xj upgrade altenator??

[Pookapotamus]

ok my altenator on the Pook II is starting to pack it in (yes i know surprise surprise!) this was no big deal because i saved the alt from the Pook I, and went to swap in in today but decided to give it a good cleaning and in doing so figured out the rear bearing is done on it as well and really there is no point in swaping it in.

Did a search on here looking for upgraded alts for it but searching for altenator brings up a lot of stuff and nothing pertaining to what i want. now johnny has taught me to be lazy so i figured i would just ask what the best upgraded altenator would be?

so i am looking for better amps and durability, who is running what? what do you recomend? and is there a kick arse super alt that i could look into? and also where to get it?

Pook

[JackstandJohnny]

pfft
ur lazy.

ZJ alternator.  lots o' amperage and should bolt rightup

[hps4evr]

in my 1992 yj i went with a 1998 ish grand cherokee alternator. old one was 90 amps, new one 136 amps. bolts right in. thats a yj though.
http://www.bc4x4.com/faqs/yj.cfm?cat=5&faqid=142#faqtop

dont use the truck v10 alt, its physically too big to bolt up.

[Pookapotamus]

is the zj better sealed than the xj? 136 amps sounds much better!

[hps4evr]

ive never seen a better sealed alt, they generally dont need it other then the bearings. unless someone knows of a sealed version out there. try tot keep them clean is your best bet.

[Pookapotamus]

johnny has recomended the mean grean alt. any thoughts?

[Immortal]

I talked to Dave at AmpTech when mine started to pack it in... He said that the MeanGreen alts were good, but he couldn't really justify spending that much on it. He tested my stock one (rated @95A) and he was pulling 135A on it. I asked him if it was a good idea to upgrade to a higher rating altenator... he said "why? this one will work fine for your application/abuse, just try to keep it clean." Food for thought Dana.

And, he said that best bang-for-buck battery was the Optima Yellow top.

[tubby]

Your XJ alternator crapped the bed? No way! Maybe it has something to do with the terrible location in the engine bay? LOL!

X2 on Dave at Amperage Tech. He  said it was worth upgrading to the Yellow Top instead of the Red if you do a lot of winching and have a lot of lights(sounds up your alley Dana)

I upgraded my alternator last year to a more powerful one that was listed for my application, but had modify it with a grinder to fit as it's quite a robust unit. No problems thus far.

I was going to go the Mean Green alternator route but chose not to due to cost. I have one in my mustang 5.0 and it's definately a quality item but I couldn't justify the cost of one in my XJ because the placement in our engine bays. The mud and grime would just wipe it out. I just carry a spare around.

[Pookapotamus]

i am allready running a yellow top. so it sounds like the best option would be the limited zj alt putting out 180A.

[cuzican]

Buy 200 amp alternator and get spare parts Not mine and other than chatting with him on the phone to know it is a write-off I know nothing else about it. Price is steep for a write off - it has been for sale for awhile - this is at least the second posting on Kijiji. Best of luck

http://lethbridge.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-auto-body-parts-1990-Jeep-Cherokee-for-PARTS-ONLY-good-tires-and-DB-alternator-W0QQAdIdZ241363557

[Pookapotamus]

heck for that price i would buy a new mean grean alt for cheeper!

[WagoneerXJ]

I know with the later model Dodge truck or ZJ 136 amp alternator, there is some grinding and or notching required on the XJ alternator bracket. Haven't done it yet, but it's what I hear as the new one is a little larger.

[JackstandJohnny]

I know with the later model Dodge truck or ZJ 136 amp alternator, there is some grinding and or notching required on the XJ alternator bracket. Haven't done it yet, but it's what I hear as the new one is a little larger.

its all the same part number.............. for the ZJs at least, YJ, ZJ, XJ...... can't quote the number off teh top of my head, but the 'premium' unit you can get for the XJ/YJ is standard in any limited ZJ.... for some reason, all thought you need more juice for all dem fancy gadgets

[Pookapotamus]

will i have to upgrade the wiring harness if i am running a heavier amp alt?

[cLAY]

If you can use an alt from a ZJ then order one from a 1998 ZJ with the 5.9L motor. The rare 5.9L ZJ came with an electric fan stock from factory and a 150amp alt to run it. The alt comes with a smaller pulley on it. This means more amps at lower rpms, it also means you'll need a shorter belt. If putting it on a ZJ just order one for a 1998 ZJ with a 5.9L. For an XJ you'll need a smart parts person to find a slightly shorter belt.

For upgrading the wire I just left the stock wiring alone and added a 4guage wire from the + post on the alt straight to the + post on the battery. If you don't do this you will probably melt the stock wiring.

If you have problems with the alt quitting after going through mud just ask DAVE   at   AMPTECH how you can reclock the the case halves of the alt so that the vent holes are at the bottom and the brushes are at the top. This way all the crap runs out the bottom instead of collecting in the brush holders causing the brushes to hang up in the holders.