Never feel weird when asking questions at this site. I felt like that to at first, after awhile you just don't care anymore. Most of us on here don't believe in stupid or weird questions. We've all asked them, just look at this thread. I rambled on and on and still got replies.

 

i ramble in my own threads, im not here to trash up yours with useless babble. so its kinda a respect thing, thats all. i dont like to intrude.
Plus in alot of other situations involving computers or games in other forums i usually get treated stupid because i dont know what one thing is, when in reality thats all they know and its the ONLY thing i didnt. making me feel stupid when im actually smarter. thats why i was hesitant.

Oh, and thanks for the websites. i knew about summit but not the otherone ill have to try it.

EDIT: LMAO i just checked out www.jusnesmodified.com, and they have a intro video of somone doing a sick donut and fishtail and he has a friggin ladder utility rack mounted in the back. LMAO not something i was expecting. the whole time i was watching it i was sitting there thinking of some construction worker who just got fired and flipping the bird.

 

Well I finished up the "Big 3" last night with all 4g wire. Ran the new grounds from the battery and one from the block to the firewall. I used the bolt that holds the oil dipstick in place. Left all original wires in place. Piggybacked a new wire from the alt to the battery and put a 175amp fuse, parts store had no 150amp, near the battery and purchased an extra one just in case. Wanted a red wire to signify positive but the store only had black so I wrapped some red electrical taped around it in certain spots so you know. I went to a different store later and they had red, but oh well. Also got the gold plated battery terminals with all the extra terminals to add stuff to it. Looks a lot cleaner now with these terminals. Also adds the bling, bling factor, haha!

Only problem I had was I had to buy the battery post bushings since the posts were worn down a little and the new terminals would not tighten all the way. While i was at it i took all my other grounds for my accessories and spliced them all together into one ground wire. Truck idles a he!! of alot smoother and actually runs quiter and has a smoother acceleration. I did not think it would help as much as it did.

With the truck off I get 12.76v, truck running I was getting 14.24v and with every accessory on, and I mean everything on, I was still getting 14.21v and my needle did not move and no strain on the motor. Awesome!

Recommend this upgrade to everyone even if they don't go to a larger alt..

Thanks for everyones help on this.

 

i thought the largert alt WAS the upgrade lol. Im intrigued by this mod tho and i feel it would help me out alot. especially if i did a 2 batt 1 diode solinoid to seperate the batts from each other while allowing the alt to charge it. for my adittionals, so when i trailor party or chill in my truck (I do that like its my friggin living room) i dont kill the starter battery. :)


i have a 97 2.3 manual. stock 95A and small case alt. what year make and model alt would you suggest. the 2001 explorer? Motor size? cause if i get it from autozone or something theyll ask me lol.

 

I only went up to a 130amp and they make them for Rangers and have them at autozone but there are a lot of guys on here who have jumped up to a 200amp. There's only a few places where you can get one that large for a Ranger that I know of. 2 are jusnesmodified.com or summitracing.com. I believe it's mentioned somewhere in this thread or do a search for 200 amp alternator and plenty will come up.

The local parts stores don't have 200's and can't get them and I don't know of any vehicle that came with a 200. The same year explorers have the 130amp so they'd work and be a direct fit if you just want to go that big. Most of what we are discussing here is mentioned somewhere in this thread. This thread blew up on me and became a all about alternator thread.

I like your idea of the seperate battery for the partying while keeping your actual truck battery untouched.

 

Cool thanks. oh and ya, if you use the one in two out diode type solenoid it prevents one pattery from drawing from the other. so if i kill it. it wont effect the standard batt.

 

I also was considering doing an alternator upgrade to a 130 amp. I have heard various stories about doing the "big 3" upgrade, does it have to be done?, or could you go without it. Based on this thread it sounds like a good idea, but cash flow is an issue. I have a lot of lights(volunteer ff), two radios, and a few other accessories i use from time to time. I am also considering upgrading my sound system, which will also draw more power. Considering these things are not all on at the same time, but it is very possible they will be, i would like to get a bigger alt, but if i can get by without the wiring that would be great.

 

The big three only cost me around $25 to do if you don't include the expensive gold plated battery terminals, which you don't need if you don't want to use them. With the better terminals $50 all purchased from the local Autozone.

 

u dont need to do the whole "big 3" but u should upgrade the wire size from the alt to the starter relay.

the 200A alts arent all that great. the dont put out any more amperage at idle over the 130A models. also they have a tendicy to burn up the regulator more often.