alternator to battery path?
 

Ok, proof that I need a digital camera because my memory just isn't cutting it...

I've had my truck apart for a few weeks now and one of the first things I did was taking wires out to measure and do the Big 3 electrical upgrade. Interesting to find was that the alternator wire goes through the fuse box and a fuse to get to the battery.

Here's my question:

I've got a 2000 V6 Xtra cab Tacoma...when the wire comes off the alternator, does it enter the fuse box right under the cover and tie into the bolt on top of the end of the fuse box, or through the hole in the bottom to go the side under the fuse?

One of those mounting points is from the alternator, and the other is to the battery...which one I just can't remember. My first inclination would be that it comes from the alternator into the bottom under the fuse, but I want to make sure before I start cutting my wire to final length (and obviously before I tie it into the system).

Just run a new wire from the alt to the battery and keep the existing one in there as well. Go with 4 guage or lower.

I can't leave the existing wire for two reasons...one is that was pulled out a few weeks ago and hence the point of my original post (I don't remember which way it was run through the fuse box). The other reason being that my battery terminal only has spots for 3 wires (starter, alternator/fuse box, and the power cable going to my distribution box for the amps I'm putting in). The upgraded wiring I'm putting in is all 4awg.


Somebody must have a 95.5-2000 tacoma that they can take a quick look in to help me verify the wiring path??

I've seen something on here about an upgrade done to the lead from the battery to the "slo-blow fuse" in the box, so try doing a Search for that as I recall there being some pictures of the terminal connections, as well as instructions on how to get in there.:great:

I still dont see why you cant just run a new 4ga wire from the charging post, to an aftermarket fuse holder, then to your batteries terminal.

Since the origional alt wire was pulled from the fuse box, there's nothing to worry about. Also your fuse box has it's own B+ wire that goes to the battery so there shouldn't be a problem?

The fuse box to battery wire was pulled as well at the time, which was what had me confused as to which attachment was where within the fuse box. I had thought about running an aftermarket fused wire directly from the alternator to battery, but decided it probably wouldn't benefit me and it would just be an additional cost on top of all the other stereo stuff I'm doing to the truck at the same time.

Regardless, I stopped at the dealership yesterday and one of the service techs opened up the hood on his own '99 tacoma and my confusion was instantly cleared. For reference, the battery to fuse box wire comes in at the bottom of the fuse box and there's a screw attaching it to the side of the 120amp fuse holder. The alternator to fuse box connection comes up through the plastic clip on holder on the side of the fuse box and is attached on the top of the end of the fuse box via a nut onto a fixed bolt.

Thanks all for the suggestions.