Hilux808

Just got done putting my engine all back together, new head from Engnbldr and also a new rebuilt Alternator from Napa, there Raylock brand. Picked up about a week ago.

Anyway, when I started the truck this morning the Brake and Battery light were on and stayed on for about 3 miles, then started flickering and then stayed on again. I looked at my volt meter and it was pegged at 18 volts. Looks like my regulator/diodes are shot with this Alternator. I feel like throwing this alternator through the window at Napa. This is probably my 4th or 5th from them and I'm tired of this. We all know it's a pain to take these out cause you have to remove the lower radiator hose.

Where can I get good drop in replacement?? I'm wondering if everyone just get's all there alternators from the same supplier and slaps there sticker on it. Anyone have any luck with auto zone/duralast?

abecedarian

What was the voltage reading at the battery?
Any chance of a loose connection between the battery and alternator?

Magnusian

Get a Denso alt, have it rewound for higher output if you need it.

tc

Send your old one to Boyle's Future Tech in California.

bugs1961

I've used aftermarket starters and alternators many times in the past and they have never lasted very long. These days, I spend the money and mail order one from Toyota and have not had any trouble from them. I, too, got tired of replacing the "lifetime warranted" one every 8 months to a year and finally forked over the money. After reading this forum for a while, now I will rebuild the the Toyota ones the next time I have trouble.

The Toyota rebuilt starters and alternators seem to be lasting as long as the originals so are a good value in the end.

dfarr67

I vote for rebuilding your own- if you can get oem parts- I put way more effort into it but they last. Do a search on the 'el cheapo' alternator, for a reasonable high output- I'm happy, all Denso too.

Blue Bowtie

Not sure which one to get, but you don't have to remove the lower radiator hose, or atleast I didn't.

Hilux808

Hey Abecedarian, hopefully this answers your question. I actually fired it up last night for the first time and everything was fine, measured the voltage at the battery, I think it was about 14.5V. Only had the lights coming on this morning on my way to work. All ground connections have been reconnected, I have redundant ground straps on the engine. I also added an extra 10GA wire on the positive post/side along with the stock 10GA going to the fuse box. All terminals are tight so I'm kind of ruling out a loose connection for now.

I've tried calling Boyle's, called this this morning before I submitted this thread but like always they never answer there phone. Wasn't even sure if they're still in business.

I consulted the dealer awhile back about alternators and they don't sell brand new, rebuilt like everyone else. Are trucks are so old that it's the only way to go as i understand. At this point I would gladly shell out $$$ for a brand new DENSO alternator.

This is really frustrating...

camo31_10.50

i say keep trying boyles...that's who is going to be doing my 3vz alt.

Outsane

I put in an alt from AES here in San Diego, CA cost me $90 and its a 160 amp
619.282.3207

Hilux808

Just called AES, they have 3 options...100 amp for $110, 120 amp for $110 and 140 amp for $135, this is after a $20 core so $155 up front for the 140 amp which is probably what I will do. I can order today and they can ship tomorrow. Thanks Outsane, how has yours been working out for you?

Outsane

Its been working perfect.. but I have not had it in for very long.. one 30 mile trip and some test driving.

I wasn't charged a core.. weird, but still good prices..

but with my old 40 amp, if I turned anything on like my lights for fan.. the volts would dip.

Now its rock steady, even when I turn everything on.

Hilux808

What amp alternator did you get? How did you wire it up?

DupermanDave

Speaking from experience, the previous owner had a carquest alternator that lasted 4 years. I just replaced mine about 9 months ago with another carquest one. No problems yet. Total cost was $80 after core exchange.

Outsane

I got a 160 amp some how, and I have an 84 4runner so I had to get the newer alternator bracket (stock for 84 + 22re), and bypass the external voltage regulator.

Hilux808 - You should be plug and play

sb5walker

World Toyota Scion of Atlanta GA sells the stock Denso alternators on their online parts website for $122 plus $30 core charge and $12 shipping. MSRP is $185.22. IDK who pays shipping on return of core. The alternator is probably remanned, but remanned by Denso.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214140

World is cheaper than 1sttoyotaparts, which wants $133 for the same part, plus $30 core and $16 shipping.

Magnusian

I really wish I'd gotten my alternator rewound when I had it rebuilt, it was in a real sorry state of repair (cracked casing, blown bearings, destroyed brushes and bent pulley, amongst other things) and I think only a handful of parts and the rectifier were reused. Ended up costing me almost $200 to get it fixed, which sadly is about what it would've cost me to get a new one that wasn't after market. At least it's now got a warranty and is just about the cleanest thing under my hood.