I have been trying to find out how to correctly wire a GM alternator on my truck. I got the TG bracket and the 3 wire alternator. I read thru about 100 pages of postings. Read all of the too_cool_3's how to, but he sez that there's only three wires to deal with.
I spent about 3 hours reading build threads and still couldn't get the answer.
The problem for me is that there are 6 wires on my plug. I am not sure if I only need to use the Yellow and white and leave the others disconnected or what.
I know I need to connect a large cable to the battery from the post on the alternator.
So the question is about the six wires on the harness plug.

 

6 wires sounds strange, they call the the conversion a 3 wire alt swap for a reason lol. Do you have a diagram showing what each wire is on your harness?

 

It's the alternator that is three wire. It's supposed to be really simple which is usually something I can handle.
I do have the diagram in a Haynes manual but I was hoping somebody that has done this in a 79/80 would have the "simple" solution.
All the builds I have read seem to be on 1984 up. My pic is of the stock plug that goes to the rectifier. The colors are; White, blue, green/white, red, yellow/white & black.
I haven't done any wire changes so everything is stock wires and plugs.

 

I have no idea if the colors you have would the same as in the FSM for the 83. You could look an see. I remember the red wire on mine is the ignition wire and yellow was the charge light.

 

That's why I posted this. Everything I've read is for newer years. I will take some more time researching and get back. Thanks for the help so far.

 

Page 13 of my build thread in my signature has some notes on how my GM alt was hooked up and has link for a good write up on pirate. Need to check it out.

 

I checked your build and you have a four wire alt. I may be able to use some of your wiring.
Wire sizing is my guess, best I can figure out from the Cylmer wire diagram;
White 8ga. power lead to battery
Blue 8ga. ?
Green/ white 14ga trigger for alt.
Red/white 14ga changes to Black/yellow in harness
Yellow/white 14ga warning light
Black 14ga Ground?

 

The factory alternator is externally regulated and the GM alternator is internally regulated. Have you removed the voltage regulator? Because that is where you start.

If I recall correctly, here's how it goes:
GM alt "L" - Charge indicator (should be yellow wire)
GM alt "F" - Hot source when ignition is on (should be red wire)
GM alt "S" - 12v sensor (should be wire wire) or To Jumper to (+) on GM alt
GM alt (+) - Battery (you need a fuse in here somewhere)

It is technically a 4 wire, but I suppose they don't count that jumper wire.

 

I haven't taken anything apart yet.
First of all I don't have room to have a big immovable lump of Toyota in the way because ...
Second, I am doing a major remodel of five rooms in the house and...
Third, I don't want to start ripping into something until at least I have a good idea where I am headed.
I know that I will be pulling the regulator and maybe that is what most of the wiring is about. A few years ago I nearly burnt up my CJ5 with a minor wiring screw-up on my part. I don't want to do that again either.