinking of?

list of electrical items my new alt. will need to power.

lightforce lamps, warn 9.5xp, 300watt amp for door speakers, 500 watt amp for subwoofers, navigation head unit.

i also am currently running dual batteries, so it needs to be capable to recharge both fairly quickly.

i was also thinking about just buying two stock alternators at advanced auto parts with the lifetime warranty and swamping them if they die. any idea's suggestions or smart remarks? thanks in advance

seanz0rz

im also interested, and ive also searched and found no clear answer.

i have kc lights, a carpc, and about 600 watts of car audio amps. im worried that once i go after a winch, more interior lighting, more exterior lighting, running accessories like air compressors and such, im going to start taxing the system heavily.


theres a thread on here, cant find it now, about using gm alternators.

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

Check posts 5 and 9 in this thread

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ighlight=boyle

RunnerUp

i adjusted my idle yesterday to see if that would help at all and today my idle was back where it used to be... this cant be good... need help soon before she dies on me! perhaps i should put a good set of walking shoes in my truck, i think i might need them soon..... oh... and doing stuff like this is what i am sure killed it!

RunnerUp

i saw those in my searches... anyone had any luck with either of those? or know the idle/max amperage for either?

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

Sorry. Meant to say post 6 not 5.Looks like he is getting 42 amp at idle and 132 max. I like that for a dead on stock size alt with no mods necessary.

RunnerUp

okay, after seans comment above i tried searching specifically for GM alt swap. i found this link
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...=GM+alternator
post 22

which seems to confirm that the MR2 will work with a 4runner plug put on it. im going to try and order one from advanced tomorrow, if they dont have it, i might try GM

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...=gm+alternator

anyone know the idle output of the MR2 alt? the one that is 130amps

RunnerUp

MR2 Alt. Swap.

the old rebuilt 4runner alternator next to the new rebuilt lifetime warranty MR2 alternator



uh oh, we have a problem



junk yard trip!


say good bye to the old harness!


the new harness installed


the new alternator installed

RunnerUp

problem fixed. alternator is in, works great, powers everything great!

steps to install an alternator from a 91 MR2 (100 amp) into a 2002 4runner.

1. disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
2. take a 14mm ratchet and unbolt the upper support
3. take a 10mm ratchet to unbolt the lower support
4. let alternator move forward and unplug harness and take off the cable attached besides the harness.
5. cut the old harness out and rewire the new harness in
6. the factory connector for the ground on the stock size alternator is too small, replace with a larger one.
7. take the lower mount out and bend it a to get the lower mount hole closer to the engine block, otherwise the belt wont get over the lip of the pulley.
8. get a big pry bar and two buddies and shove the new alternator in place.
9. rebolt everything you took off, put the belt back on, put your ground cable back on, and fire her up.
10. congrats, you just saved yourself 200$ on a HO alternator!!

price 248.59 at advanced auto parts
core charge 65.00
total price for a 130amp alternator with a LIFETIME WARRANTY! 185 and a junkyard trip!

ebelen1

Runnerup, that's awesome. I've searched before could get no conclusive evidence that the MR2 or the GM alt worked.

BTW, aren't our stock alternators something like 80 amps?

RunnerUp

well I can say for sure that it works! and yes our stock alternator is 80 amps. ill post the connections you need to make for the mr2 harness to work. the alt is listed as a 100 amp but puts out 131 max amps at like 2500.

ebelen1

Sweet. I know my next mod...

4-RUNNIN' FREAK

I was looking at these. http://www.alternatorparts.com/Extre...144%20type.htm

They don't contact anyone back though.

Ironmike4x4

Excellent! I searched awhile back and couldn't really get any writeups or good info. Great job. How's all of your high electrical loads working now?

mastacox

Isn't the alternator out of a Highlander a plug-n-play alternative for 3rd gen 4Runners? I thought it was 130amps (whatever that means)...

EDIT: looked on CSK Auto, looks like the pulley and mounts are slightly different. Course, it might be possible to swap the pulley off of the stock alternator... I might look into this option more thoroughly later.

RunnerUp

i havent winched yet with it, but im assuming it will handle that fine as long as im not having everything else turned on at the same time. but to power my audio stuff it handles it just fine, i dont drop below 14.0v anymore when my subs hit!

if the pulley and mounts are slightly different then it might not work, the mounts for the MR2 are VERY similar to ours with the exception of the lower mount being barely different. i hadnt heard anything about a highlander alternator, but i do know that this 180$ alternator is working for me just fine, glad i didnt impulse buy something more expensive with less of a warranty!~

RunnerUp

yeah, i saw them, but was headed towards something with a lifetime warranty if possible. i would have liked 200amps, though i dont know what i would need that for! 130 will do me just fine, and it was instock at the local advanced store!

mastacox

Stock replacement alternator for a 1998 4Runner 3.4l V-6:




Stock replacement alternator for a 2002 Highlander 3.0l V-6:





The only difference I see is the 4Runner is a 5-rib serpentine, the Highlander is a 6-rib; it doesn't show what the plug on the back looks like though. Might be possible to swap the pulleys out... I dunno.

RunnerUp

im not sure that would fit, it looks as if the mounts are mucho different to me, plugs arent hard to change though, as long as you can find one and know what wires go where

Ironmike4x4

What color wires go where?